Plaid Winner Afghan

It took longer than I had anticipated, but I finished the Plaid Winner Afghan (pictured above)  in time to put under the Christmas tree. It was the largest of my gift projects to complete, and although I had not planned it this way, the red and white colors made a stunning afghan for the Christmas season. I have had this pattern for years and am disappointed with myself that I had not crocheted this pattern before.

The pattern was included in the 1993 Leisure Arts pattern book “Afghans for all Seasons”. (pictured above) I have crocheted seven other afghans in this particular book, but for some reason – not this one. I do not think I will ever have the time to crochet everything I desire. If you are like me the list just keeps growing with every book or pattern you come across. Although the afghan has a Christmas appeal in appearance, the whole time I was crocheting it I was reminded of summer picnics by a gentle stream. I guess I have watched to many old movies. Doesn’t it seem the man and the woman in these scenes aways seem to be sitting on a plaid blanket?

I know I am getting side tracked again. It was an easy pattern to crochet although a little monotonous with all the weaving, and in my case the sewing in of ends. The pattern includes the chain stitch (The Chain Stitch ) and double crochet (Double Crochet). Stitches that most new crocheter’s would know. I want to warn you though, it is a time consuming afghan to crochet. First you must crochet the filet mesh and then weave them into each open filet.

I made a few adjustments to the original pattern. It called for one to weave in two strands of yarn through the filet, but I chose to weave in crochet strands of chains instead. My daughter has three children under five and I thought this would withstand their little fingers better.

Secondly, my daughter is not fond of fringe and never has been since she was a child. So instead of leaving the fringe hanging off the bottom and top, I sew them into the afghan and finished it off by crocheting two rows of single crochet (Single Crochet) around the edge. (pictured above) As a result of this change there was a total of 256 ends to sew in all. There is nothing about crocheting that I dislike, but sewing in ends ranks down on the bottom of things I enjoy.  When all was accomplished, the end effect was worth all the time that was involved in crocheting it.

When I was done I told my hubby I would love to crochet another one for our house one day. This is definitely an afghan I would crochet again only next time without a dead line to meet.

Until next time, keep those hooks flying.