Linked Chains Baby Afghan

This afghan is made with a new pattern stitch I developed. It is called chain links. Since the design looks like a chain link fence when done all in one color. This afghan takes time to make so if you need an afghan in a hurry, you should consider another design. But if you have plenty of time before the baby is due, go ahead and make this one. It is well worth the time and effort it takes. Also it is suitable for either a boy or girl depending on the colors you use.

Materials Needed
Yarn Used: Excellence by Nomis
5 - 3.5oz or 100 gram skeins worsted weight acrylic yarn MC (main color). Copen Blue #314
4 - 3.5oz or 100 gram skeins worsted weight acrylic yarn CC (contrasting color). Baby Blue #304
Size H/8 or 5mm aluminum crochet hook Yarn Needle for weaving in ends

Yarn Thickness 3mm
Gauge: 4sc=1"
Finished Size: 41"x43"
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Instructions
ROW 1: With MC, Ch150. Sc in 2nd ch from hook. *Ch5. Sk next 3 chs. Sc in next ch. Rep from * across. Ch1, turn.

ROW 2: Sc in first sc. *Dc in each of the 3 skipped chains in front of the ch5 sp. Sc in next sc. Rep from * across. Drop MC, but do not cut it. Join CC. Ch1, turn.

ROW 3: Sc in first 2 sts. Insert hook in ch5 lp, sc in next st locking in the ch5 lp. *Ch5. Sk next 3 sts. Insert hook in ch5 lp, sc in next st locking in the ch5 lp. Rep from * across. Sc in each of the last 2 sts. Ch1, turn.

ROW 4: Sc in first 3 sc. *Dc in each of the 3 skipped sts in front of the ch5 sp. Sc in next sc. Rep from * across, sc in each of the last 2 sts. Drop CC but do not cut it, join MC, Ch1, turn.

ROW 5: Sc in first st. *Ch5. Sk next 3 sts. Insert hook in ch5 lp, sc in next st. Rep from * across. Ch1, turn.

ROW 6: Sc in first st. *Dc in each of the 3 skipped stitches in front of the ch5 lp. Sc in next sc. Rep from * across. Drop MC but do not cut it, join CC, Ch1, turn.

ROWs 7-62: Rep rows 3-6 until you reach row 62.

ROW 63: Rep row 3.
ROW 64: Rep row 4.

ROW 65: Sc in each of the first 4 sts. *Insert hook in ch5 lp, sc in next st. Sc in each of the next 3 sts. Rep from * 3 times more. Insert hook in ch5 lp, sc in next st. Sc in each of the last 4 sts. Fasten off CC and weave all ends into back of work. Continue in MC.

Perimeter: Work a sc in each row, and each st around 3 sides. The left, bottom and right. Work the following in each corner. 2sc, ch2, 2sc.

Below are the closeup views of the front and back of the afghan. Notice that it looks different! A two sided afghan!

NOTE: You will have almost a full skein of MC left over. Perfect for making some sampler or granny squares with.

Design written on Friday, June 02, 2000. Copyright ©2000 By Julie A. Bolduc p120003