Retro Zag Afghan
New CAL coming soon beginning September 19, 2025.
Come Crochet Along with JulieAnny as we work through a new design over a period of about nine weeks. Clue will be given as a free Ravelry download updated each Friday at midnight EST during the CAL. I was having problems with my website/blog/newsletter but I think we are back in business so I will update here too if possible.
The Ravelry pattern is here.
Chat and share progress on my Ravelry Chat board and/or Facebook Crochet Along Page. Please make a Ravelry project page, chat, share photos, and help spread the word about my designs.
Retro Zag is a fun floral + graphic design with a Mid-Century Modern feel using familiar relaxing crochet motifs and an easy join. It is not a one-piece design but the pieces fit together perfectly and your finished result will be unique and satisfying. A little similar in feel to one of our previous CALs, Deco’Ghan, but easier.
Check out my previous Mystery Crochet Alongs which have hundreds of finished photos on Ravelry. Now Paid Patterns available on Ravelry, Etsy, and LoveCrafts.
2011: Hexaghan 2012: September Morning
2013: Garden State Afghan 2014: Deco’Ghan
2015: Summer Mosaic Afghan 2016: Sweet Pea Afghan
2017: Midday Mandala 2019: Octa’Ghan
2021: Four Winds Afghan 2023: Bohemian Hexagons
For Retro Zag Afghan, I used a Main Color plus five coordinating shades of mostly green. I am using Loops and Threads Impeccable for the prototype. Impeccable is #4 yarn with 4.5 ounce/127.5g skeins with 285 yards/260 m. If you use dk yarn you can make more motifs with no alteration of the look. You can use any yarn you like and color it however you’d like.
Loops and Threads Impeccable Hook Size H ( 5.0 mm)
MC (Main Color): Aran 4 skeins Color A: Grass 2 skeins
Color B: Deep Forest 2 skeins Color C: Forest 2 skeins
Color D: Sphagnum 2 skeins Color E: Vanna’s Choice Espresso (discontinued) or Red Heart Super Saver Coffee (couldn’t find a deep brown in the Impeccable.) One skein but you can substitute the Deep Forest or any dark or even a bright color. (think center of a flower.)
Abbreviations and Special Stitches
beg – beginning BPC – beginning popcorn Ch – chain dc – double crochet PC – popcorn sl- slip stitch sc – single crochet st – stitch sts – stitches sp – space
Beginning Popcorn: (Ch 3, 4 dc in designated st or sp.) Remove hook from st. Place hook through top of beg ch-3 to back, grab working yarn and pull through.
Popcorn: (5 dc in designated st or sp.) Remove hook from st. Place hook through first of 5 dc to the back, grab working yarn and pull through.
Teaser Clue: Flower Granny Center (You will need a bunch of these. 48 to be exact. 6 each for the first three weeks.)
Round 1: With E, ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring. Ch 3, (dc in ring) 15 times, sl st to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off.(16 dc)
Round 2: Join A with sl st between 2 dc, Beg PC in same sp, [ch 2, sk 2 dc, PC in next sp between dc] 7 times, ch 2, sl st to Beg PC, fasten off. (8 PC, 8 ch-2 sp)
Copyright 2025 Julie Yeager Designs.
See all at my Ravelry or Etsy store. Contact me via e-mail at julieyeagerdesigns @gmail.com
Updated in chat: YAY! Great to see you all joining in. I am still working on the pattern, but just to let you know, it consists of very soothing motifs based on our traditional granny square – so easy and fun, and designed to fit together just right. I am learning quite a bit about granny square construction in squares and in rows, log cabin style, chevron, and continuous join. Just enough repetition to have in your travel bag, and satisfying construction at the end.
