This crochet afghan square is part of the Traveling Crochet Afghan and I’m so excited to share the 3rd pattern! My design is inspired by my home country the Netherlands, aka Holland, and features the tulip crochet stitch. I tried to keep the pattern as easy as possible with simple repeats, so it will be a fun project for both beginning and advanced crocheters. Scroll down for my free pattern and more information on this fun international Traveling Afghans project!
Traveling Crochet Afghan Square #3
About the Traveling Crochet Afghan project
The Traveling Afghan Project is a crochet-along sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn which runs from January 2020 till December 2020. The blanket travels to a new designer every two weeks who will add a 10″x10″ square before sending it off to the next person. In total 49 designers from 7 different countries are participating.
All patterns will be available for free on our blogs so you can follow along and create your own crochet afghan. For your convenience you can also purchase a kit with all the yarn you’ll need to make the entire blanket. Read more about this project on this page.
About this design
I was born and raised in the Netherlands (aka Holland) and tulips in the Netherlands are a big thing. It’s one of the things we’re famous for (besides Gouda cheese). We even have an ‘Amsterdam Tulip Festival’ each year. 🌷
Therefore I decided to use the tulip crochet stitch which is a fun and beautiful stitch. The tulip stitch is made of 2 rows: 1 row with V-stitches and 1 row with puff stitches. Together they really look like tulips. Amazing, huh?
Simplicity is important to me as I want this square to be a fun project for both beginners and advanced crocheters. I tried to make a simple row repeat and only used basic stitches. It turned out to be a super simple and beginner-friendly pattern.
About me
Hi! I’m Wilma, 25 years old and I design crochet patterns which I share for FREE on this blog. I especially like to make garments, shawls and hats. Currently I’m working on a special series of patterns which are inspired by and dedicated to my ‘extended family’; people with the same rare tumor as I have.
For more than 22 years my doctors did not know what was going on. In 2017 I finally got diagnosed with an ultra rare condition. I immediately started searching for other people and so far I’ve found about 40 people in the whole wide world. It’s amazing how many similarities we have and how much we look alike. Many of my upcoming patterns will be special designs inspired by my new ‘extended family’.
> Read more about me
> Read more about this special series of patterns
Crochet Afghan Square #3 pattern
- Get the ad-free printable PDF on Etsy and Ravelry.
- Favorite this pattern on Ravelry (thank you!)
- PIN this pattern to Pinterest
Materials
– 1/2 skein Lion Brand Wool-Ease (weight 4/medium, 197yds/180m, 3oz/85g), or approx 100yds/90m of another worsted weight yarn. You can purchase a kit which includes all the yarn you need for the Traveling Afghan crochet blanket.
– Crochet hook 6mm (J/10)
– Scissors
Finished dimensions
10 x 10 ” / 25.5 x 25.5 cm
Gauge
14 dc and 8 rows equal 10 cm x 10 cm / 4” square
Stitches & abbreviations
– st: stitch
– ch: chain
– dc: double crochet
– puff: puff stitch (yarn over, pull up a long loop (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull up a long loop in same st (5 loops on hook), yarn over, pull up a long loop in same st (7 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 7 loops on your hook, chain 1 to secure the stitch)
– v-st: v stitch (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc in one st)
Notes
– This pattern is written in US terminology
– This project is worked in rounds with the right side facing you
– Beginning and ends of rounds will take place within the same corner
– Slip stitches do not count as a stitch
Video
Below you can find a video tutorial of this pattern.
* Click here to watch the video on YouTube
Pattern
** Note: You can purchase the ad-free PDF version of this pattern on Etsy and Ravelry. The PDF is designed for printing and this way you can support me! **
Ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring. You can also begin with a magic circle.
Round 1:
Ch 5 (counts as your first dc and ch 2 here and throughout),
[1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 2] 3 times,
1 dc, ch 1, sl st in 3rd ch, sl st into corner (4 sets of 2 dc / 1 v-st)
Round 2:
*(1 puff, ch 2, 1 puff) into corner, ch 1,
[1 puff in next ch-sp, ch 1] repeat across,
repeat from * 3 more times, sl st in 1st puff, sl st into corner (4 sets of 3 puff)
Round 3:
ch 5, 2 dc into corner, 1 dc in next puff,
*[2 dc in next ch-sp, 1 dc in next puff] repeat across, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into corner,
repeat from * 3 more times but replace last corner with 1 dc into corner before beginning ch-5, sl st in 3rd ch, sl st into corner (4 sets of 11 dc)
Round 4:
ch 5, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) into corner, skip next 2 st,
*[(1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) in next st, skip next 2 st] repeat across, (1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc, ch 1, 1 dc) into corner,
repeat from * 3 more times but replace last corner with (1 dc, ch 1) into corner before beginning ch-5, sl st in 3rd ch, sl st into corner (4 sets of 10 dc / 5 v-st)
Round 5:
Repeat round 2 (4 sets of 7 puff)
Round 6:
Repeat round 3 (4 sets of 23 dc)
Round 7:
Repeat round 4 (4 sets of 18 dc / 9 v-st)
Round 8:
Repeat round 2 (4 sets of 11 puff)
You can make your square bigger by repeating row 3, 4 and 2 as many times as you want.
Blocking
Make sure to block all your afghan squares before attaching them to the blanket. The measurement of each square should be 10 x 10″. In short, blocking means you make your square wet and pin in the correct shape, for example on a bed or foam blocks. It will dry and stay in the shape you pinned it. You can find my blocking tutorial here.
Join squares with an invisible seam
I’ve made a photo and video tutorial on how to join squares using the invisible seam method. You can find my tutorial here.
Questions?
If you have any questions about this crochet afghan square, feel free to join my Facebook Group. I created this group for you to share pictures/ progress, ask questions and to help each other out.
Share a picture!
If you’re traveling along and finished my afghan, please share a photo! Tag us on Instagram @wilmawestenberg & @mylifeinyarn and use the following hashtags for full exposure: #wilmade #travelingafghans #mylifeinyarn #lionbrandyarn #travelingcrochetafghan.
All Traveling Afghans so far
#1 – by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands
#2 – by Cecilia Losada of Mamma DIY
#3 – by me!
#4 – by Lindsey Newns of Lottie and Albert
#5 – by Kimberley Giggie of Lakeside Loops
#6 – by Lee Sartori of Coco Crochet Lee
#7 – by Janine Myska of Knits n’ Knots
#8 – by Abigail Ellazar of Knits and Knots by AME
#9 – by Arica Presinal of Skeinsnsticks
#10 – by Meghan Ballmer of Meghan Makes Do
#11 – by Nicole Riley of Nicki’s Homemade Crafts
#12 – by Bailey Williams of Hooked on Tilly
#13 – by Jess Coppom of Make & Do Crew
#14 – by Emily Davies of Hooked Hazel
#15 – by Jennifer Pionk of A Crocheted Simplicity
#16 – by Melissa Fisher of Woods and Wool
#17 – by Toni Lipsey of TL Yarn Crafts
#18 – by Vincent Williams of Visuvio’s Crafts
#19 – by Tia Edwards of Simple Things Crochet
#20 – by Ashleigh Kiser of Sewrella
#21 – by Rohn Strong of Rohn Strong
#22 – by Jessica Benvenuto of Fly the Distance
#23 – by Brianna Iaropoli of Life and Yarn
#24 – by Teresa Carter of Debrosse
#25 – by ChiWei Ranck of 1 Dog Woof
More free crochet patterns
-
- Ana Lucia Shawl
-
- This Is Me Shawl
-
- Bracelet
-
- Bella Vita Shawl
-
- Simple Double Brim Hat
27 Comments
Barbara
25 May 2021 at 5:10 pmHi, thank you for the beautiful pattern. I’m plan to make a baby blanket, making 9 squares (30 x 30). What type of border do you suggest?
Tammy Reeves
21 March 2021 at 6:55 pmHello Wilma! I came across this square looking for an interesting but easy texture to make a lap blanket for my grandmother who will be turning 100 next month. She taught me to crochet when I was 8, so I thought it would be fitting. Thank you for sharing!
Katharina
18 March 2021 at 9:43 pmHi Wilma! So beautiful! Love your granny square a lot! Wished all the patterns would be offered in crochet script too so anyone could read it no matter what language s/he speaks.
Bobbi McCullough
5 January 2021 at 5:15 amSorry Wilma – I’ve already emailed you re these squares. How do I get the pattern for #1 and #2? Are there more than 3 different patterns for this “travelling afghan”?
Tammy Reeves
21 March 2021 at 6:57 pmScroll up to the list. Click on #1 – by Alexandra Tavel of Two Wands and that takes you to the designer of #1. Etc.
kim gaudette
15 November 2020 at 5:52 amI was wondering when the other 6 patterns would be available I am excited about doing all 25 squares as I am donating the afghans to the hospital in my city to the cancer patients. So far all the squares look awesome.
Alicia
18 October 2020 at 5:55 pmI saw your video. You explained it very clearly. I’m excited to start. I’ll use it as a center square in my square aphgan!!! Can’t wait to put color to it!!!
Sarah Simon
15 September 2020 at 3:26 pmThis is such a beautiful granny square. Where would I find the pattern for the other squares
Natalie
9 August 2020 at 2:20 amIs it possible to make these with fingering weight yarn and a smaller hook?
Katie
1 April 2020 at 1:55 amI am making this square and I wanted to thank you so much for recording the tutorial. It is very helpful!
Jan
30 March 2020 at 10:27 pmThanks for a great pattern.
Irma Rosa
23 March 2020 at 6:34 pmHi Wilma
I would like to use the traveling for a granny square sweater I saw. I love free patters. My mom taught me to crochet. She made her patters. I’m almost 74 yrs Hispanic from Houston, TX, love to crochet, but sometimes can’t afford to buy yarn. So I do what I can with what I have. Thus, the granny square . Thank you.
Bronwen
22 March 2020 at 8:54 pmHi Wilma, Just discovered the travelling afghan and love the idea. Just wondering if this is going to be affected by the corona virus or if the “travelling” part is actually only digital? Also could you give an idea of how much yarn is needed to do the whole crocheted piece, since I want to make sure to get the same dye lot. Thanks for your work, and for your response.
Debra Scott
12 March 2020 at 12:57 amLove this square so much I’m thinking of doing a blanket with just this square. Thanks
Dianna
4 March 2020 at 3:26 pmAm going to start the traveling crochet blanket. Just wanted to know approximately how many scans of yarn I should get for the whole Afghan.
Shelly Heaton
28 February 2020 at 7:37 pmHi. I haven’t started this yet. What do we do if we cant knit to save our lives! So how do ee finish the travel along
Wilma
29 February 2020 at 2:35 pmHi Shelly, there are 2 blankets: a knit version and crochet version. My square is part of the traveling crochet blanket!
Tracy King
13 February 2020 at 3:06 pmThanks Wilma!!!
Kayla Mullins
11 February 2020 at 2:30 amI too had to watch the video to learn ur puff. What I’m having issues with is round 4. Do you skip two stitches after the final DC in the corner? I can’t get my counts right
Deirdre Magner
8 February 2020 at 2:41 amHi! Greetings from the USA. Thank you for this wonderful tutorial/video! It was so easy to follow and I love this block. It is beautiful and so easy and fast!
Anne
8 February 2020 at 1:58 amThank you for Square 3. I’ve just finished mine. I enjoy squeezing the puffs; they feel like soft little cocoons. Like Rosieg, I would recommend written directions for the puffs, but the video was clear and I was able to figure them out. My only problem was of my own making — I chose a loosely-spun yarn from my stash, and making the puffs was a little tricky because the yarn wants to split. No reflection on the designer, I’m sure they would have worked better in Wool-Ease! I also enjoyed seeing the photo of the first 3 squares joined together.
Dorinda
7 February 2020 at 3:19 amWhat color yarn did you use? Your squares are beautiful!!
AmeL - Los Angeles
5 February 2020 at 8:51 pmBeautiful Tulip square! it represents your Holland tulip. Clear instruction, well explained and easy tutorial video to follow.
Gloria
4 February 2020 at 10:11 pmBeautiful square. Just finished the square, thank you
rosieg
4 February 2020 at 1:54 amWhere are the instructions for making the puff stitch? I cannot watch videos on my cell phone due to excessive buffering, and I cannot afford internet at home.
Marie W
2 February 2020 at 7:14 pmI think your Ravelry link leads to a different granny square pattern, not the Traveling Afghan one.
Rachel-Canada
2 February 2020 at 7:11 pmYour video was great!!! I was able to follow along no problem and everything was so clearly explained! Thank you, the square is beautiful, I’m on row 5 at the moment 🙂