Afghan Stitch
Article by KarensVariety.com

Afghan stitch creates a grid-like pattern which makes it ideal for cross stitch embroidery. You can create beautiful pictures or designs on your completed article by embroidering a charted design.

A special aghan hook is used to work afghan stitch. It looks like a long crochet hook with a knob on the end to prevent the stitches from slipping off.

To work Afghan Stitch, you begin with a chain the required length just as you would in regular crochet.

There are two rows which are repeated; the first row or Foundation Row is made up of two parts, first you put loops on your hook and then you work them off. This is referred to as the First Half of the Foundation Row (putting loops on) and the Second Half of the Foundation Row (working the loops off).

The second Row puts the loops back on the hook by drawing up loops through the vertical bar below.

The loops are then worked off the same as the Second Half of the Foundation Row.

This second Row is repeated for the specified number of rows in the pattern.

Begin with a chain the required number of rows.
First Half Of Foundation Row Insert hook in first chain stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop.  draw up a loop in each stitch of the chain across.  Leave all the loops on the hook so there are the same number of loops as chain stitches.
Second Half of Foundation Row This row is always worked from left to right. Yarn over and draw through one loop.  *Yarn over and draw through 2 loops. Repeat from * across until one loop remains on the hook. This is the first stitch of the next row.  Do not turn.
Row 2:  Insert your hook under the second vertical bar, yarn over and draw a loop through. Make a loop in each vertical bar across, leaving all the loops on the hook.  When you come to the last one insert your hook under the last vertical and bar and stitch directly behind it in order to make a firm edge.
Repeat the Second Half of the Foundation Row to work the loops off.
Repeat Row 2 for the number of rows specified in the pattern.
To bind off, draw up a loop in the second vertical bar and draw through the loop on the hook, repeat across. Fasten off.
Look closely at your completed work and you can see the grid pattern. Now you can begin your cross stitch.
If you wish to make large items such as afghans, you can make them in blocks and join together with the same colour or contrast colour yarn.

This block would look beautiful on an afghan, alternated with plain blocks.
The design is taken from Priscilla Filet Crochet Book 1, 1911