Seduced by coupons and lots of wishful thinking, we can buy yarn, which dies slowly in our yarn collections. For me, it can 'accidentally' stay in the bag for a year or so because my ideas at the yarn aisle quickly phase away after the euphoria of buying yarn is over. Typical man, eh!
I have a lot of yarn that is just one colour, and I am like, "What the hell am I going to do with that!?" I can donate it but then I clutch onto the yarn as if it's the door raft in Titantic... "I've never let you go...!" Pathetic eh.
Back in 2012, I wasn't as strong of a creator as I am today in 2024. My afghan ruffled out as it got bigger and I didn't have the brain capacity to figure out why. I know why now... I still like the ruffling as it gives extra materials to wrap a person or to drape it nicely on the back of the sofa.
Re-introducing the Crochet Spectrum Afghan. I was faced with the one ball, wondering what to do with just one ball of colour. I put it together in a strategic way. I created a second version in 2024 with updated colours and a different stitch lineup so the blanket stays flat. New versions called the Overstocked and Hooked Blanket.
Looking at the Crochet In Love with Colour Throw Pattern, the white ring in each octagon is what brings stability to the pattern. It's the only colour that is stable within each octagon. As much as it appears random, one colour isn't and is strategically placed. My afghans have the stability ring for continuity as well.
Original 2012 Crochet Spectrum Afghan
Introducing the new Spectrum Afghan. It has 12 points creating an amazing visual effect of colour. This afghan can be designed as big or as small as you need it to be. The size you see in this photograph is 48" diameter.
This design of the two will ruffle out as shown in the picture blow. The other design lays flat.
Yarn List
Bernat Super Value, 197g / 7 oz, 402 meters / 440 yards. You will need just one ball of the following list of yarns or substitute with what you have.
- A - Winter White
- B - Grass
- C - Forest Green
- D - Deep Sea Green
- E - Cherry Red
- F - Peony Pink
- G - Tulip Pink
- H - Lilac
- I - Lavendar
- J - Light Damson
Hook: 5 mm / H/8
Abbreviations
Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Rep = Repeat
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Sp = Space
St(s) = Stitches
This is a 12 point afghan. This blanket can be grown as big as you need and will continue to ruffle outward.
Instructions
Notes:
Ch 2 at the beginning of a round counts as double crochet.
Join at the end of the instruction means to slip stitch to the first double crochet of the round.
Using A (Winter White), ch 4, sl st to beg ch to form ring.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 12 dc in ring. Join. 12 dc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 dc in each dc around. Join. 24 dc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 36 dc.
4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 48 dc.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. Sk next dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next dc. Sk next dc. *1 sc in next dc, sk next dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next dc. Sk next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to beg sc. 12 points formed in this round.
Tip: In 6th rnd, you will have 6 double crochet per point. (3 per side)
6th rnd: Sl st in next 2 sts. Ch 2. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in next dc. Skip next 3 sts.** 1 dc in next dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: In 7th rnd, you will have 8 double crochet per point. (4 per side)
7th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc next dc. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 2 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: In 8th rnd, you will have 10 double crochet per point. (5 per side)
8th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: Each time you go around, you will gain 2 double crochet per point. Equivalent of 1 extra stitch per side of the point.
9th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
10th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break A.
Repeating
Each colour going forward, other than the white, is used for three round each.
11th rnd: With B (Grass), join with sl st to next st after join. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
12th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
13th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break B.
Cont as established, working 2 more 1 dc before and after each (2 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc).
Colour Sequence Remaining.
- Rnds 14 to 16. Forest Green - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 17 to 19. Deap Sea Green - 3 rnds.
- Rnd 20. Winter White - 1 rnd.
- Rnds 21 to 23. Cherry Red - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 24 to 26. Peony Pink - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 27 to 29. Tulip Pink - 3 rnds.
- Rnd 30. Winter White - 1 rnd.
- Rnds 31 to 33. Lilac - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 34 to 36. Lavender - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 37 to 39. Light Damson - 3 rnds.
Last Rnd: With A (winter white). Use same stitch work but on the tips of the points, place 5 dc instead. and skip doing (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) any spaces to fill in the points.
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Crochet Diagram
You can download the free crochet diagram for the Spectrum Afghan here.
Tutorial
Both Spectrum Afghan and Overstocked Version are in the same tutorial and shown when the pattern changes for each.
by Michael Sellick, ©2012 The Crochet Crowd.
Overstocked and Hooked Crochet Blanket
The Hooked and Overstocked Blanket is a great stash buster and is a redesign of the original Spectrum Afghan with some small modifications which allows the blanket to sit flat down.
I also switched the yarn to Caron Simply Soft using colours I had.
The white rounds break apart the colouring of having 3 colours in the same family for three rounds each. The nice thing about this, I only used 1 ball per colour.
Tutorial
Yarn
Caron Simply Soft, 170 g / 6 oz, 288 meters / 315 yards. Colours below are presented in order in which they appear on the blanket.
- A - Off White
- B - Light Country Blue
- C - Berry Blue
- D - Country Blue
- E - Dark Sage
- F - Green
- G - Pistachio
- H - Soft Pink
- I - Orchid
- J - Iris
The blanket has the look of going from the cold of winter to spring time blooms. If you look carefully from the blue section we end with a dark blue... separated by a white round and then start with a green section with the darkest green first. The last colour won't have much yarn left over but you should have enough without playing yarn chicken.
Hook 5 mm / H/8
Gauge 13 sc and 14 rows = 4" [10 cm].
Abbreviations
Beg = Beginning
Ch = Chain
Dc = Double Crochet
Rep = Repeat
Sc = Single Crochet
Sk = Skip
Sl st = Slip Stitch
Sp = Space
St(s) = Stitches
Instructions
Notes:
Ch 2 at the beginning of a round counts as double crochet.
Join at the end of the instruction means to slip stitch to the first double crochet of the round.
Using A (Off White), ch 4, sl st to beg ch to form ring.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 12 dc in ring. Join. 12 dc.
2nd rnd: Ch 1. 2 dc in each dc around. Join. 24 dc.
3rd rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first dc, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 36 dc.
4th rnd: Ch 1. 1 dc in first 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. *1 dc in next 2 dc sts, 2 dc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join. 48 dc.
TIP: The next row differs from the Spectrum Afghan, with only 8 points around instead of 12.
5th rnd: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. Sk next 2 dc. (1 tr. 2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc. 1 tr) in next dc. Sk next 2 dc. *1 sc in next dc, Sk next 2 dc. (1 tr. 2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc. 1 tr) in next dc. Sk next 2 dc. Rep from * around. Join. 8 points formed in this round.
Tip: In 6th rnd, you will have 8 stitches crochet per point. (4 per side)
6th rnd: Sl st in next 2 sts. Ch 2. 1 dc in next dc*(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in next 2 dc. Skip next 3 sts.** 1 dc in next 2 sts. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: In 7th rnd, you will have 10 double crochet per point. (5 per side)
7th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc next 2 dc. *(2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 3 dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: In 8th rnd, you will have 12 double crochet per point. (6 per side)
8th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 4 dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
Tip: Each time you go around, you will gain 2 double crochet per point. Equivalent of 1 extra stitch per side of the point.
9th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 5 dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
10th rnd: Sl st in next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 5 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 6 dc. Rep from * 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break A.
Repeating
Each colour going forward, other than the white, is used for three round each.
11th rnd: With B (Light Country Blue), join with sl st to next st after join. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 6 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 7 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
12th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 7 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 8 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2.
13th rnd: Sl st to next dc. Ch 2. 1 dc in each of the next 8 dc. (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) in next ch-2 sp. 1 dc in each of next 9 dc. Skip next 2 dc.** 1 dc in each of next 9 dc. Rep from 10 times more, then from * to ** once. Join with sl st to top of ch 2. Break B.
Cont as established, working 2 more 1 dc before and after each (2 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc).
Colour Sequence Remaining.
- Rnds 14 to 16. Berry Blue - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 17 to 19. Country Blue - 3 rnds.
- Rnd 20. Off White - 1 rnd.
- Rnds 21 to 23. Dark Sage - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 24 to 26. Green - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 27 to 29. Pistachio - 3 rnds.
- Rnd 30. Off White - 1 rnd.
- Rnds 31 to 33. Soft Pink - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 34 to 36. Orchid - 3 rnds.
- Rnds 37 to 39. Iris - 3 rnds.
Last Rnd: With A (off white). Use same stitch work but on the tips of the points, place 5 dc instead. and skip doing (2 dc. Ch 2. 2 dc) any spaces to fill in the points.
Crochet Diagram
You can download the free diagram for the Overstocked and Hooked Blanket.
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Brianna says
I definitely think there’s a typo in round 6 of overstocked and hooked. It doesn’t match the diagram. After working in the ch2 space, it says “1 dc in next tr” when the diagram would indicate that you should 1 dc in each of next 2 st. The next round seems correct and the diagram is correct.
Mikey says
Thanks kindly. Fixed it up.
Sheri Mills says
I LOVE THIS PATTERN! I used an ombre yarn instead of my stash. It's gorgeous. I'll definitely be making more of this pattern.
Robin Maryai says
In round 6 I am only getting 6 dc per point. Not sure what I am doing wrong.
Mikey says
Which version are you working with?
Susan Tate says
Is there a diagram? I’m only getting 6 for each point. I’m using updated version
Wendy Maruna says
Hi Susan, I responded to you on FB and shared the link for the video. Michael updated the written for the Overstock on the article. He will update the PDF another time. But it should help your counts now
Nicole says
No Blue Button
Sue McVicker says
No Blue Button
Arlene Denny says
Hi,can you help,been trying to make 12star blanjet with 4.5mm hook and double knitting wool BUT,it keeps bunching up like there are too many stitches. I checked and double checked and have done exactally as your video. Any suggestions? Arlene from N.Ireland
Jennifer Frederick says
Same here
Julie Choiniere says
I absolutely love this pattern. Everyone whoses having a baby in my family and friends wants one as a gift. I've just finished my seventh one. Thank you for this pattern.
Olivia Escobedo says
Hello, thank you for this pattern; I am trying to download the pattern, but the graph is not displaying with the pattern instructions; am I looking in the wrong place to download the pattern; any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Keep up the great work!!
Jeanne - The Crochet Crowd says
You will probably have to save the graph separately. Just right click on the graph to download and save it.
Julie Peters says
Hello!! I'd love to make this afghan, And I am intrigued with the idea of doing it as a rug. Would you still use the acrylic yarn or a cotton yarn?
the crochet crowd mikey. says
thankyou for sending m
e the pattern. still unable to download. have a happy christmas
connie wigley says
bang bang right on
Viki says
Ohhh, you are spot on. I looked over at the bare spot in my livingroom in front of the woodstove and I'm thinkin' how nice it'd be there. Yes, I'd protect it from sparks, etc. I would need to make it as large as the other woman who made it 115 inches!!! It dawned on me that's 5 inches short of TEN FEET!!! Well, if I start now, it will keep me warm during the winter as I make it bigger and BIGger and BIGGER!!!
Flo Kalma says
I went directly to the Redheart website and half of these colors are not available. Disappointed.
Mikey, The Crochet Crowd says
Times change and so does the yarn. Colours are updated frequently. I know I did this afghan a few years back. Life gets boring if everything remains the same.
carol whitehead says
the video of the afghan is brilliant of which i am going to have a go at in the New Year but was wondering do you have any videos on lace crocheting ive seen some but they not as good as yours Mikey
Jeanae Hernandez says
How do I figure out how much yarn to buy for a full sized one?
Sophis says
Why can't I figure out rows 5 6 7 I ready to scream
Flo Kalma says
Try watching and following along with the youtube video.
Wendy says
After you have done your two doubles chain two and two more doubles look very carefuly theres a stich you can hardly see ,i was the same hope this helps
Jelila says
lovely pattern and design, thank you.
Nova Anderson says
Hello Mikey, I love this pattern but want to use it in another way. What I mean is I want to be able to attach it to the bottom of a jacket to make a skirt for the jacket. I have seen coats with a flared skirt on them and I would like to make one for myself. Is there a way to make this afghan open in one of the valleys between the points or at the center of one of the points themselves? I guess what I really want to know is if this can be worked in rows instead of rounds and still have the star points? please let me know if this is possible or if there is a pattern available that is done in rows so I can make my jacket with a skirt, thank you.