Hidden Sanctuary Afghan Square

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My Hidden Sanctuary Afghan Square was designed as part of the 2021 Stash Busting Sampler Crochet Along being hosted by Heather from The Unraveled Mitten. This is the 5th Square for the CAL.

To learn all the CAL please visit Heather’s post here:

Hidden Sanctuary Afghan Square Pattern

Create your project pages on Ravelry 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 Stone (Color A), Platinum (Color B), Dusty Grape (Color C) and Pewter (Color D)
• Hook: 5 mm (H) Furls Streamline Crochet Hook. 
• Finished Project Yardage: 2 oz (58 g) and 109 yds (99 m)
• Scissors, Yarn Needle, Stitch Marker

Difficulty Level

Easy

Finished Size

Afghan Square height approximately 12 inches X 12 inches width

If you are using a 6 mm (J) hook to make the Hidden Sanctuary Afghan Square, your square will measure 12-inches after you complete Round 18.

Gauge

Approximately 7 rows per 2 inches and 7 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

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

Notes:

• The Hidden Sanctuary 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.

• Stone (Color A), Platinum (Color B), Dusty Grape (Color C) and Pewter (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. You may use an invisible join instead if you prefer. Either is acceptable for this pattern, when instructed to finish off, 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.

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Hidden Sanctuary Afghan 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 5 mm (H) 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. [4 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R2: Ch 1, 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. [12 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R3: Ch 1, 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 2 sts, 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 each of the next st 2 sts, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to first st to join. Finish off. [20 sc, 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 4 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 4 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [28 sc, 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 each of the next 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 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 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R3, sk the next st in R4 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off.  [32 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 3 inches in diameter.

R6: 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 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R4, sk the next st in R5 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R4, sk the next st in R5 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in each of the next 2 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 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R4, sk the next st in R5 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R4, sk the next st in R5 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in each of the next 2 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [36 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R7: 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 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. [52 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R8: Ch 1,  1 sc in the bl of each of the first 2 sts, 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 11 sts. *1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts, 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 11 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [60 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 4.5 inches in diameter.

R9: 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 5 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R7, sk the next st in R8 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R7, sk the next st in R8 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 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 5 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R7, sk the next st in R8 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R7, sk the next st in R8 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [60 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R10: 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 8 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 each of the next 7 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, 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 7 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [72 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R11: 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 8 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 the next st, 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 7 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, 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 the next st, 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 7 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [76 sc, 8 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R12: 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 10 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 each of the next 9 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, 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 9 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. [88 sc, 4 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R13: Ch 1, 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 2 sts, 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 21 sts. *1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts, 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 21 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [100 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R14: 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 24 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 24 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [108 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R15: 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 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 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 28 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 28 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [124 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R17: 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 2 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st] 4 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc). [1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] 3 times. 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 R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of the next st] 4 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc). [1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R15, sk the next st in R16 (behind the drdc)] 3 times. 1 sc in the bl of the next st**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. [100 sc, 32 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R18: Ch 1, 1 sc in the bl of each of the first 2 sts, 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 4 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R16, sk the next st in R17 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 6 times. 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R16, sk the next st in R17 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts). *1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts, 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 4 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R16, sk the next st in R17 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 6 times. 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R16, sk the next st in R17 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts)**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [112 sc, 28 drdc, 4 ch2sp]

R19: 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 R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 2 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts. [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 2 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (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 R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 2 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts. [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 2 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R17, sk the next st in R18 (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. [124 sc, 24 drdc, 4 ch2sp] 

R20: 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 8 sts, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R18, sk the next st in R19 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 5 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R18, sk the next st in R19 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 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, [1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R18, sk the next st in R19 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts] 5 times, 1 drdc in the unworked fl of the next st from R18, sk the next st in R19 (behind the drdc), 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts**. Work between * and ** 3 times total. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [132 sc, 24 drdc, 4 ch2sp] 

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends.

Wet block to 12 X 12 inches square.

Happy crocheting!

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