It is a common fear among beginners that one missed stitch or a tangled ball of yarn will ruin the entire project. You worry that your tension is off, or that you’ve forgotten a step and the blanket will end up looking lopsided. The Firesong Throw is the perfect antidote to that anxiety. Because this pattern relies on a rhythmic, two-row repeat and utilizes scrap yarn, minor inconsistencies are hidden by the color changes and the texture of the stitch. It is forgiving, substantial, and designed to help you crochet away your worries rather than create new ones.
Maker Notes
There is something deeply therapeutic about working with scrap yarn. The Firesong Throw celebrates the idea of triumph over adversity, much like a phoenix rising from the ashes. By using up those leftover skeins that have been sitting in your stash, you are creating something beautiful from what might otherwise be discarded. I used 11 different colorways for my version, repeating colors to create a cohesive look, but you can also choose to “wing it” and pick your next color entirely at random. The stitch pattern creates a fabric that is warm and substantial—not too airy, not too bulky—making it an ideal lap afghan or cozy throw for chilly evenings.
Project Overview
The Firesong Throw is a scrap crochet afghan that features a unique combination of double crochets, chains, and spike stitches. Unlike traditional lace stitches that leave large holes, this pattern creates a dense, warm fabric. A chain space is created in one row, and the following row uses a double crochet spike stitch to dip down and fill that void. This structure makes the blanket sturdy and perfect for using up small amounts of worsted weight yarn.
Materials
- Crochet Hook: US H 8/5.00 mm (The author recommends these as a favorite hook for this project).
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn. The pattern is adjustable for other weights, but consistency is key. Use all one type of yarn weight throughout. The author used 11 colorways of scrap yarn. Note that each stripe uses approximately 19-21 grams of worsted weight yarn.
- Notions: Tapestry needle and scissors.
Gauge and Finished Size
Gauge is not strictly important for this pattern, as the size can be adjusted by changing the starting chain count. However, with the recommended US H 8/5.00 mm hook and worsted weight yarn, the gauge is approximately 12 double crochet stitches to 4 inches.
The finished size of the author’s lap afghan is 49” wide by 60” tall. You can adjust the width by chaining a multiple of 4 plus 3 additional stitches.
Abbreviations
- ch: chain
- dc: double crochet
- dc-spike-st: double crochet spike stitch (see special stitch note below)
- sp: space
- st: stitch
Special Stitch: dc-spike-st
Work a double crochet into the skipped stitch 2 rows below the current one, drawing the loop up to the height of the working row.
Pattern Notes
- The afghan is worked in stripes, using one color every 2 rows throughout.
- You should use the same weight of yarn throughout the project.
- If you are new to spike stitches or basic chains, refer to standard crochet abbreviation charts and tutorials for getting started.
Pattern Instructions
With first color (Color A): Chain 151 (or a multiple of 4 + 3 more stitches for your preferred width).
Row 1
Work dc in 4th ch from hook, then work dc in each ch across, turn. (149 st)
Row 2
Ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc here and throughout), dc in next 3 st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next 3 st. Repeat from * across until 5 stitches remain, then ch 1, skip next st and dc in next 4 st, changing to next color (Color B) in the last stitch and turn. Fasten off Color A, leaving long strand to weave in.
Row 3
Using Color B, ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), dc in next 3 st, work dc-spike-st (see special stitches), *dc in next 3 st, dc-spike-st. Repeat from * across until 4 stitches remain, then dc in next 4 st, turn.
Row 4
Ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), dc in next st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next 3 st. Repeat from * across until 3 stitches remain, then ch 1, skip next st and dc into next 2 st, changing to next color (Color C) in the last stitch and turn. Fasten off Color B, leaving long strand to weave in.
Row 5
Using Color C, ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), dc in next st, work dc-spike-st, *dc in next 3 st, dc-spike-st. Repeat from * across until 2 stitches remain, then dc in next 2 st, turn.
Row 6
Ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), dc in next 3 st, *ch 1, skip next st, dc in next 3 st. Repeat from * across until 5 stitches remain, then ch 1, skip next st and dc in next 4 st, changing to next color in the last stitch and turn. Fasten off Color C, leaving long strand to weave in.
Repeat Rows 3-6
Continue repeating Rows 3-6, changing colors every 2 rows, until the afghan is 1 row short of your desired length. Ensure you end on Row 3 or 5 (a spike stitch row).
Final Row
Ch 3 (counts as 1 st dc), dc across the row, working a dc into every stitch. Fasten off, leaving a long strand to weave in.
Assembly
The author did not work a border on this specific afghan to maintain the striped nature of the design. However, you can add a single crochet border if desired. Simply single crochet evenly around the blanket, working 3 sc in each corner. Fasten off and weave in any remaining ends.
Tips
- Adjusting Size: Be sure to make a gauge swatch, adjust your hook size, and do a little math to get the perfect scrap afghan for your needs.
- Weaving in Ends: Because this is a multi-color project, you will have many ends. Weave them in periodically as you go to avoid a massive finishing task at the end. The author suggests holding the yarn ends and working over them initially, then coming back later to weave them in the opposite direction to secure them.
FAQs
Can I use a different yarn weight?
Yes, the pattern is adjustable for other yarn weights. However, it is best to be consistent and use all one type of yarn weight throughout the project. Adjust your hook size to fit your yarn.
How much yarn do I need?
Each stripe (2 rows) uses approximately 19-21 grams of worsted weight yarn. You can estimate your needs based on the number of colors and the size of your scrap skeins.
Do I have to repeat colors?
No. While the author repeated 11 colors, you can choose to completely “wing it” and decide the next color as you go along.
Why does the pattern say gauge is not important?
Because the stitch pattern is a repeat and the size is determined by your starting chain, the exact gauge does not affect the stitch count. You can adjust the hook size to achieve the drape you prefer.
How do I fix a dropped spike stitch?
If you miss a spike stitch, you can use a crochet hook to pull the loop back up through the skipped stitch from two rows below. Refer to the “Special Stitch” section for the correct placement.
For more inspiration on cozy home projects, you might also enjoy exploring easy crochet blanket ideas or checking out homemade pouf ideas for your living space.
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