Beautifully Easy Work zone Baby Boy Afghan

One of my all time favorite afghan stitches is the Modern DC V-Stitch.  This stitch is not only easy, but it is rhythmic to crochet.   Likewise, this pattern also works up quickly.  It is easy to get creative with stripe patterns with this stitch, and as a result, making it a super versatile stitch.  When I saw a Work Zone child’s bedroom decorations set in a local store, I was super excited to use this stitch for this beautifully easy Work Zone Baby Boy Afghan.

Finding MY INSPIRATIONS

The fun decor gave me inspiration for a cute baby boy afghan.  When looking for the colors, I fell in love with the colors of Pumpkin Spice, Green Apple, Teal Blue, and light grey, by Lion Brand.  I was excited to used them for this blanket idea for a work zone theme. 

The COLORS

I wanted to use orange for sure, to enhance the work zone theme. While looking at my inspiration for this blanket, the colors green, grey and blue popped out at me. So, I decided to add these three colors to the scheme of the project.

I really thought the blue and green added a nice touch, but the grey is what really tied it all together. However, as the blanket progressed, a real fall feel came to me, giving this blanket more than one possibility to coordinate with. The yarn I used was by Yarn Bee, soft and sleek, and in addition, a couple of them have fall themed names. So it does make a very nice fall blanket.

The BORDER

Traditionally, I use a simple border of single crochets to finish this style of afghan off and give it a real finished look.  However, this time, I felt it needed a little more than just a round of single crochet stitches to give it that finished look. So, I went digging through my repertoire of blanket edges and found one that gives depth and dimension.  In fact, the ribbed look of this border turned out better than I thought it would. I finally got the finished look I wanted. 

Of course, I still started with a simple round of single crochet stitches for the border.  This really gives a nice solid base to the border as well as helping the rest of the border lay nicely.  Then I added a round of double crochet stitches. The first round of single crochets and the first round of double crochets are the only rounds that increase in the corners.  All rows after that are the exact number of stitches as the row before. Using this technique gives the corners a even and rounded edge.

Front post double crochets and back post double crochets in the last two rounds give the ribbed look to the border.  It also gives it texture and dimension.  Finally, the entire border consisted of only 4 rounds and ended up being approximately 2″ wide. 

STITCHES FOR THE WORK ZONE BLANKET

Because all the stitches in this pattern are made up of chain stitches, single crochets, and double crochets, it is very beginner friendly. However, the placement of the stitches is what gives these three basic stitches a different look. For example, the front post double crochet and back post double crochet stitches are placed around the post of the double crochet in the previous row, giving the raised ribbed look.  It is so fun to see how using the basic crochet stitches in different ways give a whole new look. 

So I encourage you to experiment with new ways to use the 6 basic stitches. My post Crochet Stitch Variations to Help Create a Remarkable New Look goes into detail about how you can do different types of stitch variations. I encourage you to go check it out as well as other patterns I have using this same stitch.

If you are looking for an ad free version of the pattern, you can find a PDF here.

The Pattern

Finally it is time to move on to the pattern I am sure you are all waiting for! Once again, this is an easy beginner friendly pattern and you can use the colors in different patterns.  It really is pretty quick. In fact, I think it only took me about 24 hours to make this pattern. So have fun and step outside the box if you want and try something new!

beautifully easy Work Zone Baby Boy Afghan Pattern

MATERIALS:

• Yarn: Yarn Bee Soft and Slick 5 oz each
• 2 skeins Pumpkin Spice (464 yds)
• 3 skeins Light Grey (692 yds)
• 1 Skein Green Apple (232 yds)
• 1 Skein Teal Blue (232 yds)
• Hook Size:J/1- 6.0mm
• Gauge: 8 rows and 12 stitches equals 4″

Finished Size: 30″ x 40″

PATTERN NOTES:

• The pattern in worked across in rows.
• Chain 3 at the beginning of each row counts as a double crochet throughout the pattern.
• Blanket size can be adjusted by adding or taking away two stitches of the foundation chain.

STITCHES:

• Double Crochet V-Stitch:
• (2 dc in same stitch, skip 1 stitch) repeat
• Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC)
• Back Post Double Crochet (BPDC)
• Single Crochet (SC)

Foundation Chain: Chain 100 or any even number of chains.

Beautifully Easy Work Zone Baby Boy Afghan Body:

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook.  Dc in same stitch. (2 dc in same stitch.) *skip 1 ch, (2 dc) in next st.* repeat from * to * across the row to last 2 ch. Skip 1 ch, 1 dc in last ch.  Ch 3 and turn.

Row 2: Skip 1 dc, (2 dc) in between 2 dc. Repeat across row to turning ch 3.  Dc in the top of the turning ch. Ch 3 and turn.

Repeat Row 2 for pattern.

NOTES: To change colors, add new color in the last step of the last dc stitch at the end of the row. Chain 3 with the new color and turn.

Color/Stripe Pattern:

• 5 grey
• 1 green
• 2 grey
• 2 orange
• 1 grey
• 1 blue
• 1 grey
• 2 orange
• 2 grey
• 1 green

Repeat this pattern 4 times, then add another 5 rows of grey for complete afghan size.

BORDER:

Rnd 1:

With orange, connect to finishing stitch of blanket. 3 sc in the corner BUT, do not turn. Work 2 sc stitches at the end of each row down the long side of the blanket. (154 stitches). 3 sc stitches in the next corner stitch. Work 96 sc in the bottom edge of the foundation chain. 3 sc in the corner beginning chain of the foundation ch. Work 2 sc at the end of each row up the second long side of the blanket. (154 sc) 3 sc in the corner stitch (turning ch). Sc in each of the dc across the top of the blanket. (96 sc).  Sl st to the first sc made in the corner. (DO NOT TURN)

Rnd 2:

Ch 2. 5 Dc in the middle sc of the 3 corner sc. Dc in each sc across to next corner (154 dc).  9 dc in the middle sc of the next corner. Dc in each sc across to next corner. (96 dc) 9 dc in the middle sc of the next corner.  Dc in each sc across to next corner (154 dc). 9 dc in the middle sc of next corner. Dc in each sc across to next corner (96 dc). 4 dc in the same stitch as the beginning 5 dc (makes a total of 9 dc in the corner.) Sl st to the first dc made in the corner.

Rnd 3:

Ch 2 (DO NOT TURN) You will no longer be increasing the stitches as you work around the edge of the blanket. *FPDC around the first dc of the previous row. BPDC around the next dc of the previous row.* Repeat around the edge of the blanket, being sure to end with a BPDC.  Sl St to the first FPDC made for this rnd.

Rnd 4:

Ch 2 ( DO NOT TURN) *FPDC around the FPDC of previous row, BPDC around the BPDC of previous row.* Repeat around all edges, making sure to end with a BPDC.  Sl St to the beginning FPDC.  F

Finally, finish off. Then, weave in ends.

A FINAL NOTE

Once again, this is a very simple and easy blanket to make. I hope that you have enjoyed this Beautifully Easy Work Zone Baby Boy Afghan pattern. Please be sure to share your versions of this pattern with me. Thanks for stopping by DulceBella Designs! Until next time, sit, relax, and stay a while and always glorify God by creating beautiful crochet art!