Free Crochet Pattern, Instructions and Color Charts
Pictured here are two Christmas crochet checkerboard afghan squares made up in similar colorways of red, green and gold. I’ve used these two designs to make coordinating Christmas projects — a blanket and a pillow. Check ’em out:
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You can use these checkerboard squares for making either, or both, of these designs — or you can use the checkerboards in lots of other projects if you prefer. I’ve crocheted other colorways of this same checkerboard to incorporate into various other projects. For example, I have a tan, green and blue version of the checkerboard that I used in this pattern sampler afghan.
If you want to crochet the Christmas versions of the checkerboard design as pictured above, read on to find the charts and instructions you’ll need.
Craft Supplies You’ll Need for Crocheting These Squares:
If you want your squares to turn out the same size as mine (roughly 6.5 inches), use worsted weight yarn in 3 different colors. The yarns I used in the samples are Caron Simply Soft in the following colors:
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- Gold — Autumn Maize = Main color
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- Green — Dark Sage
- Red — Autumn Red
Feel free to substitute other colors or brands of yarn.
Crochet Hook:
Size H / 8 – 5.0 mm
Other:
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
Finished Size:
The finished squares measure 6.25 inches x 6.25 inches prior to adding the edging, and about 6.5 inches square afterwards.
Gauge:
4 sts = 1 inch
Matching this gauge isn’t critical unless you have a need for each square to be exactly the same size as my sample. However, if you use more than one of these squares together in the same project, you do need to be certain that you match your own gauge when you crochet all the rest of the squares.
Crochet Abbreviations List:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st = stitch
Design Notes:
You’ll crochet both of these squares in single crochet stitch.
To form the checkerboard pattern, you’ll need to know how to change colors in single crochet stitch; you’ll also need to know the tapestry crochet technique. There are two colors in each row; when you’re not using a color, you’ll crochet overtop of that color until you need it again. Anticipate your color changes prior to working them; when you’re ready to change colors, you’ll need to stop short of completing the last stitch in the old color, pull through a loop of the new color, and then complete your stitch with the new color.
Between rows, ch 1 to use as a turning chain.
Green, Red and Gold Version:
In this colorway, gold is color A (the main color), green is color B and red is color c.
Project Instructions:
Using color B (green yarn,) ch 26.
Checkerboard Color Pattern:
Rows 1 – 5: Work 5 sts in color B (green,) 5 stitches in color A (gold,) 5 stitches in color B, 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color B. (This gives you a total of 25 sc sts.)
Rows 6 – 10: Work 5 sts in color A (gold,) 5 stitches in color C (red,) 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color C, 5 stitches in color A. (25 sc sts.)
Row 11 – 15: Repeat rows 1 – 5.
Row 16 – 20: Repeat rows 6 – 10.
Row 21 – 25: Repeat rows 1 – 5.
Edging
An edging is optional. For my sample square, I chose to work an edging in sl st. To work this edging, continue using the same color yarn (color B) to crochet a round of sl st all the way around the square; then change colors to color C and crochet another round of sl st, working into the back loops only.
If you’d rather choose a different edging, check out these edging patterns.
Skip to the end of the page to find the instructions for finishing your squares.
Red, Green and Gold Version:
In this colorway, gold is color A (the main color), red is color B and green is color c.
Project Instructions:
Using color B (red yarn,) ch 26.
Checkerboard Color Pattern:
Rows 1 – 5: Work 5 sts in color B (red,) 5 stitches in color A (gold,) 5 stitches in color B, 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color B. (This gives you a total of 25 sc sts.)
Rows 6 – 10: Work 5 sts in color A (gold,) 5 stitches in color C (green,) 5 stitches in color A, 5 stitches in color C, 5 stitches in color A. (25 sc sts.)
Row 11 – 15: Repeat rows 1 – 5.
Row 16 – 20: Repeat rows 6 – 10.
Row 21 – 25: Repeat rows 1 – 5.
Edging
An edging is optional. For my sample square, I chose to work an edging in sl st. To work this edging, change colors to green and crochet a round of sl st all the way around the square; then change colors to red and crochet another round of sl st, working into the back loops only.
If you’d rather choose a different edging, check out these edging patterns.
Finishing Your Squares:
End off. Weave in ends. Block if desired.
Use your squares in the craft project of your choice.
If you make multiple squares, you could join them together to create an afghan or pillow cover. If you plan to do that, I recommend mixing this pattern with some of the others available in my “pattern sampler” series of afghan squares.
If you crochet this design in cotton yarn, a single square could become a dishcloth or potholder. There are many possibilities for using this square in different ways.
Related Resources
- Checkered Patterns to Crochet and Knit
- Square Patterns
- Christmas Patterns
- Holidays and Special Occasions
- Crochet Patterns for Granny Squares
- Baby Blanket Patterns
This page was last updated on 5-17-2023.