The Cordelia afghan aquare is a versatile and beautiful crochet pattern that can be used as the foundation for any blanket. Get started on your next project today! The pattern is free on the blog.

The Cordelia afghan square

I’m a huge fan of crochet blankets, especially ones made up of squares. I love the portability those squares provide because I’m always taking my crochet with me. An afghan square is small enough to take with me in order to fit a little crocheting into a few unscheduled moments.

What is the Cordelia afghan square?

The Cordelia afghan square features a combination of basic stitches that provide cozy texture and a beautiful look. It can be used as the foundation for a variety of blankets from babies to adults. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, the Cordelia afghan square is a great pattern to add to your collection.

Design + Construction

When I designed the Cordelia Bandana Cowl, I absolutely fell in love with the stitch pattern that I created for the cowl section. Since designing the cowl, I’ve seen all the possibilities for using that stitch pattern in other designs. That stitch pattern is perfect for this afghan square.

What makes the stitch patten so interesting is the combination of familiar stitches. Alternating sections of granny stitch (3 dc in the same space) and sections of half double crochet and half double crochet in the third loop create a stunning texture and unique look.

How can you customize the Cordelia afghan square for your own blanket project?

As I mentioned, the Cordelia afghan square is the perfect design element for any size blanket. It’s easily customizable, making it possible for you to create your own comfy home decor accessory for anyone in the family.

Here are a few ways you can customize this afghan square to fit your blanket project:

• Use a different weight yarn – I love to use DK weight for blankets, especially baby blankets. However, your square will be smaller so you’ll need to make one to see what size it is, then adjust the number of squares you need for your blanket size. It will take a bit longer to make your blanket and the blanket will definitely be a lighter weight.
• Choose different color combinations – I’ve made this square with contrasting colors in the edging. Another option is to make each section of the body of the square a different color or alternating 2 colors. One other option os to make the square all in one color.
• Make the square smaller or larger – There are 2 ways to accomplish this. The body of the square can be made smaller or larger by adjusting the number of starting chain. The pattern repeat is a multiple of 3 + 1 for the foundation chain.
• Add other squares – By using the Cordelia afghan square as a starting point and adding additional crochet squares or motifs, you can create a truly unique and personalized blanket.

What yarn do you need to make the Cordelia afghan square?

Because the Cordelia afghan square was designed for a CAL, I knew the square needed to be worked in a worsted weight yarn. I was specifically asked to work the square in Red Heart Super Saver yarn.

I have to admit that Super Saver isn’t my favorite yarn. It isn’t as soft as other worsted weight yarns I’ve used. And, when I’m thinking about what I want for blankets, a soft yarn is really important. However, the colors are beautiful and the skeins are a generous 7.5oz. A blanket made with Red Heart Super Saver would truly be a bargain.

Any worsted weight acrylic yarn would be perfect for the Cordelia afghan square. I love these worsted weight yarns for my blankets. Keep in mind that choosing any of these yarns may slightly change the finished size of the afghan square so be sure to check gauge carefully.

• Lion Brand Pound of Love – another economical yarn choice with a softer feel.
• Paintbox “Simply Aran” 

The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF in my Ravelry shop.

While the pattern is free here on the blog, sometimes having a physical document or digital product can be so much more convenient. Plus, here’s what comes with your PDF:

• The written instructions in an easy-to-read format.
• A crochet chart to show stitch placement.
• You won’t have to scroll through ads or bookmark this page (although you should).

The 2023 Stash-Busting Mystery Crochet Along

This wonderful crochet along hosted by The Unraveled Mitten started in January and lasts into October. Every 2 weeks on a Thursday, a new afghan square pattern designed by a talented crochet designer is released. 

The afghan square patterns are forever free on the designers’ blogs so it’s not too late to start your own blanket. The Cordelia afghan square is the 10th square in the series.

Find out more details on the main post.

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What you need to know to make your very own Cordelia afghan square

Thank you for staying on this post and reading my patterns right here on the blog, without copy/pasting. When you stay here to follow the free version of my pattern, I am compensated for my time and energy. This is a great, free way to support a designer. If you would like to save this for later, bookmark the page to save it in your mobile browser.

Yarn

Red Heart “Super Saver” 100% acrylic worsted weight (7oz/364yd; 198g/333m)

• Main color: Turqua #512
• Color A: Soft White #316
• Color B: Coral #726

Hook

US size H-8 (5mm) or size needed to make a 12″ square

Tools

• Removable stitch markers
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Finished size: 12″ square

Gauge: 13 hdc x 8 rows = 4″

Skill level: Confident beginner

Abbreviations – US crochet terminology

• beg – beginning
• BLO – back loop only
• ch – chain
• dc – double crochet
• hdc – half double crochet
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sc – single crochet
• sk – skip
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• YO – yarn over
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Special Stitches

Foundation half double crochet (Fhdc) – To start the row, ch 2, YO, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, YO, pull up a loop, YO, draw through 1 loop (this forms the chain along the bottom, YO, pull through 3 loops in hook (hdc made).

All other Fhdc in the row: YO, insert hook under ch at bottom of previous st, YO, pull up loop, YO, draw through 1 loop (this forms the chain along the bottom), YO, draw through 3 loops on hook (hdc made).

Half double crochet in the 3rd loop (hdc 3lp) – (working on the back side of the stitches from the row before, the 3^rd loop is on the side of the st facing you) YO, insert hook through the 3rd loop that sits just under the top loop of the stitch, YO, pull up a loop, YO, draw through all 3 loops on hook to complete the hdc.

Granny stitch (GS) – 3 dc in the same sp

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The Cordelia Afghan Square Free Pattern

Thank you for staying on this post and reading my patterns right here on the blog, without copy/pasting. When you stay here to follow the free version of my pattern, I am compensated for my time and energy. This is a great, free way to support a designer. If you would like to save this for later, bookmark the page to save it in your mobile browser.

Pattern Notes

1. Because there are no ch-1 spaces between GS, the GS is worked in the space where that ch-1 sp would have been, between GS groups from the previous row.
2. The Fhdc may tend to pull tight. If so, use a size larger hook for Row 1 only. 
3. A ch-1 at the beg of a row does not count as a st.
4. While the STsc gives the edge of the square a straighter edge, a ch-3 may be substituted at any time without altering the construction of the square.

Written Instructions

Body of the Square

Row 1 (WS): With Main color, Fhdc 32 OR ch 33, hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (32 hdc)

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, hdc in the same st and in each st across, turn. (32 hdc)

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, hdc 3lp in the same st and in each st across, turn. (32 hdc 3lp)

Row 4: STsc, sk 1 st, GS in the next st, [sk 2 sts, GS in the next st] across to last 2 sts, sk 1 st, dc in the last st, turn. (10 GS, 2 dc)

Row 5: STsc, dc in the sp before the 1st GS of the previous row, GS in the next sp and in each sp across to last sp, dc in the last sp, dc in the last st, turn. (9 GS, 4 dc)

Row 6: STsc, GS in the next sp and in each sp across, dc in the last st, turn. (10 GS, 2 dc)

Row 7: Ch 1, hdc in the same st and in each st across, turn. (32 hdc)

Row 8: Rep Row 7.

Row 9: Ch 1, hdc 3lp in the same st and in each st across, turn. (32 hdc 3lp)

Rows 10-21: Rep Rows 4-9 twice.

Turn at the end of Row 21 and proceed to the Border.

Border

Rnd 1 (RS): Continue with Main color.

• Top edge: Ch 1, 2 sc in the same st (partial 1^st corner), sc in the next st and in each st across to the last st, 3 sc in the last st.
• Side edge 1: Work 30 sc evenly along side edge (place markers at regular intervals for even spacing).
• Bottom edge: 3 sc in the 1st ch, sc in next ch and in each ch across to last ch, 3 sc in the last ch.
• Side edge 2: Work 30 sc evenly along side edge, 1 sc in the same st as the beg 2 sc of Top Edge to complete the first corner; join with slip st to beg st, do not turn.

Rnd 2: With Color A, ch 1, 2 sc in the same st (partial 1st corner), sc BLO in next st and in each st across to middle st of 3 sc at next corner, [3 sc in middle st of corner, sc BLO in next st and in each st across to middle st of next corner] 3 times, 1 sc in same st as the beg 2 sc to complete the 1^st corner, join with slip st to beg st, do not turn.

Rnd 3: With Color B, rep Row 2.

Note: If your square isn’t 12” at the end of Rnd 3 of the Border, rep Rnd 2 with the color combination of your choice until the square is the desired size. Remember that blocking will also adjust the size of your square.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Blocking: This square should be blocked to even out the stitches and attain a truly square block. I used light steam blocking but you may use the blocking method that works best for you.

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If you love a beautiful afghan square, here are 3 more MadameStitch designs.

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