Crochet a great summer blanket with "American Homecoming"

This heartwarming afghan honors the American tradition of displaying yellow ribbons until loved ones in the military return home safe and sound. To make it, you simply whipstitch 3" granny squares together following our color diagram and add an effortless edging. It is crocheted using worsted weight yarn and a size I (5.50 mm) hook.

As always, we would love to see your work! If you make this project, tag us on social media with #leisurearts.

Finished Size: 40" x 58" (101.5 cm x 147.5 cm)

MATERIALS

Worsted Weight Yarn

[31/2 ounces, 198 yards (100 grams, 181 meters)

per skein (Gold) or 3 ounces, 170 yards (90 grams, 155 meters) per skein (all other colors)]:

Red - 4 skeins

Off White - 4 skeins

Blue - 3 skeins

Gold - 2 skeins

Crochet hook, size I (5.50 mm) or size needed for gauge

Yarn needle 

GAUGE: Each Square = 3" (7.5 cm)

Note: Referring to the diagram key on page 3, make the number of Squares specified in the colors indicated.

SQUARE A (Make 231)

Make 21 with Gold, 46 with Blue, 77 with White, and 87 with Red.

With color indicated, ch 4; join with slip st to form a ring.

Rnd 1 (Right side): Ch 3 (counts as first dc, now and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, (3 dc in ring, ch 2) 3 times; join with slip st to first dc: 12 dc and 4 ch-2 sps.

Note: Mark last round as right side.

Rnd 2: Slip st in next 2 dc and in next ch-2 sp, ch 3,

(2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, H (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1; repeat from H around; join with slip st to first dc, finish off: 24 dc and 8 sps.

SQUARE B (Make 16)

Make 2 with Gold and White, and 14 with Gold and Blue.

With first color indicated, ch 4; join with slip st to form a ring.

Rnd 1 (Right side): Ch 5 (counts as first dc plus ch 2), 3 dc in ring, cut first color; with second color indicated, YO and draw through, ch 1, 3 dc in ring, ch 2, 3 dc in ring, cut second color; with first color, YO and draw through, ch 1, 2 dc in ring; join with slip st to first dc:

12 dc and 4 ch-2 sps.

Note: Mark last round as right side.

Rnd 2: Slip st in first ch-2 sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, cut first color; with second color, YO and draw through, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch-2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, cut second color; with first color, YO and draw through, ch 1, 3 dc in same sp, ch 1; join with slip st to first dc, finish off: 24 dc and 8 sps. 

ASSEMBLY

With matching colors, using diagram as a guide, and working through inside loops, whipstitch Squares together forming 13 horizontal strips of 19 Squares each, beginning in second ch of first corner ch-2 and ending in first ch of next corner ch-2; then whipstitch strips together in same manner.

EDGING

Rnd 1: With right side facing, join Gold with sc in any corner ch-2 sp; ch 2, sc in same sp, sc in each dc and in each sp and each joining across to next corner ch-2 sp, H (sc, ch 2, sc) in corner ch-2 sp, sc in each dc and in each sp and each joining across to next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from H around; join with slip st to first sc: 636 sc and 4 ch-2 sps.

Rnd 2: Slip st in first ch-2 sp, ch 1, (sc, ch 3) twice in same sp, skip next sc, (sc in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc) across to next corner ch-2 sp, H (sc, ch 3) twice in corner ch-2 sp, skip next sc, (sc in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc) across to next corner ch-2 sp; repeat from H around; join with slip st to first sc, finish off.

Originally published in August 1997, Crochet With Heart. We have made every effort to ensure that these instructions are accurate and complete. We cannot, however, be responsible for human error, typographical mistakes, or variations in individual work.

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