A beginner friendly crochet cluster stitch afghan square
This beginner friendly crochet cluster stitch square can be used to create your own accessories and home decor. Or, make it as part of the Fireside Throw CAL.
This afghan square was designed as part of the Fireside Throw, a beautiful stitch sampler blanket that’s perfect for cuddling during the cold winter months.
You can use this square in any project. In fact, it’s perfect for women’s accessories, blankets and pillows!
The crochet cluster stitch gives this square a slightly textured, subtle openwork look. It provides ample warmth and coverage without being too heavy.
The crochet cluster stitch used in this square is a 3 double crochet version. It sits fairly flat on the right side with a bit more texture on the back side. It’s a beginner friendly stitch you’ll enjoy making.
Design + Construction of the crochet cluster stitch square
The square is designed to be 8-8.5” in size. If you’re making this for the project of your choice, your hook size and tension will determine the resulting size.
For the Fireside Throw, I chose to make my squares 8.5” because I could make less squares and still have a generous full-sized blanket. By using the recommended hook size and the instructions below, your square should be the same size as mine.
The Yarn
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Any worsted weight will work for this square. Choose any yarn from your stash or one that works for the overall project the square is a part of.
For the sample (and the Fireside Throw), I chose Lion Brand’s “Pound of Love”. It’s soft, easy to work with and creates a beautiful finished look. I fell in love with this yarn when I was working on the Friends with Granny blanket and discovered how soft the yarn was. It comes in economical 16oz skeins making it the perfect choice for larger projects.
Why buy the PDF for this crochet cluster stitch square when the pattern is free here?
- You get detailed written instructions in one convenient document.
- A handy chart for stitch placement is included.
- You won’t have to scroll through ads or bookmark this page (although you should).
The Fireside Throw blanket pattern
As I mentioned earlier, this square is included in the Fireside Throw CAL. You can purchase the full pattern for $8 through February 13th after which the price increases to $12.
This beautifully formatted PDF includes everything you need to make your very own Fireside Throw. Here’s what you’ll get with your copy:
- Written instructions for all 6 squares in the blanket
- Detailed instructions for assembly and adding the simple border
- Tips that will help you as you make your blanket
What you need to know to make the Crochet Cluster Stitch 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
Lion Brand “Pound of Love” 100% premium acrylic worsted weight (16 oz/1020 yd; 454 g/932 m) Color #99 – Antique White – Approx. 1 oz for each square
Hook
US size H-8 (5mm) or size needed for square size
Tools
- Removable stitch marker
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Finished size: Approx. 8 – 8.5″ square
Gauge: 6 clusters x 5 cluster rows = 4″
Skill level: Advanced beginner
Abbreviations – US crochet terminology
- beg – beginning
- ch – chain
- dc – double crochet
- rep – repeat
- sc – single crochet
- sk – skip
- sp – space
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- YO – yarn over
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
Special Stitches
3-dc cluster (referred to as ‘cluster’ in the instructions) – YO, insert hook in indicated st, YO, pull up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops, [YO, insert hook in same st, YO, pull up loop, YO, draw through 2 loops] twice, YO, draw through all 4 loops on hook.
Invisible Join – Joining at the end of a circle or square worked in the round can leave an unsightly bump when the yarn is simply tied off after a slip stitch join. An invisible join creates a seamless look along the edge of your work.
Stacked single crochet (STsc) – (This stitch is used at the beginning of a row or round to replace the traditional turning ch-3. It has the appearance of a dc.) – Insert hook in same st as loop, YO, draw up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (bottom sc made), insert hook in left vertical bar of bottom sc, YO, draw up loop, YO, pull through 2 loops (top sc made).
Written Instructions for the Crochet Cluster Stitch 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.
Pattern Notes
- A ch 2 or ch 3 may be substituted for the STsc without affecting the appearance or construction of the square.
- This square is not reversible because the look is slightly different on each side.
- The right side of the square in this case is considered the side facing you when you work the cluster st row. The look of the cluster st on this side is rather flat, showing off the stitch definition of the cluster. The wrong side of the cluster st is more textured and puffier. You may choose the side of your preference to show face up.
Pattern Instructions
Body
Ch 26.
Row 1 (WS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, turn. (25 sc)
Row 2 (RS): STsc, dc in next st, [ch 1, sk 1 st, cluster in next st] across to last 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st, dc in last 2 sts, turn. (10 clusters, 11 ch-1 sp, 4 dc)
Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st and ch-1 sp across, turn. (25 sc)
Rows 4-19: Rep Rows 2-3 8 times.
At the end of Row 19, turn but do not fasten off. Proceed to Edging.
Edging
Top edge: Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st across to last st, 3 sc in last st.
Side 1: Rotate 90 degrees, work 23 sc evenly across to next corner.
Bottom edge: Rotate 90 degrees, 3 sc in 1st foundation ch, sc in next ch and in each ch across to last ch, 3 sc in last ch.
Side 2: Rotate 90 degrees, work 23 sc evenly across to 1st corner, 2 sc in same st as 1st sc of Top Edge to complete the 1st corner, use invisible slip st join to 1st sc of Top Edge.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Block if necessary.
Here’s another MadameStitch design that features the crochet cluster stitch:
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