Tangleweb Afghan or Wrap

While cobwebs are not a welcome addition to most homes, spiders are some of the most helpful creatures on earth and this afghan celebrates them.

Instead of placing the spider stitches in straight rows, this pattern alternates the stitches, snuggling each stitch halfway into the previous one. The result is a lacy cobweb that celebrates our spidery companions.

Instructions are included for making an afghan, wrap, or scarf. Change the yarn to a lace and you’ll be surrounded by soft cobwebs that float behind you while providing the warmth you need in late spring or early fall.

Sizes and Materials List …
Size: Sample afghan – 70″x45″
Sizes vary for scarf and wrap depending on yarn/hook used and number of reps
Hook(s):

US I/9 (5.50 mm)

Yarn: Caron Simply Soft [100% Acrylic, 315 yds/170 g skein/ball]
Colors &
Approx. Yardage

Cream/Off White, 1740 yds (5.5 skeins)

Gauge: 16 sts and 7 rows = 4″/10 cm
Always take time to check your gauge
Skill Level - Intermediate Download pattern in PDF format
Notes …
Check and Check Again While this is a fairly easy pattern and easy to remember once you get past the first rep, it is even easier to get lost since the spider stitch alternates and overlaps. It is highly recommended that you go over your work when you are 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of the way on ea row, then again when you reach the end of the row. Otherwise you may find you missed something on the way back across (usually at the beg of the previous row) and have to frog multiple times (go on … ask me how I know …).
Increasing

To add to the width, add 24 fsc for ea additional rep.

To add to the length, make rows 1-15, then rep rows 8 through 15 until it is almost as long as you want it to be, finish up with rows 80 through 85, then add the edging.

Different Weights If using a different weight yarn or different sized hook or just want a different number of reps, calculate the width you’ll need by making an fsc of 24 sts, measuring the bottom width, then using that amount to calculate how many fsc you’ll need. For example, if 24 fsc is 6.5″ and you want the width to be approx 72″, divide 72 by 6.5 for approximately 11 reps. So 24×11=264 fsc plus 10 fsc for a total of 274 fsc.
Scarf or Wrap Options For a scarf, make rows 1-15, then rows 96-101, and finish up with the edging.
For a wrap, make rows 1-15, rep rows 8-15 once for a narrow wrap or twice for a wider wrap, then rows 96-101, and finish up with the edging.
Beg Sl St The sl st at the beg of ea row is used to make a better transition (and straighter edge) at the edge of the piece. After making the sl st, tug slightly on the yarn to lessen the size of the beg loop, then continue. If you do not want to use the beg sl st, do the following for each row: Ch 3, turn, ch 3 (or 5), sk first st (sc or dc).
Edging The edging around the top and side edges is done in an odd way which you’ll see once you get there. I did this in order to get matching edges on all sides without breaking the yarn multiple times.
Stitches Used Chain (ch)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single Crochet (sc)
Foundation Single Crochet (fsc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Treble Crochet (trc)
Abbreviations

Beginning (beg)
Each (ea)
Repeat (rep)
Skip (sk)
Space (sp)
Stitch(es) (st / sts)

Instructions …
Afghan
Row 1 Fsc 298.

For different widths, row 1 should be in multiples of 24 plus 10 sts.

Row 2 Ch 1, turn, sc in ea fsc across.
Row 3 Turn, sl st in first fsc, ch 3 (beg dc here and throughout), dc in next 3 sc, *ch 2, sk 2 sc, dc in next sc, dc in next 4 sc,* rep from * to * across.
Row 4 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5 (beg dc plus ch-2 sp here and throughout), sk next 2 dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk 2 dc,* rep from * to * across.
Row 5 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, dc in next 3 dc, *ch 2, sk 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc,* rep from * to * across.
Row 6 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc,  ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, *ch 3, trc in next ch-2 sp, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, [dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc] 2 times,* rep from * to * across to last 4 dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in last dc.
Row 7 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, *ch 5, sc in ch-3 sp, sc in trc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc,* rep from * to * across.
Row 8 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, *ch 7, sc in ch-5 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 7, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc,* rep from * to * across to last 3 dc, ch 2, dc in last dc.
Rows 9 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, *3 dc in ch-7 sp, ch 5, sk first sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 5, 3 dc in ch-7 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc,* rep from * to * across to last ch-2 sp, 2 dc in last ch-2 sp, dc in last dc.
Row 10 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc,  ch-2, sk next 2 dc, [*3 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, trc in second sc, ch 3, 3 dc in ch-5 sp, dc in next dc,* ch 3, trc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc] 11 times then rep from * to * once, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in last dc.
Row 11 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, [2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc] twice, [3 dc in ch-3 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, ch 5, sc in ch-3 sp, sc in trc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc] 11 times, 3 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-5 sp, [dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp] twice, dc in last dc.
Row 12 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2] twice, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 7, sc in ch 5 sp, sc in next 3 sc, sc in next ch-5 sp, ch 7, sk next 3 dc] 11 times,[dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc] three times, dc in last dc.
Row 13 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, [2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc] 3 times, [3 dc in ch-7 sp, ch 5, sk first sc, sc in next 3 sc, ch 5, 3 dc in ch-7 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc] 11 times, [2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc] 2 times, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in last dc.
Row 14 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc,  ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch 3, trc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 3 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, trc in second sc, ch 3, 3 dc in ch-5 sp, dc in next dc] 11 times, ch 3, trc in ch-2 sp, ch 3, sk next 3 dc, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc] twice, dc in last dc.
Row 15 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, [ch 5, sc in ch-3 sp, sc in trc, sc in next ch-3 sp, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 3 dc in ch-2 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp, dc in next dc] 11 times, ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp, sc in trc, sc in next ch-3 sp, ch 5, sk next 3 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in last dc.
Rows 16-79 Rep rows 8-15 eight more times.

To make piece longer (or shorter), continue repeating rows 8-15 until piece is about 3″ shorter than the length you need.

Rows 80-81 Rep rows 8-9.
Row 82 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, [dc in next dc, 3 dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, sk next sc, trc in next sc, ch 3, 3 dc in ch-2 sp] 12 times, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in last dc.
Row 83 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, [dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc] 12 times, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in last dc.
Row 84 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 5, *sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2,* rep from * to * across, dc in last dc.
Row 85 Turn, sl st in first dc, ch 3, *2 dc in ch-2 sp, dc in next dc, ch 2, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc,* rep from * to * across, dc in last 3 dc. Do not turn.
Close up of corner of afghan

Border (Suggested)

Side 1, Row 1 Rotate piece counter-clockwise so that the side to the left of the last st made is now on top.

Ch 1, make 2 sc in the side of ea dc down the side of the piece, sc in end of sc row and end of fsc row.

Side 1, Row 2 Ch 1, turn, esc in ea sc across side. Do not turn.
Top Edge, Row 1 Ch 1, sc in ea dc across with 2 sc in ea ch-2 sp. Do not turn.
Side 2, Row 1 Ch 1, make 2 sc in the side of ea dc down the second side of the piece, sc in end of sc row and end of fsc row.
Side 2, Row 2 Ch 1, turn, esc in ea sc across side. Do not turn.
Top Edge, Row 2 Ch 1, esc in ea sc across bottom edge, sl st in first st on bottom of piece.
Border (Alternate)
Top Edge, Row 1 Ch 1, turn, sc in ea dc across with 2 sc in ea ch-2 sp, pm on this side.
Top Edge, Row 2 Ch 1, turn, esc in ea sc across bottom edge. Fasten off.
Side 1, Row 1 Hold piece so that either side is on top with marked side facing.

Join with sl st in side of first esc or fsc from top/bottom edge, ch 1, make 2 sc in the side of ea dc down the side of the piece, sc in end of sc row and end of fsc/esc row.

Side 1, Row 2 Ch 1, turn, esc in ea sc across side. Fasten off.
Side 2 Rep side 1.
Wave Edging (Optional)
Round 1 Ch 1, turn, 3 sc in same st, pm in first sc made, sc in ea esc across, 3 sc in first fsc of bottom edge, sc in ea fsc across, 3 sc in first esc of second side, sc in side edge of sc and in ea fsc across bottom, 3 sc in first esc on side, sc in ea sc across side, 3 sc in first esc on top edge, sc in ea sc across, join with sl st in marked st. Do not turn.
Round 2 *Ch 4, trc in next st, dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, sl st in next st,* rep from * to * around.

Finishing …

Weave in ends. Wash and block as needed. For acrylic yarn, pinning out then going over it with a hand-held steamer works really well.

Afghan sans puppy
Symbol Chart
Tangleweb Afghan Symbol Chart
Stitch Legend
The red dotted area indicates the main row reps to be repeated until you are about 3” short of the final size (minus the edging and border).

The green dashed area indicates the pattern rep that you should rep across each row of 8-15, then crochet the remaining section of ea row.

Make rows 1 through 7, then rep rows 8-15 until main piece is about 3” shorter than you want it to be, then make rows 80 through 85. Final row count is based on the sample afghan shown in the written instructions.

  • For row 8, crochet the first part of the row up to the green dashed line on the right, then rep the green section until you reach the three dc before the two ch-5 sps of the last spider st. Place a marker in the last dc at the left green line then finish off the row with the section to the left of the green area. Make sure you move the marker up as you go until you get the rhythm of the reps.
  • For row 9, crochet the first part of the row up to the green dashed line on the left (move marker up), then rep the green section until you reach the last set of four dc. Finish off the row with the section to the right of the green area.
  • For row 10, do the same thing as on row 8 until you reach the marker then finish off the row with the section to the left of the green area.
  • Continue the same way with rows 11-15.

After completing row 85, follow the written instructions for the border and edging.

Download PDF version of chart. Print on 11″x17″ paper.

Chart made using the Crochet Charts software made by Stitch Works Software.

Pattern and photos © Darlisa P. Riggs, CatBird Studios
Modeled by Mr. Darcy