Blazing Diamonds Afghan

Materials: 3.5 Skeins Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Bright Yellow (24.5 oz used)

5 skeins less 1 oz. of Loops & Threads Impeccable yarn in Orange Crush (21.2 oz. used), Size H crochet hook or size to give gauge, yarn darner needle

Gauge: 13 sts = 4”, 7 rows = 2”. Completed afghan is 50” x 65”

The entire afghan is worked in sc through both loops, but half the stitches are worked from back to front, which makes the reversible diamond design. The colors are changed every 2^nd row, but the old color is carried up the side, so there are only 4 ends to weave in when you are done (note: starting new yarn in the same color is done with the Russian join). If you love colorwork but hate weaving in ends, this technique is for you!

Special stitches and techniques:

Back to front sc: Insert the hook from back to front with yarn from ball coming out in front. Draw up a lp, yo and through both loops.

Color changes: Draw up a loop of the new color with the last yo of the old color. Ch 1 and turn. Draw the old color behind the work and circle the thread so the working yarn is facing out (righty- circle clockwise, lefty circle counter-clockwise). Work the first st of the new row over the old color; pull gently to bring the old color through at the correct tension.

Graph has 81 sts and 36 rows. Full pattern has 161 sts and 228 rows. Work 81 sts, then repeat sts 2-81 for full pattern. Every 32 rows is a full diamond pattern; full afghan has 7 repeats, plus repeat of rows 1-4 on the graph.

Written directions for rows 1-12:

With yellow, ch 162 to begin, turn

Row 1-Sc in 11 sts, (*bsc in next 4 sts, sc in next 3 sts, bsc in next 5 sts, sc in next 3 sts, bsc in next 4 sts*, sc in next 21 sts)3x, repeat between **, sc in last 11 sts, ch 1, turn. 161 sts.

Row 2- Bsc in 11 sts, (*sc in next 4 sts, bsc in next 3 sts, sc in next 5 sts, bsc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts,* bsc in next 21 sts)3x, repeat between **, bsc in last 11 sts, changing to orange with the last lp of the last bsc (see special techniques above), ch 1, turn.

Row 3- With orange, repeat row 2, working first bsc of row over yellow yarn (see special techniques above). Do not change color at the end of this row.

Row 4-Repeat row 1, drawing up yellow for the last lp of the last sc of row.

Row 5- With yellow, sc in 8 sts, [*(bsc in next 4 sts, sc in next 3 sts)3x, bsc in next 4 sts,* sc in next 15 sts]3x, repeat between **, sc in last 8 sts, ch 1, turn.

Row 6- Bsc in 8 sts, [*(sc in next 4 sts, bsc in next 3 sts)3x, sc in next 4 sts,* bsc in next 15 sts]3x, repeat between **, bsc in last 8 sts, pull orange through as last lp of row, ch 1, turn

Row 7-With orange, repeat row 6, working first bsc of row over yellow yarn. Do not change color at the end of this row.

Row 8- Repeat row 5, pull yellow through for last lp of row.

Row 9- With yellow, sc in 5 sts, (*bsc in next 4 sts, sc in next 3 sts, bsc in next 4 sts,* sc in next 9 sts)7x, repeat between **, sc in last 5 sts, ch 1, turn.

Row 10- Bsc in 5 sts, (*sc in next 4 sts, bsc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 sts,* bsc in next 9 sts)7x, repeat between **, bsc in last 5 sts, drawing up orange for last lp of row, ch 1, turn.

Row 11-With orange, repeat row 10, working first bsc of row over yellow yarn. Do not change color at the end of this row.

Row 12-Repeat row 9, pull yellow through for last lp of row.

Follow the graph for the remaining rows. Note that every 4 rows are a set. The first row sets the sequence. The second row places a forward-facing stitch over a forward-facing stitch and a rear-facing stitch over a rear-facing stitch. The third row does the opposite of the second row; a rear-facing stitch is placed over a forward-facing stitch and a vice versa. The fourth row, like the second, places a like stitch over a like stitch. There are 5 different pattern sets on the graph; they are numbered on the left side of the graph.

See Ravelry.com for photographs of the finished projects.