Spear & Feathers Granny Square Afghan

Small Throw – Beginner Crochet Pattern

Finished Size: Approximately 32″ × 40″ (81 × 102 cm) including border
Skill Level: Beginner
Construction: Individual granny squares joined, then bordered

Design Note: This is an original geometric interpretation of spear-and-feather motifs worked from the attached chart. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official product of any sports team or organization. Colors echo classic burgundy/gold/white palettes.

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (approx. 1,200 yd / 1,100 m total):
  • Color A (Burgundy): 550 yd (503 m)
  • Color B (Gold): 350 yd (320 m)
  • Color C (White): 250 yd (229 m)
  • Color D (optional dark accent/Black or deep brown): 50 yd (46 m) for chart details
• US I/9 (5.5 mm) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers
• Blocking mats and pins (recommended)

Gauge

One completed 4-round granny square = 4″ × 4″ (10 × 10 cm) after light blocking.
Adjust hook size if your square differs by more than ¼″.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch – chain
• sl st – slip stitch
• sc – single crochet
• dc – double crochet
• sp – space
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Special Stitches

• Granny cluster: 3 dc in same space or stitch.
• Corner space: ch-2 space at corner.

Attached Stitch Chart

Use the separate attached chart panel supplied with this pattern for all spear-and-feathers visual grids.

Placement: The chart panel appears immediately after the written pattern (or in the accompanying digital asset folder labeled “Spear-Feathers Chart”). Do not work from any inline grid; refer only to that panel.

How to read the chart (crochet):

• Each square on the chart = 1 sc (tapestry/intarsia style) or 1 dc block when worked inside granny rounds as directed below.
• Charts are read from bottom to top. Right-side rows read right to left; wrong-side rows read left to right (standard flat chart reading).
• Color key is printed on the chart panel (A = burgundy field, B = gold spear/feather shafts, C = white accents, D = dark tip/detail).
• When a color change occurs, drop the old color to the WS and pick up the new color, carrying unused yarn loosely across no more than 3–4 stitches or fastening off and rejoining for larger blocks (beginner-friendly option).
• Stitch-count integration: Motif centers are worked over a 12-st wide × 12-row tall area inside Rnds 2–3 of designated granny squares so the outer granny rounds remain standard (corner spaces intact). Total stitches after motif insertion still equal a normal 4-rnd granny (see Square instructions).

Yarn management: Wind small bobbins of B, C, and D for the chart. Weave ends as you go on WS.

Pattern Instructions

Solid Granny Square (make 36)

With Color A (or rotate A/B/C for visual interest—suggest 20 A, 10 B, 6 C):
Rnd 1: Magic ring (or ch 4, sl st to form ring). Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, ch 2, [3 dc in ring, ch 2] 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch-3. (4 clusters, 4 corner ch-2 sps)
Rnd 2: Sl st to next corner sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1; rep from * around, sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 3: Sl st to next corner sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1; rep from * around, sl st to top of beg ch-3.
Rnd 4: Sl st to next corner sp, ch 3, (2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice, *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner sp, ch 1, [3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1] twice; rep from * around, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off. Weave ends.

(Each solid square = 4″; 12 dc clusters per side + corners.)

Motif Granny Square – Spear & Feathers (make 12)

Work as Solid Granny Square through Rnd 1 in Color A.
Rnd 2 (setup): Work Rnd 2 in Color A, but replace the center two side clusters on opposite sides with sc foundation rows that will hold the chart (or simply complete Rnd 2 normally and surface the motif later—easiest for beginners).

Beginner-recommended method (applique-style chart):
Complete a full Solid Granny Square in Color A (Rnds 1–4).
Using the attached chart and Colors B/C/D, work the spear-and-feathers motif in sc tapestry (or embroider/surface crochet the simple geometric shapes) centered on the square. Motif footprint ≈ 12 sc wide × 12 rows tall. Fasten off and weave all ends securely on WS.

Advanced option (inline chart): After Rnd 1, work Rnds 2–3 in sc following the attached chart for the center 12 sts of each side while maintaining corner ch-2 spaces with dc clusters; resume standard granny Rnd 4 in Color A. Stitch count after Rnd 4 must match solid square (verify: 4 corner groups + 3 side clusters per side).

Make 12 motif squares total.

Blocking

Lightly steam- or wet-block all 48 squares to 4″ × 4″. Let dry completely.

Assembly (6 × 8 Grid)

Arrange squares RS up in a rectangle 6 squares wide by 8 squares long:

• Place the 12 motif squares in a pleasing scattered or centered layout (e.g., every other square in rows 2, 4, 6, 8).
• Fill remaining positions with solid squares.

Joining method – Whip Stitch (beginner-friendly):
Thread yarn needle with Color A (or matching edge color). Hold two squares WS together. Whip-stitch through back loops only of corresponding stitches along one edge, matching corner ch-2 spaces. Seam all vertical columns first, then horizontal rows. Weave ends.

Alternative – Join-as-you-go (optional): On Rnd 4 of each new square, replace ch-2 corners and ch-1 side spaces with sl st joins into corresponding spaces of adjacent completed squares. (Full JAYG tutorial assumed known or referenced separately.)

After joining, body measures approximately 24″ × 32″ (6 × 4″ by 8 × 4″).

Arrow Border

Worked in joined rounds on RS. Use Color B for main arrow field, Color C for arrow heads/accents, Color A for final edge.

Setup Rnd: Join Color A in any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 1, 3 sc in corner sp, sc evenly around entire blanket (place 3 sc in each remaining corner sp), working approximately 1 sc per dc and 1 sc in each ch-sp/seam. Aim for a multiple of 6 sts per side (excluding corner 3-sc groups) so arrows repeat evenly. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off A. (Example target: ~144 sc on short sides, ~192 sc on long sides + corners; adjust by adding/skipping a st at seams if needed—count before continuing.)

Rnd 1 (arrow shafts – Color B): Join B in middle sc of any corner 3-sc. Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in each sc around, working (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner middle sc. Sl st to top of beg ch-3.

Rnd 2 (arrow prep): Ch 1, sc in each dc around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2 sp. Sl st to first sc.

Rnd 3 (arrow spikes): Ch 1, *sc in next 4 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next st (arrow point base), sc in next st; rep from * to corner, adjusting last repeat to land cleanly; in each corner 3-sc work (sc, ch 2, sc). Continue around. Sl st to first sc. (If count is off by 1–2 sts, replace one sc with sl st or add extra sc—arrows remain recognizable.)

Rnd 4 (arrow heads – Color C): Join C in any st. Ch 1, sc in each st and ch-1 sp around, working 3 sc in each corner ch-2. To emphasize arrowheads, work 2 sc in each ch-1 sp of Rnd 3. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off C.

Rnd 5 (finishing edge – Color A): Join A. Ch 1, sc in each sc around, (sc, ch 2, sc) in each corner middle st. Sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Optional Rnd 6: One more rnd of reverse sc (crab stitch) in Color B for a firm arrow-like edge.

Weave all ends. Block finished afghan lightly to final measurements ~32″ × 40″.

Finishing

• Weave in every remaining end securely on WS.
• Steam block if needed, pinning arrows straight.
• Optional: Add a simple fabric label on WS corner noting “Handmade Spear & Feathers Throw.”

Care

Machine wash cold gentle cycle (or hand wash), lay flat to dry. Do not iron motif areas aggressively.

Stitch Count Validation (inline):
48 squares × 4″ gauge = 24″ × 32″ body ✓
Border ~4″ total added width/length → 32″ × 40″ ✓
Motif squares 12; solid 36; total 48 ✓
Arrow repeat every 6 sts integrates with even side counts after Setup Rnd ✓

Enjoy your beginner-friendly spear & feathers afghan!