Havana Afghan

Pattern by

Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar

Please tag your project #havanaafghan & #havanacal

@tinnahekl on Instagram / tinnahekl@gmail.com
Tinna’s crochet club on FB / Tinna@thorudottir – artist page on FB
©Tinna ÞÞ 2016
2nd edition 2018
Yarn: you can use any yarn you like using other weight of yarn, use a
for this blanket, but I recommend hook that is compatible with the yarn
worsted weight yarn that fits hook you are using and a hook that is 0.5
no. 5 mm, like the one I used for my mm smaller for the border.
Havana afghans.
Gauge: 18 stitches and 17 rows = 10
For the size given here you will need cm, using crochet hook no. 5 mm.
approximately 400 m of worsted
Size: The afghan is approximately
weight yarn for each of the 7 section,
140 cm x 110 cm large, without the
200 m in color A and 200 m in color
border, using the recommended
B. Total of 2.800 m for the blanket
yarn weight. Then add 8 cm on each
itself.
side for the small border or 15 cm for
For the full double border add the the full border.
following: 1.900 m in color A (main
Note that it is very easy to make any
color) and 450 m in color B (accent
size of blanket you want with this
color). For the small double border
pattern, and\or change the type of
add the following: 1.000 m in color A
yarn you use. The afghan is
and 200 m in color B.
composed of 7 mosaic patterns and
Crochet hook: no. 5 mm for the each pattern has the same repetition
blanket and no. 4,5 for the border. If of 12 stitches and 12 rounds. Since
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the repetition is always 12 stitches, in 2015. It was then published in my
you can just cast on a multiple of 12, third crochet pattern book, Havana
until you get the width you desire, Heklbók, (only available in Icelandic)
and then add 3 stitches to that for in 2016.
your cast on. The repetition on the
length is also 12 rows, so it´s easy to
control that as well.
For a baby blanket version, I
recommend finer yarn, fewer
repetitions and the small border.

Abbreviations (US terms):

ST = stitch I first came to know this technique
SS = slip stitch through the lovely Apache Tears
blanket, and when I started playing
CH = chain stitch around with it, my Havana Afghan
SC = single crochet came to light. At the time I was living
in Havana (like I am now) and I
DC = double crochet
wanted to make a big piece inspired
IMPORTANT: when working my by this uniquely colorful and
patterns, always assume the next beautiful city. When walking the
stitch will go in the next available streets of Havana, it’s inevitable to
stitch unless told otherwise. For be inspired by the multitude of
example, if it says: work 5 SC, then patterns and colors that meet your
you work 1 SC into each of the next 5 eyes everywhere you look! As a
ST. On the other hand, if you are
Nordic, I am not used to this in my
supposed to skip a stitch or work
surroundings (we tend to be a bit
many stitches into the same ST/CH
more organized up there!) so what
SP, then that is always specified.
always astounds me is how all the
Introduction different and mismatching tiles,
colors and patterns then all come
The Havana Afghan is worked with
together and make a beautiful
the wonderful mosaic crochet
colorful whole. And that was the
technique, and it’s the first pattern I
inspiration for my Havana Afghan, a
ever wrote using this technique, back

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lot of different colors and patterns, recommend always using contrasting
that then come together as a whole. colors for A and B, that way the
patterns pop more.
As a result, my afghan has 7 different
mosaic patterns, which are all simple Colorworks
variations of the original Apache
Tears. And as an homage to the
original, that introduced me to this
technique, it both starts and ends
with the original Apache Tears
pattern.
The fact that this was my first mosaic
crochet pattern makes it a very good
introduction project to this
technique for those of you who are
trying it for the first time. It really is
the most wonderfully fun technique This pattern really offers a great
to learn, and the best part is that many color possibilities! The afghan
while it looks quite complicated, it has 7 different mosaic patterns so
really isn’t! there are so many variations you can
go with. In the original I used 2 colors
General instructions for each pattern and then changed
The blanket is all worked from the both colors with each new pattern,
front side, from right to left, so at the see photo on previous page.
end of each round you break off the It also gives a beautiful result to work
yarn. Therefore, there are lots of the afghan with one main color (A)
ends, but no worries they will be and then alternate color B with each
hidden in the double border of the new pattern. Or even use up scraps
afghan, so you don´t have to weave for color B and let that one fade or
them all in! The blanket is striped the change according to what you have
whole way through and each round at hand in your stash.
is worked with only one color at a
time. Work one round in color A and Finally, in my Big Multicolor Havana
then one round in color B, Afghan I worked it all with scraps, so
alternating with each round. I I had to get a bit creative. There I
started with color A as a dark navy
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blue and then just let it do a color your hook from below in the front
fade into lighter blue, greenish blue loop of the corresponding stitch and
etc., according to the colors I had in then work a normal DC in that stitch.
my stash basket. I started color B See the illustration below.
with a bright red and let that one
fade into darker red, then purple
etc., always bearing in mind that
there was a good contrast between
colors A and B at any given time.
If you want to use your stash for this
project, I explain how to work the This way you get this unique mosaic
afghan with scraps using the double pattern. Because the mosaic pattern
color fade technique in my YouTube is worked this way, always from the
video: Havana CAL – Introduction front side, the pattern only appears
and color technique. on front side of the afghan, and the
back side is striped.
Mosaic crochet technique
Border stitch at the beginning of
The afghan is crocheted with the round = pull the yarn through both
mosaic crochet technique, so all: loops of the first SC of the round,
fasten it with 1 CH, work 1 SC into
Single crochet stitches are worked in
booth loops of the same first SC of
the back loop of a stitch.
the round.
Double crochet stitches are worked
Border stitch at the end of round =
in the front loop of a stitch in the work 1 SC into both loops of the last
round below the one you would SC of the round, CH 1 and pull the
normally crochet into. That is, in the yarn all the way through, tightly.
corresponding stitch right below the Note that you will not work any
stitch you would normally crochet stitches into this last chain at the end
into, one round down. For example, of next round, it is only made to
the double crochet stitches in round better fasten the yarn before
4 are worked into stitches from breaking it off.
round 2, DC stitches in round 5 are
worked into stitches in round 3, etc.
When working the double crochet
stitches, you just yarn over and insert

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Instructions for charts of round (see detailed description on
previous page). In this column you
In the charts each box represents
can also see which color to use in
one stitch, except for the first and
each round. Although the pattern is
the last column.
colored in the chart, remember that
If the box is empty you work a SC each round is worked with a single
there, if there is an X in the box you color.
work a DC there.
Next part is the pattern, the part of
Bear in mind that although the the pattern that is repeated is
pattern is colored into the chart, defined by thicker lines.
remember that each round is
In the first column from the left is a
worked with a single color. In each
letter showing which color you use in
row you just focus on the fact if there
each round, A or B. This column does
is an X or not in each box.
not count as stitches, it´s only for
In the first column from the right is showing the color of the round.
a number showing which round it is.
In the second column from the left is
This column does not count as
the border stitch at the end of round
stitches, it´s only for showing the
(see detailed description on previous
number of the round.
page), again you can also see which
In the second column from the right color to use for each round in this
is the border stitch at the beginning column.

Symbols for charts

= SC ↖ = border stitch at the beginning of round

X = DC ↗ = border stitch at the end of round

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Havana Afghan the border stitches at the beginning
and end of each round, they do not
form a part of the mosaic pattern
itself and are worked into both
loops of the stitch to give the border
a better finish.
Row. 2. Work with color B, here and
in all the even numbered rounds:
start this round and all rounds from
here on, with the border stitch at the
beginning of round, like this: pull the
yarn through both loops of the first
SC of the round, fasten it with 1 CH,
work 1 SC into both loops of the
same first SC of the round. Now work
1 SC into the back loop of each stitch
Cast on 183 chains with color A.
of the round, until there is just 1 ST
Or a multiplication of 12 stitches and left, then work the border stitch at
then add 3 stitches to that. the end of round, here and at the end
of each round, like this: work 1 SC
Row. 1. Work with color A, in this into both loops of the last SC of the
round and each round that are odd round, CH 1, break the yarn and pull
number rounds: 1 SC in the second the end all the way through, tightly.
chain from the hook, work 1 SC into Note that you will not work any
each stitch of this round. There are stitches into this last chain at the end
182 stitches in this and every round of next round, it is only made to
of the blanket. better fasten the yarn before
breaking it off.
Break the yarn, here and at the end
of each round. Then always start In the next round, we start working
next round again from the beginning the double crochet stitches,
of last round, from the right. remember that all DC are worked
into the front loop of the stitch two
Note: Remember now and always rounds below. For example, the
when working this pattern that all double crochet stitches in round 3
the SC stitches are worked in the are worked into stitches in round 1,
back loop of a stitch. The only the DC in round 4 are worked into
exception to this is when you work round 2, etc.
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Pattern one Row. 8. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 6 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 9. Work border stitch, [6, 1 DC,
5 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 10. Work border stitch, [7 SC, 1
DC, 4 SC] x15, work border stitch.
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [1 DC, 11 Row. 11. Work border stitch, [8 SC, 1
SC] x 15, work border stitch. DC, 3 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 4. Work border stitch, [1 SC, 1 Row. 12. Work border stitch, [9 SC, 1
DC, 10 SC] x 15, work border stitch. DC, 2] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 5. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1 Row. 13. Work border stitch, [10 SC,
DC, 9 SC] x 15, work border stitch. 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 6. Work border stitch, [3 SC, 1 Row. 14. Work border stitch, [11 SC,
DC, 8 SC] x 15, work border stitch. 1 DC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 7. Work border stitch, 4 SC, 1 Repeat rows 3.-14. twice more for
DC, 7 SC] x 15, work border stitch. this section, for a total of 38 rows.

B ↗ X X ↖ 14
A ↗ X X ↖ 13
B ↗ X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X ↖ 3
B ↗ ↖ 2
A ↗ ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern

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Pattern two Row. 5. Work border stitch, [4 SC, 1
DC, 3 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC] x 15, work
border stitch.
Row. 6. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 4 SC] x 15, work
border stitch.
Row. 7. Work border stitch, [6 SC, 1
Row. 1. Work border stitch, [1 DC, 11
SC] x 15, work border stitch. DC, 5 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 8. Repeat row 6.
Row. 2. Work border stitch, [1 SC,
1 DC, 9 SC, 1 DC] x 15, work border Row. 9. Repeat row 5.
stitch.
Row. 10. Repeat row 4
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1
Row. 11. Repeat round 3
DC, 7 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, work
border stitch. Row. 12. Repeat round 2.

Row. 4. Work border stitch, [3 SC, 1 Repeat rows 1.-12. twice more for
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 2 SC] x 15, work this section, for a total of 36 rows in
border stitch. this pattern.

B ↗ X X X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 3
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 2
A ↗ X X ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern

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Pattern three Row. 7. Work border stitch, [6 SC, 1
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC] x 15, border
stitch.
Row. 8. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 4 SC] x 15, border
stitch.
Row. 9. Work border stitch, [4 SC, 1
Row. 1. Work border stitch, [1 DC, 1
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 5 SC] x 15, border
SC, 1 DC, 9 SC] x 15, border stitch.
stitch.
Row. 2. Work border stitch, [1 SC,
Row. 10. Work border stitch, [3 SC, 1
1 DC, 9 SC, 1 DC] x 15, border stitch.
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 6 SC] x 15, border
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [1 DC, stitch.
9 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, border stitch.
Row. 11. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1
Row. 4. Work border stitch, [9 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 7 SC] x 15, border
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC] x 15, border stitch. stitch.
Row. 5. Work border stitch, [8, 1 DC, Row. 12. Work border stitch, [1 SC,
1 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, border stitch. 1 DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 8 SC] x 15, border
Row. 6. Work border stitch, [7 SC, 1 stitch.
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 2 SC] x 15, border Repeat rows 1.-12. twice more for
stitch. this section, for a total of 36 rows in
this pattern.

B ↗ X X X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X X X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 3
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 2
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern

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Pattern four Row. 4. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC] x 15, work border
stitch.
Row. 5. Repeat row 3.
Row. 6. Repeat row 2.
Row. 7. Repeat row 1.
Row. 1. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1 Row. 8. Repeat row 2.
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC] x 15, work
border stitch. Row. 9. Repeat row 3.

Row. 2. Work border stitch, [1 SC, Row. 10. Repeat row 4.

1 DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC, 1 Row. 11. Repeat row 3.
DC, 2 SC] x 15, work border stitch.
Row. 12. Repeat row 2.
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [1 DC,
Repeat rows 1.-12. twice more for
3 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC, 1 DC, 1
this section, for a total of 36 rows in
SC] x 15, work border stitch.
this pattern.

B ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 3
B ↗ X X X X X X X X ↖ 2
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern

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Pattern five Row. 4. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC] x 15, work border
stitch.
Row. 5. Work border stitch, [1 DC, 5
SC, 1 DC, 5 SC] x 15, work border
stitch.
Row. 6. Work border stitch, [1 SC,
Row. 1. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1
1 DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 4 SC] x 15, work
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC] x 15, work
border stitch.
border stitch.
Rows. 7.-12. Repeat rows 1.-6.
Row. 2. Work border stitch, [3 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 2 SC] x 15, work Repeat rows 1.-12. twice more for
border stitch. this section, for a total of 36 rows in
this pattern.
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [4 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, work
border stitch.

B ↗ X X X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 3
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 2
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern

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Pattern six Row. 4. Work border stitch, [5 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC] x 15, work border
stitch.
Row. 5. Work border stitch, [1 DC, 3
SC, 1 DC, 7 SC] x 15, work border
stitch.
Row. 1. Work border stitch, [2 SC, 1 Row. 6. Work border stitch, [1 SC, 1
DC, 5 SC, 1 DC, 3 SC] x 15, work DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 8 SC] x 15, work
border stitch. border stitch.
Row. 2. Work border stitch, [7 SC, 1 Rows. 7.-12. Repeat rows 1.-6.
DC, 1 SC, 1 DC, 2 SC] x 15, work
Repeat rows 1.-12. twice more for
border stitch.
this section, for a total of 36 rows in
Row. 3. Work border stitch, [6 SC, 1 this pattern.
DC, 3 SC, 1 DC, 1 SC] x 15, work
border stitch.

B ↗ X X X X ↖ 12
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 11
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 10
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 9
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 8
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 7
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 6
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 5
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 4
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 3
B ↗ X X X X ↖ 2
A ↗ X X X X ↖ 1
Repeat this part of the pattern = 12 st

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