Traveling Afghan Crochet Sampler Square

This beautifully textured crochet square is a perfect addition to a sampler blanket like the Lion Brand Traveling Afghan. Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF here.

This crochet square pattern is part of a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarns. This post contains affiliate links.

As part a year long “My Life In Yarn” collaborative project, Lion Brand and 49 designers from seven countries are joining up for the Traveling Afghans project and you can join in on too!

The Traveling Afghan set sail from NYC in January to travel the world and it’ll receive its finishing border in New Jersey in December. Each designer is creating a 10″x10″ square to add to the blanket before sending it off to the next person to add theirs. We are each publishing our patterns for free online so YOU can follow along with us and create your own knit or crochet afghan. Along the way, each designer is sharing a little about our history as a makers.

Today I’m so happy contribute square #13 of the Traveling Crochet Afghan and tell you a little more about the role of yarn in my life, but first, here’s how you can participate in the Traveling Afghan Project:
1. Purchase a yarn kit so you all the yarn you need. You’ll also need a size J (6.0 mm) hook. (The kit is not mandatory. Feel free to follow along using whatever yarn you’d like.)

2. Visit the landing page for the project, hosted by Alexandra Tavel from Two of Wands, for FAQs about how the project works and what to expect.

3. Scroll to the bottom of this page to see the list of participating designers. Follow these designers on social media to get updates on their pattern releases and learn about their maker journeys.

4. Host a crochet along with your maker friends! Team up with your pals for some Zoom crochet sessions or cheer each other or form your own Facebook group. We would love to see YOUR life in yarn too, so make sure to tag @MakeAndDoCrew and @LionBrandYarn in your posts and use the hashtags #thetravelingafghans #lionbrandyarn and #mylifeinyarn and #thetravelingcrochetafghan.

Related: 33+ Crochet Blanket Border Ideas

A Family Held Together By Yarn + Glue

I come from a long line of DIY-ers. My mom’s part eternal preschool teacher and part frugal hippie, which pretty much makes her the queen of DIY. My dad refinishes antique furniture and built the house I grew up in. My grandmothers both helped me learn how to quilt as a kid. The busy-hands gene runs deep.

My Life In Yarn

In third grade, parents came into our class to teach various life skills. I was thrilled when my mom came to show us how to crochet because I had been watching her work her own yarn magic my whole life. I was immediately fascinated with the idea of being able to make my own visions tangible in the form of yarn.

Getting my tension right proved challenging though and I have a vivid memory of hiding on the closet a few days later, screaming in anger because my first project wasn’t turning out how I hoped. Haha. Wish I could say that’s changed…

A Young Crochet Evangelist

After I got the hang of even tension, I towed a very safe line making MANY single crochet afghans in my childhood. I taught my sisters and cousins how to crochet and would host “crochet club,” complete with written goals of how many rows we’d each complete in a day.

In college, I would see something I liked in a catalog or store and set out to replicate it. It was sort of my version of playing music by ear. After the birth of my second child, I needed a creative outlet that felt more in control than my chaotic life, and thus, Make & Do Crew was born.

It’s Come Full Circle

One of the most magical parts of watching Make & Do Crew grow has been inviting my perennially creative mom and sisters back into my crochet life. My mom now regularly crochets some of the samples you see here on the blog. And although she’s technically been “designing” crochet and knit projects her whole life, she’s recently begun writing them down and sharing them here. It’s really fun to collaborate together doing something we both enjoy so much.

A Family Affair

My sister, Jamie, works part time behind the scenes on Make & Do Crew running the guest designer program and generally keeping things significantly more organized than I could on my own. As a kid, Jamie would clean my room as surprise for me. Not much has changed all these years later, now she just “cleans” my business.

And my sister, Michelle, often models the creations my mom and I crochet. She’s got just about the best hair of any human you’ll ever meet and she’s such a good sport about me bossing her around from behind the camera.

Speaking of behind the camera, although my husband has zero interest in photography, he is known to take some of the photos you see here, sometimes even with a baby strapped to his chest. He’s the real hero of this whole operation.

The Traveling Afghan

One of my favorite parts of running Make & Do Crew has been being part of the yarn community. When Lion Brand pitched the idea of the Traveling Afghan to some designers at the beginning of the year, none of us had any idea what 2020 had in store. Now that many of us have spent a good deal of time in isolation, the concept of connecting through a hobby we all love is more important than ever.

To learn more about the project, check out this comprehensive FAQ post Alexi wrote. Alright, let’s get to square #13 of the Lion Brand Traveling Crochet Afghan!

RELATED: 25+ Temperature Blanket Patterns

purchase a kit with all the yarn you’ll need ⇨

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Lion Brand
Traveling Afghan Pattern
Crochet Square #13

Purchase an ad-free, printable PDF with stitch chart on LoveCrafts here.

Explanation:
The thirteenth square of the Traveling Crochet Afghan combines puffs and bobbles for a feminine, bohemian look.

Supplies:
Purchase a kit with all the yarn you’ll need here.
• Lion Brand Wool Ease (Weight: 4/medium –  170 yds, X.0 oz)
– Natural Heather (620-098) – ½ skein (approx. 41 g)
• Size J (6.0 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Measurements:
After blocking, square should measure 10×10”.

Gauge:
At the end of Round 4, circle should measure 5” across.

Abbreviations and Glossary (US Terms):
ch(s) – chain(s)
ch-1 sp – space created by 1 ch
ch-2 sp – space created by 2 ch
dc – double crochet
hdc – half double crochet
PM – place marker
rep – repeat
RS – right side
sc – single crochet        
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch                            
sp sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es) 
tr – treble crochet
WS – wrong side
yo – yarn over

2DcCl – 2 double crochet cluster – yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yo and pull through all 3 loops.

3DcCl – 3 double crochet cluster – yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook). Yo and pull through all 4 loops.

4DcCl – 4 double crochet cluster – yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (3 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (4 loops on hook). Yo, insert hook in same stitch, yo and pull up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops (5 loops on hook). Yo and pull through all 5 loops.

Puff – [yo, insert hook in the designated stitch, yo and pull up a loop] five times in the same stitch, yo and pull through all 11 loops on hook, ch 1 to close puff.

Want some company while you crochet?
Get support (and camaraderie!) in the Make & Do Crochet Crew Facebook Group here.

Permissions + Copyright:
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos.

SQUARE #13

Notes:

• Entire square is worked in the round. It begins as a circle and develops distinct corners in Round 8. Each round is finished with a sl st to the first st of the round.

• Ch 3 at beginning of a round always counts as 1 dc. Work these chs quite tightly so as to minimize the potential gap they can create in a round.

• See stitch chart on p6 of pattern PDF for visual explanation of initial circle pattern.

Foundation: Create a magic ring (or ch 5, sl st to join).

Round 1 (RS): Ch 3, 15 dc in ring, sl st to third ch from beginning of round to join. (16 sts)

Round 2: Ch 3, 2DcCl in top of ch-3, ch 1, [3DcCl in next dc, ch 1] 15 times, sl st to top of first cluster to join. (32 sts)

Round 3: Sl st into first ch-1sp, ch 3, 3DcCl in first ch-1 sp, ch 2, [4DcCl in next ch-1 sp, ch 2] 15 times, sl st to top of first cluster to join. (48 sts)

Round 4: Ch 3, [4 dc in next ch-2 sp] 15 times, 3 dc in last ch-2sp, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (64 sts)

Round 5: Sl st into first dc, [ch 4, sk 1 dc, sl st in third dc of same 4DcGroup, ch 4, sk 1 dc, sl st in first dc of next 4DcGroup] 15 times, ch 4, sk 1 dc, sl st into third dc of last 4DcGroup, ch 4, sl st into sl st from beginning of round to join. (32 Ch4Loops)

Round 6: Ch 1, [3 sc in Ch4Loop, 2 sc in next Ch4Loop] 16 times, sl st to first sc of round to join. (80 sc)

Round 7: Ch 3, sk first sc, dc in next 8 sc, 2 dc in next sc, [dc in next 9 sc, 2 dc in next sc] 7 times. (88 dc)

Round 8: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, 2 tc in next st, ch 1, 2 tc in next st, *dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, dc in next 4 sts, 2 tc in next st, ch 1, 2 tc in next st; rep from * twice more, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in next 4 sts, sl st to first sc of round to join. (4 distinct sides, 24 sts per side)

Round 9: Ch 1, [sc in next 5 sts, hdc in next 6 sts, dc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in corner, dc in next st, hdc in next 6 sts, sc in next 5 sts] 4 times, sl st to first sc of round to join; TURN. (26 sts per side)

Note: Round 10 is worked with WS facing. 

Round 10 (WS): Sl st 1 into first sc (this is the last sc of Round 9), ch 2, puff in next st, *ch 1, sk 2 sts, puff in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts; rep from * to corner; (puff, ch 2, puff) in corner**; rep from * to ** three more times; ***ch 1, sk 2 sts, puff in next st, ch 1, sk 2 sts; rep from *** to end of round, sl st to top of first puff to join; TURN. (10 puff sts per side)

Note: Round 11 is once again worked with RS facing. 

Round 11: Ch 3, 2 dc in first sp, *3 dc in each sp to corner, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in corner, rep from * three more times, 3 dc in each sp to end of round, sl st to top of beginning ch-3 to join. (33 dc per side)

BLOCKING

Use T-pins to pin square down to a blocking board or other surface. Stretch to 10×10” if necessary. Steam block square using steamer or iron, taking care not to touch yarn directly. 

Add lucky #13 to your stack of Traveling Afghan squares and celebrate the fact that you’re over half way to a finished blanket!

I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured. And be sure to use the Traveling Afghan hashtags so the rest of the community can see your progress: #travelingafghans #mylifeinyarn #lionbrandyarn #travelingcrochetafghan

Ready for More Free Crochet Patterns?

Whether you need something to work on while you wait for the next Traveling Afghan square or you just like to pin patterns for future inspiration, we’ve so much more for you to check out.

You can find all our free crochet patterns and tutorials here. Or head straight to our blanket patterns, easy crochet sweaters, super fast projects or corner to corner crochet patterns.

Where to Find the Rest of The Free Pattern Squares

#1 – 11/1-1/13 – New York City, USA – Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands
#2 – 1/15-1/28 – Barcelona, Spain – Cecilia Losada of Mamma DIY
#3 – 1/29-2/11 – Utrecht, The Netherlands – Wilma Westenberg of Wilmade
#4 – 2/12-2/25 – Gloucestershire, UK – Lindsey Newns of Lottie and Albert
#5 – 2/26-3/10 – New Brunswick, Canada – Kimberley Giggie of Lakeside Loops
#6 – 3/11-3/24 – Ontario, Canada – Lee Sartori of Coco Crochet Lee
#7 – 3/25-4/7 – Alberta, Canada – Janine Myska of Knits n’ Knots
#8 – 4/8-4/21 – Alberta, Canada – Abigail Ellazar of Knits and Knots by AME
#9 – 4/22-5/5 – California, USA – Arica Presinal of Skeinsnsticks
#10 – ⅚-5/19 – California, USA – Meghan Ballmer of Meghan Makes Do
#11 – 5/20-6/2 – California, USA – Nicole Riley of Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
#12 – 6/3-6/16 – Arizona, USA – Bailey Williams of Hooked on Tilly
#13 – 6/17-6/30 – Colorado, USA – Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew (pattern above!)
#14 – 7/1-7/14 – Kansas, USA – Emily Davies of Hooked Hazel
#15 – 7/15-7/28 – Michigan, USA – Jennifer Pionk of A Crocheted Simplicity
#16 – 7/29-8/11 – Michigan, USA – Melissa Fisher of Woods and Wool
#17 – 8/12-8/25 – Ohio, USA – Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
#18 – 8/26-9/8 – Georgia, USA – Vincent Williams of Visuvio’s Crafts
#19 – 9/9-9/22 – North Carolina, USA – Tia Edwards of Simple Things Crochet
#20 – 9/23-10/6 – North Carolina, USA – Ashleigh Kiser of Sewrella
#21 – 10/7-10/20 – North Carolina, USA – Rohn Strong of Rohn Strong
#22 – 10/21-11/3 – Pennsylvania, USA – Jessica Benvenuto of Fly the Distance
#23 – 11/4-11/17 – New York, USA – Brianna Iaropoli of Life and Yarn
#24 – 11/18-12/1 – New York City, USA – Teresa Carter of Debrosse
#25 – 12/2-12/16 – New Jersey, USA – ChiWei Ranck of 1 Dog Woof