Type
Crochet
Difficulty
intermediate
Category
blanket
AI Thinking Process
Planning
1. **Design Strategy**:
- Creating a two-panel American flag pillow cover (front + back) to fit a 40cm x 30cm (approximately 16" x 12") cushion
- Front panel: American flag design with 13 stripes (7 red, 6 white) and blue canton with 50 star symbols (★)
- Back panel: Solid blue
- Using double crochet (dc) throughout, worked in rows
- Note: The user requested a Ripple Afghan template, but explicitly stated NO granny squares and wants flat panels in rows only. I will adapt to create a flat rectangular pattern appropriate for this pillow project while maintaining professional pattern structure.
- Colors needed: Red, White, Blue (worsted weight)
2. **Construction Plan**:
- Work both panels from bottom to top in rows
- Front panel: Work stripes horizontally, then overlay/embroider star symbols onto the blue canton area
- Stars will be represented by ★ symbol in a chart, worked using surface slip stitch or embroidered in white after main panel is complete
- Canton (blue field) occupies upper left: traditionally covers 7 stripes in height and approximately 40% of width
- Panels sewn together on 3 sides, insert cushion, close 4th side
3. **Quality Assurance**:
- Pillow cover should be slightly smaller than insert for a plump look (make at ~15.5" x 11.5" finished)
- Stripe proportions must be accurate to flag design
- 50 stars arranged in alternating rows of 6 and 5 (9 rows total: 5 rows of 6 stars, 4 rows of 5 stars)
- Ensure stitch counts remain consistent throughout color changes
- Canton must align properly with stripe rows
4. **Final Calculations**:
- Standard worsted gauge with dc and 5.5mm hook: approximately 14 sts = 4" and 8 rows = 4"
- Target width: ~15.5" → 14 ÷ 4 × 15.5 = 54.25 sts → round to 54 sts
- Target height: ~11.5" → 8 ÷ 4 × 11.5 = 23 rows
- 13 stripes over 23 rows: difficult exact division. Adjust to 26 rows (2 rows per stripe)
- 26 rows = 4" × (26/8) = 13" height - acceptable with blocking
- Canton height: 7 stripes = 14 rows
- Canton width: approximately 40% of 54 sts = 21.6 → 22 sts
Verification
[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS]
1. **Completeness**:
✓ Materials, gauge, abbreviations, instructions for both panels, finishing, star placement chart
✓ Adapted from ripple template to flat panel construction per user request
2. **Consistency**:
✓ 54 sts across at gauge of 3.5 sts/inch = 15.43" width ✓
✓ 26 rows at gauge of 2 rows/inch = 13" height ✓
✓ Canton: 22 sts wide × 14 rows tall
✓ Each stripe = 2 rows
3. **Constraints**:
✓ Double crochet only - confirmed
✓ Worked in rows only - confirmed
✓ No granny squares - confirmed
✓ 50 stars with symbol - confirmed
✓ Two separate panels (front flag, back blue) - confirmed
✓ US terminology - confirmed
4. **Safety**:
✓ Stitch count verified: Ch 56 = foundation, dc in 3rd ch gives 54 dc ✓
✓ Star arrangement: (6×5) + (5×4) = 30 + 20 = 50 stars ✓
✓ Stripe count: 7 red + 6 white = 13 stripes ✓
Pattern
<pattern>
# AMERICAN FLAG PILLOW COVER
### A Patriotic Cushion Cover for 16" × 12" (40cm × 30cm) Pillow Insert
**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate
**Finished Dimensions:** Approximately 15.5" × 13" (39cm × 33cm) before seaming
---
## MATERIALS
| Material | Details | Quantity |
|----------|---------|----------|
| Yarn | Worsted weight (#4), 100% acrylic or cotton blend | |
| Color A | Red | 75 yards (69m) |
| Color B | White | 65 yards (60m) |
| Color C | Blue | 120 yards (110m) |
| Hook | US H/8 (5.0mm) or size needed for gauge | |
| Notions | Yarn needle, stitch markers, 16"×12" pillow insert | |
---
## GAUGE
**14 dc × 8 rows = 4" × 4" (10cm × 10cm)** in double crochet
*Gauge check: Work a 5" × 5" swatch. Adjust hook size if necessary.*
**[MATH CHECK: 14 sts ÷ 4" = 3.5 sts/inch | 8 rows ÷ 4" = 2 rows/inch]**
---
## ABBREVIATIONS
| Abbrev. | Definition |
|---------|------------|
| ch | chain |
| dc | double crochet |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rep | repeat |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| ★ | star symbol (see Star Placement section) |
---
## SPECIAL TECHNIQUES
**Color Change:** On last dc before color change, work dc until 2 loops remain on hook, yarn over with new color and pull through both loops. Carry unused yarn loosely along edge or cut and weave in ends.
**Star Embroidery:** Stars are added after front panel is complete using surface embroidery or duplicate stitch method.
---
## SCHEMATIC
```
FRONT PANEL - AMERICAN FLAG LAYOUT
←———————— 54 sts (15.5") ————————→
┌──────────────┬────────────────────┐ ↑
│ │ RED (Row 26) │ │
│ BLUE ├────────────────────┤ │
│ CANTON │ WHITE (Row 25) │ │
│ ├────────────────────┤ │
│ 22 sts │ RED (Row 24) │ │
│ × ├────────────────────┤ │
│ 14 rows │ WHITE (Row 23) │ │
│ ├────────────────────┤ │
│ (Contains │ RED (Row 22) │ 26
│ 50 ★ stars) ├────────────────────┤rows
│ │ WHITE (Row 21) │(13")
│ ├────────────────────┤ │
├──────────────┤ RED (Row 20) │ │
│ RED ├────────────────────┤ │
├──────────────┤ (continues...) │ │
│ WHITE │ │ │
├──────────────┤ │ │
│ ... │ │ │
│ (Rows 1-12 │ │ │
│ full-width │ │ │
│ stripes) │ │ ↓
└──────────────┴────────────────────┘
Row 1 = RED (bottom)
```
---
## INSTRUCTIONS
### FRONT PANEL (American Flag)
**Foundation Chain:**
With Color A (Red), ch 56.
**[MATH CHECK: Ch 56 - 2 for turning = 54 dc across]**
---
#### LOWER STRIPES (Rows 1-12) - Full Width
**Row 1 (RS):** With A (Red), dc in 3rd ch from hook and in each ch across. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 2 (WS):** With A, ch 2 (counts as dc here and throughout), dc in each st across. —**54 dc**
Turn. Change to B (White) on last st.
**Row 3 (RS):** With B (White), ch 2, dc in each st across. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 4 (WS):** With B, ch 2, dc in each st across. —**54 dc**
Turn. Change to A.
**Rows 5-6:** With A (Red), rep Rows 3-4. Change to B on last st of Row 6.
**Rows 7-8:** With B (White), rep Rows 3-4. Change to A on last st of Row 8.
**Rows 9-10:** With A (Red), rep Rows 3-4. Change to B on last st of Row 10.
**Rows 11-12:** With B (White), rep Rows 3-4. Change to A on last st of Row 12.
**[STITCH CHECK: After Row 12, you have completed 6 stripes (3 red, 3 white), each 2 rows. Count = 54 dc]**
---
#### UPPER SECTION WITH CANTON (Rows 13-26)
*Note: Rows 13-26 contain the blue canton (22 sts) on the left and continuing stripes (32 sts) on the right.*
**[MATH CHECK: Canton 22 sts + Stripes 32 sts = 54 sts total ✓]**
---
**Row 13 (RS) - Red Stripe + Canton Start:**
Change to C (Blue) at start.
Ch 2, dc in next 21 sts (22 dc in blue canton), change to A (Red), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc** (22 blue + 32 red)
Turn.
**Row 14 (WS):**
With A, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts (32 red), change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn. Change to B for stripe section on last st of row.
**Row 15 (RS) - White Stripe:**
With C (Blue), ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to B (White), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 16 (WS):**
With B, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 17 (RS) - Red Stripe:**
With C, ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to A (Red), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 18 (WS):**
With A, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 19 (RS) - White Stripe:**
With C, ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to B (White), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 20 (WS):**
With B, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 21 (RS) - Red Stripe:**
With C, ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to A (Red), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 22 (WS):**
With A, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 23 (RS) - White Stripe:**
With C, ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to B (White), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 24 (WS):**
With B, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 25 (RS) - Red Stripe:**
With C, ch 2, dc in next 21 sts, change to A (Red), dc in remaining 32 sts. —**54 dc**
Turn.
**Row 26 (WS) - Final Canton Row:**
With A, ch 2, dc in next 31 sts, change to C, dc in remaining 22 sts. —**54 dc**
Fasten off.
**[STITCH CHECK: Rows 13-26 = 14 rows for canton area = 7 stripes (4 red, 3 white). Total stripes = 13 ✓]**
---
### STAR PLACEMENT CHART (★)
The canton area spans **22 stitches wide × 14 rows tall** (Rows 13-26, stitches 1-22 from left edge).
Stars are arranged in the official 50-star pattern: **alternating rows of 6 and 5 stars** (9 rows of stars total).
**[MATH CHECK: (5 rows × 6 stars) + (4 rows × 5 stars) = 30 + 20 = 50 stars ✓]**
```
CANTON STAR CHART (Read RS rows right-to-left, WS rows left-to-right)
Stitch position within canton: 1-22 (from left edge of panel)
Row 26: · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · (6 stars: sts 3,6,9,12,15,18)
Row 25: · · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · · · (5 stars: sts 4,7,10,13,16)
Row 24: · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · (6 stars)
Row 23: · · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · · · (5 stars)
Row 22: · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · (6 stars)
Row 21: · · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · · · (5 stars)
Row 20: · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · (6 stars)
Row 19: · · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · · · (5 stars)
Row 18: · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · ★ · · · (6 stars)
Legend: · = blue dc background | ★ = white star embroidery
```
**Star Count Verification:**
- Rows 18, 20, 22, 24, 26: 6 stars each = **30 stars**
- Rows 19, 21, 23, 25: 5 stars each = **20 stars**
- **Total: 50 stars ✓**
---
### ADDING STARS (After Front Panel is Complete)
Using Color B (White) and yarn needle:
**Method - Surface Slip Stitch Stars:**
1. Thread yarn needle with approximately 30" of white yarn.
2. Working from WS to RS, bring needle up at the center of the stitch where star is marked (★).
Disclaimer: This pattern was generated by AI and should be reviewed for accuracy before use. While we strive for quality, AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify measurements, stitch counts, and instructions before beginning your project. Generated by purlJam.uk
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