The Assembly for this afghan sounds complicated, but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. There are 8 rows with 8 squares in each. Even numbered rows have the same color sequence (B-A-B, etc.) and odd numbered rows have the same color sequence (A-B-A, etc.). Row 1, Square 1 is situated at the lower left; Row 8, Square 8 is situated at the upper right. You will use rev sc (reverse single crochet) to join squares, then again to join rows. When joining squares, use Color B. When joining rows, use Color A. All vertical rev sc rows will be Color B. All horizontal rev sc rows will be Color A.
To Assemble Rows: Take Square 1 and Square 2, wrong sides (WS) together, Square 1 facing you. Join Color B with sl st in 2nd ch of Square 1 upper right sc-2 and 1st ch of Square 2 in the same corner. Rev sc across square. Repeat for each square across row. Then, repeat complete sequence for each row across. The color layout is as follows:
ROW 8: B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 7: A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 6: B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 5: A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 4: B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 3: A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
ROW 2: B -A -B -A -B -A -B -A (4 squares of Color B; 4 squares of Color A)
ROW 1: A -B -A -B -A -B -A -B (4 squares of Color A; 4 squares of Color B)
To Join Rows: Hold Row 1 and Row 2 WS together with Row 1 facing you. Join Color A with sl st in upper Left hand corner, in 2nd chain of ch-2 Sq 1 and in 1st chain of ch-2 in Square 1 of Row 2. Rev sc across. Repeat for remaining rows.
At this point, you should have a checkerboard.
BORDERS:
Top and Bottom of Checkerboard. Crocheting in FRONT LOOPS ONLY: Join Color A with sl st in upper left corner in 2nd ch of ch-2. Rev SC across. Turn afghan so the Row 1 is at the top with right side facing you. Repeat Rev SC sequence across. NOTE: Do not stitch in rev sc of assembly rows.
Sides of Checkerboard: Crocheting in FRONT LOOPS ONLY: Join Color B with sl st in upper left corner in 2nd ch of ch-2. Rev SC across. Turn afghan so the Row 1 is at the top with right side facing you. Repeat Rev SC sequence across. NOTE: Do not stitch in rev sc of assembly rows.
Final Border Rows:
Row 1: Join Color B with sl st in unused back loop of any corner dc. Ch 1, sc in each dc around, ch-3 over corner ch-2 spaces. Join with sl st in beginning sc. Note: corner ch-3 are only worked in the 4 afghan corners.
Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as 1st dc), DC around working 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc in each corner ch-3 space.
and VOILA! You have an afghan/checkerboard. These are great for boys especially. They’re so hard for me to find appropriate crochet patterns for!
Checkerboard Game/Afghan
Again, if you have ANY questions or comments, please let me know! This pattern is currently being tested for accuracy.
–Sara
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