The Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan is fun, bold, and a much-requested free crochet pattern on Moogly! Featuring a combo of Bernat Blanket and All-In-One Blanket Granny, it's perfect for showing off your color choices in any size, and a great next step once beginners have the basics down.
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Granny Square Gone Rogue!
For the Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan, I combined standard Bernat Blanket in a solid color, with new Bernat All-In-One Blanket Granny. This yarn is designed to let you crochet 10.5" granny squares in 5 colors, without breaking the yarn. But there's no rule saying you can only use it to make granny squares!
In this pattern I decided to use it as a self-striping yarn, and let the colors land where they may. I think this colorway is particularly lovely - and a little bit Valentines-y too! I quickly became accustomed to the look of the joins, and the unique effect they have where the colors meet. The only time I cut out the color joins was for weaving in the ends - and I do suggest you do the same.
Of course, you can use two solid colors, get an ombre effect with Bernat Blanket Perfect Phasing, or... well, there are so many versions of Bernat Blanket you could get dozens of different looks and combos! You could even make it a stashbuster and use a different color for every section. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!
The Spike Cluster Stitch - At Last!
In the early days of designing - and cellphones - I came up with the Blue Agave Phone Pouch. It too was a reader request! And in the years since, I've had several requests for a blanket featuring this stitch. I would add it to the list, and other things kept pushing it down. But then something about this yarn told me it was time!
This project is perfect for crocheters who can reliably count their stitches and identify where to place the hook. So it's not a first project, but a motivated beginner will be ready soon! Something about this stitch pattern is just so fun, and addicting, you might find that smiling is your new "crochet face!"
Ready to get started? Check the chart below to see what size you want to make, gather your yarn, grab your crochet hook, and let's get stitching!
Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan
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US-L, 8.0 mm hook
Bernat Blanket (6 - Super Bulky; 100% Polyester; 300g/ 10.5 oz, 201 m/220 yds)
Color A: Vintage White
Bernat All-In-One Blanket Granny (6 - Super Bulky; 100% Polyester; 240 g/8.5 oz, 163 m/178 yds)
Color B: Fruit Juice
Gauge: 8 sc x 8 rows = 4 in/ 10 cm
How to Make this Blanket in Any Size
To make a custom size or use a different yarn, the stitch multiple is 6, plus 5.
With the Gauge given above, here is information on how to make this Blanket in a variety of sizes.
Measurements given below exclude any border or edging. The border shown is approx 1.5" wide.
Baby Blanket (shown): 35.5" x 34" - 71 sts x 68 rows - 4 skeins total (2 each color)
Toddler Bed: 41.5" x 60" - 83 sts x 120 rows - 6 skeins
Lapghan: 35.5" x 48" - 71 sts x 96 rows - 4 skeins
Throw: 50.5" x 72" - 101 sts x 144 rows - 8 skeins
Twin: 68.5" x 90" - 137 sts x 180 rows - 11 skeins
Full: 83.5" x 90" - 167 sts x 180 rows - 16 skeins
Queen: 89.5" x 96" - 179 sts x 192 rows - 18 skeins
King: 104.5" x 96" - 209 sts x 192 rows - 21 skeins
Cal King: 101.5" x 102" - 203 sts x 204 rows - 22 skeins
HELPFUL LINKS AND TUTORIALS
Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan Tutorial
FSC - Foundation Single Crochet
STSC - Standing Single Crochet
SPECIAL STITCH:
SPC - Spike Cluster Stitch: To work an SPC, pick up 5 loops and bring them to the height of the current row by inserting the hook as follows: 1) 2 sts to the right of the current stitch and 1 row down; 2) 1 st to the right and 2 rows down; 3) directly below and 3 rows down; 4) 1 st to the left and 2 rows down; 5) 2 sts to the left and 1 row down (yo and pull up a loop in each location, 6 loops on hook). Next, insert hook into the top of the current stitch itself, yo and pull through (7 loops on hook), yo again and carefully pull through all 7 loops. Skip the stitch behind the SPC.
NOTES:
If you prefer to avoid using the FSC stitch, you can instead chain the number of stitches desired, plus 1. Skip the ch closest to the hook and sc across. Contine the pattern with Row 2.
If you prefer to avoid using the STSC stitch, you can instead join with a sl st and ch 1, then sc in the first st.
If your colors are not high contrast, you can try carrying them along the side rather than cutting the yarn at every yarn change.
Spike Cluster Stitch Afghan Instructions:
Row 1: With Color A, FSC number of sts for desired size, per the chart above; turn.
Rows 2 - 4: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 4, break yarn.
BEGIN PATTERN REPEAT
Row 5: With Color B, STSC in the first st, sc in the next 4 sts, *SPC, sc in the next 5 sts; rep from * across, turn.
Rows 6 - 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 8, break yarn.
Row 9: With Color A, STSC in the first st, sc in the next 7 sts, *SPC, sc in the next 5 sts; rep from * across, sc in the last 3 sts, turn.
Rows 10 - 12: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn. After Row 12, break yarn.
END PATTERN REPEAT
Repeat Rows 5 - 12 until desired length is reached, per the chart above; turn for border or break yarn and finish off. Weave in ends.
BORDER SHOWN (Optional)
Border Rnd 1: Ch 1, *sc in each st across, ch 2, sc evenly down the side of the blanket working 1 sc in the side of each row, ch 2; rep from *, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Rnd 2: With Color B, STSC in any st, *sc in each st across, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Rnd 3: With Color A, STSC in any st, *sc in each st across, work (sc, ch 2, sc) in ch-2 sp; rep from * around, break yarn and seamless join to first st of round.
Hungry for More?
Time to dish up your next project? Check out the Moogly Free Patterns Page or Ravelry!
If any Moogly pattern inspires you to make your own project, and you post a photo on social media, be sure to tag me @mooglyblog or #mooglyblog so I can check it out too!
The Fine Print
Follow Moogly on Facebook, X, Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram! Thank you to Yarnspirations for providing the materials shown in this post. Written pattern copyright Tamara Kelly 2025, all rights reserved. Please do not reprint or repost this pattern. Please do link to this page to share this pattern with others.
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Jasmine Quiles says
I'm definitely going to try this in dark colors!
Violeta says
Such a wonderful pattern, this spike cluster stitch afghan looks like a blast to make! I’m featuring your project in a Crafts on Display post tomorrow. I hope you enjoy it, and keep up the amazing work!
https://craftsondisplay.com/crochet/cluster-stitch-afghan-166142/
Tamara Kelly says
Thank you so much!