Christmas Afghans Crochet Patterns Free: Easy Striped Christmas Throw — Free Beginner Pattern

If you are looking for a free Christmas afghan pattern that is simple enough for a beginner but still looks festive draped over a sofa or folded at the foot of a bed, this striped throw is a perfect place to start. This is one complete, original pattern — not a roundup — worked entirely in rows of double crochet. There are no complicated stitches, no shaping, and no sewing pieces together. You simply work straight rows, change colour for the stripes, and finish with a neat two-round border. The wide red and forest green stripes, separated by thin cream lines and finished with a gold edge, give a classic Christmas look without needing any colourwork inside the rows. Because every row has the same number of stitches, it is easy to check your work as you go, and easy to put down and pick up again during a busy festive season. Work it in soft, washable worsted-weight yarn and you will have a cosy throw you can use every Christmas — and all winter long.

Materials

Worsted-weight yarn (Category 4, medium), in four colours: A — Cranberry Red: approx. 1,150 yards (1,052 m); B — Cream / Off-White: approx. 550 yards (503 m); C — Forest Green: approx. 1,300 yards (1,189 m), including Border Round 1; D — Gold: approx. 200 yards (183 m), for Border Round 2; Total: approx. 3,200 yards (2,926 m). As a rough guide only, if your yarn comes in approx. 200-yard balls, allow about 6 balls of Red, 3 balls of Cream, 7 balls of Forest Green, and 1 ball of Gold. Hook: 6.0 mm (US J-10). Notions: Yarn / tapestry needle, scissors, measuring tape, stitch markers (optional).

Gauge

12 double crochet stitches and 7 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in double crochet, using a 6.0 mm hook, measured after light blocking. Check gauge: with any colour, chain 20, work in double crochet for 10 rows (17 double crochet stitches in each row), lay flat without stretching, measure centre 4 inches — should count 12 stitches across and 7 rows up.

Finished Size

Body, before border: approx. 50 inches wide x 57 inches long (127 x 145 cm). Finished, after border: approx. 51 inches wide x 58 inches long (132 x 147 cm).

Abbreviations — US Terms

ch — chain; dc — double crochet; sc — single crochet; sl st — slip stitch; st(s) — stitch(es); rep — repeat; RS — right side; WS — wrong side; Colour A — Cranberry Red; Colour B — Cream / Off-White; Colour C — Forest Green; Colour D — Gold. Notes: The beginning ch-3 at the start of Rows 2–100 counts as the first double crochet of that row. Every body row has 150 double crochet stitches, including the beginning ch-3 where applicable. To change colour, work the last double crochet of the old colour until the last yarn-over, then yarn over with the new colour and pull through to complete the stitch.

Pattern — Foundation and First Row

With Colour A (Red), chain 153. Row 1 (RS): Dc in the 4th ch from the hook, dc in each ch across. — 150 dc. Turn.

Stripe Pattern — Rows 2–100

Row 2 onwards: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn, dc in each st across. — 150 dc per row. Work in colour sequence: Repeat 1: Rows 2–8 Colour A (Red) 150 dc per row; Rows 9–10 Colour B (Cream) 150 dc per row; Rows 11–18 Colour C (Green) 150 dc per row; Rows 19–20 Colour B (Cream) 150 dc per row. Repeat 2: Rows 21–28 Red; Rows 29–30 Cream; Rows 31–38 Green; Rows 39–40 Cream. Repeat 3: Rows 41–48 Red; Rows 49–50 Cream; Rows 51–58 Green; Rows 59–60 Cream. Repeat 4: Rows 61–68 Red; Rows 69–70 Cream; Rows 71–78 Green; Rows 79–80 Cream. Repeat 5: Rows 81–88 Red; Rows 89–90 Cream; Rows 91–98 Green; Rows 99–100 Cream. Check totals: 5 repeats x 20 rows = 100 rows. Red 40 rows, Green 40 rows, Cream 20 rows. Every row 150 dc.

Border

Border Round 1 — Colour C (Forest Green): Fasten off Colour B. Join Colour C with a slip stitch in the top-right corner stitch (last stitch of Row 100). Ch 1, work 3 sc in same corner stitch; sc in each of next 148 sts across top edge; work 3 sc in next corner stitch; work 2 sc in each row-end down left side — 200 sc along this side; work 3 sc in next corner stitch; sc in each of next 148 sts across bottom foundation edge; work 3 sc in next corner stitch; work 2 sc in each row-end up right side — 200 sc along this side; join with sl st to first sc. Round 1 total: 708 sc.

Border Round 2 — Colour D (Gold): Ch 1, sc in each sc around, working 3 sc in centre sc of each corner 3-sc group, and 1 sc in every other sc. Join with sl st to first sc. Round 2 total: 716 sc. Fasten off Colour D.

Finishing / Assembly

1. Weave in all ends through back of several stitches of same colour, changing direction once. 2. Check edges lie flat and corners square. 3. Block lightly, if desired, lay flat, gently shape to approx. 51 x 58 inches, lightly steam or dampen per yarn care, allow dry completely flat. 4. Final check: Round 1 should be 708 sc and Round 2 should be 716 sc.

Tips

Mark first stitch with stitch marker; count at end of each stripe; keep colour-change tails about 6 inches; if border ripples check sides (2 sc per row-end); to make longer, add complete 20-row repeats before border (each adds approx. 11–12 inches); to make narrower, chain 123 for 120 dc stitches (approx. 40 inches wide); wash per yarn label.

FAQ

Is this suitable for a complete beginner? Yes, only chain, double crochet, and single crochet for border, straight rows, no shaping. How long will it take? A few weeks of regular evening sessions as a rough guide. Can I use different Christmas colours? Yes, keep same stripe sequence and yarn weight. Do I have to weave in all colour-change ends? Yes, weave as you go after each stripe. Can I make it with different yarn weight? Yes, but finished size and amounts will change, check gauge. Will stripes stay straight? Yes, if stitch count stays at 150 every row and tension even, plus light blocking.