Where to begin?

[cbear713]

My sister in law requested a Jamaican flag afghan. It seems simple enough, basically a yellow x with solid triangles. I would call myself an intermediate crocheter but I just cannot seem to figure out the best way to begin. Crochet the triangles first and then join with the yellow? Try a graph approach? I started the graph once but it seems like I am over-complicating things. Any help would be much appreciated!

[Tampa Doll]

My self, I would use a graph.  Less to sew and it is done in one piece.

[Granny Square]

Agree.  You have some odd angles going on, it would be easier and better looking graphed I think.

 

I would start with 2 yellow balls, 1 green and 2 black.  The reason for 2 - so you don't have to cut ends because the yellow & black are (mostly) in 2 separate areas each row of the flag.  (From the point of view of working bottom up; if you work the other way, you'd need 2 greens, 1 black, 2 yellows).  Because of the simple shaping, you'd only have to 'carry' a color at the most 1-2 stitches.