Which of the following is best described as an afghan?

An afghan is a woolen blanket or shawl, usually knitted or crocheted.. It is sometimes also called a "throw" of indeterminate size. Afghans are often used as bedspreads, or as a decoration on the back of couches or chairs.

Blankets, throws and afghans are all fabric coverings that provide warmth. Additional distinctions can be made by considering the size, materials, use and word origin. The word afghan refers to the people of Afghanistan. The use of afghan in the English language goes back to 1831. The first mention of the word referring to the woven rug was in 1877.

Afghans may be any size. The finished size for most afghan patterns is similar to a throw. Afghans made in bed sizes usually cover only the top of the mattress and don't hang over the sides. Interestingly, baby-sized afghans, about 30 to 36 inches square, are more often called baby blankets rather than baby afghans. Afghans, which are largely defined by their construction, are crocheted or knit by hand from yarn.

Afghans originally were made from squares of many brightly colored yarns joined together, but they can also be made in one piece or with one color. The distinctive feature of handmade afghans is the texture resulting from the knit or crochet stitches.