Crocheting beautiful afghans and finding free crochet afghan patterns is possible with a few tips and links. Making a crochet afghan can be lots of fun because there are so many crochet afghan patterns to choose from. There are patterns for making baby blankets, throws, lap afghans or full size afghans - whatever is desired or whatever one can dream up.

Crocheters make more afghans than any other type of crochet project. A crochet afghan make a notable gifts for baby showers or to give to a friend. With so many free patterns to choose from, one will have no trouble finding the perfect crochet afghan pattern.http://www.123stitch.com/CrochetAfghans.html

Many crochet afghan pattern sites offer a multitude of free patterns to choose from. There are Free Afghan Patterns, Mile-A-Minute Afghan Patterns, Baby Afghan Patterns, and Holiday Afghan Patterns. http://www.purplekittyyarns.com/free-patterns/afghan-patterns.html

To get you off to a quick start, here is a free crochet afghan pattern to follow:

This simple crocheted afghan pattern uses a simple Chevron design. Select your favorite color combination for your yarn and start making this beautiful afghan today.

The finished size is 60 inches x 72 inches with a gauge of 6 sc=1 inch.

Materials Required: 62 oz. Brown knitting worsted yarn, or color of your choice 7 oz. Beige, or coordinating color of your choice 11 oz. Amber, or coordinating color of your choice Crochet hook No. 5 or G.

1st Row: Starting at lower edge, with Brown ch 336, work 1 s c in 2nd st from hook, 1 s c in each of the next 12 sts of ch, * 3 s c in next st, 1 s c in each of the next 13 sts, skip 1st, 1 s c in each of the next 13 sts, repeat from * 10 times, 3 s c in next st, 1 s c in each of the next 13 sts, ch 1, turn. 2nd Row: Working in back loop of sts only, 1 s c in next st, skip 1 s c, 1 s c in each of the next 12 sts, * 3 s c in next st, 1 s c in each of the next 13 sts, skip 2 sts, 1 s c in each of the next 13 sts, repeat from * 10 times, 3 s c in next st, 1 s c in each of the next 12 sts, skip 1 st, 1 s c in last st, ch 1, turn. Repeat 2nd row for entire afghan. Work 6 more rows in Brown, * 2 rows Amber, 2 rows Brown, 2 rows Beige, 2 rows Brown, 2 rows Amber, 16 rows Brown, repeat from * 8 times, ending last repeat with 8 rows Brown instead of 16 rows, cut yarn. With Brown work a row of scan side edge, keeping work flat, ch 1, turn. Working in back loop of sts only, work 1 s c in each s c, cut yarn. Finish opposite edge in same manner.

Another quick tip to crochet your afghan, is learning this easy and simple stitch pattern. Unless your pattern specifies, this is the basic afghan stitch for most crocheted afghans.

Basic Afghan Stitch

When working an afghan stitch, never turn your work. Always work the piece with the right side facing you, unless the instructions specify to turn. With a crochet hook, the instructions will specify which size, make a chain the length required in your instructions.

Insert the hook into the second chain from the hook, yarn over and draw up a loop - two loops on the hook.

Keeping all loops on the hook, *draw up a loop in the next chain. Repeat from * across. To work off the loops, year over and draw a loop through the first loop, * yarn over and draw a loop through 2 loops. Repeat from * across until 1 loop remains. This loop becomes the first stitch of the next row.

First Half of Row: In this half you retain all loops on the hook. Insert the hook under the second vertical bar of the previous row, yarn over and draw up a loop. Keeping all loops on the hook, * insert the hook under the next vertical bar and draw up a loop. Repeat from * across.

Second Half of Row: In this half you work off all the loops. To work off loops, yarn over and draw a loop through the first loop, * yarn over and draw a loop through 2 loops. Repeat from * across until 1 loop remains. This loop becomes the first stitch of the next row.http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/afghans.html