In the Middle Afghan Square

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

This easy to crochet afghan square is made with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 6 mm (J) crochet hook. When complete the In the Middle Afghan Square measures 12 inches X 12 inches in size.

In the Middle Afghan Square Crochet Pattern. Designed by Rhondda Mol.

I designed my In the Middle Square as part of the Moogly CAL for 2023. When making your square for the Moogly CAL please work the Alternate R21 in place of the regular R21 for the pattern. This will give you a granny square that has the same final round as the rest of the cal squares.

For more information about Tamara’s annual crochet alongs please visit this post. For Tamara’s afghan square and notes, please visit this post: https://www.mooglyblog.com/cal-2023-11/

Here’s a look at Tamara’s finished In the Middle Square:

In the Middle Afghan Square Block 11 - Tamara Kelly's

If you like this type of Afghan Square be sure to check out the other afghan blocks I have designed along this same theme. You can find those patterns here.

In the Middle Afghan Square Pattern

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 Bluebell (Color A), White (Color B), Cornsilk (Color C) and Terracotta (Color D)
Hook: 6 mm (J).
Finished Project Yardage: 2.4 oz (67 g) and 125 yds (114 m)
Scissors, Yarn Needle

Difficulty Level

Easy

Finished Size

Afghan Square height approximately 12 inches X 12 inches width

Gauge

First 6 rounds measures 3.5 inches X 3.5 inches square

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
drtr – dropped treble crochet (see Special Stitches)
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 treble crochet (drtr): A treble crochet stitch worked into the unworked front loop of a stitch located 2 rounds before.

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

The treble crochet stitch is worked as a regular tr stitch: Yarn over twice, insert the hook under the front loop of the specified stitch, yarn over and pull up 1 loop. (Yarn over and draw through 2 loops) 3 times.

Helpful Tutorials

Notes:

Beginning in R2 all single crochet stitches are worked in the back loop only, unless otherwise indicated.
All treble crochet stitches are worked in the front loop only, in the center single crochet below the next stitch (or below the previous stitch) 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.
Bluebell (Color A), White (Color B), Cornsilk (Color C) and Terracotta (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. Use an invisible join on 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 right handed, 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. Work the sl st under both loops of the joining st to avoid pulling the front loop out of position and making it difficult to find and work into on the next round.
Pattern does not have a turning chain for each round with a color change because I usually start each new color change round with a standing st. If you prefer a sl st join and a turning chain, feel free to substitute.
For the Moogly CAL follow the pattern as written until R21. Substitute the Alternate R21 for R21. This will give you a final round of single crochet with corner ch2sp which will match the other squares used in the CAL.

In the Middle Afghan Square Pattern

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. [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 from * to ** 3 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [12 sc, 4 ch2sp]

R3: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc which is 2 sts before any corner ch2sp (center sc). *1 sc in the bl of the sc 2 sts before the ch2sp (center sc), sk the next st in R2, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the sc in R1, 1 sc in the bl of the first ch, ch 2, 1 sc in the bl of the next ch, sk the next st in R2, 1 drtr in the unworked front loop of the sc in R1**. Work from * to ** 4 times; there will be 2 drtr in each of the 4 sc in R1. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [12 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R4: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R2, 1 sc in the bl of the next st, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R2 as the last drtr was worked**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [20 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R5: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R3, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R4, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R3 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R4**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [28 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R6: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R4, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R5, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R4 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 2 sts in R5**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [36 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 3.5 inches across.

R7: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R5, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R6, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R5 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 3 sts in R6**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [44 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R8: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R6, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R7, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R6 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 4 sts in R7**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [52 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R9: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R7, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R8, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R7 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 5 sts in R8**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [60 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R10: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R8, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R9, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R8 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 6 sts in R9**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [68 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R11: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R9, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R10, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R9 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 7 sts in R10**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [76 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R12: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R10, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R11, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R10 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 8 sts in R11**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [84 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

Square measures approximately 7 inches across.

R13: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R11, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R12, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R11 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 9 sts in R12**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [92 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R14: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R12, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R13, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R12 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 10 sts in R13**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [100 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R15: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R13, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R14, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R13 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 11 sts in R14**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [108 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R16: With Color C: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 13 sts, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R14, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R15, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R14 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 12 sts in R15**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [116 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R17: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R15, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R16, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R15 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 13 sts in R16**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [124 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R18: With Color D: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 15 sts, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R16, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R17, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R16 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 14 sts in R17**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [132 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R19: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 16 sts, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R17, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R18, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R17 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 15 sts in R18**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [140 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

R20: With Color A: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 17 sts, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R18, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R19, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R18 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 16 sts in R19**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Sl st to the first st to join. Finish off. [148 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

For the Moogly CAL use Alternate R21

R21: With Color B: Join in the bl of the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 18 sts, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the unworked fl of the next (center) st in R19, 1 sc in the bl of the next st in R20, sk the next drtr, 1 drtr in the same fl in R19 as the last drtr was worked, 1 sc in the bl of each of the next 17 sts in R20**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Finish off. [156 sc, 8 drtr, 4 ch2sp]

Alternate R21: With Color B: Join in the sc before any corner ch2sp. *1 sc in the bl of the sc before the ch2sp, 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 38 sts**. Work from * to ** 4 times. Finish off. [164 sc, 4 ch2sp]

Finishing

Weave in any remaining ends.
Wet block to 12 X 12 inches square.

You may also enjoy these posts:

This easy to crochet afghan square is made with Medium Weight Yarn [4] and a 6 mm (J) crochet hook. When complete the In the Middle Afghan Square measures 12 inches X 12 inches in size. Yarn Used : Red Heart with Love. #mooglycal #CAL #grannysquare #crochet #yarnspirations #redheartyarns

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!

In the Middle Afghan Square