The Fleur-de-lis Couch Afghan

Size 2½×2¼ yards

For details see Old Afghan Stitch, page 27, and Rib Stitch, page 17

MATERIALS

SUNLIGHT eight-fold Germantown

6 shades brown

7 skeins light shade

14 skeins of each of the next 4 shades

18 skeins darkest shade

7 skeins black

SUNLIGHT four-fold Germantown

28 skeins dark brown

2 skeins brown, light shade for cross stitch

1 Amber Crochet Hook, No. 4

1 Amber Crochet Hook, No. 6

INSTRUCTIONS

This Afghan is made up of panels in the shades of brown; 5 panels are shaded. Fleurs-de-lis are embroidered in cross stitch on the 4 dark panels, and a scallop finishes off the edge.

Use the 6 shades of the 8-fold Germantown and No. 6 hook for the shaded panel.

This panel is made up of squares, worked in the rib stitch and joined to each other with black yarn.

Start the square in center with the 3rd shade from the lightest. Wind the yarn 10 times over your finger, then make 16 single crochet in the ring. Join 1st row by making a slip stitch in the 1st stitch.

2nd row: * Make 3 single crochet in 1 stitch on 1st row (this makes the corner) taking up in double stitch, then make 3 single crochet 1 in each stitch and repeat from * to end of row. Join as before, make 1 chain tight and break off the yarn.

3rd row: Take next shade lighter; start on wrong side of work and make 3 single crochet in the middle stitch of one corner on preceding row, always taking up in the back of the stitches. Make 1 single crochet in each stitch on the side and repeat the same increasing in next corner. Finish the row, join and make 1 chain tight.

4th row: Turn the work on the other side and start the single crochet in 2nd stitch from the chain just made. Repeat the single crochet, increase in the corners as on preceding row, join the row, make 1 chain tight and break off the yarn.

Two rows make 1 rib. Repeat this rib, using 1 shade for each rib. Next rib will be in the light shade, then reverse the shades and continue, so that the last rib in the square will be in the darkest shade. Make 9 squares for 1 panel.

Make a button in center of each square. Take the darkest shade of the four-fold Germantown. Wind the yarn 24 times over your finger. Break off the yarn and fasten the end in the hank. Pull through center of square, fasten on wrong side and cut even on right side.

Join the squares in black.

Place both pieces together with the right sides out. Start in the corner in the middle stitch of each piece and make the single crochet, taking up in double stitch on both edges. Work a little tight.

Make 5 shaded panels.

Use the dark brown of the four-fold Germantown and No. 4 hook for the plain panel. This panel is worked in the Old Afghan stitch. Make a chain of 40 stitches.

1st row: Pick up 1 loop in each stitch on the chain, put yarn over hook and pull through 1 loop (of those picked up) at a time.

2nd row: Same as 1st row, taking up the loops in front from the loops on preceding row.

Repeat 2nd row for the length of 2½ yards. Finish off last row with 1 row in the slip stitch (see 1st stitches), taking up in the loops. Make 4 panels.

97Embroider Fleurs-de-lis in cross stitch on the plain panel, using the 2 light shades of the four-fold Germantown. Make 1 Fleur-de-lis opposite each square of the shaded panel.

Join the panels in black, the same way as the squares, having the dark plain panel toward you and skip about every 4th stitch (row) on the edge of the plain panel.

Border: Use black yarn and make 1 row in the single crochet all around the Afghan on wrong side. On the ends of the plain panels skip every 3rd stitch, taking over 1 row.

2nd row: Take the next darkest shade and work on right side of Afghan. Make 1 chain and a single crochet in every other stitch on 1st row, taking up in double stitches.

3rd row: Use the darkest shade and * make a single crochet in a space on preceding row; then make a chain of 3 stitches and 4 double crochet in same space. Repeat from * in every 3rd space on the row.

Last row in a medium shade: Make a chain of 2 stitches and a single crochet in every double crochet on preceding row.

98