Last updated on June 24th, 2022 at 01:57 am
Editor’s Update: So many people love this free crochet flag pattern, but there have been lots of questions about making the stars and attaching them to the afghan. Please note that I’ve now added instructions for modified stars, by Nancy Black Padgett, who wanted 50 stars that would fit well on the blue background.
Nancy also generously provided the beautiful photos of her completed American flag afghan for me to share. Hope you like the new additions!
~ Jane Lake, Editor of AllFreeCrafts.com
Crochet an American Flag Afghan or an American Flag Fridgie
contributed by Kathy Wilson of Grandmas Hookery
Here’s a free crochet pattern to make a great heirloom afghan for American patriots.
We also include free bonus instructions to make an American flag fridgie.
- 3 (8 oz) Red Heart Super Saver no. 319 Cherry Red
- 2 (8 oz) Red Heart Super Saver no. 387 Soft Navy
- 3 (8 oz) Red Heart Super Saver no. 311 White
- Size J hook
- Tapestry needle
Note: Flag size is approximately 65″ long x 46″ wide
American Flag Afghan –
Free Crochet Instructions:
With Cherry Red ; ch 200 loosely
Row 1 (right side) DC in 4th ch from hook,
dc in each ch across to end- 196 dc
Row 2 ch 3 turn, (1st dc now and throughout) –
Dc in each dc across to end
Row 3-7 Repeat Row 2 (the seven rows should measure approx. 3 – 3 1/2 inches wide)
change to White
Row 8 ch 3, turn dc in each dc across to end.
Row 9 ch 3, turn dc in each dc across to end.
Row 10-14 Repeat Row 9
change to Cherry Red
Row 15 ch 3, turn dc in each row across to end.
Rows 16-21 repeat Row 15
change to White
Rows 22-28 Repeat Rows 8-14
change to Cherry Red
Rows 29-35 Repeat Rows 15-21
change to White
Rows 36-42 Repeat Rows 8-14
change to Cherry Red
Row 43 ch 3 turn, dc in each dc until 118 dc of red are done
change to Soft Navy, dc in each (white) dc across to end, 78 dc
Row 44 ch 3 turn, dc in each dc to first dc of Soft Navy, change to Cherry Red, dc in each dc to end.
Rows 45 ch 3, dc in each dc (118dc) to beginning of
Soft Navy, change color dc (78dc) to end.
Rows 46-49 Repeat pattern of Cherry Red and Soft Navy.
Should end in color Soft Navy.
Row 50 ch 3 turn, dc (Soft Navy) change to White – dc in each dc across to end.
Row 51 ch 3 turn, dc in each dc across to Soft Navy
change color dc across to end.
Rows 52-56 Repeat Rows 50-51.
Row 57 ch 3 turn, dc in each dc across to starting of Soft Navy change color to Soft Navy, dc across to end.
Row 58 ch 3 turn, dc in each dc across to end of Soft Navy. Change to Cherry Red dc across to end.
Rows 59-63 Repeat Rows 57-58.
Rows 64-78 Repeat Rows 50-56.
Rows 71-77 Repeat Rows 59-63.
Rows 78-84 Repeat Rows 64-78.
Rows 85-91 Repeat Rows 71-77.
Finish off. Weave all ends.
All stripes should be 7 rows and equal to approx. 3 to 3 1/2 inches wide. I hope these instructions are clear, but after you get going you should be able to see how the pattern goes.
Original Star Pattern:
no. 311 White Yarn
Size G hook or smaller
Make 18, as shown in original small photo.
With white ch 4 , join with sl st. Ch 1, 15 sc in ring, join with sl st.
*Ch6, sl st in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, hdc in next ch, dc in next ch. tr in next st, sk 2 sc, sl st in next sc. repeat from * around-5 points, join with sl st and fasten off, leaving about a 12 inch length to sew the star on.
Sew stars on blue: I made 18 stars with 4 in the first row, centered 3 in next row and so on. You can do all 50 using a smaller hook and placing them 6 in a row for 5 rows and 5 in a row for the 4 rows between them.
Modified Stars
(based on this Star Applique pattern from B. Hooked Crochet.)
Visual learners may also like this Star Applique video (13 minutes) from B. Hooked Crochet. Before viewing, remember that while the method is similar, the star instructions shown below the video are modified for use on the American flag afghan.
50 Crocheted Stars for an American Flag Afghan
by Nancy Black Padgett
Using white yarn and 3.25mm hook:
Round 1: Make Magic Ring. Ch 3 (counts as Dc) and Dc 2 more times in the center of the ring. *Ch 1, Dc 3 times in center of ring. Repeat from * 3 more times. Join with Slst to the 3rd chain. (15 Dc). Pull magic ring tail to close up the hole in the middle.
Round 2: *Ch 6. Sc in 2nd chain from hook, Hdc in 3rd chain, Dc in 4th chain, Tc in the 5th and 6th chains. Slst to the next ch 2 gap space. Repeat from * 4 more times.
Make 50 stars, leaving each one with a tail long enough so that you can sew the stars onto your afghan.
FLAG FRIDGIE (No picture)
Row 1: With red ch 12, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across, drop red;
with white ch 1, turn: 11 sc. Note: Carry color not being used across row.
Row 2: Sc in each sc across, drop white; with red ch1, turn.
Row 3: Sc in each sc across, drop red; with white ch 1, turn.
Row 4: Sc in each sc across, drop white; with red ch1, turn.
Row 5: Sc in first 6 sc, drop red; with blue sc in last 5 sc (do not carry red or white across blue); ch 1, turn.
Row 6: Sc in first 5 sc, drop blue; with white sc in last 6 sc,
drop white; with red ch 1, turn.
Row 7: Sc in first 6 sc; cut red and white, with blue
(working over ends) sc in last 5 sc; finish off.
Add french knots or small white pom-poms for stars.
Attach pipe cleaner for flag pole.
You May Also Like:
Free Vintage Betsy Ross American Flag Crochet Pattern, in Knit Cro-Sheen or Crochet No. 10 thread.
Nathan says
Just finished this blanket but the blue seems to be more of an upright rectangle, It just doesn’t look right to me.
Jane Lake says
I’m sorry to hear that, Nathan. But I’m not quite sure what you mean by upright. Is the blue rectangle too high? Is it possible that you added extra rows?
Tammy (MOM) says
I set them in place with a crochet pin first. Just to make sure they would all fit and see how it would look. One at a time I would sow them on. Making sure my points where going in the same direction. Or as close as I could . Mine didn’t turn out perfect but I’m pleased with the outcome. It’s hard to get them in the exact same position but not impossible.
Jane says
Your suggestion of placing the stars with a crochet pin is excellent, Tammy. I’m sure this will be helpful to others as they finish their flag with the stars.
jean Leonard says
80 Oz of white?????
Cindy Propst says
It should be 8 oz. like the others.
Jane Lake says
Of course, you are right, Cindy and I’m sorry about the typo. It has been corrected.
Tonya says
I have completed the flag and am currently making the 50 stars. I am concerned about the star staying in place while I see them. Any suggestions on the best way to put the stars in place?
Jane Lake says
Tonya, I confess that I don’t quite understand what you mean about them staying in place. You might find the answer if you check through the comments – there have been quite a few different suggestions and creative approaches to this. And dozens of completed flags that turned out beautifully. You’ve done an awesome job getting the flag completed and I really hope you can work out a system that works well for you from the suggestions here.
linda says
is row 71-77correct? it goes rows from 59-63, 64=78, (and then 71-77) then 78-84
Carol says
Any help in how to place stars on this blanket need some form of measurement or graph on how to place the stars have started over numerous times. My blur area measures 35 inches down and 40 inches wide and my stars are 3 inches from top to tip. I am NOT good at Math thwnke
Patricia says
On any pattern I want to crochet, I have trouble finding and decideding which yarn to get for the pattern. I get so frustrated sometimes, I guess I need a chart and hope that would help.
Jennifer says
This is a very nice completed project but the pattern is really kind of vague I am having a lot of issues I changed the did the 200 and my length was well over 90 inches I guess I just crochet very loosely I had to start over and do way less chains. Also with crocheting in the fourth chain starting the second row I ended up with well over 198 chains instead of 196 I don’t know how that is even possible I recounted multiple times. Does the chain three at the beginning of a row count as a chain that too was never stated
Karen says
It’s stated in the third row of the pattern
Jane Lake says
Thank you, Karen!
Lily says
Can anyone make a video crocheting the afghan or has a video they can link to me?
Sarah says
Looking for some measurements for reference…what are the dimensions of the whole blanket? Width of 1 stripe? Width of the stars (when doing all 50)? And dimensions of the blue section?
Carol Johnson says
I have made this Afghan but I should have ask earlier but didn’t see this comment area until now. When I dropped the yarn to do the blue then picked it back up to finish with red and white my line is not straight and it droops a little what can I do to correct it next time Thank you
Portia Roberson says
I’m making this flag blanket now. I love this pattern. Only thing would like to no how to make the blanket bigger. I no how to make it longer. But don’t no how to add the blue to a bigger blanket. Do you have a pattern for a bigger one I need it about 1 inch longer to fit my couch. Thanks portia
Nancy says
I am making this Afghan. Do you drop the yarn each time you switch from red to blue or white to blue?