Can’t choose one favorite color? Have them all in the Saltwater Afghan, a free crochet throw blanket pattern that’s perfect for beginners!
One of the best parts about being a crochet designer is being able to explore new color combinations. My favorite colors seem to change almost every day, so I love diving into a project that lets me use a wide range of shades. The Saltwater Afghan came in one of those moments when I couldn’t choose between the colors in a perfect palette… so I chose them all! With the free crochet pattern, tutorial video, and yarn from my friends at WeCrochet, you can customize your own Saltwater Afghan, too.
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Get the Saltwater Afghan Pattern
- FREE PATTERN: Keep scrolling for the free version of the Saltwater Afghan with tutorial video, able to view in this blog post.
- PRINTABLE PDF: Pick up the 1-page ad-free PDF pattern. It’s easy to read and takes you through the special stitch used in this blanket. The PDF also includes a link to the tutorial video. Get your printable pattern HERE.
Crochet Throw Blanket for Beginners
Blankets and afghans are the perfect projects for crochet beginners. Not only do you get to experiment with new yarn and stitches, but you can relax under your new crochet throw blanket while working on your next project! Having a handmade blanket draped over my knees while crocheting makes the experience that much more special.
The Saltwater Afghan is specially tailored to beginners because of its repetitive stitching and minimal color changes. Colors are worked in blocks as opposed to stripes, meaning that you only have one color attached to your project at a time.
Stashbuster Crochet Blanket
The more you get into crochet, the more yarn you’ll inevitably accumulate. The Saltwater Afghan is the perfect crochet throw blanket to use up those extra odds and ends that you have in your stash. Since this pattern uses a simple repeating pattern, you can adjust the number of rows completed for each color. Just keep in mind that each color change means 2 more ends that you’ll need to weave in.
If you need a bit more guidance in picking colors for your Saltwater Afghan, try the yarn I used for the original sample. It’s Comfy Worsted from WeCrochet. Comfy is a blend of luxurious Pima cotton and hardwearing acrylic. The cotton blend yarn is easy to care for and can be machine washed and dried. The color palette had vibrant and moody colors with plenty of neutrals to play around with.
WeCrochet is currently running their Memorial Day sale, which gives you 15% off sitewide – enter code MAY15 at checkout. This offer is valid from May 27 – May 31, 2021. Click here to get all of the Comfy Worsted you need to make your Saltwater Afghan.
Get the Saltwater Afghan Pattern
- Get the ad-free printable pattern HERE.
- Shop the yarn for this project HERE.
- Add this pattern to your Ravelry queue HERE.
- Pin this pattern to your Pinterest boards HERE.
Saltwater Afghan Details
MATERIALS
- WeCrochet Comfy Worsted, 3 balls each of Marlin (A), Fairy Tale (B), Peony (C), Sea Foam (D), Carrot (E), Marina (F), and Rosehip (G)
- 6mm crochet hook (like THIS ONE)
- Scissors
- Yarn needle
FINISHED SIZE
45″ wide x 55″ long
GAUGE
- 4″ = 14 single crochet stitches
- 6″ = 14 rows of the Rows 1-2 repeat
ABBREVIATIONS
Ch = chain
Dc = double crochet
Dec = decrease
Hdc3tog = half double crochet 3 together (see Special Stitch)
Sc = single crochet
Sk = skip
Sp = space
St = stitch
Tch = turning chain
Yo = yarn over
NOTES
- Ch 4 at the beginning of the row counts as dc + ch 1
- Special Stitch – Half Double Crochet 3 Together (hdc3tog): Yo, pull up a loop in the last st of the previous dec, (yo, pull up a loop in the next st) 2 times, yo, pull through 6 loops, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops.
More of a visual learner? Follow along with this video to make your Saltwater Afghan:
Saltwater Afghan Pattern
SETUP ROW: With A, ch 160, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn. (159 sc)
ROW 1: Ch 4, sk sc at base of ch, (yo, pull up a loop in the next st) 3 times, yo, pull through 6 loops, yo, pull through remaining 2 loops, ch 1, (hdc3tog, ch 1) across to last st, dc in last st, turn. (78 hdc3tog + 2 dc)
ROW 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, sc in each ch-1 sp and st across to tch, sc in tch sp, sc in 3rd ch of tch, turn. (159 sc)
Repeat Rows 1-2 8 more times.
Change to Color B and fasten off A. Repeat Rows 1-2 9 times.
Continue in this manner, changing color every 9 repeats of Rows 1-2. Work through colors in order, C-G.
Once complete, fasten off G.
FINISHING: Weave in all ends. Lightly steam block as needed.
Prefer an ad-free printable pattern? Get the Saltwater Afghan pattern for $5 HERE.
Thanks for joining me to make the Saltwater Afghan. I’m so excited to cuddle under my crochet throw blanket on cool summer nights. .
Share your colorful afghan with me on Instagram using #TLYCMakers. Then pop into the TLYC Makers Facebook group and share there too – we can’t wait to see it!
I’m really dyslexic so following a pattern is a nightmare. I thought there’s a video. I can’t find it.
Hi! There’s a video embedded in the blog post about 2/3 of the way down.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGWSJgcymUc
Hope that helps! 😊
Wow! Is that ever a beautiful afghan!!! I can’t wait to make it, asap! Great job designing and the color choices blend together so well. Reminds me of the saltwater taffy from the Boardwalk. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Beautiful afghan – Toni have you ever considered making charts for your patterns? They are super helpful….
Hi! I certainly have considered it, but I don’t have the software or the know-how right now. I’m hoping to incorporate those in the future. Thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Toni- I think I made a boo boo,
I purchased 16 skeins of knit picks Comfy Worsted in color Ivory knowing me I purchased 1 extra just in case… I don’t know what pattern I was thinking about or I was buying for because it’s all one color! Do you have a pattern besides this one that calls for this many skeins and in same yarn? MAYBE?
Hi! Honestly, the Saltwater Afghan would look so classic and classy all in ivory. With that many skeins, a blanket is likely your best bet. My Mocha Ripple Afghan would also look pretty cool in all ivory as well.
Hi Toni! Love your channel! I just purchased my preorder of your book, so excited to get it! Also I love the colors so much in this blanket i added a few more and plan to do a temperature blanket for 2022 along with you! (Getting married in 2022!!)Im using your temperature blanket from 2020 as reference! So excited!!xoxoxo