Desert Dawn Mitered Crochet Square Free Pattern

Introduction

The Desert Dawn Mitered Square is a soft, boho-inspired 6-inch afghan block that looks far more intricate than it really is. Worked corner-to-corner in plain single crochet, it grows in denim blue, then shrinks back down in cream, so the two colors meet along a clean diagonal line. It is perfect for beginners who want a satisfying, quick project, and for anyone building a blanket block by block. The fabric is dense and even, with a simple cream border that frames the two-tone split beautifully. Make one as a coaster or washcloth, or make a stack and join them into something bigger.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic yarn, approximately 30 yards total: 15 yards denim blue and 15 yards cream.
• Hook: 6.0 mm (J/10) crochet hook.
• Notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, scissors, and a stitch marker (optional, for marking the first stitch of the border round).
• Finished size: 6 inches x 6 inches (15 cm x 15 cm).

Abbreviations

• ch – chain: make a loop of yarn and pull it through the loop on your hook.
• sc – single crochet: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through both loops.
• sc2tog – single crochet two together: insert hook into first stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through all three loops. This decreases by one stitch.
• sl st – slip stitch: insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook.
• sts – stitches.
• Rnd – round: a row worked in a continuous loop around the edge.

Gauge

14 stitches and 16 rows = 4 inches in single crochet. To check, crochet a small swatch in single crochet and measure a 4-inch section; if you have more stitches than 14, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

• Count your stitches at the end of every row. The blue half grows by exactly one stitch per row and the cream half shrinks by exactly one, so a single missed stitch will throw off the diagonal.
• Always work the turning chain as a chain 1 only, and do not count it as a stitch. Your first single crochet goes into the first stitch of the row.
• Change to cream at the end of Row 21 by pulling the new color through on the final yarn over, so the color change sits neatly at the edge.
• Keep your tension relaxed and even; tight single crochet makes the square pull in and finish smaller than 6 inches.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square (worked corner-to-corner in mitered rows)

Work the first half in denim blue, increasing one stitch per row, then switch to cream and decrease one stitch per row.

Setup: With denim blue, ch 2.

Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook (3 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, sc in next sc, 2 sc in last sc (4 sc).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc across, 2 sc in last sc (5 sc).

Rows 4-21: Repeat Row 3 until you have 22 sc (22 sc).

Color change: Change to cream.

Rows 22-42: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each sc across (21 sc, decreasing by 1 each row; you will end Row 42 with 1 sc).

Row 43: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in each sc across (2 sc).

Row 44: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog (1 sc). Fasten off.

Border

With right side facing, join cream with a sl st in any corner.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc evenly around, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Assembly and Finishing

This square is complete on its own, so no seaming is needed unless you are joining it to other blocks. Weave in all ends on the wrong side with your tapestry needle, running each tail through several stitches in two directions so it stays secure. Block the square by misting it lightly with water, pinning it to exactly 6 inches x 6 inches on a blocking mat, and letting it dry fully; this opens up the stitches and sharpens the diagonal color line. If you are making a blanket, block all squares to the same size before joining so the seams lie flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the colors for any two shades you love, such as sage and oatmeal or charcoal and mustard, to change the mood of the block.
• Work the border in the denim blue instead of cream for a bolder frame, or add a second border round in half double crochet for a slightly larger square.
• Use cotton yarn and a slightly smaller hook to turn the square into a sturdy coaster or washcloth.