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Zoodiacs C2C Crochet Afghan

by | All Designs, Crochet, Free Patterns, Home, Kids & Toys

Zoodiacs C2C Crochet Afghan | www.1dogwoof.com

It’s here! After, gosh, 3 or 4 months of designing, crocheting, and procrastinating, I’m sooo excited to finally share my finished Zoodiacs c2c crochet afghan with you all. Can I tell you how much I am in love with this blanket? And it’s not just because I spent so much time on it; it’s because it’s HUGE, and sooo comfortable! My whole family fights over who gets to nap under this thing, and it’s the perfect oversized couch blanket.

This blanket is made from 12 large c2c (corner to corner) crochet squares that depict the animals in the Chinese Zodiac. My son is a Tiger and my parents joked that my second child should be a Dragon, because they are the two most powerful signs in the zodiac, but my daughter was born one year later, as a Snake, so we now joke that she’s the little Dragon, since a Snake is sort of a little dragon. Right? No? Ok, so it’s a family thing. If you were to recite the zodiac in Chinese, I think it actually starts with the Mouse, but I started my blanket with the Tiger because of my son. I chose the background colors for each of the squares based on that particular order, but your blanket is up to you! You can work the squares in any order you like, and follow the actual Zodiac order, or not.

Zoodiacs c2c Crochet Afghan - free crochet patterns | www.1dogwoof.com

Each c2c crochet animal square is approximately 18 inches, with 23 c2c tiles on each side. I chose to use colors from Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Solids and Loops and Threads Impeccables solids – I found their colors to be vibrant and were able to match quite well with each other. Their yarn thickness also matched fairly well, so I could interchange the colors in the same square without adjusting my gauge and/or tension. I finished each square with two rounds of single crochet stitches worked evenly around the square, and then joined the squares together using the mattress stitch. Since the afghan is already pretty busy, I just did a plain border in white.

Zoodiacs Afghan | www.1dogwoof.com

Zoodiacs Graphs

The pattern notes included in this post are for the afghan assembly instructions only. On my Zoodiacs page, you can find previews and links to all the Zoodiacs animals (I may make more in the future – Zebra, here I come!), or purchase Zoodiacs pillows, mugs and prints from my Society 6 store.

You can also purchase a printable Zoodiacs Afghan e-book, which is a compilation of all 12 Zoodiacs graphs at full-size, basic c2c instructions, pattern for afghan assembly, video links and pattern notes, all formatted as a printable PDF without ads or comments. The ebook is available via Craftsy for US readers and Etsy for international readers.

Here are the direct links to each of the Zoodiacs graphs:

Tiger | Bunny | Dragon | Snake | Horse | Sheep | Monkey | Rooster | Dog | Pig | Mouse | Ox

Zoodiacs Afghan - free crochet patterns | www.1dogwoof.com

Learn C2C Crochet

If you’re unfamiliar with c2c crochet, it’s following a graph working tiles at a diagonal, from corner to corner (c-to-c). I’ve also seen it called key-tab stitch and it can be worked using double crochet stitches or half-double crochet stitches.

Zoodiac monkey

I’ve put together a complete c2c crochet tutorial that goes over how to start the stitches, how to read a graph, how to decrease, change colors, and weave in your ends, with working notes, videos and an extra video of my crocheting a small sample c2c project, so you can follow along and see how I work! You can find the tutorial HERE.

Everything You Need to Know to Learn C2C Crochet , includes videos, instructions and pictorials. | www.1dogwoof.com

Supplies

  • Yarn, for all squares + border
  • LT = Loops and Threads Impeccables Solids (268 yds/245 m)
  • LBVC = Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice Solids (170 yds/156 m)
  • RHSS = Red Heart Super Saver (364 yds/ 333 m)
    • Red – LTI Cherry, 2 skeins
    • Orange – LBVC Terracotta, 2 skeins
    • Yellow – LBVC Mustard, 2 skeins
    • Light Green – LTI Grass, 2 skeins
    • Dark Green – LBVC Fern, 2 skeins
    • Light Blue – LBVC Silver Blue, 2 skeins
    • Turquoise Blue – LTI Aqua, 2 skeins
    • Purple – LBVC Eggplant, 1 skein
    • Light Pink – LBVC Pink, 1 skein
    • Dark Pink – LBVC Antique Rose, 1 skein
    • Light Gray – LBVC Linen, 3 skeins
    • Dark Gray – RHSS Gray Heather, 1 skein
    • Brown – RHSS Cafe Latte, 1 skein
    • Black – LBVC Black, 1 skein
    • Light Cream – LBVC Fisherman, 4 skeins
    • Dark Cream – LT Heather, 1 skein
    • White – LT White, 1 skein
  • I-9 (5.5 mm) hook – I love my Clover USA Amour hooks*!
  • Modular Bobbin Holder
  • Embroidery needle
  • Scissors


* denotes affiliate links

graphgan-bobbin-holder-8

Abbreviations

sl st – slip stitch
ch – chain stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet

Pattern Notes

  • I found it easier to work with 2 skeins of your background color for each square. You always start with just 1 skein, but once the animal pattern starts, you’ll need another bobbin of the background yarn so you can work the background color on either side of the animal. If you only have 1 skein, you’d have to either measure/estimate how much yarn you’ll need for either side, or keep joining new yarn onto your bobbin as you progress through the square. My yarn purchase recommendations assume that you use two separate skeins of background color yarn for each square. Some background colors are used twice and you’ll need the full yardages of both skeins anyways, so it’s easier to start both skeins simultaneously. Other background colors are only used once, and you may not need the full yardages of two skeins, but I still recommend both skeins if your budget allows for it.
  • Because so much yarn is needed for this blanket, in so many colors, I tried to purchase them from Michaels during sales or with coupons. I was not as picky about getting the same lot color. I personally used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice and Loops and Threads Impeccables, but RedHeart Yarns and Caron also have beautiful colors.
  • At the end of each square, I used the background color yarn to work a round of single crochet stitches evenly around the square. For each c2c tile, I worked 3 stitches – 2 in the body of the tile, and 1 in the juncture between tiles – and then ch 2 in each of the corners. This gives a consistent 69 stitches + 2 ch stitches along each side. You can see this in action in my sampler video HERE. The instructions below assume that the first round of single crochet stitches (using the background color) has already been completed.
  • I joined my squares using the mattress stitch. Since this is a sewing stitch, and not a crochet stitch, you’ll need to cut a piece of yarn that is at least double the length which you’ll be joining. For example, I joined the first two rows together, horizontally (Tiger to Snake, Bunny to Horse, Dragon to Sheep), so I needed a length of yarn that was twice (or triple) the length of 3 squares. It made sewing the squares really slow going, but I did that to avoid having to join yarn and having bumps in my blanket. I ended up having to join yarn for the vertical joins though, because the length was getting ridiculous. I also worked horizontal and vertical joins simultaneously to help with joining the corners.

Zoodiacs Blanket | www.1dogwoof.com

Assembly Instructions for Zoodiacs C2C Crochet Afghan

For each square

Pick a corner, and work a standing sc (video tutorial) in the first stitch after the ch 2 from the previous round. (Since there are 69 sc on each side, you’ll be starting with the first stitch on any side.) *Work 1 sc in each stitch across the side of the square. Work [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in the ch 2 space.* Repeat from * for all 4 sides, and then join in the first sc with a slip stitch.

To join using the mattress stitch (VIDEO tutorial)

Line up two squares together. Work your needle from back to front on the first stitch of one square, leaving a tail. Work your needle from back to front on the first stitch of the other square, pull to tighten. Continue to work your needle from back to front of each subsequent stitch – 2nd st on one square, 2nd st on other square, 3rd st on one square, 3rd st on other square, etc.

When you come to a corner ch 2 space, treat that as a single st. After working through one corner space, work through the corner space of the other square, then work through the corner space of the third square you’re joining. (eg: After working through the corner st on the Tiger, work through the corner st on the Snake, then work through the corner st on the Bunny, then work through the corner st on the Horse.) Afterwards, you can continue working the mattress stitch in each stitch.

Once you come to the end of a row, fasten off, leaving a tail to weave in.

Border

Round 1: Start with a slip stitch anywhere along the outside border of the afghan. Ch 3. Work 1 dc in next stitch, and in each stitch around the entire afghan, working [1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc] in the corners. Join to first ch 3 with a slip stitch.

Round 2: Ch 1. Work 1 sc into next stitch, and 1 sc in each stitch around. Work [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in corner ch 2 space. Join to first sc with a slip stitch.

Zoodiacs Blanket, border

Finally, weave in all ends, and you’re done! Congratulations!!!

Zoodiacs c2c Crochet Afghan - free crochet patterns | www.1dogwoof.com

Zoodiacs Afghan - free crochet patterns | www.1dogwoof.com

Zoodiacs Afghan - free crochet patterns | www.1dogwoof.com

The Zoodiacs squares make for great projects whether you make just one, or complete the whole afghan. A single square worked in chunky yarn can be a lovely baby blanket depicting the year the baby is born. Or turn a single square into a pillow. Alternatively, combine all the Zodiac signs for your family into a keepsake blanket. I’ve also seen a reader work the Zoodiacs graphs in cross-stitch! There’s so many ways you can use these designs, and these signs apply to everyone. Be sure to share your creations with me on Facebook or Instagram!

37 Comments

  1. Karen

    Wow this afghan is gorgeous, love it. I have never done C2C before but I am going to try your Tutorial. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  2. Jennifer

    WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I can’t even! Thanks for showing how you did this, and for sharing so much information. I can’t make this, but I sure do appreciate that you made it!

  3. Grace. F.

    Unbelievably cute! The colors your chose are great.

  4. Elena

    I never heard of this technique before, but I’ve tried it and I love it. Thank you so much for sharing. I’ve done a few practice squares, but I can’t wait to try one of the Zoodiacs. They are adorable. I think my granddaughter would love one.

  5. Cecelia Knuckles

    I bow to genius!! Absolutely no words to describe such a piece of art. Having done a few afghans I can appreciate the labor and time invested in this and you should take great pride in it. SO, what do you have in store for us now?? Can’t wait to see. THANK YOU< THANK YOU!! Cecelia

  6. Gigi

    I have been trying to learn C2C and just keep messing up, but I love your Zoodiac afghan so much I will try once more. If I fail again can this be made with regular single or hdc stitches and follow the graph? Thank you so much.

  7. Gigi

    Me too..

  8. Sue

    This is the CUTEST ever!!! You are a genius. My daughter is planning to have a baby very soon, and I will SO enjoy making this for her! Thank you so much for sharing.

  9. Jamie

    Wow! This is amazing! I really want to try this. It reminds me of the manga Fruits Basket, but then it would also need a cat and a rice ball. 😀 Thank you so much for this detailed pattern!

  10. Silvia Rodriguez

    ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, HOPE ONE DAY I CAN MAKE IT. WHERE CAN I BUY THE WOOD GADGET YOU HAVE TO PUT ALL THE YARNS, AND WHAT IS IT CALL? YOU MIND REPLAYING TO, [email protected]
    THANKS.

  11. Rae

    Is there any chance you can do a goat C2C square ?? Many thanks! Rae

  12. Casey

    This is one incredible blanket!!

  13. Darlene

    Definitely going to make this. I have made several C2C afghans already and used the Vanna’s Choice and it makes up wonderfully. Thank you for this free pattern. Great job. Lovely bright colors. Would make a wonderful gift for a child.

  14. ChiWei

    Thanks!

  15. ChiWei

    Thank you! And yes, Vanna’s Choice is great for afghans!

  16. terry

    It is absolutely the cutest thing ever.
    You are so talented! Your daughter is very lucky.

    Thank you

  17. Vi

    You have sooooooo many ads on your site, I am unable to view ANY of your videos without f5 – 10 ads popping up and finally the whole computer5 freezes and I have to re-boot. Then I am stuck with all this malware and spyware. You really need to clean up your site. That is so disappointing. You have such gorgeous embroidery and all these ads spoil the experience you are attempting to provide.

  18. ChiWei

    Vi, I’m sorry you are having a bad experience on my website. Hosting ads provides provides an income that helps pay for the website and my work. I do offer inexpensive ad-free versions of select patterns on my Craftsy or Etsy shops for purchase. Thanks for your feedback!

  19. ChiWei

    Thank you so much!

  20. Sandy Dovholuk

    Question, so you do a round of sc in background color and then 2 rounds of the white border before the mattress stitch?
    And are the white rounds a dc then a sc round?
    Just a bit confused. Thanks
    This is for the zodiac squares

  21. Katelyn

    Hey- I am working on a version of this but I am not sure if you use white or cream for the border? I can’t find where you say what colour to use.

    All the best!

  22. Ellie

    I love all your patterns do you know I can fined hats and scarfs for children with christmas and and cartoon for c2c
    PLEASE email back I like the writing out ones better I always lose my spot on the craft !
    Thank you
    Ellie

  23. Kitty

    Look lovely l will try one out.thanks!

  24. Sarah

    Just finished mine! It was my first c2c project and it took a while but it was totally worth it. I did mine with a hdc and ch 5 instead of the dc and ch 6 just to make it a little bit smaller. Thanks so much for sharing your amazing patterns!

  25. ChiWei

    Yay! What an accomplishment, congrats!

  26. Hanna

    I have the same question. Thanks!

  27. SRH

    Hi! If I wanted to take one tile and make it a child blanket size, how would you suggest I do that? Thank you!

  28. /~970525733406166793

    Having read this I thought it was extremely informative.

    I appreciate you taking the time and effort to putt this article together.
    I once again find myself personally spending a significwnt amount of time botfh reading and leaving comments.
    Butt so what, it was still worthwhile!

  29. Tammy

    I thought it was a free pattern. Bumma.

  30. Nollie J Mohr

    I don’t do c2c so converted the pattern on stitch fiddle to sc.

  31. Crystal

    Loved this pattern. Originally I bypassed this pattern as it was to large for what I wanted it for (baby blanket for my nephew) I kept coming back to it. Anyway i managed to find a way to adjust it to make it smaller. I deleted the outside row all the way around and used a 4.25mm hook and only 1 round of sc border on each. This made each square 13 inches, this was still slightly larger than I had in mind but the afghan to cute to pass up. I just have the final border to complete and I am so excited to gift this!!!

  32. Val

    Thank you so much. I don’t have much luck blocking c2c so I started this as a continuous hdc and really pleased with the results.

  33. Norma

    Thank you thank you thank you.
    I crochet strictly for charity (maybe a baby shower here or there) and I’ve made 2 blankets using 6 squares each. I’m starting another one now. They are always an attention getter. I make then for PROJECT LINUS. I’d love to see more like this!

  34. Stephanie

    This is a fantastic blanket and introduced me to c2c crochet projects. The video tutorials are excellent.

    My question is are the c2c squares blocked before they are joined together?

    Thank you for creating these patterns and tutorials.

  35. ChiWei

    I did not block them before joining, but you definitely can.

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