Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan
Welcome back to another delightful crochet project! Today, we have an absolutely stunning, wonderfully textured, and perfectly charming pattern for your next cozy blanket: the Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan! If you love crafting beautiful blanket projects that perfectly capture classic handmade charm while offering a beautifully intricate, versatile design to keep you engaged, this gorgeous afghan is going to be your next favorite make.
This fantastic crochet pattern is wonderfully adaptable and perfect for unforgettable handmade gifts, allowing you to whip up beautiful, lovable blankets in no time that will be cherished as family keepsakes for years! While the instructions highlight a specific beautiful, vibrant look, you can easily adjust the color variations depending on the worsted weight yarn used—swap out classic multi-colors for magical pastels, soft neutrals, or vibrant bold hues to create a whimsical, personalized piece! Grab your hooks, settle into your favorite crafting spot, and let’s dive into making this wonderfully textured, completely beautiful afghan!
Gauge: 8 sc x 8 rows = 4 in/ 10 cm
How to Make this Blanket in Any Size
To make a custom size or use a different yarn, the stitch multiple is 6, plus 5.
With the Gauge given above, here is information on how to make this Blanket in a variety of sizes.
Measurements given below exclude any border or edging. The border shown is approx 1.5″ wide.
Baby Blanket (shown): 35.5″ x 34″ – 71 sts x 68 rows – 4 skeins total (2 each color)
Toddler Bed: 41.5″ x 60″ – 83 sts x 120 rows – 6 skeins
Lapghan: 35.5″ x 48″ – 71 sts x 96 rows – 4 skeins
Throw: 50.5″ x 72″ – 101 sts x 144 rows – 8 skeins
Twin: 68.5″ x 90″ – 137 sts x 180 rows – 11 skeins
Full: 83.5″ x 90″ – 167 sts x 180 rows – 16 skeins
Queen: 89.5″ x 96″ – 179 sts x 192 rows – 18 skeins
King: 104.5″ x 96″ – 209 sts x 192 rows – 21 skeins
Cal King: 101.5″ x 102″ – 203 sts x 204 rows – 22 skeins
HELPFUL LINKS AND TUTORIALS
Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan Tutorial
Crochet Abbreviations
FSC – Foundation Single Crochet
STSC – Standing Single Crochet
SPC – Spike Cluster Stitch
Seamless Finishing
SPECIAL STITCH:
SPC – Spike Cluster Stitch: To work an SPC, pick up 5 loops and bring them to the height of the current row by inserting the hook as follows: 1) 2 sts to the right of the current stitch and 1 row down; 2) 1 st to the right and 2 rows down; 3) directly below and 3 rows down; 4) 1 st to the left and 2 rows down; 5) 2 sts to the left and 1 row down (yo and pull up a loop in each location, 6 loops on hook). Next, insert hook into the top of the current stitch itself, yo and pull through (7 loops on hook), yo again and carefully pull through all 7 loops. Skip the stitch behind the SPC.
NOTES:
If you prefer to avoid using the FSC stitch, you can instead chain the number of stitches desired, plus 1. Skip the ch closest to the hook and sc across. Contine the pattern with Row 2.
If you prefer to avoid using the STSC stitch, you can instead join with a sl st and ch 1, then sc in the first st.
If your colors are not high contrast, you can try carrying them along the side rather than cutting the yarn at every yarn change.
Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan Instructions:
Row 1: With Color A, FSC number of sts for desired size, per the chart above; turn.
Rows 2 – 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 4, break yarn.
BEGIN PATTERN REPEAT
Row 5: With Color B, STSC in the first st, sc in the next 4 sts, *SPC, sc in the next 5 sts; rep from * across, turn.
Rows 6 – 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 8, break yarn.
Row 9: With Color A, STSC in the first st, sc in the next 7 sts, *SPC, sc in the next 5 sts; rep from * across, sc in the last 3 sts, turn.
Rows 10 – 12: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 12, break yarn.
END PATTERN REPEAT
Repeat Rows 5 – 12 until desired length is reached, per the chart above; turn for border or break yarn and finish off. Weave in ends.
BORDER SHOWN (Optional)
Border Rnd 1: Ch 1, *sc in each st across, ch 2, sc evenly down the side of the blanket working 1 sc in the side of each row, ch 2; rep from *, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Rnd 2: With Color B, STSC in any st, *sc in each st across, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Rnd 3: With Color A, STSC in any st, *sc in each st across, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Hungry for More?
Time to dish up your next project? Check out the Moogly Free Patterns Page or Ravelry!
If any Moogly pattern inspires you to make your own project, and you post a photo on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog so I can check it out too!