Beginner's Guide to

The Craft Yarn Council of America

Crochet Sampler Afghan

This page updated Aug 22, 2009

Introduction When I decided to get certification as a Crochet teacher, I learned about the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA) certification program, and enrolled in it (and some time later, got the certification that I was after). Among the teacher training materials was a pattern for an interesting afghan of 20 squares, each made with a different pattern stitch. There are only three colours of yarn in the afghan. But there is such a variety of one-colour and two-colour squares, that it really has a scrappy-but-coordinated look. I recently decided that I wanted to make this afghan. After getting started on it, I realized that each square actually had sufficient interesting details in it that it would be beneficial to explain them, especially for the newer Crocheter. So, this article is the start of a series of write-ups about this afghan. What to expect I will include the pattern for each square as I discuss it. I will show it in a few formats: Spelled out in detail, copying from the CYCA pattern. In abbreviated form. In chart form. Materials If you want to make it, you will need the following: 18 ounces (500 grams) worsted weight yarn, Colour A 21 ounces (600) grams worsted weight yarn, Colour B 21 ounces (600) grams worsted weight yarn, Colour C Size G (4.25 mm) and H (5 mm) crochet hooks. G (4.25 mm) crochet hook for edging The gauge is: 7 single crochet = 2 inches; 17 rows = 4 inches. The afghan will measure about 49x61 inches without fringe. Each block will be 12 inches square. After each square is completed, the instructions say to first block the pieces to a 12x12 inch square, and then work a row of single crochet around each block working 3 single crochet in each corner and spacing stitches to keep work flat. I decided to work the SC frame around each block as I completed them - that way, there were fewer ends to sew in. The CYCA did not name the blocks - they are referred to as SAMPLER 1 to SAMPLER 20. So the descriptive names you see below are mine. See the individual patterns at: Sampler 1 - Arcs and Vees Sampler 2 - Long Stitches Sampler 3 - Star Stitch Sampler 4 - Triple Cross Stitch Sampler 5 - Waves Sampler 6 - Hearts or Tulips Sampler 7 - Shells and Bars Sampler 8 - Bead Stitch Sampler 9 - Puff Stitch Sampler 10 - Filet Crochet Sampler 11 - Honeycomb Sampler 12 - Four Lane Sampler 13 - Shells and Picots Sampler 14 - Post Stitch Basketweave Sampler 15 - Zigzag Sampler 16 - Umbrella Shells Sampler 17 - Criss Cross Stitch Sampler 18 - Circles Sampler 19 - Puffs and Posts Sampler 20 - Striped Mesh Joining the Squares Together Adding the Border and Fringe