Friday 31 January 2014

CROCHET: An Afghan

CrochetAfghan CrochetAfghan CrochetAfghan

Crocheting an afghan is a commitment but it's also an adventure, a challenge. You start yet you don't know when you'll finish, or the person you'll be. Some blankets take a day, some months, maybe even years. Being a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to crafts, I never really full heartedly fell in love with the last ripple stripped afghan I crocheted, maybe because it's a little wonky or because the colors to me jar a little.

Or maybe it's because you can never have too many blankets.

So I've been wanting to crochet another one ever since I finished the last and the idea of crocheting another actually featured upon my intentions for 2014 list. Granted its taken me about a year to actually decided to do something about it yet alone pick colors or even a motif. After finding balls and balls of mustard yellow yarn at an estate sale I knew I'd found a winner. I love mustard. Many people don't - its too gordy for some. But I love it. So mustard, cream and white will make up the majority of the colors, the inner details a mix matchy scrappy rainbow.

As for the motif, well that's an African Flower Square found on ravelry (but you can also find it here if you're not a member). If you're new to crocheting it's a really easy to follow design or if you've been crocheting for years like myself, it's easy enough to do while getting lost in your favorite TV show.

The hardest part is working out the border color to finish the motifs off to ya know, actually turn them into a square and all, but that's too hard a decision to make as of yet, although if you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

What have you been crafting lately?

23 comments:

  1. Love the stitches in your crochet and the colours. Been doing a lot of crochet too.
    Liz @ Shortbread & Ginger

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    1. I've been loving following your blanket you've been crocheting - lovely colors!

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  2. What a lovely pattern and such beautiful colours! I'm attempting to make my first item of clothing for my god daughter. I've only ever made toys before hand x

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    1. That sounds lovely, i've made a couple of baby items in crochet before, tricky but always a welcomed challenge!

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  3. That's so lovely. I've never tried crocheting before. It looks confusing! I haven't made anything crafty in a while but with this wedding coming up I'm sure that will change!

    Debi x

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  4. The colours are lovely sweet.....clever girl.......crochet and me do not see eye to eye.
    Love v

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  5. These look lovely, I really want to learn how to crochet. I love crafting. I did a lot of cross-stitching just before Christmas.

    IAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Love cross stitching - shame it's so dark at this time of year that it's hard to get any done, especially as I got a couple of kits at Christmas that I really want to start!

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  6. These are SO cute. I'm still so new to crocheting that I haven't attempted to change yarn colours partway through, I'm a little nervous about trying something that needs that!

    Sorcha x Bright Field Notes

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    1. It's actually not that hard, just as long as you secure off your ends and then you just restart on the next row while crocheting in the ends. A simple old granny square is a great way to learn how to change colors on different rows.

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  7. I love making afghans but they can be a very time consuming project. A few months ago I went a bit crazy and make a bedspread for our queen size bed. I made around 100 puffy flower squares. As much work as it was I love it.

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    1. That sounds wonderful, I've got a lot of 1940's - 1950's crochet pattern booklets with designs for tablecloths and bedspreads they always look so stunning and I can't imagine all the time needed to make one, although i'd love to find the time one day!

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  8. Such lovely colours, looking forward to seeing it progress! I'm currently learning to crochet and am making a granny square cushion - hooked! Xx

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    1. My first blanket was a huge granny square patch one, that's how I learn to crochet through making that and caught the bug. Hopefully this blanket won't take too long to make although I can't work out the color to finish it off with!

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  9. awesome! I lack most of patience that I think is required for crafts like crocheting. I tried to knit once when I once younger, but I'm a bit of a sore loser if I can't grasp something straight away, needless to say I didn't grasp the knitting and I gave up.

    The pattern above is really cute and I would easily take home a crocheted blanket, if someone with make it for me ;) Go with the mustard yellow, it's a great autumn colour!

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    1. I suck at knitting. I just can't do it, tried too many times to actually work it out. I wish I could, I see so many lovely vintage patterns and things for knitting but whenever I try there's just knots and holes everywhere. Me and crochet on the other end get on much better but i do find crocheting to be a little limited to home decor pieces!

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  10. I got halfway through a blanket once but ran out of wool and couldn't find exact matches :( I've started a new one recently with a sunburst granny square and just like you I plod along when watching tv. Yours look so amazing and neat! x

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    1. That has happened to be too and it sucks doesn't it?! Luckily I was able to track some wool down in a similar enough colour that it blended in.

      I've found it easier to crochet then read when i'm sleepy on a night i'll be honest!

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  11. I've bought supplies to learn how to knit and crochet, I've just got to get around to it! I'd love to make a blanket though.

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  12. It very much is a commitment! I admire that you're undertaking it!!!

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