I wasn't quite sure just what to do with them. I only do the Granny Square pattern. It is easy to do and if I try to crochet a pattern that involves counting stitches or rows, I tend to get lost or mess it up. I experimented with several variations and decided I liked this one the best.
Each square is 7.5 inches across, so it will take at least 81 squares plus a good sized border to make the afghan big enough to cover my 6 ft. tall grandson.
I suppose I could just buy a graduation gift or give my grands cash. And I don't expect them, at that age, to appreciate a handmade gift. But when they are older, they might like to have something their Grandma made just for them. I know I would.
I like that you chose colors he would like, or at least, had an expert help. If two older gchildren have the afghan, I am sure he will feel honored. He can get money elsewhere in his life. But, he can only get a special afghan from you.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in a little town listening to older women, one said she loved to crochet Africans. I almost choked.
When I say older women, they were all probably younger than I am now. But, I was 38 or so back then.
Linda...I wanted to be sure the afghan would be in colors he liked, so I was glad to have Jill pick out the yarn. I think I will do the same when I get ready to crochet the last three. I will start on those when I am finished with this one. After all, I'm not getting any younger. :)
DeleteIt is funny how people sometimes mix up their words, isn't it.
These women were dead serious. I make baby gifts by crocheting a granny square until it is about 30 inches on each side, maybe 3 ft, not sure anymore. I make them in a solid color with only one row of white out near the edge. Then, I crochet a shell around the outside for a pretty boarder. Do you crochet the shell stitch.
DeleteLinda...Your baby afghans sound adorable. I have seen pictures of full sized afghans made the same way - just continuing one granny square until it is the size you want. I may try that with some of my leftover yarn and if it works, I think it might be fun for my two granddaughters.
DeleteI think I have made the shell stitch, but it was many years ago. I did the afghan stitch too, using the crochet hook that was long like a knitting needle. If I remember right, it was easy to do cross stitch embroidery on that one.
For little girls, I crocheted a square about 18" or so. Sometimes, it may have been less if I got tired, out of time, or out of yarn.
DeleteThe shell stitch is three double crochets in the same stitch. Then, you skip two stitches of the edge and work three more in the third stitch, or something like that...lol. It is so easy and certainly dresses up the afghan and makes it looked finished.
I forgot to post the last comment under practical parsimony. Someone accused me of trying to hide when actually, I just posted too soon!
DeleteAll of my kids have an afghan of some sort. That is so nice of you!
ReplyDeleteKristina...I know that kids now want cash or the latest gadget, but I am old-fashioned. I love the idea of handmade gifts.
DeleteMy grandmother gave us handmade quilts. I used mine for years until it could no longer be used and it was one of the best gifts I received.
ReplyDeleteBW...Some years back I gave the grands quilts for Christmas. Once I finish all the graduation afghans I may have to do the quilt thing again. Funny - the gifts I remember most are the ones that my Auntie gave me - she always gave handmade - knitted slippers, a stuffed toy, even a jar of her homemade dill pickles with a big red bow on top because she knew I loved them so much. They were all special to me because she made them herself.
DeleteGreat color combination. My granny made handmade gifts as well. I still remember them all these years later. Happy stitching!
ReplyDeleteSJ
SJ...I'm having a hard time getting anything else done because all I want to do is work on this afghan! I hope the grands will enjoy them. I surely do love making them.
DeleteI love it Vicki! What a wonderful keepsake for your grandkids. I remember afghans being all over the place when I was a kid...no doubt my mom has them packed away somewhere. I am going to ask her!
ReplyDeleteJenn...I didn't grow up with afghans. Mother did crochet work, but she made those fancy doilies from thin thread. I learned from books. Have your Mom get the afghans out. They should be well used and well loved. I have a long, narrow one I keep on the back of my computer chair to use as a shawl when it gets a bit chilly in the evening.
Deletehave you looked at the afghan pattern that looks like a log cabin quilt?
ReplyDeleteit looks easy.
the green and red remind me of olives.
in oklahoma one lady told me she made 'afikans', which is oklahoma-ese.
deborah...I have seen a picture of the afghan made to look like a log cabin quilt, but have not checked out the pattern. It might be fun to try something new.
DeleteThe red and green do remind one of olives. Unfortunately, the colors in the picture don't show up true and the green is really a heather gray.
It is funny how the same word can sound so different depending in which part of the country one hears it.
The ladies here are big into quilting. Over at the state resort in Helen, Ga there is a huge display gallery of beautiful quilts . My mother in law used to make them, and we have some of those put away.
ReplyDeleteHarry...I absolutely love quilts and enjoy making them, although mine are not the fancy ones we see on display, but are more the kind used on beds for warmth. As far as I know, nobody in my family was or is a quilter, which I find odd since we live in such a cold climate. Mother was a good seamstress who sewed clothes and taught me to do the same, but she never made a quilt. I learned how from books. These days it seems the younger generation is way too busy with their lives or have no interest in the old arts. That's a shame.
DeleteI still have a crocheted blanket with matching hat that my bio mom made me when i was in my early teens. I cherish it because she made it for me even though we have not spoken in over 10 yrs. He will love it because his Gran made it!
ReplyDeleteMary...It is so nice that you have that hat and blanket that were made just for you. I am hoping in time my grands will understand just how much love goes into every stitch of the afghans or quilts I make for them.
DeleteMy sister made her son a quilt. When he was deployed to Iraq, that is what he took with him. I saw it when he shipped it back to her for repairs. It meant that much to him. Sadly it never got repaired as she died unexpectedly a short time later. Something handmade from home is priceless, I don't care what it is.
ReplyDeleteAnon...What a sad but also a wonderful story. It must have meant so much to that young man to have a piece of home with him. You are absolutely right about having something handmade by a loved one. One of my granddaughters made me a bracelet using paper beads she fashioned from colored papers. I treasure it and keep it out where I can see it every day and think of her.
DeleteGreat gift!
ReplyDeleteI have four grand girls and when the oldest turned 16 I began the tradition of a "sweet 16" quilt. A huge success so far. Two down one coming up in a couple of months. The youngest has four more years to go.
Goatldi...What a wonderful idea - sweet 16 quilts. I'm sure your grands appreciate the time and work that goes into making a quilt and will treasure them because Grandma made them.
DeleteYour post inspired me to pick up my crochet hook again. My go-to winter time hobby of late. I'm still making dish clothes though! But it's fun.
ReplyDeleteCheers, SJ
SJ...Even with air conditioning, it just seems too warm to crochet in the summer, so winter is my time for that as well. I have never made dish cloths but have been wanting to give it a try - maybe when this afghan is done.
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