Beginner Crochet Pattern - Easy Afghan Square

To make this easy for even a beginner to crochet, I've created extra photos to go along with the pattern, with the stitches marked right on the photos. The links for these photos are given after the directions in the corresponding rows. The photos show a close look to make it easy to see where all the stitches are made.

This is a great learning pattern for beginning crocheters to use the photo links, along with the pattern, to easily learn things like: where the first sc is made in the starting chain, how to skip a stitch and how to crochet in a chain space. Stitches used are the chain, single crochet and double crochet.

Abbreviations: ch = chain, ea = each, dc = double crochet, sc = single crochet, sp = space, st = stitch, sts = stitches

Materials: about 1 oz. any worsted weight yarn, US size H hook

Learning Links For Stitches Used:

• How to make the starting chain
  
• How to single crochet
  
• How to double crochet

Special Techniques:
Skip a Stitch - Instructions link, with photo: How to "skip next sc"
Crochet in a Chain Space - Instructions link, with photos: How to "crochet in ch sp"

Pattern Note: You will turn at the end of each row (which means to turn the piece over so that the opposite side of the piece is facing you; in other words, if the right side of the piece was facing you in the row just completed, then the wrong side of the piece should be facing you after you turn the piece over to begin the next row). Please keep my copyright and terms of use statement with the pattern directions when you print out or save the pattern in any form.
Starting Chain: ch 24.
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc in ea ch across. (making 23 sc altogether) Link: Close-up photo showing "sc in 2nd ch from hook"
Row 2: ch 1 (to turn), sc in the first sc, sc in ea sc across. (23 sc in the row)
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 22 sc. (23 dc in the row) Link: Close-up photo showing where 2nd dc of the row should be made
Row 4: ch 1 (to turn), sc in the first dc, sc in ea dc across. (23 sc in the row)
Row 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 4 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of next 2 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of next 5 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of next 2 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of last 5 sc.
Row 6: ch 1 (to turn), sc in first dc, sc in ea of next 4 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 2, skip next 2 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in ea of next 5 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, ch 2, skip next 2 dc, sc in ch-1 sp, sc in ea of last 5 dc. Link: Close-up photo showing how Row 6 looks
Row 7: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 4 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of next 5 sc, ch 1, skip next sc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 1, skip next sc, dc in ea of last 5 sc. Link: Close-up photo showing how Row 7 looks
Rows 8 - 13: Repeat rows 6 and 7, three times.
Row 14: Repeat row 6.
Row 15: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in ea of next 5 sc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in ea of next 7 sc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in ea of last 6 sc.
Row 16: ch 1 (to turn), sc in the first dc, sc in ea dc across. (23 sc in the row)
Row 17: ch 1 (to turn), sc in the first sc, sc in ea sc across. (23 sc in the row)
End off, leaving a strand for weaving in. Weave in the ends, to secure.
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