Crochet Afghan Squares

Parisian Windowpane Crochet Square Free Pattern

ErrorLookupHub: Stitch Fixes, Troubleshooting & Knitter's Guide • November 04, 2026

Introduction

This Parisian Windowpane Crochet Square is a chic, 12-inch afghan block that looks far more complicated than it is. It's written for the advanced beginner who is comfortable with double crochet and ready to try surface crochet for the first time. A cream mesh background is crossed with denim-blue chain lines that form a crisp windowpane check, giving the square a clean, tailored, almost architectural look. The fabric is dense and sturdy in worsted-weight yarn, so it blocks beautifully and holds its shape in a blanket, pillow, or tote.

Materials Needed

Yarn: Worsted weight (4) acrylic or cotton. Main color (MC) cream: 150 yds. Contrast color (CC) denim blue: 50 yds.
Hook: 5.5 mm (I-9), or the size needed to match gauge.
Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors, stitch markers (optional), blocking mat and pins.
Finished size: 12 x 12 inches after blocking.

Abbreviations

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
dc – double crochet
sp – space
st(s) – stitch(es)
beg – beginning
rep – repeat
MC – main color (cream)
CC – contrast color (denim blue)

Gauge

14 sts and 8 rows = 4 inches in double crochet. Work a small swatch in dc and measure it flat; if you have more stitches than 14 in 4 inches, go up a hook size, and if you have fewer, go down.

Tips Before You Start

Count your stitches at the end of every round. Each round adds 16 dc, so the totals should climb 12, 28, 44, 60, and so on.
Keep your corner ch-2 spaces loose and even; they set the square's shape and make the corners lie flat.
Work the surface lines on the right side only, and keep your slip stitches relaxed so the cream fabric doesn't pucker.
Block the square before adding the surface lines so your grid measurements are accurate.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Square (MC)

Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

R1: Ch 3 (counts as dc), 2 dc in ring, [ch 2, 3 dc in ring] 3 times, ch 2, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3 (12 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R2: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 2 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 3 dc; rep from * around, join (28 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R3: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 4 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 7 dc; rep from * around, join (44 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R4: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 6 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 11 dc; rep from * around, join (60 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R5: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 8 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 15 dc; rep from * around, join (76 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R6: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 10 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 19 dc; rep from * around, join (92 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R7: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 12 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 23 dc; rep from * around, join (108 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R8: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 14 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 27 dc; rep from * around, join (124 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R9: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 16 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 31 dc; rep from * around, join (140 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R10: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 18 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 35 dc; rep from * around, join (156 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R11: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 20 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 39 dc; rep from * around, join (172 dc, 4 ch-2 sps).

R12: Ch 3, dc in same st, dc in next 22 dc, *[2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc] in next ch-2 sp, dc in next 43 dc; rep from * around, join (188 dc, 4 ch-2 sps). Fasten off. Block to 12 x 12 inches.

Surface Chains (CC)

With right side facing, join CC with sl st to any corner ch-2 sp. Ch 1, sc in same sp, sc evenly along edge to next corner, working 1 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each ch-2 sp (approx 47 sc per side). Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

Windowpane Lines (CC)

Vertical line 1: Using surface crochet, join CC with sl st at bottom edge, 3 inches from left corner. Ch 1, work sl st in each row up to top edge (approx 12 sl sts). Fasten off.

Vertical line 2: Repeat as for vertical line 1, joining 3 inches from the right corner.

Horizontal line 1: Join CC with sl st at left edge, 3 inches from bottom corner. Ch 1, work sl st in each stitch across to right edge (approx 12 sl sts). Fasten off.

Horizontal line 2: Repeat as for horizontal line 1, joining 3 inches from the top corner.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working the CC tails into the border so they don't show on the right side. If you're joining multiple squares, seam them with a whipstitch or mattress stitch through the outer sc border, matching corners. Block the finished square (or blanket) by misting it, pinning it to 12 x 12 inches, and letting it dry completely flat.

Pro Tips and Variations

Swap the denim blue for charcoal or gold for a different Parisian mood, or use a single color for a subtle tone-on-tone grid.
Make a set of four squares in alternating colorways and seam them into a 24-inch pillow front.
For a softer, drapier blanket, use cotton-blend yarn and go up one hook size, checking gauge as you go.

Also Check Out: We think you'd love this beautiful pattern on our sister site: Colorful Green Lace Shawl