Americana Afghan

MATERIALS

• Lion Brand Heartland Yarn: #098 Acadia (A, 10 skeins), #109 Olympic (B, 5 skeins), #113 Redwood (C, 2 skeins)
• Lion Brand Crochet Hook - Size J-10 (6 mm)       
• Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)     
• Chart
   

SIZE: One Size, About 50 x 62 in. (127 x 157.5 cm)

GAUGE: 12 sc + 15 rows = 4 in. (10 cm).
BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient. If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION:
sc2tog (sc 2 sts together): Insert hook into st and draw up a loop. Insert hook into next st and draw up a loop. Yarn over, draw through all 3 loops on hook – 1 st decreased.

NOTES:
    1. 20 Squares are worked, then joined together to make Afghan following Diagram.
    2. Stars are worked separately, then sewed to Squares.

   

INSTRUCTIONS

SQUARES (make 20)
With A, ch 37.
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across - 36 sts.
Row 1: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st across.
Rep Row 1 until piece measures about 12 in. (cm) from beginning. Fasten off.

STARS
(make 15 with B and 5 with C)
Ch 3, join with sl st in beg ch to form a ring.
Rnd 1: Ch 1, work 8 sc in ring; join with sl st in first sc - 8 sts.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each sc around; join with sl st in first sc - 16 sts.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, 2 sc in next sc, *sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc - 24 sts.
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in each of first 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, *sc in each of next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc - 32 sts.
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc in each of first 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, *sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc - 40 sts.

Shape First Arm
Note: Rows 1-9 are worked back and forth across a portion of the sts, leaving remaining sts unworked.
Row 1: Sc in each of next 8 sc, leave rem sts unworked - 8 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc across to last 2 sts, sc2tog - 6 sts.
Rows 4, 6 and 8: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across.
Row 5: Rep Row 3 - 4 sts.
Row 7: Rep Row 3 - 2 sts.
Row 9: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog.
Fasten off.

Shape Second-Fifth Arms
Join yarn with sl st in next sc at end of Row 1 of last arm worked.
Rep Rows 1-9 of first arm.
At the end of fifth arm, do not fasten off, instead work sc evenly spaced around entire outside edge of Star, working 3 sc in tip of each arm.
Fasten off.

FINISHING
Using B for C Stars and C for B Stars, whipstitch a Star to the center of each Square.
With B, and following Diagram, whipstitch Squares into 4 strips of 5 Squares each.
With B, and following Diagram, whipstitch strips together to make Afghan.

Border
From RS, join B with a slip st in one corner of Afghan.
Rnd 1: *Work 3 sc in corner, then work sc evenly spaced across edge of Afghan to next corner; rep from * around; join with sl st in beg sc.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc into each sc around, working 3 sc into each corner sc.
Rnd 3: Ch 1, turn. Rep Rnd 2. Fasten off.
From RS, join C with sl st in corner st at any corner of Afghan.
Rnd 4: Sc into next st 2 rnds below (this means that you are working into Rnd 2), ch 1, sc in same st 2 rnds below - corner made, *ch 1, skip next st, sc into next st 2 rnds below; rep from * to next corner, continue in this way around entire outside edge of Afghan. At end of rnd, join with sl st in beg sc.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends.