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I saw this afghan on the cover of a magazine and wanted to make it. It is crocheted and, at that time, I only knew how to knit. I taught myself to crochet and the problem was solved. I later got carried away and made enough granny squares to cover a California King bed. I was probably a comic sight as I put it together on the floor. It was so large that that was the only place I could do it. I also made a pillow cover (if you click on the photo of the crocheted afghan you can see the pillow in the upper left hand corner.) After I bought a down comforter, I gave the bedspread to my daughter-in-law. 
My sister, Sharon, makes beautiful quilts and she wisely photographed her quilts before giving them away. It never occurred to me to do that, to my regret. I would be able to show you other styles, cable knits and embroidered ones. I could also show you the most difficult one I ever made. The entire afghan was patterned and the pattern was done in the knitting. It was also reversible with the pattern done in two colors and both sides were knit at the same time. I can't begin to tell you how many false starts I made on that afghan before I finally figured out how to do it. 
These are the afghans I saved and final one (shown above) was a pain to knit. To make the pattern I had to keep changing the skeins of yarn and since most rows contained five colors it became a tangled mess. Those of you who knit will appreciate my frustration and those who don't can close this blog now. This is finis.
13 comments:
Unless people knit or crochet they can't really understand what a mess it can be. Your results are ALL worth the effort. Such beauty.
Wow, you do beautiful work. When I was in my teens, I had a job as a PBX operator. A woman there taught me to knit, it was the kindest act that had happened to me :)
I tried knitting and it was a horrible outcome! I don't crochet or quilt, but I have the utmost admiration for those who do. I love the one on the top and the one at the bottom!
I am SO enjoying seeing these Darlene. When I go to craft fairs...I just drool over this stuff. My daughter and I were just at one today; but there wasn't any afghans like this there. You really do lovely work.
These are truly wonderful to the eye. Asides from the fact that they must demand a lot of effort to create it must also require a good sense of proportion to create them.
You're gifted.
Darlene,
What outstanding stuff, and what great patience and attention to intricate detail !
You need to actually hold an exhibition of your works.....
wonderful !
Beautiful work, Darlene! I never learned to knit. My mother-in-law crocheted a lot. When she visited she had me making granny squares, but I never finished enough -- couldn't find the yarn I needed and finally quit looking -- plus don't recall now what she said about how I would join them. Maybe some day I'll get back at it.
I do have a lovely afgan she made for me and treasure it, doilies and other things.
I'll have to post some photos of rugs my mother hooked. Her vision limited what she could do for many years.
no I don't knit. I used to do embroidery and crocheting but I can't really see clearly enough now.
But I can still appreciate somebody else's excellent work!
*Grannie Annie - Thank you for your kind words.
*Looking to the Stars - Yes, it takes a lot of patience to teach someone. You were lucky to find someone who taught you.
*Kenju - You may not knit, but you create gorgeous floral arrangements and I could never do that.
Joy des Jardins - Thank you.
*Anil - Proportion was important with sweaters I knitted, but with afghans, you simply follow the pattern.
*Ugich Konitari- I don't think my work would draw much of a crowd. I might end up being the one exhibited. ;-)
Joared - My grandmother did hook rugs, but I never had enough material to do one. Maybe you will find those granny squares and finish the project. You just crochet them together.
*Friko - My eyesight isn't what it was when I made these afghans. I'm not sure my eyes can take it now, either.
I appreciate the time and effort that went into these Afghan projects. They are real treasures and family heirlooms. The last one is my favourite.
wow, darlene! such beautiful work!! my mom taught me to knit and crochet when i was sick as a kid, but that was it. i have zero talent for this activity and am full of admiration for anyone who can do it well.
*Grannymar - You do such beautiful needlework that mine would never compare.
*Extreme English - Thank you for your lovely compliment.
Darlene, I love the way you say, "Just crochet them together" referring to my Granny Squares. I long ago forgot everything my mother-in-law taught me so would have to learn again from scratch. I know they're somewhere in my linen closet along with some fabric I bought when living in AZ. Never sewed again after we moved to CA so think maybe it's time to clean out that linen closet and donate that fabric to someone.
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