So now, we’ve made 16 lovely Christmas motifs and our squares have had time to dry.
… here is how to compose your Christmas Afghan.
For the best result, it’s recommended that you wash and block your motifs.
Meanwhile, with the 10 ply White yarn and a darning needle: work 27 Blanket Stiches on each side, separated by around 3 mm.
—> Now, it’s time to seam your appliqués on each square. (I used back stitch, with contrasting color thread)
and then we’ll be ready to work the trim of each square.
Round 1: Join 10 ply White yarn in 3rd blanket stitch to left from any corner, ch 1, work 1sc in same stitch (= 24 sc), *ch4, around the corner, work 1sc in each stitch (= 26 sc) repeat from * 3 times, ch4, 1 sc in next 2 stitches, join with sl in starting sc.
Round 2: Ch3, sk2, *dc in next, ch2, dc in same stitch, sk2 to end of row*, in ch-4 corner, work: (dc, ch2, dc, ch2, dc), sk 2) – repeat all around the square, end with dc in beg. stitch, ch1, sc in 3rd ch of beg ch-3
Round 3: Ch3, (dc, ch2, dc) in next ch-2 sp to corner, *on the center dc of the corner, work: dc, ch2, dc. Then: (dc, ch2, dc) in each ch-2 space – repeat from * and end with dc in beg stitch, ch3, join with ls in 3rd ch of beg ch-3. Breaf off leaving a long end.
Assemble the squares of your Christmas Afghan !
Wrong side facing you, put two squares together and seam them by passing the thread through the loop facing you. For this illustration, I used dark green as contrasting color for you to see better (click to enlarge images)
Wrong size facing you, seam the squares side by side through the front loop.
Right side facing you, the seam is nearly invisible.
Assembling…
Your 16 squares are seamed? Now let’s work the final trim.
Work 4 rows as follow:
Round 1: Join 10ply White yarn in the 3rd stitch to left from any corner. Ch3, sk2, (*dc in next, ch2, dc in same stitch, sk2* to end of row, in ch-4 corner, work: (dc, ch2, dc, ch2, dc), sk 2) – repeat all around the square, end with dc in beg. stitch, ch1, sc in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 (= 8 “V” stitches on each side)
Note: Work 1 V Stitch in each seamed corner as per the picture:
Round 2: Ch3, (dc, ch2, dc) in next ch-2 sp to corner, *on the center dc of the corner, work: dc, ch2, dc. Then: (dc, ch2, dc) in each ch-2 space – repeat from * and end with dc in beg stitch, ch3, join with ls in 3rd ch of beg ch-3.
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 once more
Last row: Ch1, sc in same stitch, make a picot (= ch3, sc in 1rst ch of your ch-3 chain),*2sc in ch-2 space, sc between the next 2 V stitches, make a picot.* repeat all around the trip. Break off, weave in ends, your Christmas Afghan is ready !!
