Happily Ever Afghan Block ~ Hello, Gorgeous
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Looking for a gorgeous afghan block that offers the flexibility of a solid-color granny square OR a multi color way crochet block? Prepare yourself to think of an afghan square in a whole new way. Meet the Happily Ever Afghan Block.. revisited
I seriously love when a crochet pattern can do double duty… or.. even better.. be worked in multiple ways to make an amazing project. Originally I designed this afghan block as part of the Happily Ever Afghan series, which was a wedding gift for my son and daughter in law.
In my haste to finish up the afghan for the wedding, I never measured the finished square. So I decided to crochet the block in a solid color. And wow… was I ever blown away at just how beautiful this same afghan block is in a solid color! Can you imagine the entire afghan worked in one beautiful, solid color yarn with that gorgeous flat braid join and lacy edge? Sigh.
I’m telling you what.. I love that solid look for so many reasons… easy crocheting.. no ends to weave in. And the best part is that this square can be worked either way for an absolutely stunning project. It makes the perfect traveling afghanproject since you’ll crochet one block at a time and joined at the end. Take a look at the finished afghan in the original color way:
The Happily Ever Afghan pattern travels the journey from afghan idea to afghan square to glorious afghan over 4 delicious posts. In this second post of the series we dive right into making the crochet square for this fun afghan.
This crochet afghan Square uses basic stitches such as single crochet, double crochet and chain stitch. The look is acheived primarily through careful placement of stitches which makes it a good project for an adventurous beginner. Just follow the pattern directions carefully to insert hook for each stitch in the appropriate indicated st or space.
COMPLETE HAPPILY EVER AFGHAN SERIES
If you love the Happily Ever Afghan Block pattern you might also like to check out the rest of the posts for this free crochet pattern series:
1. How Much Yarn To Crochet A Blanket // 2. Flat Braid Crochet Join // 3. Crochet Border
It’s All In The Name
But first… a little background on what inspired the name of the afghan. My husband and I have this little thing we do. We have this cute, small block style wall hanging. It is probably about the size of the palm of your hand.
We got this little cutie sometime before we were married and I can’t quite remember if it was a gift or one of those spontaneous purchases I tend to make when visiting Hobby Lobby. It doesn’t have a permanent spot in our house because we constantly hide it. I will hide it for him to find and then when he finds it, he doesn’t say a word, but hides it for me to find later. We don’t verbally acknowledge finding it; just hide it again for the other to find.
So sometimes this moves quite actively around the house and then other times it is MIA for months at a time if one of us hid it in a really great spot. Sometimes I tease him that he hides it to see if I’m dusting–because that’s when I tend to find it..hiding behind a clock or knick knack. It’s just a little way to say ‘I love you’. What little thing do you and your spouse do something fun to say ‘I love you’? Tell me about it in the comments! I’d love to hear!
So when this afghan was done, calling it the ‘Happily Ever Afghan’ just seemed to fit. So let’s get to this fun pattern: The Happily Ever Afghan block!
Purchase an ad-free printable version of the COMPLETE Happily Ever Afghan pattern here!
Happily Ever Afghan Square
Here is what you will need:
- US H 8/5.00 crochet hook (these are my absolute favorite hooks I recommend to everyone!)
- Worsted Weight yarn (Be sure to read the Happily Ever Afghan Planning Guide Here)
- 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.
Finished afghan block (R1-8) is approximately 7.75″ square.
For the Happily Ever Afghan Original Version, Crochet 42 blocks (7 each of 6 color ways):
With Color 1, ch 5 and join to form a ring.
R1: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), 15 dc in ring (16 st), join with sl st to 1st st.
R2: Ch 4 (counts as 1 dc, ch 1), *dc in next dc, ch 1*, repeat * to * around, joining with a slip stitch into 3rd ch of original ch 4. Fasten off yarn.
R3: Join color 2 in any ch-1 space in previous round. Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same space, *3 dc in next ch-1 sp*, repeat from * around. Join with sl st to 1st st. (16 groups of 3-dc clusters). Fasten off yarn.
R4: In this row, you will be working in the spaces between the 3dc clusters from the previous row. Join color 3 in the space after any cluster. Work sc, ch 5, sc in same space as joining (1st corner made), *ch 3, sc in next space*, repeat * to * 2 more times, ch 3, **work (sc, ch 5, sc) in next space (corner made), *ch 3, sc in next space*, repeat * to * 2 more times, ch 3**, work ** to ** 2 more times, sl st to starting sc.
R5: Slip stitch in next ch-5 sp, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), in same space work (4 dc, ch 3, 5 dc), *sc in next ch-3 sp, 3dc in next sp, dc in next sc, 3dc in next sp, sc in next sp (5 dc, ch 3, 5 dc) into next ch-5 sp.* Repeat * to * around, ending before last corner and joining with a sl st to top of 1st st. Fasten off color 3.
R6: Join main color to any corner space and work ch 1 (1sc, ch 3, 1 sc) in corner. *ch 5, skip 5 dc, 1 dc into next sc, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, 1 sc in next dc, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, 1 dc in next sc, ch 5, skip 5 dc, (1 sc, ch 3, 1 sc) into next corner ch-3 sp*, repeat * to * around, ending before last corner and joining with a sl st to the 1st st.
R7: sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into same space (1st corner made), *5 dc into next ch 5 sp, 3 dc into next ch-3 sp, dc in next sc, 3 dc in next ch 3 sp, 5 dc into next ch-5 sp, [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into next ch 3 sp (corner made)*. Repeat * to * around, ending before last corner and joining with a sl stitch to the top of 1st st.
R8: In this round, sc in each st around, working 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off yarn.
Here are the 6 color combinations of the Happily Ever Afghan Block. Remember to make 7 of each color way.
Purchase an ad-free printable version of the COMPLETE Happily Ever Afghan pattern here!
I love seeing your finished projects! If you enjoyed making this Afghan Block Pattern 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!
Be sure to head to the rest of the crochet posts in the series:
- How to Plan An Afghan
- How to Crochet a Flat Braid Join
- How to Plan out and Crochet a beautiful Border
Pin Now Crochet Later ⇨
Dear Cheryl,
Your work is gorgeous! I have been crocheting for quite a few years but just recently I have been working on refining my craft. I used to leave small errors in thinking no one would notice. I realized I would notice so I thought it was about time to correct that lazy habit!
I am getting ready for a church crafts faire in my neck of the woods. I have created a travel ghan, an afghan a bit smaller than your regular size afghan to keep in the car, etc. I have a carry on poly bag with handles to make the travel ghan even more convenient! I do hope they will sell. I recently was let go at the place of my employment and began to create baby blankets (both afghans and flannel blankets with crochet trim) to give to facilities that take care of pregnant women that have nowhere to go. I figured that society was very nice tome while I worked and it was about time I gave something back! The creating, the making, the mailing and the thank yous were all so worth it.
Also, I have found that these type of projects can be expensive. Thus, my participation in the crafts faire. I am hoping to make a bit of money to purchase more yarn. (As if I didn’t have enough!!) Anyway, I appreciate your emails and you sound quite charming and very delightful! You must have a strong sense of organization to work full time and do what you do with your blog! Kudos to you. Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for your kind words! I love how you are giving back to your community! And I think your travel ghan is a wonderful idea. My side of the car is quite cold in the winter so I often tuck an afghan around my legs. A travel ghan would be just perfect! I hope it’s a great seller for you!
~Cheryl
I usually do not comment but your post moved me as I’m sure it did others. I feel we have all changed and hopefully for the better. We need to be happy and be ok with wanting to be happy. Your block is beautiful solid colored! I hope the road to your future is as beautiful!
Thanks for your kind words and I’m glad you love the solid color of the block!
Complimenti bellissima coperta,voglio provare mi sono innamorata di questa piastrella e dei colori che hai usato…beutiful.grazie per tutti i suggerimenti che dai sei bravissima.Gaby
Cheryl this is a beautiful piece of work. I have been looking for my next blanket project for the winter months. I have found it. Thank you so much for sharing your work and snippets from your life. I need to get my other projects finished before I start this but I already have the yarn stashed away ready.
I’m so glad you like it!
Hi Cheryl,
I found your Happy Ever after afghan its beautiful!! I was reading the rounds of each block ,different colors i read the block instructions the crochet block it doesnt have 8 rounds , the blocks have 4 different colors thats all something isnt right. I need help to figure it out sorry to bother you. I will be waiting to hear from you.
Thank you
Antonette jayne
Could you send me pic of the blocks see what it looks like??
The first photo in the post shows the completed block. Some colors are worked for more than one round. Hope that helps.
Hi Cheryl
Would you recommend blocking the individual squares or the blanket when it’s completed?
Thank you and Merry Christmas x
If you’d like to block, it’s probably easiest to do each block separately before assembling.
What a beauty, just love it and the story too. Thank you for sharing and your colours are amazing 😀 X
Hi Cheryl…. thank you so much for this beautiful happy ever after…..im going to start tomorrow….this is my style and colours….as they say a thing of beauty is a joy forever…. I know I am going to be in love with this for ever…God bless….
Beautiful Afghan. What size are the blocks? Thanks.
I know this post has been around a while but I wanted to share Something my hubby and I do. We have been married for almost 30 years! Next March will be 30! I love him more now than. I did then. Years ago we read about a tradition a husband and wife had. They would write SHMILY on paper and hide it for the other to find. No it is not spelled wrong. It’s an acronym for “SEE HOW MUCH I LOVE YOU”! So we hide it all over the place. In cars, coat pockets, pants pockets, purses, well he does that. He does not carry a purse ha ha! Every time we find it it’s a reminder of how much we love each other! Thank you for all you do and share with us!!
How cute! Glad you enjoyed the pattern and it brought up good memories for you!
I would like to make this afghan but can’t find the free pattern.
This pattern was done over several posts. Just click the links in the posts to get to the other parts for the free version of the pattern. Some readers do enjoy an ad-free low cost PDF of the pattern. You’ll find a link to that in the post if it’s something you’re interested in.
Hello Cheryl
Beautiful work! I wish to make this lovely afghan, my only question is what colors did you use? I am especially interested in the color you used for the join and the border. Thanks again, I can’t wait to start.
This is part of series of posts, so if you go back to the first post you can find all the supplies listed there.
When my husband and we’re newlyweds, we went to bed at the about the same time every night, and after “snuggling” most nights we noticed the little digital clock on the nightstand seemed to always say the time was 11:11. This happened so frequently that we started noticing that time regardless of where we were morning or night. When the hubby got his first smart phone, I started receiving texts from him at work with 11:11 and a kissy face. 11:11 has become our code for “I Love You”. 48 years later it is still a daily reminder of our early years and how wonderful it is to still be happily together and in love.
I love this story! So happy you are still lovebirds all these years later!
What a great explanation and pattern. I never comment anything but now I had to. It’s just perfect. The pattern is beautiful and your explanation was great. I never struggled and it was much fun to follow your steps. Thanks so much for this! Now I’m gonna make car seat covers with this. Hopefully they turn out well.