Fields and Furrows Crochet Afghan
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Meet the Fields and Furrows Afghan. The perfect project for that delicious Caron Cake Yarn you’ve been drooling over! I don’t know about you, but I have a thing for yarn.
There’s just something a little special about going into the yarn aisle that makes me smile and fills my heart. And the cake yarn. Sigh. I don’t know what it is about the Caron Cake yarn, but seeing those colors in that fat little organized cake of goodness just makes me happy. And then I think.. what would I make out of it? And I have to admit… sometimes I’m a bit stumped.
I wanted a project where I could just crochet away. You know the kind I mean. The kind you can work on while you watch a scary movie–and depending on how things are going you can mindlessly crochet through the intense scenes or maybe pause with your hook in the air, waiting for the suspenseful moment to pass.
Or maybe you’re more of an H>V kind of girl… you know…crocheting while you watch people demo and remodel their home in an hour. Somehow you feel productive with them except that they are getting dirty and sweating and you are supervising with your yarn and hook. I know. You get me.
I also wanted a project that would make the yarn’s color changes in the row less obvious. So I decided on this delightful textured design that is just perfect for the cake yarn. I went with 2 colors (because who can stop at 1 right?) Pistachio Fudge and Pistachio. As you might guess from the name, the Pistachio Fudge has some browns with the greens and the Pistachio picks up some lighter shades.
And together I knew they would make the perfect afghan for my hubs. It’s just the right size for snuggling under while watching TV. When the afghan was done and I was taking the photos, it reminded me of a farmer’s field in spring. And that’s how the Fields and Furrows Crochet Afghan pattern got it’s name, just in time for spring!
Of course you may like to use just one colorway of yarn or maybe even use 3 or more colorways. If you can’t just ‘go with’ the color changes, you can stop before a color change at the end of a row and start the next row with the next color. You can make the afghan wider by adding stitches in multiples of 2. Or crochet more rows if you want it longer.
A lot of you have shared your photos with me on Instagram and Facebook. I love how beautiful this afghan looks in other colors! It is truly a versatile pattern. Oh the possibilities!
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Fields and Furrows Crochet Afghan
Here is what you will need:
- About 1900 yards worsted weight yarn (5 Caron Cakes). Sample used 3 cakes in Pistachio Fudge and 2 cakes in Pistachio. You may wish to buy a 6th skein to use for planned color changes and the border (see notes).
- US H8/5mm crochet hook Did you know you can purchase my go-to hooks on Amazon?)
- Tapestry needle and scissors
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern: Crochet Abbreviations, US to UK Crochet Conversion Chart. Find links to stitches on the “Tutorial” menu: Getting Started will show basic stitches used in many patterns and Crochet Stitch Dictionary shows our growing collection of crochet stitch tutorials.
Special Stitches:
DCX (Double Crochet Cross Stitch): Skip next stitch, make dc in next st, dc in skipped st
Bobble: *Yarn over, insert hook into next st, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * 3 more times, working into the same st. 5 loops are now on the hook. Yarn over and pull through all 5 loops. Chain 1 to lock in the bobble. [Note: if you prefer a bobble that is a bit puffier, you may work the repeat one more time for a total of 5 times and 6 loops]
Pattern notes:
- The ch 2 at the beginning of a hdc row does NOT count as a stitch
- The ch 3 at the beginning of a DCX row DOES count as a stitch.
- I found it helpful to count my bobbles and DCX stitches each row just to make sure I didn’t miss a stitch.
- Pattern can be worked with any worsted weight yarn. For this project I started with the Pistachio Fudge yarn. When the skein ran out, I switched to Pistachio Yarn and continued to alternate until I ran out of yarn.
- If it bothers you to see a color change mid round, you can strategically end a color at the end of a row, cut the yarn and reattach at the start of a new color change. You may wish to buy a 6th skein of yarn for this purpose. This is also helpful to be able to find enough of one color run to work the border.
Size: Approximately 50″ wide x 64″ long
Ch 150
R1: hdc in 3rd ch and across row (148 st)
R2: ch 3 (counts as dc), DCX across row, dc in last st (73 DCX plus 2 dc=148 st)
R3-4: ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc across (148 st)
R5: ch 3 (counts as dc), *skip next st, bobble stitch in next st. Repeat from * across. End with dc in last st. (73 bobble stitches + 2 dc)
R6: ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc across, working a hdc into each bobble stitch and into the space between each bobble stitch (148 st)
R7: ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc across (148 st)
Repeat rows 2-7 for the stitch pattern until desired length. The last 2 rows should be a DCX or Bobble Row followed by a hdc row. (I worked a total of 20 pattern repeats plus a row of DCX, followed by a row of hdc.) Fasten off and weave in ends.
Border:
R1: With a solid color, attach yarn with slip stitch, ch 1 and sc around edges, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with 1st st with a sl st and ch 1
R2: sc around, working 3 sc in each corner.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
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I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making one of my patterns I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @crochet365knittoo. If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Crochet 365 Knit Too Facebook page or pop over to the Crochet365KnitToo Club and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Third try to leave a comment here.
First time told me I’m a bot??
Second time put it on another blog post.
Third time, said I already asked that question…….
anyway, what are the dimentions of the blanket?
Or, did I miss it?
Sorry you’re having trouble leaving a comment. Yes, the dimensions are in the post after the pattern notes right before the 2nd photo of the afghan on a rocker. It is 50 inches x 64 inches. You can easily make it smaller or larger if you so desire.
Thank you Cheryl for the lovely crochet pattern Fields and Furrows looks very beautiful. Glad you are having good weather now spring is a great time. We will be looking forward to it once winter is over. I will enjoy making the pattern. Thanks again.
Hi Cheryl, thank you for sharing this pattern. I was able to get the pistachio fudge on clearance and the pistachio was in stock so this is my next project. Look forward to my end result. I can only hope it turns out as nice! I’m rather new at this. Thank you (and many others who share their crochet talents on you tube etc…). I need all the help I can get 🙂
Always a win when you can score clearance yarn! Hope you enjoy making the afghan!
What a lovely pattern and the colors are lovely. Will definitely make this in the future, after I finish a few projects under construction. You know how that goes. Thanks for the directions.
Started on this beeyoutifull pattern and I’m wondering if I missed something. Is there supposed to be a ch 1 after the bubble? Maybe that’s supposed to be understood?
Yes you should chain 1 after the bobble to lock in the stitch. I revised the directions to make that clear. Sorry for the confusion!
Will there be any issue without the chain 1? Should I just continue without it? I am on 2nd cakes so it wouldn’t be easy to fix.
No, as long as your row is turning out even with the others, I would go ahead as you are. You probably are naturally making that loop just a little bit bigger and it is accommodating the hdc in the next row just fine. I’m sorry about that. I try so hard to get the pattern just perfect and re-read it over several times and still sometimes miss something. I hope your afghan turns out beautiful!
Thank you. No problem at all. I am putting each hdc into the bobble stitch the same way. All part of my learning experience! I will post a pic when its done. 🙂
Can’t wait to see it!
Started this blanket 4 days ago and already 2 skeins complete. Just can’t seem to put it down, the anticipation of the next color coming up and how it’s going to look keeps me going much longer then I should. I chose the Cake Pop and Faerie Cake colors for mine. Chained 128 to make it a little smaller for a baby blanket.
I’m so glad you are enjoying making the blanket! I’d love to see a photo when you are done! If you can post a photo to my Facebook page or over on Instagram and tag me, I’d love to see it!
So, in row 5 how many bobble stitches should I have?? 73? I think that is incorrect, help pleSe
At the end of row 5 you will have one dc at the beginning, 73 bobble stitches and one dc at the end. Hope that helps!
Could you please give instruction for DCX and bobble stitch. Thank you
The instructions for the 2 stitches are listed higher up on the blog post under “special stitches”.
Thank you. Missed that
I have been looking for a color change pattern for awhile, and I just fell in love with this one! Would you happen to know how I could convert this pattern to make it a baby blanket size, please? My niece is expecting twins, and I love the idea of texture without having to change colors. I also like that this is not so lacy and full of holes like many baby blankets. The babies are expected around Christmas, and this pattern would make a nice warm blanket for them. Thank you so much for this beautiful pattern!
I think this would make a lovely baby afghan! The stitch pattern is in a multiple of 2. So just determine the width of the afghan you would like and then reduce the number of chains in the pattern in increments of 2 stitches. Then crochet as many rows to get the length you desire. I would love to see photos when you are done!
Love this design! Just gorgeous I definitely will be putting this on my to do list!
Very pretty and I love the colors you chose to use. They go so well with the Name! Thank you for all the time and effort I know this took
I am in the process of making this afghan and I love the stitches. I wish I had used more muted colors though because I like the looks of yours much better than mine. I started using leftover yarn and then bought to supplement what I did not already have. Deep greens and bright pinks just do not do this pattern justice.
Beautiful design- I did mine with baby wool and it came out perfectly ? thankyou
The baby wool blanket sounds lovely. Glad you enjoyed the pattern.
I loved this pattern when I saw it as well as the color combo you used. I bought the the same yarn and color. I could hardly wait for the yarn to get here and get started on this project☺ I have one more cake to go and I’ll be done. I’m soo o pleased with the outcome of this blanket and will be anxious to Try other color combos. It’s an easy pattern to work while watching tv in the evening. Hard to put it down once I get to it on it. Anxious to see the final product☺ Thank you for sharing this pattern
wow really adorable
Good morning… I am wondering which Caron Cakes yarnyou used for the top afghan picture which has pinks and purples in it – I can still purchase the pistachio Caron cake,
THank you,
Patty
All the photos in the post are of the green/brown Caron cakes I indicate in the pattern. Sometimes the ads will generate something that looks like it is part of the post, but really is an ad. Maybe one of them showed you something with pinks and purples. If you are still seeing it, you could screenshot it and share it in our Crochet365KnitToo Club on Facebook and maybe the group can help you figure it out.
This is such a lovely patrern, thank you so much. My oldest daughter just did a total bedroom remodel for their 25th anniversary so I’m working this up for them in turquoise, green and blue shades.
I’m either reading the bobble wrong or doing it wrong. When I do the instructions:
*Yarn over, insert hook into next st, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Repeat from * 4 more times, working into the same st. 5 loops are now on the hook.
I end up with 6 loops on my hook instead of 5. It gives me 5 “beginnings of DC” (for lack of a better term) in my bobble. Is that correct?
I can’t figure out where I’m getting my extra loop but wondering if I’m starting wrong because I end up with 2 loops after my initial trip between **.
Thanks for the catch on that! You are right. Here’s the deal: The bobble can be worked either way. Either repeat 4 times and end up with SIX loops on the hook at the end or repeat THREE times and end up with 5 loops on the hook. I worked to a total of 5 loops, so I revised the pattern to show that (and the option to make the bobble fuller/puffier).
Dear Cheryl
You are the Queen of Crochet!
Have a nice Weekend!
Marianne
Is there a formula for this stitch pattern so I can make this larger. I need to make a queen size afghan.
I’m glad you like the pattern. The pattern is a stitch multiple of two so you can add or subtract in multiples of 2 to make it bigger or smaller.
I love this afghan! The green just jumped out at me as it’s my favorite color. I’m adding this pattern to my long to-do list but it may get to the top sooner than others! I’ve been working through my stash before I purchase more yarn, but I will definitely try to get these colors before they disappear! Thank you for sharing your beautiful work and pattern!
I loved making this afghan! It turned out beautifully using YarnBee multi-colored cake yarn. It took 7 cakes to make a large afghan. The only issue I had was figuring out what stitch to crochet into after turning. It took several pattern repeats to get into the groove, but I eventually got it and the finished product looks great. Thank you for sharing the pattern! <3 <3 <3
I really love the colour combinations for this blanket. Thank you. I’m looking forward to starting it.
Hi Cheryl,
I purchased your Fields and Furrows Crochet Afghan Pattern and because the colors on the website were perfect, I searched and found the yarns you used. However, when the yarns came, the Pistachio Fudge wasn’t close to the colors on either your blog or Etsy postings. Both your pictures were heightened in color so that the browns read as purples and rose. I’m disappointed that the colors are less dynamic, however the pattern is beautiful and since I’ve already purchased the yarn to make the afghan for a wedding present, I guess I will go ahead and make it, albeit it won’t look quite as pretty as I had anticipated.
Mary
Sometimes colors don’t come through the same on everyone’s monitors–and I can’t control what every person sees. The afghan colors do look true to color on the 3 computers I regularly use and my phone. What you could do in the future is look at the yarn on a site that sells the yarn to maybe get another perspective. I know I’ve experienced the same thing myself and it can be disappointing when you have a vision in your head and the reality is different. Hopefully the bridal couple will enjoy your beautiful work.
I’m making this using Caron Big Cakes in Cake Roll. I wanted it a bit bigger so I started with a chain of 170. I hope it works out.
Do you have a tutorial for this afghan on YouTube?
I’m sorry, I don’t currently have a video for the afghan. Should I do one in the future, I will link it in the post.
Loved making this blanket for my daughter and her husband.
I have a question – the afghan in the very top photo – is this the pistachio and the pistachio fudge combinations of Caron Cakes? I purchased the yarn, and am working up the afghan, but it does not resemble the colors shown in the photo at the top. Is it just how it photographs? I was really drawn to those colors. However, I am working the afghan for my sister-in-law and she will be satisfied with the colors as they are in the yarn that I purchased. If the top picture has a different color combination, I would love to purchased that for myself.I do love this pattern.
Everyone’s computer and monitor is different and affects how the colors look. So for me, this looks just like my yarn.. it’s greens and browns (hence the ‘pistachio’ and ‘fudge’ in the color names). I also bought my yarn 2.5 years ago, so it’s possible the dye lots are a little different.
I have started and restarted this pattern a dozen times. No matter what I do I end up with 74 cross stitches. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong.
The row starts with a ch 3 which counts as a double crochet. The row ends with a double crochet in the last stitch. In between those stitches are 73 cross stitches. I’m wondering if you’re not working the first and last stitch in the pattern? Th other option is that you might have inadvertently added a stitch in previous rows. You can try to take a photo of your work and post it in the Crochet 365 Knit Too Club on Facebook. Everyone there is great and we can all jump in and try to help.
I just finished mine, it took me 4 weeks. Love it and want to do another Afghan soon.
Wonderful! Afghans always take me a long time, so 4 weeks sounds fast to me! I really like that this one doesn’t require a bunch of color changes…so nice to just keep crocheting!
Is there any visual for the row that is right above the bobbles? You have doing HDC into the bobble and then in the space, but I am having trouble seeing clearly where you mean–any video yet? Or even photos? I’m loving the design but I feel like I’m doing this row completely wrong 🙁
The best photos I have are right in the post and there is no video (I don’t do many at this point). I would suggest zooming in on the close up photo and also the photo that is on an angle (neither have the chair in the photo). I think you will be able to see what it looks like. You also could make a sample swatch and see what you think after a few rows. It does feel a little jagged while you are doing it and that might be what feels ‘off’ to you. You can also head over to our Crochet 365 Knit Too Club on Facebook and post a photo and the community there can give you feedback and help!
Thank you–I think I got it–I’m LOVING the way this blanket is coming out!
Hi Cheryl, whenever I crochet my hdc rows I always end up with only 147 stitches. I count the stiches several times and I am not missing a stitch. I don’t think I am understanding this instruction – Ch 2, hdc in the same stitch, hdc across (148 st). Can you please help me – I am obviously doing something wrong.
Donna
There are 148 stitches every row. I would look back to the last row and make sure you have 148 stitches there. On the hdc rows the ch2 does NOT count as a stitch, but on the X rows, the ch3 DOES count as a stitch. Perhaps you’re missing putting a hdc into the ch-3 stitch in the previous row?
One problem with Caron Cakes for this pattern. It is hand washable; lay flat to dry. Better to use BIG Caron Cakes…different composition and it can be machine washed and also (I think) machine dryable.
It is always a good idea to look at the fiber content and washing instructions for any yarn you use for a project. This is always found on the yarn band.
Beautiful! Is the pattern written in US or UK directions? Thanks
All my patterns are in US terminology. 🙂
Thank you for this beautiful pattern. I love Caron Cakes. I picked up Pistachio and Lime Twist and am making this pattern for a very special friend.
I just made it with Caron COTTON cakes. Made it smaller and viola I have a baby blanket suitable for Florida weather!!
Love it, it’s the perfect pattern for the Caron cakes, and so easy!!
Is this pattern using UK or US terminology? hdc is half double crochet but I am not sure whether this is in UK or US version.
All my patterns are in US terminology.
I’m loving this as my first big project. I’m still a beginner. I used caron baby cakes in Petals. I’m wondering if you could recommend what color to use for the border? And which type of your because I haven’t seen and caron cakes in one color.
That is really a matter of personal preference. To my knowledge there is not a solid color in the Caron Cake family, so you’d have to switch to a different yarn line if you want a contrasting yarn border.
This is absolutely beautiful. I am starting today, while I do not have any caron cakes, I do have similar shades in caron simply soft and think I will approximate the look by changing colors after 2 or 3 rows.
Thank you so much!
I bet that will turn out great! Good luck!
This is my all-time favorite throw pattern. I have made 3 of them. The different colors are a great way to use up leftover yarn. Thank you for sharing.
It is such fun pattern! I’m glad you love it too!
I’m not a beginner, but neither am I at the intermediate stage of crochet. Would this be too tough for me?
I would suggest making a small sample and seeing if you can work that before investing in yarn for the entire afghan. The trickiest part of this afghan is counting the stitches each row to make sure you have the appropriate number to keep the afghan even.
I have started this Afghan and have 148 stitches in the first row. I have counted and recounted so I know I have 148 stitches. I am stumped on the second tow of DCX. If there are 73 DCX and each one used 2 stitches, then 73 DCX would use 146 of the 148 stitches; thus I have 2 stitches left at the end of the row. What am I doing wrong?
Here are the directions for row 2; there is a stitch at the beginning and end that ‘count’: R2: ch 3 (counts as dc), DCX across row, dc in last st (73 DCX plus 2 dc=148 st)
If I’d like to make this smaller, do I just make the chain as wide as I want the blanket, or is there a certain sequence I should follow, or make it a number divisible by a certain number, etc? Thanks for the pattern!! I cannot wait to get started!!
You can increase or decrease the number of stitches by an increment of 2.. so just chain an even number of stitches to the length you want and the pattern will work out just fine!
I would like to know does it matter if the 2 special stitches are worked / started on the wrong side or the right side of the project? I like the look when I use a single stitch when I change colors so my row count will be off
The special stitches are describing the stitches for the pattern that follows. In the repeat they are worked in different rows. As far as color changing goes, I used Caron Cake yarn which transitions the color on its own. When I ran out, I just changed the color wherever it landed (often mid row). Hope that helps.