Guiding Light Afghan Square

When you purchase through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission.
Here’s how it works.

My newest 12-inch afghan block design is called the Guiding Light Afghan Square. This pattern was designed as part of Tamara’s MooglyCAL2021.

Learn all the details about the CAL and get the other CAL patterns from Tamara’s post here: 2021 Moogly Afghan CAL

If you enjoy making my Guiding Light Afghan Square, you will also love these afghan squares:

• Distraction Granny Square
• Hidden Sanctuary Afghan Square
• Don’t Blink Afghan Block
• October Square
• Perfect Balance Square
• Madison Afghan Square

Guiding Light Afghan Square Pattern

Create your project pages on Ravelry here.

The Guiding Light Afghan Square is also available as an ad-free PDF (which includes a stitch chart). You can purchase the professional PDF here.

View the full afghan square pattern below for free.

Supplies

• Yarn: Yarnspirations. Red Heart With Love Yarn. 7 oz (198 g) and 370 yds (338 m). 100% Acrylic. Medium-Weight Yarn [4]. Machine wash and dry.
• Colors: 1 skein each in Pewter (Color A), Stone (Color B), Dusty Grape (Color C) and Platinum (Color D)
• Hook: 6 mm (J) Furls Streamline Crochet Hook. 
• Finished Project Yardage: 1.95 oz (55 g) and 103 yds (94 m)
• Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker

Difficulty Level

Easy

Finished Size

Afghan Square height approximately 12 inches X 12 inches width

Gauge

Approximately 6 rows per 2 inches and 6 sts per 2 inches

You can substitute any yarn and hook for this stitch pattern – just remember when you substitute if your gauge is different, the finished size, and amount of yarn used for your project will also be different.

Abbreviations

US Terminology used

bl – back loop

ch – chain

ch2sp – chain 2 space

drdc – dropped double crochet

fl – front loop

R – round

rep – repeat

sc – single crochet

sk – skip

sl st – slip stitch

st/sts – stitch/stitches

* to ** – Work the instructions between the asterisks the number of times indicated. This repeat will contain multiple instructions.

[ ] – at the end of the row – the total number of stitches; within the row – a set of instructions to be repeated the given number of times.

( ) – important notes AND sets of stitches to be worked within one stitch or space

Special Stitches

Dropped double crochet (drdc): A double crochet stitch worked into the unworked front loop of a stitch located directly below and 2 rounds before.  

The stitch will be worked in the front loop of the stitch immediately below the next stitch in the current row. The stitch on the current row will not be worked into, this is indicated in the instructions.

The double crochet stitch is worked as a regular dc stitch: Yarn over, insert the hook under the front loop of the specified stitch, yarn over and pull up 1 loop. Yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops.

Helpful Tutorials

Stitch Anatomy

Invisible Join

Quick Stitch Guide 

Slip Knot and Starting Chain

Left Handed Video Tutorial for the Square (on YouTube)

Right Handed Video Tutorial for the Square (on YouTube)

Notes:

• The Guiding Light Afghan Square is also available as an ad-free PDF (which includes a stitch chart). You can purchase the professional PDF here.

• Beginning in R2 all single crochet stitches are worked in the back loop only.

• All double crochet stitches are worked in the front loop only, in the stitch immediately below the next st of the round, but made 2 rounds prior.

• We will be working into the corner chain stitches (NOT the chain spaces), under the back loop only.

• Pewter (Color A), Stone (Color B), Dusty Grape (Color C) and Platinum (Color D)

• Pattern is written with a ch 2 to begin. I prefer to use a double magic ring to begin, as it is more secure. Either is acceptable for this pattern.

TIP: If you are using a ch 2 to begin, leave about a 4-inch yarn tail at the beginning. You will use this yarn tail to close the hole that will be there from using this method to start.

• Pattern is written with a sl st join at the end of each round. I prefer to use an invisible join instead because it is tidier. Either is acceptable for this pattern up to the last round.

• TIP: If you are using a sl st to join I recommend you make it very tightly and keep it to the one side (right side if you are RH, left side if you are left handed) of the stitch. This will give you more room to work into the bl of the same stitch as you proceed to the next round.

• Pattern does not have a turning chain for each round because I usually start each new round with a standing st. If you prefer a sl st join and a turning chain, feel free to substitute.

If you share your finished project on Instagram, share it with #ODCMakers so I can see it too!

PIN this for later

Guiding Light Square Pattern Instructions

This 12-inch afghan square is crocheted in joined rounds beginning in the center and working towards the outer edges.

Using your 6 mm (J) hook (or size required for gauge):

R1: With Color A: Ch 2 and working in the 2nd ch from the hook, (1 sc, ch 2) 4 times. Sl st to the first sc to join. Finish off. [4 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R2: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [12 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R3: With Color A: Join in the bl of the first ch in any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R1, sk the next st from R2 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R1, sk the next st from R2 (behind the drdc). *1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R1, sk the next st from R2 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R1, sk the next st from R2 (behind the drdc)**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [12 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R4: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R2, sk the next st from R3 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R2, sk the next st from R3 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [24 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R5: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc)] twice. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc)] twice**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off.  [20 sc, 16 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R6: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [44 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 4 inches in diameter.

R7: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 10 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 10 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [52 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R8: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R6, sk the next st in R7 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R6, sk the next st in R7 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [56 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R9: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 14 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 14 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [68 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 6 inches in diameter.

R10: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R8, sk the next st in R9 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R8, sk the next st in R9 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R8, sk the next st in R9 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R8, sk the next st in R9 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off.  [68 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R11: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R9, sk the next st in R10 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R9, sk the next st in R10 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [80 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R12: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R10, sk the next st in R11 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R10, sk the next st in R11 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R10, sk the next st in R11 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R10, sk the next st in R11 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [84 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R13: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 22 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 22 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [100 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R14: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 12 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R12, sk the next st in R13 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 11 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 12 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R12, sk the next st in R13 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 11 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off.  [104 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R15: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 26 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 26 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [116 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R16: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R14, sk the next st in R15 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 13 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R14, sk the next st in R15 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R14, sk the next st in R15 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 13 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R14, sk the next st in R15 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [116 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R17: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] twice, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [100 sc, 32 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R18: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. 1 sc in the bl of the first st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 32 sts. *1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 32 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off.  [140 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends.

Wet block to 12 X 12 inches square.

Tamara’s Square

You may also like these afghan square patterns:

October Square

Don’t Blink Afghan Square

Perfect Balance Afghan Square

Madison Afghan Square

#mooglycal2021 #afghansquare #2021CAL #CAL #crochetalong #yarnspirations #redheartyarn #crochetpattern #moogly #oombawkadesigncrochet

Never miss a stitch with Oombawka Design Crochet! Subscribe for exclusive patterns, gift ideas, and tutorials delivered straight to your inbox. Follow me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for the latest updates!