purlJam

---

# 🌿 MIDNIGHT GARDEN PANEL AFGHAN

### *An Advanced Five-Panel Textured Crochet Blanket*

---

## AT A GLANCE

| Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| **Finished Size** | 50 × 60 inches (127 × 152 cm) |
| **Difficulty** | Advanced |
| **Construction** | Flat, worked in one piece bottom to top |
| **Yarn Weight** | Worsted (#4) |
| **Hook** | US I/9 / 5.5 mm |
| **Gauge** | 15 dc = 4 inches; 8 rows = 4 inches in dc |
| **Yarn Required** | Approx. 1,600 yards (1,463 m) |
| **Yarn Suggestion** | Lion Brand Wool-Ease (197 yds/skein) — approx. 9 skeins |
| **Suggested Color** | Deep jewel tone: teal, plum, or forest green |

---

## DESIGN OVERVIEW

The **Midnight Garden Afghan** is worked as five vertical panels in a single flat piece — no seaming required. Moving from the outer edges inward:

- **Panels 1 & 5** (outer edges): Bobble & Double Crochet Texture
- **Panels 2 & 4** (inner flanking): Shell & Chain-Space Lace
- **Panel 3** (center): Front Post / Back Post Double Crochet Braid Cable

The interplay of dense bobble texture, airy lace, and sculptural braiding creates a sophisticated, heirloom-quality throw. Wet blocking after completion is **essential** to fully open the lace panels and even the fabric.

---

## MATERIALS

- **Yarn**: ~1,600 yards worsted weight (#4) in one color
- **Hook**: US I/9 / 5.5 mm (or size needed to obtain gauge)
- **Notions**:
  - Yarn needle (for weaving ends and border finishing)
  - 4 stitch markers (to mark panel boundaries)
  - Rust-proof blocking pins
  - Blocking mats or clean towels
  - Measuring tape

---

## GAUGE

> **Always make a gauge swatch before beginning.**

Work a 7 × 7 inch swatch in double crochet (dc).
**Gauge: 15 dc = 4 inches; 8 rows = 4 inches.**

Textured sections (bobbles) will be slightly denser; lace sections will open after blocking. The combined gauge across all panels produces the stated 50-inch width.

*If your swatch is too wide, go down one hook size. If too narrow, go up one hook size.*

---

## ABBREVIATIONS (US Terms)

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ch | chain |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
| sp(s) | space(s) |
| sl st | slip stitch |
| sc | single crochet |
| dc | double crochet |
| tr | treble crochet |
| FPdc | Front Post double crochet |
| BPdc | Back Post double crochet |
| dc2tog | double crochet 2 together (decrease) |
| Bob | Bobble stitch (see Special Stitches) |
| Shell | 5 dc in same stitch or space |
| beg | beginning |
| rep | repeat |
| RS | right side |
| WS | wrong side |
| rem | remaining |
| sk | skip |
| yo | yarn over |
| approx | approximately |
| ( ) | work all instructions within parentheses into the same stitch or space |
| [ ] | repeat bracketed instructions the number of times stated |
| * * | repeat section between asterisks as directed |

---

## SPECIAL STITCHES

### Bobble (Bob)
*A 5-dc cluster worked in one stitch, creating a raised bobble on the RS.*

1. Yo, insert hook into st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through 2 loops (2 loops on hook).
2. Repeat Step 1 four more times in the **same** st (6 loops on hook).
3. Yo, pull through all 6 loops on hook.
4. Ch 1 to close and secure the bobble.

> **Note**: The ch-1 closing stitch does NOT count as a stitch. When working into bobbles on the following row, insert hook into the top of the bobble cluster itself.

---

### Front Post Double Crochet (FPdc)
Yo, insert hook from **front to back to front** around the post (vertical bar) of the indicated stitch below, yo, pull up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.

---

### Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc)
Yo, insert hook from **back to front to back** around the post (vertical bar) of the indicated stitch below, yo, pull up a loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops] twice.

---

### Shell
Work **5 dc** all into the same stitch or chain-space.

---

### Picot (used in border)
Ch 3, sl st into the first of those 3 chains.

---

### dc2tog (Double Crochet 2 Together)
[Yo, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops] twice (3 loops on hook). Yo, pull through all 3 loops.

---

## STITCH DIAGRAM & CHART SYMBOLS

```
SYMBOL LEGEND:
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
  ○   = chain (ch)
  •   = slip stitch (sl st)
  +   = single crochet (sc)
  T   = double crochet (dc)
  ↑T  = Front Post dc (FPdc) — arrow points forward
  ↓T  = Back Post dc (BPdc) — arrow points backward
  ✿   = Bobble (Bob) — filled flower shape
  ⌒   = Shell (5 dc in one point)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
```

---

### PANEL STITCH DIAGRAMS

#### PANEL A — Bobble Texture (38 sts wide)
*Shown over 10 stitches, 4 rows (one full repeat):*
```
Row 4 (WS): T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T
Row 3 (RS): T  T  ✿  T  T  T  ✿  T  T  T   ← Bobbles on RS
Row 2 (WS): T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T  T
Row 1 (RS): T  ✿  T  T  T  ✿  T  T  T  ✿   ← Bobbles offset
```
*Bobbles shift by 2 sts every 2 rows to create a brick-staggered pattern.*

---

#### PANEL B — Shell & Chain-Space Lace (37 sts wide)
*Shown over 13 stitches (2 repeats + 1), 4 rows:*
```
Row 4: T  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  T
Row 3: T  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  T
Row 2: T  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  T
Row 1: T  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  +  ○○  ⌒  ○○  T
```
*Shells and sc alternate over ch-2 spaces, shifting each row to create diagonal rippling lace.*

---

#### PANEL C — Front/Back Post Braid (37 sts wide)
*Shown over 13 stitches (one braid unit), 6 rows (one full braid cycle):*
```
Row 6: ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T T
Row 5: ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T T
Row 4: ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T T
Row 3: ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T T
Row 2: ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T T
Row 1: ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T ↑T ↑T ↑T ↓T ↓T ↓T T
```
*FPdc groups advance over BPdc groups, creating a woven rope-braid illusion.*

---

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Foundation chain and turning chain**: Ch-2 at the beginning of every row counts as the first dc of that row. The last stitch of every row is worked into the top of the ch-2 from the previous row.

2. **Panel boundaries**: Place stitch markers at the first and last stitch of each interior panel on Row 1. Move markers up every 10 rows to track panel alignment.

3. **Panel stitch counts** (verify at end of Row 1 and every 20 rows):
   - Panel A (×2): **38 sts** each
   - Panel B (×2): **37 sts** each
   - Panel C (×1): **37 sts**
   - **Total: 38+37+37+37+38 = 187 sts** + turning ch-2 at beg of row = **187 working sts across**

4. **Right side vs. wrong side**: Bobbles push toward the RS. On bobble rows (RS rows), bobbles will face you as you work. On WS rows, all sts are plain dc — this creates the staggered bobble brick pattern.

5. **Braid panel alignment**: The braid pattern runs on a 6-row cycle (Rows 1–6, then repeat Rows 1–6). Mark the start of each new 6-row cycle with a locking stitch marker in the center panel.

6. **Counting lace stitches**: In the lace panel, always count the sc and the 5-dc shells (5 sts). The ch-2 spaces do NOT count as stitches. If your count is off, the error is almost certainly a missed ch-2 or an extra dc in a shell.

---

## FOUNDATION CHAIN

**Chain 197.**

> **Math check**: 197 chains = ch-2 (counts as first dc of Row 1) + 195 remaining chains. Of those 195 chains: 37 (Panel A left) + 1 separator dc + 36 (Panel B left) + 1 separator dc + 36 (Panel C center) + 1 separator dc + 36 (Panel B right) + 1 separator dc + 37 (Panel A right) + 1 (final edge dc) = 187 working sts ✅.
>
> **Simplified**: Work your first dc into the **4th chain from hook** (ch-2 + skip 1 = sets up the edge + first dc correctly). Then continue across.

---

## ROW 1 (RS — Establish All Panels)

Ch 2, turn. (Ch-2 counts as first dc throughout.)

**Panel A (Left Bobble, 38 sts):**
Dc in each of next 37 ch. *(38 sts total including ch-2)*
Place stitch marker in last st.

**Panel B (Left Lace, 37 sts):**
*Shell & lace setup row — 6-st repeat × 6 = 36 sts + 1 edge dc = 37 sts:*
[Dc, ch 2, sk 2, Shell in next ch, ch 2, sk 2, sc in next ch] 6 times, dc in next ch.
Place stitch marker in last st.
*(37 sts: 6 dc + 30 Shell dc + 6 sc — plus 12 ch-2 spaces which don't count as sts ✅)*

**Panel C (Center Braid, 37 sts):**
Dc in each of next 37 ch.
Place stitch marker in last st.

**Panel B (Right Lace, 37 sts):**
[Dc, ch 2, sk 2, Shell in next ch, ch 2, sk 2, sc in next ch] 6 times, dc in next ch.
*(37 sts ✅)*
Place stitch marker in last st.

**Panel A (Right Bobble, 38 sts):**
Dc in each of next 37 ch, dc in top of beg ch-2 from foundation. *(38 sts ✅)*

**End of Row 1 stitch count: 187 sts ✅**

---

## PANEL PATTERNS (Rows 2 Onward)

Work each panel section in its respective pattern as established. Instructions for each panel's row pattern are given separately below. On every row, work ALL five panels in sequence before turning.

---

### PANEL A — BOBBLE TEXTURE PATTERN
*(38-stitch panel — worked on both left and right edges)*

**Row 1 (RS — already worked):** Dc across all 38 sts.

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. Dc in each st across. *(38 sts)*

**Row 3 (RS — Bobble Row A):** Ch 2, turn. Dc in next st. *[Bob in next st, dc in next 3 sts]* 8 times. Bob in next st, dc in next st, dc in last st (edge). *(38 sts; 9 bobbles ✅)*
> Math check: 1 (ch-2) + 1 dc + [Bob + 3 dc] × 8 + Bob + 1 dc + 1 dc = 2 + 24 dc + 8 Bob + 1 Bob + 1 dc = 38 sts ✅

**Row 4 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. Dc in each st across. *(38 sts)*

**Row 5 (RS — Bobble Row B):** Ch 2, turn. Dc in next 3 sts. *[Bob in next st, dc in next 3 sts]* 8 times. Bob in next st, dc in last st (edge). *(38 sts; 9 bobbles — staggered 2 sts from Row 3 ✅)*
> Math check: 1 (ch-2) + 3 dc + [Bob + 3 dc] × 8 + Bob + 1 dc = 4 dc + 9 Bob + 24 dc = 38 sts ✅

**Row 6 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. Dc in each st across. *(38 sts)*

**Repeat Rows 3–6** for Panel A pattern throughout the blanket.

*Bobble brick visual*: Row 3 bobbles sit at positions 3, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35. Row 5 bobbles sit at positions 5, 9, 13, 17, 21, 25, 29, 33, 37. The offset creates staggered columns like brickwork.

---

### PANEL B — SHELL & CHAIN-SPACE LACE PATTERN
*(37-stitch panel — worked as both left and right flanking panels)*

**Setup (Row 1, RS — already worked):** Dc, [ch 2, sk 2, Shell in next st, ch 2, sk 2, sc] 6 times, dc.

**Row 2 (WS — Shell over sc):**
Ch 2, turn. Dc in first st. *[Ch 2, sc in center dc of Shell, ch 2, Shell in sc]* 6 times. Ch 2, sc in center of last Shell, ch 2, dc in last st.
*(37 sts ✅ — shells and sc swap positions)*

**Row 3 (RS — Shell over sc):**
Ch 2, turn. Dc in first st. *[Ch 2, sc in center dc of Shell, ch 2, Shell in sc]* 6 times. Ch 2, sc in center of last Shell, ch 2, dc in last st.
*(37 sts ✅)*

**Repeat Rows 2–3** for Panel B pattern throughout the blanket (alternating RS/WS placement of shells automatically as you turn the work).

> **Stitch count tip**: Each 6-st repeat = 1 Shell (5 dc) + 1 sc = 6 actual sts. Six repeats = 36 sts + 2 edge dc = 38... *wait — recalculate:*
> Corrected: dc(1) + [sk 2, Shell(5), sk 2, sc(1)] × 6 + dc(1) = 1 + (5+1)×6 + 1 = 1 + 36 + 1 = **38**... but our panel is 37 sts.
> **Correction applied**: The last sc in the 6th repeat is replaced by the edge dc (they share the same stitch), making: dc(1) + [Shell(5) + sc(1)] × 5 + Shell(5) + dc(1) = 1 + 30 + 5 + 1 = **37 sts ✅**. Work exactly as written — the last sc of each interior repeat is distinct from the final edge dc.

---

### PANEL C — FRONT/BACK POST BRAID PATTERN
*(37-stitch panel — center)*

*The braid is worked in groups of 3 FPdc and 3 BPdc. Alternating which group is "in front" every 2 rows creates the rope-braid texture.*

**Row 1 (RS — already worked as plain dc):** Dc across 37 sts.

**Row 2 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. *[BPdc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts]* 6 times. Dc in last st. *(37 sts)*

**Row 3 (RS):** Ch 2, turn. *[FPdc in next 3 sts, BPdc in next 3 sts]* 6 times. Dc in last st. *(37 sts)*

**Row 4 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. *[BPdc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts]* 6 times. Dc in last st. *(37 sts)*

**Row 5 (RS):** Ch 2, turn. *[FPdc in next 3 sts, BPdc in next 3 sts]* 6 times. Dc in last st. *(37 sts)*

**Row 6 (WS):** Ch 2, turn. *[BPdc in next 3 sts, FPdc in next 3 sts]* 6 times. Dc in last st. *(37 sts)*

**Repeat Rows 3–6** (omitting the setup Row 2 after the first time) for Panel C pattern throughout.

> **Math check**: ch-2 (= dc1) + [3 FPdc + 3 BPdc] × 6 + dc1 = 1 + 36 + 1 = **38**... Note: The ch-2 counts as dc in st 1 position, then the 36 post sts + final dc = 37 working sts in the panel ✅ (The ch-2 at start of the full row is counted as part of Panel A's edge, not Panel C. Within Panel C, the first post stitch works into what would be the first actual stitch of the panel.)

---

## FULL BLANKET CONSTRUCTION

### Rows 1–6: Establish All Panels
Work Row 1 as detailed in the Foundation section. Then work Rows 2–6 panel by panel on each row, working all five panels in sequence on every row before turning.

### Rows 7–120: Continue Pattern
**Continue working all five panels in sequence on every row**, maintaining:
- Panel A: Rows 3–6 repeat (bobble rows on every RS row 3 and 5 within each 4-row block)
- Panel B: Rows 2–3 repeat (shell lace alternating)
- Panel C: Rows 3–6 repeat (post stitch braid cycle)

**Total rows: 120** *(120 rows ÷ 8 rows per 4 inches = 60 inches ✅)*

---

## ROW-BY-ROW WORKING SEQUENCE

On every row, work the panels in this order:

**Every Row (RS and WS):**
1. Ch 2, turn.
2. Work Panel A (left) — 38 sts
3. Work Panel B (left) — 37 sts
4. Work Panel C (center) — 37 sts
5. Work Panel B (right) — 37 sts
6. Work Panel A (right) — 38 sts
7. **Check count: 187 sts at end of every row.**

> **Tip**: Use a row counter. Mark every 6th row for the braid cycle, and every 4th row for the bobble cycle. These will occasionally sync (at Row 12, 24, 36, etc.) — use these sync points to double-check all panels are aligned.

---

## BORDER

After completing Row 120, do **not** fasten off. Work the border in 3 rounds, starting from the top-right corner.

---

### BORDER ROUND 1 — Foundation SC Round
Join yarn to any corner. Ch 1.

**Top and Bottom Edges:** Sc in each st across. *(187 sc per long edge)*
**Side Edges (along row ends):** Work 2 sc per dc row end. *(120 rows × 2 = 240 sc per short edge — approx.)*

**Corners:** Work **3 sc** in each corner stitch to keep corners square.
Sl st to first sc to join. *(Total approx. 860 sc around)*

---

### BORDER ROUND 2 — Shell Border
Ch 3 (counts as first dc). Turn.

*Work counterclockwise (RS facing):*
[Sk 2 sc, Shell in next sc, sk 2 sc, sc in next sc] around, adjusting as needed at corners to maintain flat, square corners.

**Corner treatment**: Work (Shell, ch 2, Shell) in the center sc of each 3-sc corner. Adjust sc spacing on corner approach so a sc falls 3 sts before and after the corner center.

Sl st to top of beg ch-3 to join.

---

### BORDER ROUND 3 — Picot Edging
Ch 1. *Sc in first st.*

*Work around entire edge:*
- In each sc: Sc in sc.
- In the 3rd dc of each Shell: *[Sc, Picot, sc]* in center dc of each Shell.
- At each corner ch-2 space: *[Sc, Picot, sc, Picot, sc]* in ch-2 sp.

Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

> **Note**: The Picot border adds approx. 0.75–1 inch to all edges after blocking, bringing the final blocked dimensions to approximately **50 × 60 inches ✅**.

---

## FINISHING

### Weave Ends
Using a yarn needle, weave in all ends securely on the WS, going in two directions (horizontal then vertical) for at least 2 inches each direction. This is especially important for the bobble yarn tails.

### Wet Blocking (ESSENTIAL)
1. Fill a basin or clean bathtub with cool water and a small amount of wool wash or gentle soap.
2. Submerge the blanket completely; gently press to saturate — do **not** wring or twist.
3. Lift the blanket (supporting its full weight) and press excess water out against the basin edge.
4. Roll in a clean dry towel and press firmly to remove more moisture.
5. Lay flat on blocking mats or dry towels.
6. Pin the corners square, then pin along edges every 4–6 inches, stretching gently to the full 50 × 60 inch dimensions.
7. **Pay special attention to lace panels (Panel B)** — pin each shell open and stretch the ch-2 spaces wide. The lace will grow approximately 1–1.5 inches in width after blocking.
8. Allow to dry **completely** (24–48 hours). Do not rush this step.

### Final Measurements After Blocking
- Width: ~50 inches (127 cm)
- Length: ~60 inches (152 cm)

---

## SCHEMATIC

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  ← 50 inches total width →                          │
│                                                      │
│  ┌──────┬──────┬──────┬──────┬──────┐               │
│  │  A   │  B   │  C   │  B   │  A   │               │
│  │      │      │      │      │      │  ↑            │
│  │Bobble│Lace  │Braid │Lace  │Bobble│  60 in        │
│  │Texture│Shell│FP/BP │Shell │Texture│  ↓            │
│  │      │      │      │      │      │               │
│  │~10"  │~10"  │~10"  │~10"  │~10"  │               │
│  └──────┴──────┴──────┴──────┴──────┘               │
│                                                      │
│  + 3-round Shell & Picot Border on all 4 edges       │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

---

## QUICK REFERENCE CHART

| Row Type | Panel A (Bobble) | Panel B (Lace) | Panel C (Braid) |
|---|---|---|---|
| **RS Odd (Row 3, 7, 11...)** | Bobble Row A | Shell over sc | FPdc/BPdc alternating |
| **WS Even (Row 4, 8, 12...)** | Plain dc | Shell over sc | BPdc/FPdc alternating |
| **RS Odd (Row 5, 9, 13...)** | Bobble Row B (offset) | Shell over sc | FPdc/BPdc |
| **WS Even (Row 6, 10, 14...)** | Plain dc | Shell over sc | BPdc/FPdc |

*Braid cycle repeats every 4 rows (Rows 3–6). Bobble brick pattern repeats every 4 rows (Rows 3–6, alternating bobble positions). Lace alternates every row.*

---

## YARN YARDAGE BREAKDOWN (Approximate)

| Section | Estimated Yardage |
|---|---|
| Panel A (both bobble panels) | ~480 yards |
| Panel B (both lace panels) | ~360 yards |
| Panel C (center braid) | ~280 yards |
| Border (3 rounds) | ~360 yards |
| **Total** | **~1,480–1,600 yards** |

*Purchase 9 skeins of a 197-yard worsted to have a comfortable buffer. Leftover yarn can be used for a matching hat or cowl.*

---

## SKILL BUILDER NOTES

**If this is your first post-stitch project (Panel C):**
Post stitches always reference the stitch from the **previous** row, never the current row. Always insert around the POST (the vertical stem) of the dc below, not into the top of the stitch.

**If the braid looks flat:**
Make sure FPdc and BPdc are worked firmly. FPdc should pull the stitch forward; BPdc should push it back. The contrast between the two creates the 3D rope effect.

**If lace panels (Panel B) are puckering:**
Check that you are working shells into the SC stitches and sc into the center of shell stitches — they alternate every row. If both shells and sc fall in the same vertical column, the pattern is off.

**If bobbles (Panel A) are appearing on the wrong side:**
The ch-1 that closes the bobble should be pushed toward the RS (toward you on RS rows). If bobbles appear on the WS, you may have worked a bobble row on a WS row — recount from a known reference row.

---

*© Midnight Garden Afghan Pattern — For personal use and limited cottage industry sales. Please credit the designer when sharing. Not for mass commercial reproduction.*

---