An afghan is a favorite item to crochet or knit by fiber artists. An afghan is a knitted or crocheted blanket or 'throw' which can come in many sizes and patterns.
There are the afghans made in one piece, often with a border, and a join-as-you-go style. Then there is the popular motif style, such as the granny square afghan we often remember our grandmothers having across the back of a chair or couch as a light-weight coverlet on cool days.
A Granny-Square Motif Afghan
Crochet crafters enjoy the granny-square motif as it is very versatile, useful for everything from afghans to clothing to purses. Each granny square motif is created by working in rounds from the center outward to produce multiple squares (called motifs) that are then joined together. Crocheting in granny-squares is also a wonderful way to use up those leftover bits of yarn every crochet crafter ends up with at the end of a project.
Granny Square Confetti Afghan in Crochet
This 57 inch square granny square throw is as cheerful and uncomplicated as a brightly splashed confetti sprinkled cupcake. It is the creation of Connie from Texas, who has been inspired to 'share in craft' the legacy she was given growing up on a small family farm.
This close-up view of a section of a granny square from Connie's afghan shows how the individual stitches fit together.
Come enjoy her crochet and quilted items, as well as her original folk art in her Etsy Shop she calls Farmers Daughter (farmersdaughter52).
The Zig-Zag Stitch Afghan
The zig-zag stitch, also called the ripple stitch or chevron pattern has long been a popular pattern for afghans in both knitting and crochet. The stitch is originally an Aran knitting stitch used by the Aran Islanders centuries ago and represents the typical highs and low of matrimony and marriage life. Today it is a lovely way to combine yarn colors to enhance your décor.
Jackie, a retired crafter from New Hampshire, creates beautiful zig-zag pattern afghans in crochet and features them in her Etsy Shop called JD Crochet Creations.
This lovely afghan, crocheted in Fall colors of red, rust and beige, measures about 32-34" wide X 36-38" long (POINT to POINT), a nice size to cozy up with on cool evenings.
The ripple pattern of these autumn colors makes a very pretty effect on this afghan, as you can see in this close-up view.
Creating Pictures on an Afghan
Patterns, designs and pictures can be created on an afghan by several techniques, including Intarsia Knitting, cross-stitching on a crocheted afghan stitch, or by following a charted design on a graph, changing colors as indicated to create the picture.
I crocheted this afghan with a picture of a lighthouse in one piece from a graph. The pattern I used showed a red and white lighthouse, but I changed the colors to black and white and crocheted the lighthouse in the same style as the Tybee Island Lighthouse on Tybee Island, Georgia.
This Tybee Lighthouse has sentimental value for me as I lived on Tybee Island for 13 years and my daughter was married in the Lighthouse Keepers Cottage at this lighthouse. The scene brings back some lovely memories.
You can have your own memory of the Tybee Island Lighthouse with this Lighthouse Afghan now available in my Etsy Shop Coastal Crochet Crafts.
Pictured here with my handmade lighthouse afghan is a photo of the actual lighthouse on Tybee island, the Tybee Island Light Station, which I used for my inspiration.
Handmade Lapghans
A fairly new style of afghan is called a Lapghan, a style that is about
one-half the size of a regular afghan, or 'lap-size'. It's the perfect
size to use in a crib or stroller for baby, for a wheelchair-bound
person, or to take to a sporting event.
Sports Team Lapghan
Barbara of Crystal River, Florida created this sports team lapghan perfect for taking to the stadium to watch your favorite sports team. She crocheted this particular lapghan in the Florida 'Gaters' (University of Florida) colors of Royal Blue, Orange and White, but she would be delighted to create one in your favorite team colors. Just drop her a line through her Etsy Shop Love Crochet by Grammie.
This adorable
hand crocheted blanket is snuggly and super soft. It is the perfect
addition to any little ones nursery or it makes a great baby shower
gift! It measures approximately 40 inches by 31 inches.
This baby afghan, handmade in a traditional Filet Crochet Diamond pattern stitch for a
very classic look, is the creation of a crochet artist from Salt Lake
City and featured in her Etsy Shop Angelminks.
Hand-Knit Afghan
Knitted afghans are just as pretty as crocheted throws. The most well-known knit stitch is the cable stitch, famous in Aran Fisherman knit sweaters. This V-cable hand-knit afghan is a beautiful example of how a cable stitch can enhance an afghan. Created by Tori of California, this cable afghan knit in a lovely cream color measures 45” x 60” and can be found in her Etsy Shop Tori2.
Handmade Afghans are Wonderful
Whether you need a large afghan to use as a bedspread, a small lap afghan for a cozy throw or a baby blanket, or a colorful soft afghan to use on the floor for a baby mat, handmade afghans are the sweetest kind of all. Made with care and lots of love, many beautiful afghans ready for purchase are available on Etsy, as seen in the examples given here.
Create your own Handmade Afghan
If you crochet or knit yourself, select an afghan pattern book filled with patterns in various styles and designs, get out your crochet hook or knitting needles, and begin!
This afghan pattern book called "Unexpected Afghans" is filled with 29 interpretations of the favorite at-home essential we call the afghan. It has easy-to-follow charts and diagrams to create cables, motifs, color, lace, and Tunisian crochet for your crafting pleasure.
Let's get cozy with a handmade afghan!
(c) Wednesday Elf 3/20/15. Updated 12/22/16
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