The Crochet Study of Transition & Texture Afghan is a more straightforward textured-based project. As an educator, sometimes I want to crochet for myself without the pressure. So I looked at the Red Heart Colorscape and thought, what can I do with this yarn to satisfy my need to crochet without much thought after learning the design? I can hook and be happy in my own free time.
Yarn
Yarn Red Heart Colorscape, 100 g / 3.5 oz, 171 m /187 yds
A - Barcelonia - 9 Balls B - Shanghai - 6 Balls
Intentionally designed to have an easy texture pattern without too much thought to it. Using Red Heart Colorscape to it’s fullest. Each of the sections are completed in their own colour transition. You will use 3 balls of yarn in each of the 5 sections. The colour is transitioning on its own and the texture is related to the stitch itself. The pattern repeat is multiples of 4+1.
Hook: 6 mm / J
Size: 60” x 60” Blanket
Abbreviations
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Ch(s) = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double Crochet
- Dcfp = Double Crochet Front Post
- Dcbp = Double Crochet Back Post
- Hdc = Half Double Crochet
- Rep = Repeat
- RS = Right Side Sc =
- Single Crochet
- Sk = Skip
- Sl St = Slip Stitch
- Sp = Space
- X-st - *[Skip next sc. 1 dc in next sc. Working behind last worked dc, 1 dc in skipped st].
Instructions
Criss Cross Section (Beginning): With A, ch 173 1st row: (RS) 1 sc 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch across. Turn.172 sts.
2nd row: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), x-st across. 1 dc in last st. Turn. 172 sts. 85 x-st.
3rd row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across. Turn. 172 sts.
4th row: Ch 3, X-st across. 1 dc in last st. Turn. 172 sts. 85 x-st. 5th row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across. Turn. 172 sts.
Repeat rows 4 and 5 (10 more times). Break A. You will see 12 rows of x-sts and 13 rows of sc.
Zig-Zag Basket Weave 1st Section 1st row: With B attach to beg st, ch 2 (counts as hdc, here and throughout), [1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 dcbp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to the 3rd last st. 1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
2nd row: Ch 2, 1 dcfp in next st. [1 dcbp in next 2 sts, 1 dcfp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to 2nd last st. 1 dcbp in next st. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
3rd row: Ch 2, [1 dcbp in next 2 sts. 1 dcfp in next 2 sts]. Rep [ ] across to the 3rd last st. 1 dcbp in next 2 sts. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
4th row: Ch 2, 1 dcbp in next st. [1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 dcbp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to 2nd last st. 1 dcfp in next st. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
With continuing colour repeat 1st to 4th of this section (4 more times). Break yarn. There is a total of 20 rows in this section.
Criss Cross Section (Middle) Attach A to beginning stitch. Repeat criss cross 3rd row once, then 4th and 5th rows (12 times). Break yarn. There are 12 rows of x-sts and 13 rows of sc for this section.
Zig-Zag Basket Weave 2nd Section
Complete zig-zag section once more.
Criss Cross Section (Last)
Complete criss cross section the same way as the middle section. Fasten off.
Note: The zig-zag section will have more contraction than the x-st sections. Damp block for best results.
The pattern was updated on March 11, 2021. It may be slightly different from the video tutorial filmed two years ago, but the concept is still the same. The pattern was updated to include row numbers for each section, and a crochet diagram was added.
Initially, I was just going to do criss-cross stitch for the entire afghan, but I thought to myself, I'm more creative than that. So I thought to myself, after using 3 balls, what if I add a secondary colour and a different stitch pattern for that specific colour? Thus, I recalled the zig-zag basketweave from my childhood. I thought it's an easy stitch to follow to satisfy my need to keep myself busy without pressure. So I figured, I would use 3 balls just for the new stitch and then switch back.
Essentially, I ran out of yarn for this project and placed an order on Yarnspirations.com so I could finish.
The afghan is in 5 visual sections. 3 of the sections are using Red Heart Colorscape Barcelona and the other 2 are using Shanghai.
The Study of Fire and Ice
This is an updated version using Caron One Pound and CaronJumbo Yarn but also some small changes. This is The Study of Fire and Ice Blanket.
There is also a crochet diagram available for this particular pattern and maximizing the yield of yarn for 2 balls of Caron One Pound, Off White and 2 balls Caron Jumbo, Zinnias.
Yarn
Caron One Pound, 454 g / 16 oz, 742 m / 812 yds
- A - Off White - 2 Balls
Caron Jumbo Yarn, 340 g / 12 oz, 544 m / 595 yds
- B - Zinnias - 2 Balls
This is easy to do a pattern that will allow you to get your fill of watching TV but also great texture-out of the project. The Zinnias striping is a zig-zag basketweave stitch and is intentionally sized the way it is so you will not go over 2 balls of yarn that is required. The crochet diagrams for these sections have been provided for better visuals. The pattern repeat in multiples of 4+1.
Hook: 6 mm / J
Size: 56” x 52” Blanket
Abbreviations
- Beg = Begin(ning)
- Ch(s) = Chain(s)
- Dc = Double Crochet Dcfp = Double Crochet Front Post Dcbp = Double Crochet Back Post Hdc = Half Double Crochet Rep = Repeat RS = Right Side Sc = Single Crochet Sk = Skip Sl St = Slip Stitch Sp = Space X-st - *[Skip next sc. 1 dc in next sc. Working behind last worked dc, 1 dc in skipped st].
Instructions
Instructions Criss Cross Section (Beginning): With A, ch 173 1st row: (RS) 1 sc 2nd ch from hook. 1 sc in each ch across. Turn.172 sts.
2nd row: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), x-st across. 1 dc in last st. Turn. 172 sts. 85 x-st.
3rd row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across. Turn. 172 sts.
4th row: Ch 3, X-st across. 1 dc in last st. Turn. 172 sts. 85 x-st.
5th row: Ch 1, 1 sc in each st across. Turn. 172 sts.
Repeat rows 4 and 5 (10 more times). Break A . You will see 12 rows of x-sts and 13 rows of sc.
Zig-Zag Basket Weave 1st Section 1st row: With B attach to beg st, ch 2 (counts as hdc, here and throughout), [1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 dcbp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to the 3rd last st. 1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
2nd row: Ch 2, 1 dcfp in next st. [1 dcbp in next 2 sts, 1 dcfp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to 2nd last st. 1 dcbp in next st. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
3rd row: Ch 2, [1 dcbp in next 2 sts. 1 dcfp in next 2 sts]. Rep [ ] across to the 3rd last st. 1 dcbp in next 2 sts. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
4th row: Ch 2, 1 dcbp in next st. [1 dcfp in next 2 sts, 1 dcbp in next 2 sts.] Rep [ ] across to 2nd last st. 1 dcfp in next st. 1 hdc in last st. Turn. 172 sts.
With continuing colour repeat 1st to 4th of this section (3 more times), then 1st row once more. Break yarn. There is a total of 17 rows in this section.
Criss Cross Section (Middle) Attach A to beginning stitch. Repeat criss cross 3rd row once, then 4th and 5th rows (12 times). Break yarn. There are 12 rows of x-sts and 13 rows of sc for this section.
Zig-Zag Basket Weave 2nd Section Complete zig-zag section once more.
Criss Cross Section (Last) Complete criss cross section the same way as middle section. Fasten off.
The zig-zag section will have more contraction than the x-st sections. Damp block for best results.
Crochet Diagram Study of Fire and Ice
Click diagram to save or print.
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Tip
- Multiples for this project are 4 + 1.
- I would encourage you to move from ball to ball within the same colour to match. You don't need to waste yarn. Insert it into the project where the colouring is close to the same.
Tutorials
Sandy Ryan says
Dear Mikey,
I needed a simpler pattern with texture for this year's Christmas gift for my son-in-law. This is perfect! Thank you so very much for providing such amazing content at no cost. Thanks to you, I've learned to read diagrams and not need a video to crochet. HOWEVER, I often listen to the videos as I crochet as I just love your tips and stories.
I thank you and Daniel for your creativity and generosity. <3
Mikey says
Excellent. I am glad this is a pattern that suits your needs. 🙂 Michael
Carol says
I absutly love this!!!!
Brandy says
I made this afghan last year using Lion Brand Ice Cream Big Scoop in Cookies and Cream. It's one of my favorite afghans I've made. I finished it with several rows of SC all around. Thanks for the pattern and your videos Mikey. I started crocheting by signing up for your Mystery Crochet Along in 2015 and wouldn't have been able to do it without your videos.
Mikey says
It's my pleasure and I hope you enjoy your creation!
Debra Bustamante says
I like your work and I get very happy to get a new pattern.
Marina King says
Pattern collecting is almost as fun as the actual crocheting, I have saved more patterns than I can likely ever finish but I love them all!
Heidi Clymer says
I really like it. BUT is there a written version? I have no patience for videos.
Mikey says
Stand by... I really thought I had made a PDF for this. Double checking.
Heidi Clymer says
I am adding it to the queue, should have it made next week
Mikey says
Thanks for trusting in my pattern.
Mikey says
I think you may have overlooked the link in the paragraph. So I created a big blue button for download for you to see it easier. Hope that helps. - Michael
Ann Koles says
Click on the red name of the item in the first paragraph. Takes you to the pdf.
Jeanine says
Hello I have watched your tutorials for sometime I'm a beginner
and I'm trying to challenge myself and I find your videos very engaging I was just curious if I could make the whole afghan with the cross stitch and not use the other stitch. Thank you for your help
Marina King says
The great thing about an afghan is that you can make them out of pretty much any stitch you desire. If you used just one stitch, by the time you are done you have that stitch down pat. However, if you are unsure about it, I would suggest doing a dishcloth first, then you would have a good idea of how it would look.
Jeri says
Do I need 9 balls of one color and 6 balls of another Red Heart Colorscape?
Thank you.
Mikey says
Yes, a total of 15 balls.
Valerie says
What a stunning afghan! At 2:37 you show two alternative colours. They are beautiful. What are the names of those two colours? Thank you.
Mikey says
I believe it's called Colorscape... colour is Paris.
Maggie says
Hi Mikey....I’m having trouble. I’ve been doing the cross stitch and each row has 86 as in the instructions, but I end up the single stitch row with 173 stitches! If I end with 1 less stitch, the row looks too short and the cross stitches on the next row are “off”. What am I doing wrong??? Maggie
Mikey says
I would just add an extra stitch. I cannot tell from my seat here what you are doing wrong to advise. I would just add in the stitch to get back on track.
Maggie says
Thank you. I can’t decide if I’m counting incorrectly or not. I guess I’ll find out when I get to the next panel ?.
Elaine says
I got 85 X stitches instead of the 86 in the written pattern. 85x2=170 plus one stitch end & beginning of row=172 stitches
Kathy says
Didn't know about the zig zag stitch. Never heard of it before. Thanks for introducing it to me.
martina says
Mikey, whats the size of this beauty when its finished? ty
Mikey says
60" x 60"
Martina Blackwell says
Thank you so much
Nina says
I am not understanding what Mikey means.....
"I would encourage you to move from ball to ball within the same colour to match. You don’t need to waste yarn. Insert it into the project where the colouring is close to the same."
Does it mean when finishing up one ball, do I use/start the new ball exactly the same color where the other ball ended, or make each row the same color and use yarn from another ball to finish that row?
TIA
Mikey says
If a ball is ending with pink. Ensure the next ball is starting in the same pink tone. if the ball isn't ready, just pull out the centre of the ball until you see that same shade and then start. It will keep the colouring looking consistent.
Eileen celentano says
There is no link to download the pattern or to print it out.
Mikey says
I screwed up. I made the pattern into a picture and not PDF. I fixed it late last night after someone emailed me. It's since corrected.
Linda Randall says
But WHERE? 20 minutes of searching...
Mikey says
Do you see the big blue button for the download?