Peaceful Moments Afghan - Free Crochet Blanket Pattern - Yay For Yarn (2024)

This easy crochet blanket is so cozy! Its simple, textured design will look great in any home. Learn to make your own with this free crochet afghan pattern & step-by-step video tutorial.

As much as I enjoy creating hats, sweaters, and other crocheted garments and accessories, there’s nothing more cozy to crochet than a warm, snuggly crocheted afghan. Many beautiful crochet blanket patterns involve intricate stitches and multi-colored designs, but this one features a single color with a simple textured stitch. I designed it to be lapghan-sized, just right for cuddling with on the couch, but feel free to make it any size you like.

Choosing the Right Yarn for your Crocheted Afghan

This afghan crochet pattern calls for #4 Medium / Worsted Weight yarn. I prefer to choose a washable yarn for blankets and afghans for easy care. For the Peaceful Moments Afghan, I used Ice Yarns Favorite Worsted, a soft, washable, worsted weight acrylic. (See why I like this yarn here.) Oh, and by the way, Ice Yarns provided the yarn for me to design this pattern. Thanks Ice Yarns!

When selecting the yarn you want to use, make sure the yarn label says it is #4 Worsted Weight. Then, purchase enough skeins of the yarn you want to use so that you have at least the total number of yards required in the pattern.

But remember, if you’re changing the size of the blanket, you’ll want to purchase more yarn than you think you’ll need, just in case. It’s never fun to run out of yarn before you’re finished with a large project!

How do I make this blanket a different size?

To alter the width of the blanket, you’ll just need to work a different number of stitches across each row. When you begin, you’ll need to start with a multiple of 21+7. This means you’ll need to start with a number of stitches in your first row that is divisible by 21, then add 7 more stitches. The total number of stitches in your row determines the width of the blanket.

To add length to the blanket, you’ll need to work more rows. Follow the row instructions as written, but continue repeating Rows 3-10 until the afghan is almost the length you want. Then, repeat Rows 3-6 once more, as directed in the pattern instructions.

How to Crochet a Blanket

There are many ways to create a blanket or afghan with crochet. Some afghans are worked from the center out, and some are worked diagonally. The Peaceful Moments Afghan is made by crocheting back and forth in straight rows. Once the afghan is finished, we block it and add tassels along the side edges.

This free afghan crochet pattern uses simple construction, with a few special stitches. If you’re comfortable with simple crochet techniques and familiar with reading a written pattern, you can make this project.

However, if you find pattern reading a little difficult, don’t worry! The video tutorial for this project will walk you through the written instructions and help you follow along.

Ready to get started? Let’s crochet an afghan together!

Peaceful Moments Afghan Crochet Pattern

by Yay For Yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Finished Size: about 48” (122 cm) by 38” (97 cm), not including tassels

You Will Need:

Approx. 1,832 yards / 1,675 meters of #4 Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Ice Yarns Favorite Worsted in Powder Pink, 100% Acrylic, 100g / 229 yards per skein, 8 skeins)

US Size I / 5.5 mm crochet hook

Scissors

Measuring Tape

Yarn Needle or Blunt Tapestry Needle

Piece of Thick Cardboard or Small Book (for making tassels)

Gauge: 13 sts and 9 rows in 4” (10 cm) in stitch pattern.

This stitch pattern is worked over a multiple of 21+7. To make your gauge swatch, work a row of 28 Fdc, and follow pattern instructions from Row 2 through at least Row 10. Then, you can block your gauge swatch and measure your gauge. If your gauge is too small, and you have more than the number of stitches and rows given in 4”, you’ll need to go up to a larger hook size. If your gauge is too large, and you have too few stitches in 4”, you’ll need to go down to a smaller hook size. Use whatever hook size gives you the correct gauge for the pattern, even if it is a different size than what the pattern recommends.

Abbreviations:

beg: beginning

ea: each

nxt: next

st(s): stitch(es)

sp: space

sk: skip

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

hdc: half-double crochet

dc: double crochet

*puff-st: puff stitch

*Fdc: foundation double crochet

*CSSC: chainless starting single crochet

*CSDC: chainless starting double crochet

*This is a special stitch. See instructions below to learn how to work this stitch.

Special Stitches:

Puff Stitch:

*Yarn over, insert hook into specified stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop to height of row.* Repeat from *to* 2 more times. Yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.

Foundation Double Crochet: (video tutorial here)

To begin, chain 3. Yarn over, insert hook into the 3rd chain from the hook. Then, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook (one chain made). Now, yarn over, and pull through 2 loops on hook. To finish the stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.

For all following stitches: Turn work upside-down so the bottom (foundation) edge is facing you. On the bottom of the previous stitch, there is what looks like the top of a normal crochet stitch (the chain from the previous stitch). Yarn over and insert hook into both strands of that “stitch”. Then, yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through one loop on hook (chain made). Now, yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook. To finish the stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 remaining loops on hook.

Chainless Starting Single Crochet: (video tutorial here)

Stretch loop on hook slightly. Insert hook in the same stitch the loop is coming from. Yarn over, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook.

Chainless Starting Double Crochet: (video tutorial here)

Stretch loop on hook until it is slightly longer than a regular double crochet. Holding the top of the loop still with your finger, yarn over with the stretched loop on your hook (not the working yarn) 1 time. Insert the hook into the same stitch the loop is coming from. Yarn over, pull up a loop of yarn. *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook* 2 times.

Pattern for gauge swatch:

Row 1: ch 3. Fdc in 3rd ch from hook. Work 27 more Fdc. You should have 28 sts, not including beg ch-sp.

OR

Row 1: ch 30. Sk first 2 chs, dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc in nxt 27 sts. <You should have 28 sts, not including skipped chs from beg of row.>

Row 2: Turn. CSDC in same st. Dc in ea remaining st across. <You should have 28 sts.>

Row 3: Turn. CSSC in same st, puff-st in same st. *Sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 3 more times. Sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts; (sc, puff-st) in nxt st. Repeat from *to* 4 more times; sk 1 st, hdc in last st. <You should have 28 sts.>

Row 4: Repeat Row 3.

Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in same st, and in ea of nxt 6 sts. (Sc, puff-st) in nxt st; *sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 5 more times; sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts. <You should have 28 sts, not including beg ch-1.>

Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in same st, and in ea of nxt 5 sts. (Sc, puff-st) in nxt st; *sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 5 more times; sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 8 sts. <You should have 28 sts, not including beg ch-1.>

Rows 9-10: Repeat Row 2. Tie off, block gauge swatch, and measure gauge.

How to Crochet the Peaceful Moments Afghan

This pattern begins with a row of foundation double crochet instead of a foundation chain. The foundation double crochet is simple to work, and makes the foundation chain and the first row of double crochet at the same time. The foundation edge, when worked in this way, has much more stretch and flexibility than a regular foundation chain. I highly recommend using the foundation double crochet to begin your afghan, but instructions for a regular foundation chain and row of double crochet are also included.

Row 1: Ch 3. Fdc in 3rd ch from hook. Work 153 more Fdc. <You should have 154 sts, not including beg ch-sp.>

OR

Row 1: Ch 156. Sk first 2 chs, dc in 3rd ch from hook. Dc in nxt 153 sts. <You should have 154 sts, not including skipped chs from beg of row.>

Row 2: Turn. CSDC in same st. Dc in ea remaining st across. <You should have 154 sts.>

Row 3: Turn. CSSC in same st, puff-st in same st. *Sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 3 more times. [Sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts; (sc, puff-st) in nxt st. Repeat from *to* 6 more times] 6 times. Sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts; (sc, puff-st) in nxt st. Repeat from *to* 4 more times. Sk 1 st, hdc in last st. <You should have 154 sts.>

Row 4: Repeat Row 3.

Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in same st, and in ea of nxt 6 sts. [(Sc, puff-st) in nxt st; *sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 5 more times; sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts] to end of row. <You should have 154 sts, not including beg ch-1.>

Row 8: Ch 1, turn. Hdc in same st, and in ea of nxt 5 sts. [(Sc, puff-st) in nxt st; *sk 1 st, (sc, puff-st) in nxt st.* Repeat from *to* 5 more times; sk 1 st, hdc in nxt 7 sts] until 1 st left in row. Hdc in last st of row. <You should have 154 sts, not including beg ch-1.>

Rows 9-10: Repeat Row 2.

Repeat Rows 3-10 nine more times. Repeat Rows 3-6 once more. Tie off.

To Block: (video tutorial here)

For natural fibers, pin project out on foam blocking mats. Spray with water until fully saturated, allow to dry.

OR

For acrylic fibers, pin project out on an ironing board or several layers of towels. Hold a steaming iron 2”-3” over the surface of the fabric, making sure all of the fabric is penetrated by the steam. Allow to cool / dry.

(If your yarn is machine washable and dryable, you can machine wash and dry instead of blocking if you prefer.)

How to Add Tassels to your Crocheted Blanket

Cut a 5” square piece of stiff cardboard, or use a sturdy, flat object that is 5” wide. Make 24 tassels, wrapping the yarn around your 5” cardboard 16 times for each tassel. (Click Here for a video tutorial on how to make tassels.) I like to steam my tassels to get any kinks out of the yarn and make the tassels lay smooth.

After steaming, trim the tassels evenly across the bottom, so the tassel measures 4.5 inches long. Using the 2 long strands of yarn coming from the top of the tassel, sew a tassel to each corner of the blanket, and make a knot to secure. Look at the side edges of the blanket, and identify the ends of rows 7 and 8 of the stitch pattern. (These are the rows with puff stitch sections, but the puff stitches do not reach the edge of the blanket.) Sew a tassel to the end of each pair of rows where the puff stitches do not reach the edge of the blanket. Weave in ends.

This pattern is intended for your personal use only. You may not share it, copy it, sell it, give it away, or mass-produce the finished product. However, you may sell the finished items on a small scale, as long as you convey in your item description that you used a Yay For Yarn pattern.

Yay For Yarn Copyright© 2020 – Current. Pattern and photos are owned by Yay For Yarn.

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