Alternating V Shell Afghan

This afghan works up quickly and is good for charity projects. The sample shown was worked in 3-ply sport yarn in a variegated color. 

Materials needed:

• Acrylic yarn in desired colors.
  • About 3 pounds of worsted weight yarn will make a 40 inch by 60 inch afghan (the ideal size for Project Linus).
  • About 4 to 5 ounces of 4-ply worsted weight yarn will make a large preemie baby blanket (about 18" x 20")
  • About 12 ounces of 3-ply sport weight yarn will make a baby blanket approximately 36" square.
• Crochet hook size H for 4-ply worsted weight yarn.
  Crochet hook size F for 3-ply sport weight yarn.
  (Increase or decrease your hook size if you crochet tightly or loosely.)

Gauge:

In 4-ply worsted weight yarn with an H hook, 4 stitch groups (4 V sts or 4 shell sts) are about 3 inches wide.

In 3-ply sport weight yarn with an F hook, 3 stitch groups (3 V sts or 3 shell sts) are about 2 inches wide.

Special Stitches:

V st: Dc, ch 1, dc in designated stitch.

Shell st: Work 3 dc in designated stitch.

Instructions:

Loosely chain a multiple of 3 stitches plus 4 stitches.
For an 18.5 inch wide preemie afghan, loosely chain 79 stitches in 4-ply worsted weight yarn.
For a 40 inch wide afghan, loosely chain 163 in 4-ply worsted weight yarn.
For a 36 inch wide baby afghan, loosely chain 163 in 3-ply sport weight yarn.

Row 1: Work shell st in 5th chain from hook. *Skip 2 ch, shell in next ch. Repeat from * across. End by skipping 1 ch and dc in last ch. Ch 3 and turn.

Row 2: Work V st in center dc of first shell st. *V st in center dc of next shell st. Repeat from * across. End with dc in last ch of turning chain. Ch 3 and turn.

Row 3: Work shell st in ch 1 sp of first V st. *Shell st in ch 1 sp of next V st. Repeat from * across. End with dc in last ch of turning chain. Ch 3 and turn.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until afghan is desired length, changing colors as desired. If you are using more than one color of yarn, I suggest changing colors every 2 to 4 rows.

Changing colors

At end of row, when working the last dc, drop the current color of yarn when you have 2 loops left on your hook. Yarn over with new color of yarn and pull through 2 loops on hook. Ch 3 and turn.

Leave 5 or 6 inch ends of each color of yarn to weave in.

Finishing