Betsy

betsy1.jpg

 Betsy: An American Afghan

Updated 1-25-08

 There is a little story behind this afghan.  I found a beautiful American flag afghan pattern that I wanted to make for July 4th.  I bought the magazine just for the pattern; the pattern was wrong.  I emailed the editor and got corrections.  The corrections still weren’t the right directions for the afghan featured on the cover.  I emailed her back.  No response.  I emailed back a week later.  Still no response.  So, I wrote my own pattern and finished the blanket the day after July 4th.  It is prettier than that other one anyway. If you find any errors in the pattern, leave a comment. I will write back to you. I present to you, Betsy.

Materials

  • 2 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver in Claret (A) and Aran (B)
  • 1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver in Windsor Blue (C)
  • Size I/9 crochet hook
  • Tapestry Needle

Finished Measurements

55″ x 39″

Notes: Tr2tog:  YO twice.  Insert needle into st, yo and draw up a loop. YO, draw through two loops, YO and draw through 2 loops again.  Insert needle into next st, yo and draw up a loop. YO, draw through two loops, YO and draw through 2 loops again. - 3 loops on hook.  YO and draw through all 3 loops.

To change colors, work dbl until last 2 loops are on hook.  Join next color, and finish off dbl (pull color through loops).  Continue working in pattern.

Afghan

With A, Ch 156.

Row 1: Sk 2 ch (1 dc), 1 dc in next 10 ch, *sk 2 ch, 1 dc in next 10 ch, ch 2, 1 dc in next 10 ch; rep from * to last 12 ch, sk 2 ch, 1 dc in next 9 ch, 2 dc into last ch, turn.

Row 2: Ch 3, Dc into first st, 1 dc into next 9 sts, *sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc) into ch 2 space, 1 dc into next 9 sts, rep from * to last 12 sts, sk 2, 1 dc into next 9 sts, 2 dc into top of ch 3 (turning ch).

Repeat row 2 for 2 more rows (rows 3-4).

Rows 5-8: Change to color B.  Repeat row 2.

Rows 9-12: Change to color A. Repeat row 2.

Rows 13-16: Change to color B. Repeat row 2.

Rows 17-20: Change to color A.  Repeat row 2.

Rows 21-24: Change to color B: Repeat row 2.

Row 25: With C, Ch 3, Dc into first st, 1 dc into next 9 sts,  *sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 space, 1 dc into next 9 sts, repeat from * 1 time.  Sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts. 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Break off C, switch to A.  Ch 2, 1 dc into ch 2 space. Dc into next 9 sts  *sk 2 ch, dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 sp, dc into next 9 sts.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Sk 2 ch, dc into next 9 sts.  2 dc into top of turning ch.

Row 26: Ch 3, dc into first st, 1 dc into next 9 sts, * sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 sp, 1 dc into next 9 sts, repeat from * 2 times, sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Break off A.  Join C. Ch 2, 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Dc into next 9 sts. *sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, ( 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 space, dc in next 9 sts.  Repeat from * 1 time. Sk 2 ch, 1 dc into next 9 sts.  2 dc into top of turning ch.

Rows 27-28: Repeat rows 25 and 26.betsy2.jpg

Row 29: With C, Ch 3, Dc into first st, 1 dc into next 9 sts,  *sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 space, 1 dc into next 9 sts, repeat from * 1 time.  Sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts. 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Break off C, switch to B.  Ch 2, 1 dc into ch 2 space. Dc into next 9 sts  *sk 2 ch, dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 sp, dc into next 9 sts.  Repeat from * 2 more times.  Sk 2 ch, dc into next 9 sts.  2 dc into top of turning ch.

Row 30: Ch 3, dc into first st, 1 dc into next 9 sts, * sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 sp, 1 dc into next 9 sts, repeat from * 2 times, sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Break off B.  Join C. Ch 2, 1 dc into ch 2 space.  Dc into next 9 sts. *sk 2 sts, 1 dc into next 9 sts, ( 1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) into ch 2 space, dc in next 9 sts.  Repeat from * 1 time. Sk 2 ch, 1 dc into next 9 sts.  2 dc into top of turning ch.

Rows 31-32: Repeat rows 29-30.

Rows 33-36: Repeat rows 25 and 26.

Rows 37-40: Repeat rows 29 and 30.

Rows 41-44: Repeat rows 25 and 26.

Rows 45-48: Repeat rows 29 and 30.

Rows 49-52: Repeat rows 25 and 26.

Tie off.  Weave in ends.  You should have a total of 13 stripes and 7 chevrons.

Stars (make 13).

With B, Ch 6.  Join with sl st into first ch.

Row 1: Ch 1, 15 sc into ring. Sl st into first sc.

Row 2: *Ch 3, Tr2tog over next two sc, ch 3, sl st into next sc, repeat from * 4 times.

Sew stars into a circle on the blue part of the afghan.

25 Comments »

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  1. Perfectly lovely! And if I find an error, I know you’ll email back :)

    Comment by Merrill's Mom — July 7, 2007 #

  2. What a beauty! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Comment by Carol — July 7, 2007 #

  3. Wonderful!! I love the Betsy American Flag pattern and the ripple design incorporated into it! Thank you very much!! :) :) :)

    Comment by Lee Ann Hamm — July 7, 2007 #

  4. BEAUTIFUL!!! I just completed a American flag afghan for my father-in-law who is the commander at the local VFW. He loved it, but I wish I would have had this pattern instead. Oh well, I’ll just make this one for me

    Comment by Renee — July 7, 2007 #

  5. Very pretty version, I like it very much :)

    Comment by 2noelle — July 8, 2007 #

  6. Thank you all for the wonderful comments! I plan on making a matching pattern with it…I hope it is as great a hit as this blanket is!

    Comment by Kate — July 8, 2007 #

  7. This is beautiful….I ran out of ink on my printer….so will get some and copy it…Thank You Prettiest one I’ve seen

    Comment by Edna Benoit — July 11, 2007 #

  8. Oh my gosh! I have been looking and looking for a Red-White-Blue afghan for the past month!
    This is the ONE!!!! I am making it for a friend that requested one in these colors!
    Thank you so much for sharing with us on the net!!!
    Sherry

    Comment by SherryB in AZ — July 11, 2007 #

  9. LOVE this pattern, congrats on a wonderful afghan!!!

    Comment by Rosina — July 16, 2007 #

  10. I just love this version of the AMerican Flag. I will be using this. It may take 5 years to get to it, but, I’ll get there.

    Comment by Leslie — August 4, 2007 #

  11. I know the magazine and afghan to which you refer, and yours is sooo much more appealing in the ripple. LOVE IT, thanks so much for sharing it with us. I’m ordering the yarns for it today!!

    Comment by RJ — August 18, 2007 #

  12. Beautiful. I’ve added it to my collection of patterns. Hope to crochet it soon.

    Comment by Shirley — August 18, 2007 #

  13. I Love this! I am copying the patteren as I write this. Thank you for the opportunity to print this.

    Ann Stayman from California

    Comment by Loveable Grandma Ann — August 23, 2007 #

  14. Thank you for sharing. I got it from my friend in Ca.
    I’m from Pa.. I hope to try and make it soon.. As soon as it gets cooler outside.. Been in the high 80’s and they want 90,next week.. but when it gets cooler I will try and make one..
    THanks so much
    Keep up the good work..
    Cookie

    Comment by Cookie — August 23, 2007 #

  15. Beautiful!! Thank you so much for sharing, you have contributed a wonderful pattern to the crochet community!

    Comment by sallenlouise — September 7, 2007 #

  16. Thank you foir sharing your design with others. I love it and will be making one of these beautiful flags. God Bless America

    Comment by Dolores Houck — September 18, 2007 #

  17. I have made American Flag blankets but not in the sig-zag sticth.
    I love this oen! I would like to make a larger version of it though.
    The one I made with these directions was 44″ X 34″
    it is more of a lap blanket. I’m not sure how to multiply the stiches as to make it big enough to fit the top of a twin size bed.

    Thank You,

    Donna, Massachusetts

    Comment by Donna — November 5, 2007 #

  18. I love this afghan and want to try making it. What size skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Yarn did you use? 16 ounce?

    Comment by Elaine — November 19, 2007 #

  19. Betsy,

    I want to make this larger but am not sure what the multiples of the stiches
    are. Can you help?
    I have tried a few different zig zag/ripple patterns and have not come up with one I like.
    This one I love!!

    Please advise, Donna - Massachusetts

    Comment by Donna — December 3, 2007 #

  20. this is such a pretty pattern. I wanted to try making this with chenille yarn. I was wondering if anyone has ever made this using the chenille? I’m afraid I’m terrible at figuring how many chains to start with though. I know I need to reduce the amount of chain stitches since the chenille and hook will be so much thicker…..if you have any idea on how many chains I need to start with using the chenille and I guess an M crochet needle I would love the help :o)

    Comment by Penny — January 2, 2008 #

  21. I am happy to have completed the above Betsy pattern except for the stars. In attempting to make them I don’t quite understand your Row 2 where it states:
    sl 2 into next st. Could it be stated in a different manner? Sorry to be to stupid, but have worked it several ways only to be unhappy with the result.
    Thanks so much…….

    Comment by Donna — January 25, 2008 #

  22. I am in the process of crocheting “Betsy” and being I am not the best crocheter in the world, I don’t understand when I get to the blue field, where it says “break off C”, should I actually cut it off, or just carry it until the next row.
    I love this pattern so hope I can do the blue field correctly.

    Comment by JEAN — February 16, 2008 #

  23. Absolutely beautiful! I am working on my very first ripple right now and am finding the repeated pattern both easy and relaxing!

    I can’t wait to try your pattern out!

    What level (ie: beg, advanced, etc) would you label this???

    Comment by Marie — February 17, 2008 #

  24. Couldn’t find your email listed here. Could you email me your answer about what “level” you’d label your wonderful “Betsy” pattern?

    Marie

    Comment by Marie — February 17, 2008 #

  25. Sorry - tiniree2@msn.com

    Marie

    Comment by Marie — February 17, 2008 #

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