- stashaholic

Stashaholic’s Brain Dead Afghan

 

I’m warning you now. This pattern got its name for a reason. It’s a one row repeat. That means you’ll be doing hundreds of rows of the same stitch. If you have a short attention span (like me) you might want to vary it with different colours.

braindead

 

Stashaholic’s Brain Dead Afghan
(c)Sherri Bondy

 

Size:  36 x 48 in. blocked

Materials: 18 oz worsted weight
crochet hook 5.5mm

Chain 156 (increase or decrease size by adding/subtracting multiple of 12 stitches )

Row 1: 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, dc in next ch, *skip 3 ch, 1 sc in next ch, ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 ch, rep from * to last ch, 1 sc in last ch. TURN

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in first sc, skip 3 dc, *(sc, ch 3, 3 dc in ch 3 space), skip next 3 dc, rep from * to last 3 dc. Skip 2 dc, sc in top of turning chain. TURN

Rep row 2 until afghan measures 48″ .

Fasten off

54 thoughts on “Stashaholic’s Brain Dead Afghan”

  1. I LOVE this pattern! I’m pretty new to crocheting (I’ve only made a dishcloth before this!) but this pattern is so easy – and it looks beautiful! I’m making it (much) larger – I chained 480! – as a bridal gift for my niece. I just hope I get it done in time. Thanks for sharing it!!

  3. That pattern is part of a Leisure Arts book so unfortunately I am not able to share it with you. I believe the book is still available, so I’m sure you can find it in a local Michael’s or Joanns.

  5. This is a fabulous pattern but once again my gauge is too TIGHT. Grrr … Even using a J hook, I’m still a whoppin’ 9 inches too narrow. Frog, frog, frog.

    Maybe an “L”?

    All that aside, thanks for posting such a great pattern! 🙂

  6. Thanks so much Gwen – it’s always nice to hear someone appreciates the work we put into our craft.

    That pattern is all crochet. When I did it the pattern was out of print (but available on ebay). I’ve been told they’ve re-issued it but I can’t find a link on the Leisure Arts site.

    Leisure Arts #191, Baby’s Best to Knit and Crochet is the link to the pattern on Ravelry.

  7. Hi Sherri:
    You are amazing!! Do you have the pattern for the BabyGhan you did for Damon? I absolutely love it!!! Is it a knit crochet combo? I sure would love to have the pattern!
    Thanks!
    Gwen Porter
    San Diego, CA

  8. i just started this 4 days ago. im using red hearts camouflage yarn and a P hook. its amazing. its coming along so soft and huge! its about 3 feet across and im on my 3rd skein of yarn. im trying to make it long enough for my 6’3″ boyfriend. lol great pattern. i LOVE it! 🙂

  9. This is a lovely pattern, and absolutely perfect for some yarn I bought yesterday—a deep violet and a vanilla(ish) in Caron one pounders. I’ve been looking for patterns all day long and now KNOW this is the one! Thanks, and Happy Holidays!

  10. Stumbled on this pattern and read all the comments- immediately printed it out and can’t wait to try it. I have some purple, lavendar and white yarn for a Granddaughter’s afghan but couldn’t decide on a pattern. You solved my problem !! This will be my project for the new year. Thanks ! Will let you know how it turns out. Happy Holidays to all.

  11. Love this pattern. Amy is right it is addictive. Already made a lapghan, changing colors every 12th row; looks great. Now I am making a solid colored afghan/throw. Thanks Sherri

  13. I’m new to this crocheting stuff but everyone’s comments have encouraged me to try it. It is the first row that always gets to me–any suggestions? Is it better to chain loosely? I’d like to use a soft yarn, should I then use a smaller hook?

  14. Hi Sherri ~

    I’m almost done with my second “brain dead” afghan! I have to tell you that I’m not a very experienced crocheter, so this pattern has been perfect for me. I completed one in shades of chocolate, tan, beige and cream for my boyfriend’s mother’s birthday, along with a matching crocheted pillow. I’m now about to finish my boyfriend’s blanket in the colors he chose – wine, black and a wool blend of gray. It looks fabulous! I know it doesn’t take much concentration to make this pattern, but it is IDEAL for me! When you vary the colors/pattern of colors, it makes it even better! Thanks for sharing it!

    ~ Grace

  15. Thanks so much – I’m a bit rusty but I believe it’s a 12 stitch repeat so any variation of that number should work well.

  16. How funny! I make an afghan every winter Olympics for the same reason. I’m starting this one now because I had a make a baby afghan a few months back and found the pattern and wanted to try it that badly.

  17. Sherri,

    Thank you sooo much for this pattern! I love how easily it works up. I am time crunched with xmas prezzies for neighbors and this pattern is the perfect solution! I have never made washcloths or dishtowels…any guidelines for a newbie?? Thanks for making my crafting fun!

  19. question….

    i’m new to crocheting, so i was wondering if you do any video tutorials on like youtube of some of your patterns/work. like kathleen in earlier posts i get confused on row 2, and although i’m sure your explanation was very clear to most people i’m just thick-headed! thanks.

  20. Thank you so much for this lovely pattern. Being the olympics, I had to have a project in my lap while I spend hours in front of the TV. I found your pattern and ran for the stash of yarn. My fiance claims I have too much yarn. How silly is that! Anyway, I am working through the stash and this pattern is working up beautifully in a cream worsted weight that I probably bought 15 years ago. I struggled with the ending of the rows just prior to the turn but finally got it. 🙂

  22. Instead of brain dead you should call it addiction blanket, once you start you can not stop.

  23. You’re more than welcome

    I’ve used it for dishcloths, dishtowels, pillow covers and scarves – it is a very versatile pattern.

  24. Hi I wanted to let you know I used this pattern to make some washcloths they came out very fast and very nice. I am using them as gifts.. Hope you don’t mind and Thank you so much for the pattern!

    all i did was chain 48 with a I hook (I crochet tightly) using cotton PNC, Took about 45 minutes a washcloth cause I am a slow crocheter too lol.

    Thanks so much for the pattern its marvelous.

  25. I’m glad that you liked it. Once you’re past the second row you’re on auto-pilot.

  26. This is my new favorite “relaxing” afghan pattern. It looks much more complicated than it is.
    I used some of the new Bernat satin colors and it turned out beautiful. It is an easy afghan to do while watching T.V.
    It would make a beautiful one-piece afghan for anyone!

  30. I stumbled across this while looking for something new to crochet. I love doing this pattern and have been using it for the last 25 years at least. I have done it with baby yarn and chunky yarn and everything in between. I like it because it works up fast and I can watch TV or talk to friends and still crochet. Glad to see so many people like it too. Keep up the good work one and all!!!

  31. I loved this. I taught my little sister and neice how to crochet and this was their first project because it was something simple I could help them with. Again thank you.

  32. O my gosh!! I was just looking for something simple that I would not forget, or lose my place. Thank you so much , I am on my way to my daughter’s for turkey day and we have an eight hour drive. I am set. Thanks and have a happy Thanksgiving to all.

  33. O my gosh!! I was just looking for something simple that I would not forget, or lose my place. Thank you so much , I am on my way to my daughter’s for turkey day and we have an eight hour drive. I am set. Thanks and have a happy Thanksgiving to all.

  34. I really enjoyed making the “brain-dead afghan” I made it in 3 colours with a row of white inbetween looks great I made it when I needed something simple didn’t require too much concentration. Thanks

  35. Looks like a fun one. I like brain dead type things, as I tend to get distracted easily. Will let you know if you like how it turns out.

  37. No worries – I get it all the time

    Thank you for your compliments – I love both of the ghans. Unfortunately the one I did for Damon comes from a leaflet so I can’t share it with you. It does show up on ebay from time to time, but I believe it’s out of print. Just search by the name on the pattern in this post.

    https://stashaholic.com/2006/02/21/baby-boom.aspx

  39. Hi Sherry, I am attempting to do this afghan and also would like to try the ghan for damon. Do you have instructions for that afghan also. I love your work. I haven’t been crocheting that long but love doing it.

  40. I really like this stitch I think it’s freaky I’m currently working on it but I see how it can get a bit boring after a while but I love it the way you did it with the different colors

  41. Hi Tiffany,

    I’m not exactly sure, but I think it was around 5. I tend to keep my colour changes in odd numbered sequences because I think it looks better (principle of design). You can do whatever looks best to you though. You could even change it every row if you want.

    The most important thing is to NOT forget the sc at the end of the row. If you do, eventually your blanket will slope up and you will have a triangle

  43. You’re right…I’m going to do it anyway! Maybe not til the new year since I need to pump out 4 or more blankets between now and Christmas…but it’s on my favourites so I don’t forget about it.

  44. It’s hard to say how long it takes me to finish as I never keep track of that sort of thing. I also work on afghans between other projects, and only have a couple of hours a day to work on any projects. It also depends on how big you make it and what yarn. You could always do it larger and with double strands if you want….

    I’m glad you like it Krista, but it’s kinda like my favourite saying “how long is a piece of string?” It depends on how long the string is to start with!

  45. How long did this take you? I’m like you – I get bored easily so I tend to make afghans that use a Q hook and multiple strands so they work up in 5-10 hours. But I really like this so I think I’ll try it no matter what.

  46. Found a similar pattern to this for a baby blanket. Smaller, ends up only being a 3×3 square, only one color. Never thought about changing colors. Love the way yours turned out. Working on it for my best friend, with burgandy, hunter green, and the cream.

  47. You’re welcome! Believe me, after row 192 you’ll be so brain dead with the pattern that you’ll wonder what the fuss was

    Give me a shout anytime.

  49. Could you give me more details on what’s confusing you? All of the repeats are done in the loop made by the chain three on the previous row. The trick is to make sure you do the sc in the last stitch at the end of the row or your blanket will become a triangle

  50. okay so i got the chain thing and then the 1st row but once i got to the second row i got confused. Im a beginner at this crocheting stuff so if anyone can help me i would greatly appreciate it..

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