Whenever I want to try a new crocheted afghan pattern, I usually start by making a washcloth. It is a quick and easy way to figure out if I like the pattern, what size hook to use and what my tension should be.

This is a pattern that I am planning on making an afghan with. It turned out to be a pretty cute washcloth.

The stitch pattern in this baby blanket moves along quickly. It’s an easy pattern to crochet and easy enough even for beginners. If you’re looking for the pattern for a larger afghan in this stitch combination, click here for that larger free afghan pattern. 

Materials:
For a small afghan (sized for a baby blanket, afghan for a small child or for a lap robe): About 21 oz. Worsted weight yarn
Size G crochet hook
Finished size: about 31 1/2″ x 42″
Gauge: a group of 3 dc stitches = 3/4″ wide; 2 pattern repeat rows (rows 3 and 4) = 1″

Directions:
Chain 134.
Row 1: Working in back loops only for this row, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 sc, * skip 3 sc of previous row, then (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in back loop of next sc, skip 3 sc of previous row, dc in both loops of each of next 3 sc **, repeat from * to ** as many times as needed across row.
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 dc, * ch 3, skip next 3 dc, in chain-1 space work 3 sc, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, dc in both loops of each of next 3 dc ** repeat from * to ** across row.
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 dc, * skip the ch-3, skip next sc, then (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in back loop of next sc, skip next sc, skip the next ch-3, dc in both loops of each of next 3 dc ** repeat from * to ** across row.
Additional Rows: Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures about 41″.
Next to the Last Row: Repeat row 3.
Last Row: ch 1, sc in first dc, sc in each of next 2 dc * 2 sc in ch-3 space, sc in both loops of each of next 3 sts ** repeat from * to ** across row, end row with 2 sc in last ch-3 space, sc in each of last 3 dc.
End off.

I used a basic shell border stitch (tutorial link) to finish off the washcloth. I like how it turned out and I think I will use the same border for the afghan.