The Super Chunky Striped Shay Afghan is an easy crochet afghan pattern worked in simple single crochet stitches and fun color block stripes. 11 sizes included, and super chunky yarn means it’ll work up fairly quickly.

Video tutorial included.

A friend of mine reached out, and requested a “woodland themed” baby blanket. She sent me some examples of the colors, and from that, I went with the Smokey Green and Dark Gray combination you see. I finished the afghan off with a fun, thick border worked in the back loop only, but you can also work in plain single crochets instead.

Materials:

• 80 (233, 521, 860, 1216, 1980, 1678, 3298, 4687, 5353, 5554) Yards of Super Bulky Yarn – I used Bernat Blanket Yarn in Smokey Green and Dark Gray; Respectively, that’s 216 yards + 305 yards
• M13/9mm Crochet Hook
• Small Crochet Hook for Weaving

Yarn Talk:
I used Bernat Blanket Yarn in Smokey Green and Dark Gray; Respectively, that’s 216 yards + 305 yards.

Bernat Blanket Yarn is a soft and plushy, chenille style yarn made of 100% polyester. I think Lion Brand Cover Story Lazy Days Thick & Quick Yarn would make for a great super chunky yarn crochet blanket as well, though a different texture and stitch definition, being a tubular yarn of knit fabric. It’s also soft, plushy and made of 100% polyester.

Alternatively, you can hold 3-4 strands of your favorite worsted weight yarn together when crocheting and create your own super bulky yarn.

My sample is the newborn size. The rest of the size yardages are estimated based on my sample and listed as Smokey Green; Dark Gray:

• Newborn Photography Layering Blanket: 20; 60
• Newborn Photography Blanket: 92; 141
• Newborn Blanket: 216; 305
• Lapghan: 286; 574
• Toddler/Child: 444; 772
• Throw: 666; 1012
• Twin: 1351; 1947
• Full: 1795; 2384
• Queen: 2017; 2670
• King: 2334; 3019
• California King: 2429; 3125

Time Spent:
This newborn blanket took me just under 4 hours.

Sizes:
Newborn Photography Layering Blanket, Newborn Photography Blanket, Newborn Blanket, Toddler/Child, Lapghan, Throw, Twin, Full, Queen, King and California King

While the newborn photography blanket is sized similarly to preemie blanket guidelines, I do not recommend a blanket made from Bernat Blanket Yarn for a preemie because it is too heavy for them, and they can become overheated easily.

The first two sizes are meant to be newborn photography photo props. Typically, the base is the blanket, and then the layering blanket is laid in a different direction on top, and then baby. Sometimes the newborn size is also used in photography.

Gauge - Not Essential:
8 SC = 3 5/8” Wide by 4 3/8” Tall

Abbreviations (US Terms):

• SC - Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
• BLO - Back Loop Only (Photo Tutorial)

Do you offer free patterns and PDFs?
Yes! Head over to my EyeLoveKnots blog where you’ll find hundreds of free crochet patterns INCLUDING this one. You can view the free crochet only from my blog at any time, or subscribe to my blog to download the free PDF of this pattern via the Free File Library – you’ll find the tab on the top menu. The library is password protected so sign up for my newsletter and you’ll receive a Welcome email containing this month’s password. From the library, you’ll be able to access the PDFs via Google Drive – you do not need to have a Google Drive account to view and download the PDF. I earn my income from the views my blog sees, but if you’d rather not subscribe, I completely understand and appreciate your support here on Ravelry! I also share free crochet patterns at Yarn Crafts & Coffee and Cre8tion Crochet.

About Your Instant Digital Download Purchase:
This is a 15 page PDF containing written instructions and 3 photos - the main one on the first page, and on the last page are two photos: 1) a basic one showing weaving in ends with a crochet hook instead of tapestry needle, 2) locating the back loop.

You WILL NOT be receiving anything via snail mail - just a PDF.

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Copyright 2021 (Updated 2026) - All EyeLoveKnots Patterns, Photos and PDF’s are protected under copyright. They are not to be copied, distributed or sold - doing so is copyright infringement and stealing! DO NOT link to the PDF Download link, rather linking should be done from blog post or shop link. Feel free to use this information to make and sell your own items. Designer credit - Alexandra Richards of EyeLoveKnots - is very much appreciated, but not required. DO NOT use my photos in selling your own products!

Updates:
- 10/25/26: Did not change the written pattern. Added a Yarn Talk section with more notes on yarn suggestions, a Helpful Tool section, the linked photo tutorial for working in the BLO and a Border Notes section. Changed all decimals to fractions.