This pattern needs to be tested. Photos show Rnd 16 with the extra points completed.

Additional points are created on the “slopes” and not in the valley as is the usual method. The new points are created in one round with the same yarn so there are far fewer ends to deal with.

The following abbreviations are used:

Small Shell (SS): 3dc into one st (used to make a round without increases).

Increase, Small Shell, Increase (ISSI): 2dc into one st, 3dc into one st, 2dc into one st (this creates a peak and 2 increases—3 sts become 7) When this increase is used, each point will have a net gain of 2 sts.

Dec 2: dc leaving 2 loops on hook, dc into next st, draw yarn through 3 loops to create valley (2 sts become 1 st) This is only used on rnd 4.

Dec 3: dc leaving 2 loops on hook, skip 1, dc leaving 2 loops on hook and draw yarn through 3 loops on hook to create valley (3 sts become 1 sts)

Rnd 1: 14 dc into magic loop and join after every round

Rnd 2: 28 dc (2 dc into each st) (28 sts)

Rnd 3: (ISSI, sk1) 7 times (49 sts) (7 points)

Rnd 4: (SS, 2dc, dec2, 2dc) repeat 7 times (56)

Rnd 5: (ISSI, 1dc, dec3, 1dc) repeat 7 times (70 sts)

Rnd 6: (ISSI, 2dc, dec3, 2dc) repeat 7 times (84 sts)

Rnd 7: (ISSI, 3dc, dec3, 3dc) repeat 7 times (98 sts)

Continue in this manner through rnd 15, increasing the “slope” stitches on each round. As work progresses, it may be necessary to make some rounds without increases to keep work flat. To make a round without increases, make a SS instead of a ISSI at the points.

At round 16 there are 14 sts between the center point st and the center valley st. It is time to make two new points and two new valleys between each set of “old” points. On this round the points will grow from 7 to 21. Some slipped sts and single crochet stitches will be used on this round only to prevent the fabric from bunching up along the new valleys and to help the new points “catch up” in height to the old points.

7 to 21 Point Round:

Rnd 16: ISSI but use sc instead of dc, 2sc, slip st 2 together skipping 1 st between the two (new valley made)

2dc, ISSI, (new point made), 2dc

dec3 (old valley)

This completes the first slope. To finish the adjacent slope, reverse the above starting with

2dc, ISSI, (new point made), 2dc

sl st 2 tog skipping 1 st between the two, 2sc

Repeat 7 times

Continue as in earlier rnds using SS and ISSI as needed to keep work flat.

NOTE: The number of points has tripled—therefore, far fewer increase rounds will be needed. In other words, 2 increases per point times 7 points is 14 sts vs. 2 increases per point times 21 points is 42 sts increased in a round! 12 incs per round is a general rule of thumb for worsted weight yarn and double crochet. If you increase every rnd after rnd 16, your work will undulate and not lay flat. Lay the piece on a flat surface and make decisions on each round.

It is helpful to fold the piece in half and if a crescent shape forms, you are increasing too fast.

To make afghan reversible, you may turn work after round.

N.B: Invest in a cloths steamer. You may never iron again and in seconds it blocks your afghan to perfection!

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Here are some helpful videos and web pages to fine tune your work and add to your skills repertoire:

Changing Colors & Drawing in Yarn Tails As You Go video here

Chainless starting double crochet in the round (air crochet) video here 1/2 way down page (no chain 3 start) Brilliant! and web page here

Crocheting in round here

Crochet Tidy Away Ends & Color Changes video here

Back to Basics Crochet: Alternative Double Crochet turning chain video here

No turning chain double crochet video here

A Law of a Circle for Crocheting in Rounds here

The invisible finish off video here

Chainless starting (turning) dc with helper (audio fixed)here

Round Ripple Formula for Flat Circles here