Dalla Afghan Blanket Crochet Pattern

Dalla Afghan in Lion Brand Mandala Baby & Mandala

What Is Being Made

The Dalla Afghan is a beginner-friendly crochet blanket and throw measuring approximately 48 x 60 inches (122 x 152.5 cm). This project creates a finished afghan composed of 20 individual squares that are worked separately and then sewn together to form a cohesive, colorful blanket. The modular construction makes this an excellent project for crocheters who prefer working smaller components rather than managing a large piece throughout the entire project.

Crochet Techniques Used

The Dalla Afghan employs several fundamental crochet techniques suitable for beginners. Each square begins as a circular shape created from a magic ring, then progresses through strategic increases to gradually transform the circle into a square form. The pattern uses joined rounds worked in the round, meaning each round is completed and joined with a slip stitch before moving to the next round. The right side faces outward throughout the construction process. The pattern includes a stitch diagram for the more complex final five rounds to assist visual learners. Once all 20 squares are completed, they are sewn together using a blunt needle to create the finished afghan.

Stitches Used

• Double crochet (dc) – The primary stitch throughout the pattern, used for building height and structure in each square
• Chain stitch (ch) – Used at the beginning of rounds to establish height equivalent to a double crochet
• Slip stitch (sl st) – Used to join rounds and complete the circular-to-square transition
• Increases – Created by working multiple stitches into the same stitch, which allows the fabric to expand and shape from a circle into a square

Materials and Tools

This project uses Lion Brand Mandala Baby yarn (Art. #526) in two colors: 204 Wishing Well and 205 Echo Caves, with one cake of each. The pattern also calls for Lion Brand Mandala yarn (Art. #525) in three additional colors: 219 Brownie, 221 Harpy, and 223 Mermaid, again with one cake of each color. The yarn selection creates a vibrant, multicolored finished piece with five distinct hues distributed across the 20 squares (four squares in each color). A Lion Brand crochet hook size H-8 (5 mm) is used throughout the project. A Lion Brand large-eyed blunt needle is required for seaming the completed squares together. The gauge for this project is one square measuring approximately 12 x 12 inches (30.5 x 30.5 cm), and checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Pattern Details

The Dalla Afghan pattern (L80236) was designed by Teresa Chorzepa and is classified as an Easy skill level project, making it accessible to crocheters new to the craft. The pattern construction requires making 20 squares total, with four squares worked in each of the five available yarn colors. Each square follows an identical construction method, beginning with a magic ring and progressing through multiple rounds of double crochet stitches with strategic increases. The circular foundation gradually transforms into a square shape through the placement of increases in specific positions across successive rounds. Once all squares are completed, they are sewn together to form the final 48 x 60 inch blanket.