Black and Gold:

Rusty Wallace Afghan

© 1999 Cindy Murray

All rights reserved.

Please Note:

I am not a professional designer, so please bear with my attempts here. If you find a problem with the written instructions or have any difficulty printing or saving graphics, please let me know.

This pattern is worked using the afghan stitch. You should be familiar with this stitch before attempting this afghan. The method I used is the color-change method, however you can do this afghan using cross-stitch. I suggest that you have at least some experience changing colors in afghan stitch before attempting to do so with this pattern.

For a tutorial on special techniques used in this pattern, please go to http://crochet.borgbilly.com/tutorial/afghan.htm

Please read through all the instructions before starting this project, as I have added a few tips and instructions throughout.

The graphs used in this pattern were created in color. I regret that a black and white version is not available at this time. If you do not have access to color printing, please contact me and I will make arrangements to send you a color copy.

Be sure to download or print all pieces of this pattern. You should have the following charts:

The center panel section of the afghan is divided into four graphs so that the grid is not too small to read. If you have trouble and loose your place, I recommend that you tape the sides of the graphs together to make one or two larger pieces.

Materials:

Red Heart Super Saver no dye lot yarn, Black, Red, White, and a small amount of Blue (for the Ford symbol); Caron Perfect Match no dye lot yarn, Sunflower. I used less than 3 skeins of the Sunflower. I have no idea how much of the other colors I used since I made the sample with some partially used "pounders" that I had laying around.

Hook: Size J afghan crochet hook, or hook needed to achieve guage.

Guage: 4 sts = 1" and 3 rows = 1". Be sure to check your guage! The graphic in this pattern will be distorted if your guage is off.

Finished Size: Approximately 60" W x 60" L

Pattern Notes:

1. This afghan was worked in three sections, starting with the left side panel and ending with the right side panel. This pattern can be worked in one piece using an afghan hook with an extension, however, you will need to adjust the pattern accordingly. Panels were joined using the "as you go" method described in the tutorial listed above.
2. Sample afghan was worked using black for the helmet visor, however, it can be worked using a dark grey instead.
3. Try not to carry unused yarn across more than two stitches or rows, as there is no way to "crochet over" carried yarn, and it will leave loops which can be snagged. I generally try to start a new bobbin any time a color is not used in the next two stitches.
4. It is not necessary to tie yarn on with a knot, however do leave a 6 to 8 inch tail for weaving.
5. It is not necessary to tie yarn off when you no longer need it, however do leave a 6 to 8 inch tail for weaving. The only exception to this is at the beginning/end of a row. You must tie off the old color at the end of a row if you intend to start the next row with a new color. Then simply draw up a loop of the new color to start the next row.

Left Side Panel:

With black, chain 55 LOOSELY.

Rows 1-21: Work according to Lower Left Number Graph for next 21 rows. Fasten off.

Rows 22-30: Attach red and work for next 27 stitches. Drop red and attach black, working for remaining 28 stitches. Fasten off red.

Rows 31-150: Attach gold, working for next 15 stitches. Attach red and work for 12 stitches. Pick up black and work for remaining 28 stitches. Fasten off gold and red.

Rows 151-159: Attach red, working for next 27 stitches. Drop red and pick up black, working for remaining 28 stitches. Fasten off both colors.

Rows 160-180: Attach black and work according to Upper Left Number Graph for next 21 rows. Fasten off.

Center Panel:

Attach black to the lower right corner of Left Side Panel (see tutorial), chain 131 LOOSELY.

Rows 1-21: Work afghan stitch across for next 21 rows. Fasten off.

Rows 22-30: Attach red and work for next 9 rows. Fasten off.

Rows 31-40: Attach gold and work for next 10 rows.

Rows 41-140: Begin working according to helmet graphs. The two Lower Quadrant graphs are worked simultaneously, starting with the Lower Right Quadrant graph and working across to the Lower Left Quadrant graph. Work up the graphs, changing colors as necessary, switching to the Upper Quadrant graphs when the Lower Quadrants are completed.

Rows 141-150: Continue gold across for next 10 rows. Fasten off.

Rows 151-159: Attach red and work for next 9 rows. Fasten off.

Rows 160-180: Attach black and work for next 21 rows. Fasten off.

Right Side Panel:

Attach black to the lower right corner of Center Panel, chain 55 LOOSELY.

Rows 1-21: Work according to Lower Right Number Graph for next 21 rows.

Rows 22-30: Work black for next 28 stitches. Drop black and attach red, working for next 27 stitches.

Rows 31-150: Work black for next 28 stitches. Drop black, pick up red, working for next 12 stitches. Drop red and attach gold, working for next 15 stitches. Fasten off gold.

Rows 151-159: Work black for next 28 stitches. Drop black, pick up red, working for next 27 stitches. Fasten off red.

Rows 160-180: Work according to Upper Right Number Graph for next 21 rows. Fasten off.

Edging:

I edged the sample afghan in black with one round of single crochet and then a round of reverse single crochet using 2 strands. This provides a nice "bound off" edge to the afghan. To keep it from rippling due to the bulk of the 2 strands, I skipped every third stitch. Don't forget to put three stitches in the corners.

Finishing:

Weave in all ends. Enjoy! Oh, and don't forget to let me know how it turned out!