How To Use a Crochet Needle to Make a Basketweave Afghan

A crochet needle is known as a hook, due its curved end. It is a popular tool for creating afghans. To achieve a basketweave pattern in crochet, use the front-post double crochet stitch (fpdc) and the back-post double crochet stitch (bpdc). These are done by double crocheting around the post of the stitch in the row below instead of under the loops at the top of the stitch. The post crochet stitches raise the double crochet stitch off the surface, and when alternated front and back in groups of four, give the look of a woven basket.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Worsted weight yarn
• Crochet hook in size G, H, I, J or K
• Yarn needle

Base Row

1. Start with your base chain (ch). Make it as wide as you want your afghan to be, in multiples of 8 ch stitches. For example, 96, 104, 112, 120, etc.

2. Review basic crochet stitches and procedures (see link in Resources). For this project, you will need to know double crochet, single crochet, how to fasten off and how to weave in loose ends.

3. Double crochet (dc) in the 4th ch from your hook. Dc across the rest of the chain. Turn.

First Row

4. 
   Front-Post Double Crochet Stitch.

   Ch 2, and then work a front-post double crochet (fpdc) in the next 4 dc by inserting the hook (right to left) under the post of the stitch in the previous row on the side facing you and making a dc around it.

5. 
   Back-Post Double Crochet Stitch.

   Work a back-post double crochet (bpdc) in the next 4 dc by inserting the hook (right to left) under the post of the stitch in the previous row on the side facing away from you (the back of the work) and making a dc around it.

6. Repeat Step 1 and Step 2 across the row, ending with a dc in the top of the starting ch 2. Turn.

Pattern Rows

7. 
   Front-Post DC Worked in Existing Front-Post Stitch.

   Ch 2, and work a fpdc in each front-facing post stitch and work a bpdc in each back-facing post stitch across the row. Turn.

8. 
   Back-Post DC Worked in Existing Back-Post Stitch.

   Repeat Step 1 for 2 more rows.

9. Ch 2, and work a fpdc in each back-facing post stitch and work a bpdc in each front-facing post stitch across the row. Turn.

10. 
    Basketweave Pattern in Progress.

    Repeat Step 1 for 3 rows.

11. Repeat Step 3 and Step 4 until the afghan is as long as you want it to be, and then fasten off. Use the yarn needle to weave in loose ends. Single crochet (sc) around the edges, if you wish to add a border, working 3 sc into each corner, and evenly spacing the sc along each edge so the afghan doesn't ruffle.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want the basketweave pattern to show clearly on your afghan, use yarn that isn't too fuzzy.

References

• Crochet Basketweave Stitch
• More on Raised Double Crochet Stitches

Resources

• Crochet Stitch Directory
• Lion Brand Free Basketweave Afghan Pattern