Looking to brighten up your space or create the perfect summer-ready throw? The Summer Stripes Afghan is just the project for you! With bold bands of color and a fun mix of stitches, this pattern is great for adding a pop of personality to your home—or gifting to someone special. The best part? It’s beginner-friendly and repetitive enough for relaxing stitching sessions under the sun.
📏 Gauge 12 double crochets = 4 inches (10 cm) It’s important to check your gauge to ensure your afghan ends up the right size. If it’s off, simply adjust your hook size as needed.
🧶 What You’ll Need
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Worsted weight yarn in five different shades – Color A, B, C, D, and E (choose your favorite summer palette!)
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Crochet hook in the size recommended on your yarn’s label
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Yarn needle to weave in ends
🧵 Stitches Used
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V-stitch (V-st): (dc, ch 2, dc) in the same stitch – used for the main body of the afghan
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Small V-stitch: (dc, ch 1, dc) in the same stitch – used in the border
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Shell: 5 dc in the same stitch or space
📝 Pattern Notes
The afghan is worked in two halves: one along the top side of the foundation chain, and the second along the bottom.
The first row is crocheted into the back “bumps” of the foundation chain, creating a neater finish with loops available for working the second half.
When changing colors, complete the final yarn over of the last stitch with the new color.
🧵 Let’s Crochet the Summer Stripes Afghan!
🌈 First Half
With Color A, chain 97.
Row 1: Work into the back “bumps” of the chain only – double crochet in the 4th chain from hook (beginning chain counts as dc), and double crochet across. (95 dc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, single crochet in each stitch across.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), turn. Skip next 2 sts, *V-st in next st, skip 2 sts; repeat from * across. Skip 1 st, dc in last st.
Row 4: Ch 3, turn. Work 3 dc into each ch-2 space of the V-sts, dc in last stitch. In the last dc, change to Color B. Fasten off Color A.
Rows 5–7: With Color B, repeat Rows 2–4. Change to Color C in the final dc. Fasten off Color B.
Rows 8–10: With Color C, repeat Rows 2–4. Change to Color D in final dc. Fasten off Color C.
Rows 11–13: With Color D, repeat Rows 2–4. Change to Color E in final dc. Fasten off Color D.
Rows 14–19: With Color E, repeat Rows 2–4 twice. Change to Color A in final dc. Fasten off Color E.
Rows 20–22: With Color A, repeat Rows 2–4. Change to Color B. Fasten off Color A.
Rows 23–25: With Color B, repeat Rows 2–4. Fasten off.
🌈 Second Half
Row 1: Flip your work and join Color A with a slip stitch to the first chain along the other side of your foundation chain. Ch 3, and double crochet across. (95 dc)
Rows 2–25: Repeat Rows 2–25 of the first half, using the same color sequence.
✨ Finishing Touches: The Border
Turn your work so the wrong side is facing up. Join Color C with a slip stitch in the 3rd dc past any corner.
Round 1: Ch 1, single crochet in every stitch to the last stitch of the row. In the corner, work (sc, ch 2, sc). Along the long edges, work about 80 sc evenly spaced. Continue around the piece, placing (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner. Join with a slip stitch.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc in the same stitch.
Skip 2 sts, shell in next st, skip 2 sts, sc in next st – repeat to corner.
In each corner ch-2 space, work 7 dc. Repeat pattern around. Join and fasten off Color C.
Round 3: With right side facing, join Color D in center dc of any shell.
Repeat: Ch 1, small V-st in next sc, ch 1, sc in center dc of shell, ch 1, small V-st in next sc – to corner.
In each corner: skip 2 dc, sc in next, (sc, ch 2, sc) in next dc, sc in next. Continue pattern and fasten off Color D.
Round 4: Turn, ch 1.
Sc in same stitch, (shell in ch-1 space of next small V-st, sc in next sc) to corner.
In each ch-2 corner space, work 7 dc. Continue around. Fasten off Color D.
Round 5: With RS facing, join Color E in any sc approximately 12 stitches before a corner.
Repeat:
Ch 2, (sc, ch 2, sc) in center dc of shell, ch 2, sc in next sc, ch 2 to corner.
In corner: (sc, ch 2, sc), (sc, ch 3, sc), (sc, ch 2, sc) in center 3 dc of 7-dc shell.
Repeat around and join. Fasten off. Weave in all ends.
🌞 Wrap Up
The Summer Stripes Afghan is a joyful and colorful project that’s as fun to crochet as it is to display. Whether you’re lounging on the porch, heading to the beach, or giving a handmade gift, this afghan brings that cheerful seasonal vibe wherever it goes.
🧺 Ready to get started? Pick your yarn colors and dive into this relaxing and vibrant pattern!
Let us know what color combos you choose in the comments! 🌸💬
