Celtic Afghan Square

The Celtic Afghan Square is Block 10 in the 2025 Moogly CAL! Thank you Tamara Kelly of the mooglyblog.com for the invitation to participate again this year! The Celtic Afghan Square is made with basic crochet stitches and Red Heart Super Saver Yarn. I decided to try something new this year and have the center of the square be on the diagonal. I LOVE how it looks and am pleased to say that it is easy to turn the diamond shape into a square with some strategically placed rounds and rows of simple crochet stitches. 🙂

Plus, I have made a step-by-step video tutorial (click here to watch the tutorial) to help you with each step of this project including making the cords, weaving the cords together and edging the knot. And for the first time ever there is now a Left-Hander Version of the step-by-step video tutorial! (Click here to see the Left-Hander version)

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Celtic Knot of the crochet square made in 3 different colors on a white wooden background

The Celtic Knot in the Celtic Afghan Square

If you’ve participated in the Moogly CAL (Click here to read all about how the Crochet-a-long works) before than you know that I have designed 4 other Celtic Knot crochet squares: in 2021 (The Celtic Knot Square), in 2022 (The Celtic Woven Square), in 2023 (The Celtic Blanket Square) and in 2024 (The Celtic Crochet Square) – This one is a very different design than the other 4 in that it is on the diagonal but not to worry! If you have made the other four, then you will do just fine. If this is your first attempt at a Celtic Knot square design of mine, then I recommend first trying the Celtic Knot Square from 2021 here to get the hang of how these work.

Ad-FREE Printable Pattern PDF Now Available!

Click here or on the image above to purchase the ad-free pattern PDF in my Etsy Shop. You’ll be able to download the file and print it immediately so you can work looking at paper! Plus, all video links are provided as QR codes so you can scan with your phone while you work from the pattern – the easy and quick way to see the video tutorials!

Celtic Knot Diagrams – for Righties AND Lefties!

The Celtic Knot Diagrams for this Celtic Crochet Square are available in Right-Hand AND Left-Hand versions! There are not many differences between the 2 types of diagrams but since Left-Handers crochet in the opposite direction of Right-Handers, this can make following diagrams a little tricky. So, now you do not need to try to reverse the diagram in your head and get all confused – I’ve done the “flipping” for you. I hope this helps everyone be successful with weaving the knot. You’ll see a place to download the diagram in the supply list below.

Step-by-Step Video Tutorial for the Celtic Afghan Square:

Are you struggling with how to weave the Celtic Knot? Or do you need help figuring out how to do some of the stitches? Check out this step-by-step video tutorial (click here or on the image below) – you can select any chapter to skip ahead to the part you need help with – just look in the video description to find the chapters:

Remember, the Left-Hander Version can be found here.

Skill Level: Intermediate

(All of the stitches used in this square are basic crochet stitches. The knot weaving is not complicated but has several pieces that may be more challenging for you if this is your first time weaving a Celtic Knot – You could also try the Killarney Hot Pad first to practice a very simple Celtic Knot)

Celtic Afghan Square close up of knot made in shades of orange and green colors around

Measurements:

Completed square = 12″ x 12″

Completed knot = 8 1/2″ across from point to point

Gauge:

7 sc = 2” (for cord); 7 dc = 2” and 3 ½ rows of dc = 2”

Yarn used for the crochet square project with brown crochet hook on a blue wooden background

Supplies for the Celtic Afghan Square:

Click on the supply name to purchase

(Please note this post contains affiliate links which earns this blog a small commission at no extra cost to you – it’s a win-win! Thank you for your support so I can continue to offer free patterns like this one)

Medium Weight Acrylic Yarn – 3 colors (1 skein of each is plenty)

(I used Red Heart Super Saver in Carrot (orange); Red Heart Flower Power in Rosy Disposition (for light orange cord edging); Red Heart Super Saver Tones in Green)

J/6 mm hook

Yarn needle

Cork board (at least 10” square)

30 straight sewing pins

12 stitch markers;

2 Printouts of the Celtic Knot Diagram in color – I recommend 2 so you can have one sitting next to your corkboard to refer to while you weave (the diagram you will be working on top of will get hard to see as you add the cords)

Click here for Right-Handers Diagram

Click here for Left-Handers Diagram

(Don’t worry if your diagrams print out with one of the points cut-off – the diagram still has enough details to help you weave the knot)

Get Access:

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Special Stitches and Abbreviations:

Back bar of the Chain = When looking at the right side of a chain, you see many “V’s” and the chain looks like a braid. Turn the chain over and you see a series of bumps – it is in these bumps that you will work across the chain to produce a cord with even edges along both sides

Click here to watch a short video tutorial on this technique

Join with sc (join with single crochet) = With slip knot on hook, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook

Click here to watch a short video tutorial on this technique

Sc (single crochet) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, YO, pull through 2 loops on hook

Back Loop Only = Insert hook only into the back loop at the top of the stitch

Click here to watch a short video tutorial of this technique

Join with sl st (join with slip stitch) = With slip knot on hk, insert hk into st; YO, pull through st and through lp on hk

Sl st (slip stitch) = Insert hook into stitch, YO, pull through stitch and loop on hook

2-st-tr (2 stitch treble crochet) = YO twice, insert hook into next stitch and into stitch after that (as indicated in pattern); YO, draw up a loop; (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) 3 times

(For this pattern you will insert your hook into a stitch on one cord and then into a stitch on the next cord)

Dc2tog (double crochet 2 together) = (YO, insert hook into next stitch; YO, draw up a loop; YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice; YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Dc (double crochet) = YO, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) twice

Hdc (half double crochet) = YO, insert hook into stitch; YO, draw up a loop; YO, pull through all 3 loops on hook

Tr (treble crochet) = YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, draw up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops on hook) three times

YO = yarn over

Hk = hook

Ch = chain

Lp = loop

Sp = space

Sk = skip

Notes:

First 3 cords are crocheted and then woven into the decorative knot

Then stitches are added around the edge of the completed knot to make the square shape

Instructions for the Celtic Afghan Square by Jennifer E Ryan:

Special stitches are written in bold and italicized text and defined above

Stitches are written in a list format so easier to keep your place in pattern

The cord colors in these instruction photos are different than what is written to help with the weaving step later

Both completed Cord 1 made in shades of orange

Cord 1 (Shorter Cord) – Make 2:

Approximately 11″ long x 1″ wide

With Carrot ch 37

Row 1:

Working in the back bar of the chain, sc in 2^nd ch and in next ch;

2 sc in next ch;

Sc in next ch;

2 sc in next ch;

Sc in each of next 15 chs;

2 sc in next ch;

Sc in next ch;

2 sc in next ch;

Sc in each of next 13 chs. Fasten off.

Row 2:

With Right Side facing join with sc in 1^st st;

Sc in next st;

2 sc in next st;

Sc in next st;

(sc, ch 2, sc) in next st;

Sc in next st;

2 sc in next st;

Sc in each of next 15 sts;

2 sc in next st;

Sc in next st;

(sc, ch 2, sc) in next st;

Sc in next st;

2 sc in next st;

Sc in each of next 13 sts. Fasten off.

Cord 1 Edging:

Wind off Flower Power yarn until get to lightest orange color and put slip knot on hook

Working in the back loop only sl st in each st along both edges of cord except:

At ch-2 sps: sl st in 1^st ch, ch 1, sl st in next ch

At inside of curves: sk 1 st

Completed Cord 2 in green with dark gray edging on a cork background

Here is Cord 2 completed

Cord 2 (Longer Cord):

Approximately 30″ long x 1″ wide

For this cord you will be marking several stitches with stitch markers all highlighted in blue

With Carrot ch 93

Here is Row 1 of Cord 2 completed with all stitch markers

Row 1:

Working in the back bar of the chain sc in 2^nd ch from hk and in each of next 4 chs;

Beginning of Cord 2 completed on a white background with hook and stitch markers

Here is the first repeat of the stitches

[2 sc in next ch (mark 1st sc with stitch marker);

Sc in next ch (mark with stitch marker);

2 sc in next ch (mark 2^nd sc with stitch marker);

Sc in each of next 20 chs] 3 times;

2 sc in next ch (mark 1^st sc with a stitch marker);

Sc in next ch (mark with a stitch marker);

2 sc in next ch (mark 2^nd sc with a stitch marker);

Sc in each of next 15 chs. Fasten off.

Row 2 completed

Row 2:

With Carrot join with sc in 1^st;

Sc in each of next 4 sts;

[2 sc in next st (marked with st marker); sc in next st;

(sc, ch 2, sc) in next st (marked with st marker);

Sc in next st;

2 sc in next st (marked with st marker);

Sc in each st across to next set of 3 stitch markers] across; After last set of stitch markers, sc in each of last 15 sts. Fasten off.

Cord 2 Edging:

Work same as for Cord 1 Edging except inside of curve:

Sk st inside curve (as did for Cord 1 edging), sl st in next st, sk next st

Weaving supplies on a white wooden background: completed cords, pins, diagram and corkboard

Weaving The Celtic Knot:

**Remember you can watch the video tutorial to get help on weaving the knot and adding the edging – click here to see the tutorial**

**And you can see the Left-Hander tutorial here**

Place color printout of Celtic Knot Diagram on corkboard (You can download the diagram in the Supply List above)

There are 2 versions of the diagram – one for Right -Handers and one for Left-Handers – make sure to print out the correct one!

We will be weaving the green path first, then the orange and then the white

Place beginning of Cord 2 on black square on green path and pin in place

Lay Cord 2 along the green path following the arrows making sure to correctly pass over the cord after all of the corner points

Place beginning of one of the Cord 1 on the black asterisk on the orange path

Lay Cord 1 along the orange path in the direction of the arrows making sure to correctly pass over and under the other cords

Adding the other cord 1 to the knot weaving

Place beginning of the other Cord 1 on the black circle on the white path

Completed Celtic KNot made in 3 colors - green, orange and light orange - for the Celtic Afghan Square

Lay this Cord 1 along the white path in the direction of the arrows making sure to correctly pass over and under the other cords – this cord with have several alternating over and under passes!

Pin across all places where cord ends begin and end

Close up showing how to sew the cord ends together

Remove knot from board and turn over so Wrong Side facing

With yarn needle and yarn tails sew cord ends together I recommend waiting to weave in all the ends until later – this way you have some movement in the knot which you might need when adding stitches around the outside edge in the next step

Celtic Knot Edging:

First you will work 2 rounds around entire woven knot

Then you will add stitches at each corner to make 4 triangles that will combine to make the total square shape

If you have loose tension, you may want to go down 1 or 2 sizes in your hook so your square does not come out too large – you can always add 1-3 rounds of sc, hdc, or dc stitches to make it bigger after the square shape is made but you can’t take away rows easily later in this edging process

Completed Round 1

Round 1:

Close up photo showing where to insert hook behind the sl st edging of cords

Here are the loops where you will work the edging stitches around the completed knot

With Green and working in the loop behind the sl st edging (see photo above), join with sc behind ch-1 sp at a corner point;

Continuing to work in loops behind the sl st edging,

*sc in each of next 3 sts;

Hdc in next st;

Dc in next st;

2 st-tr in next st and next st in adjacent st in on next loop;

Dc in next st;

Hdc in each of next 2 sts;

Sc in next st;

Sc in next st behind next ch-1 sp at next point;

Sc in next st;

Hdc in each of next 2 sts;

Dc in next st;

2 st-tr in next st and in adjacent st on next loop;

Dc in next st;

Hdc in next st;

Sc in each of next 3 sts;

Sc in next st behind next ch-1 sp at next point at next corner;

Ch 1, sc in same st; *

Repeat * to * around ending with sl st in 1^st sc of round. (Each side will have 23 sts in between the ch-1 sps)

Round 2:

Ch 3; *dc in each st across up to ch-1 sp; ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1;*; Repeat * to * around ending with sl st in top of starting ch-3. Fasten off. (23 dcs each side with a (ch 1, dc, ch 1) at all corners)

Triangles to Make the Square Shape:

Triangle 1 completed in orange yarn to begin to turn the diagonal square into a larger square on a white wooden background

Row 1:

Close up showing where to start triangle stitching

With Right Side facing and with Green join with sc in 1^st ch-1 sp (next to center dc at a corner); dc in each st across; sc in next ch-1 sp; Turn. (25 sts)

Row 2:

Ch 1, sk 1^st st, dc2tog, dc across to last 5 sts; dc2tog; leave remaining sts unworked. Turn.(19 sts)

Row 3:

Ch 1, sk 1^st st, dc2tog; dc across to last 4 sts; dc2tog; leave remaining sts unworked. Turn.(14 sts)

Row 4:

Ch 1, sk 1st st; dc2tog; dc across to last 3 sts; dc2tog; leave last sts unworked. Turn. (10 sts)

Row 5:

Ch 1, sk 1^st st, dc2tog, dc across to last 2 sts; dc2tog. Turn.(7 sts)

Row 6:

Ch 1, sk 1^st st, dc2tog, dc in next st, dc2tog; Leave remaining sts unworked. Fasten off. (3 sts)

**Note: The last st of each triangle is the corner**

Repeat Triangle 1 for the remaining triangles 3 more times to complete the square shape

Close up showing gap between triangle ends that need to sew up

With yarn needle and yarn tails sew closed the gap between edges of triangles in the center of each side (photo above)

All triangles completed around knot in 4 different colors - dark orange, light orange, green and dark gray on a white wooden surface

Last Row of Edging (Around Square):

Note: This is a good time to measure your square and if you are almost at 12” x 12” then the last round of edging of sc should be fine but if you need more height consider doing a taller stitch: hdc or dc. If you need less height, just do a sl st edging around.

Join with sc in any st (not at a corner); sc in each st around adding a ch-1 at each corner and making sure sc are evenly spaced across each side; join with sl st to 1^st st and fasten off.

Weave in all ends and wet block to finish

Finishing of the Celtic Crochet Square:

Weave in all ends on Wrong Side of square – Sew more of knot cords together at crossings to secure

Can use yarn tails to sew together any gaps between the stitches especially in Round 1 of Knot Edging

Blocking:

Wet square with cold water so soaked through

Press out excess water with a clean towel

Lay out square on dry towel and flat surface pulling out spaces and stitches so lay flat and evenly;

Optional: Place corkboard under towel and pin square taut at corners and along sides to the 12” measurement

Let dry completely

Celtic Afghan Square completed on a white wooden surface made in 4 colors: dark orange, light orange, green, white and dark gray

Your Celtic Afghan Square is Complete!

Tada! Your Celtic Afghan Square is complete! I hope all of the photos, diagrams and videos helped you be successful – if you have any questions, please leave a comment below or send me an email. I am happy to help!

Remember, you can purchase an ad-free pattern PDF in my Etsy Shop here – thank you for your support!

You can find more Celtic Knot patterns here!

And you can see ALL of my FREE crochet patterns on this page here.

Don’t forget to pin the image below so you remember where you found this Celtic Afghan Square pattern!

And here is the link to the full step-by-step video tutorial for you – Celtic Afghan Square Video Tutorial.

Thank you for visiting – Happy crocheting!

Jennifer

Long image for pinterest boards of both versions of the Celtic AFghan Square on a blue background

Copyright – Jennifer E Ryan- www.celticknotcrochet.com- all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher but please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.

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