My first afghan! Anybody want to join in?

Submitted by Lopsy Li on 11 June 2009 - 7:52am. Categorized As:

I'm making a ripple afghan, like the ones we had at home when I was little. I expect it to be around 5'x5', nice and big. I'm using supersaver yarn (not-quite-entirely acrylic; there aren't any craft stores in my area) and 5mm (H8?) hook. gauge is 4 stiches to the inch.

I had a pattern, then upon getting ready to start the second row, I realized that it was not at all what I wanted to do! So I'm doing it the way that works better for me: no pattern, just knowing what needs to be done.

What I'm doing is: ch 391, skip first on turn, then starting with second ch and working back loop*** only, sc 18, 3sc in next sc, sc 18, skip 2 sc, repeat about 10 times (if the last one's a little long or short, oopsies, but no big deal. I can't count--that's part of why I suck at patterns :P)
On the next row, do the same thing (3sc where there were 3 on previous, skip 2 where two were skipped previously--for those of us who can't count), but sc with both loops.

Alternate the back/both sc every row, and when the row is wide enough for your taste, switch colors. I'm using 3 colors.

I'm on the third row right now... I've always done back-loop-only, so this is difficult for me.

***might be front loop. I can't find where I saw the diagram that told me which was which--I discovered after nearly finishing the second row on the original pattern that I had learned to do it one-loop, not "regular" sc. --So that's why my amigurumi have a different texture!

Okay, I looked at the original pattern again and I"m changing it up slightly from what I said...

The first three rows (ch391, and stitches as listed above) have been done front loop only. The rest will be done back loop only to give that textured effect.

Submitted by Lopsy Li on 11 June 2009 - 7:16pm.

I was working on an afghan that was done in strips and I just put it down for a while. Maybe I will pick it back up and work on it while you work on the ripple one. I know it is not the same pattern but maybe you can inspire me to actually finish an adult afghan (I have only finished baby ones). Will that work for you?

Thanks,
Boupie

Submitted by Boupie on 12 June 2009 - 6:22pm.

Of course! My biggest finished project was an amigurumi; I've started and unraveled about 10 blankets... I'm hoping to actually finish this one, and posted this largely to encourage myself to do so. I hope you get yours finished too :D

Submitted by Lopsy Li on 12 June 2009 - 6:35pm.

I'm getting ready to start an afghan. I'll be happy to join this little group. I'm planning on making the crochet sampler afghan. I think the pattern came from the Lion Brand website.

We need to post progress photos in here too, ladies.

There's nothing finer than a man in a kilt.

Submitted by RedTartan on 18 June 2009 - 8:55am.

Yes we do! I need to get a few off my camera.. and take a few more.

Submitted by Lopsy Li on 18 June 2009 - 9:11am.

I am starting an afgan, too - done in strips. I am using 3 colors; the school colors of my daughter's high school. I only did one strip so far. It's a slow process; I can't seem to find the time to continue. And I have multiple projects started. I started the patriotic placemat and didn't measure, and I ended up ripping it out; and starting over. I'm beginning to understand the value of crocheting a guage swatch.

Submitted by babygirl on 19 June 2009 - 5:17am.

I've started my afghan. I'm actually not following a pattern after all.

I keep two crochet projects going at a time. One hard (for me anyway) and one easy. My easy project is this afghan and my hard project is Mei Mei by Doris Chan. I've never made any article of clothing before (except mittens, hats, and scarves) so this is hard for me.

Anyway, I liked the way the shells and v's look together so I'm making a Doris Chan sweater afghan. LOL. I even started the afghan with the same Ch/Sc base that she starts the sweaters with because it's beautifully stretchy.

I'll post a progress photo just as soon as I can get my husband to teach me how...

There's nothing finer than a man in a kilt.

Submitted by RedTartan on 26 June 2009 - 6:30am.