BEGINNERS LEARN TO CROCHET A LOVELY AFGHAN

If your New Year’s Resolution is to learn to crochet, this Afghan will be perfect for you!.  Each month, beginning in February, you will learn how to crochet three different blocks.  After 10 months (in November), you will have 30 different blocks in total that we will learn to stitch together in December to make a wonderful lap-sized afghan perfect for Christmas gift giving.  But be WARNED, you may be tempted to keep this for yourself to use for snuggling on the couch.

Our crochet along is finished, but you can start anytime and work at your own pace.   Here are the links to the blocks:

• General instructions – Part 2A
• Blocks 1 to 3 Single Crochet with variations – Part 2B
• Blocks 4 to 6 Half Double Crochet with variations- Part 3
• Blocks 7 to 9 Double Crochet – Part 4
• Blocks 10 to 12 Going Loopy – Part 5
• Blocks 13-15 Posts – Part 6
• Blocks 16-18 Corner to Corner (C2C) – Part 7
• Blocks 19-21 – Shell Stitches and Granny Squares Part 8
• Blocks 22-24 – Foundations – Part 9
• Blocks 25-27 – Let’s Get Fancy – Part 10
• Blocks 28 – 30 – Changing Colors – Part 11
• Finishing the Afghan – Part 12

There are five main types of basic stitches (the following description uses US crochet terminology which differs from the terminology used in the UK and Europe). We will be using US terminology throughout this series.

1. Chain stitch – the most basic of all stitches this stitch is used to begin most projects.
2. Slip stitch – used to join stitches or move your hook to next stitch
3. Single crochet stitch (called double crochet stitch in the UK) – easiest stitch to master
4. Half-double crochet stitch (called half treble stitch in the UK) – the ‘in-between’ stitch
5. Double crochet stitch (called treble stitch in the UK) – all longer stitches such as the triple crochet are worked from this stitch.

While the horizontal distance covered by these basic stitches is the same, they differ in height and thickness. The more advanced stitches are combinations of these basic stitches or are made by inserting the hook into the work in unusual locations.

THE AFGHAN

Here’s what you need to know:

• The finished size of your afghan will be approximately 50 inches x 60 inches, perfect to use as a throw
•  The afghan will consist of 30 – 10” x 10” blocks – 6 rows of 5 blocks
• You will learn 30 different stitches
• Each square will be crocheted in one color and you may use as many colors as you wish. You may also choose to make the afghan all one color or try one of the wonderful variegated yarns that are available.
• I estimate that each square will use approximately 120 yards of yarn depending on the stitch we use.

In case you’re a fast learner and want to keep practicing while you’re waiting for your next set of blocks, I will also provide links to various projects you can try using the stitches you learned.

SUPPLIES

Your homework for January, will be to choose and purchase your supplies.  As I am crocheting along with you, the amounts of yarn are estimated based on similar projects. I will update with exact amounts that I used at the end of the project.  In the meantime, I am making my best guess estimate for what our project will take.

To finish this project you will need:

• Yarns –approx. 3,450 yds of Worsted (Size 4) yarn. This is the time to decide on your colors.  Will you want a multi-color, monochrome, or single color afghan. 
• Hook –Size I/9  (5.50mm)
• Yarn needle

To get some ideas on color combinations you can visit my Pinterest Board “Quilt Colors” for inspiration.

Here are some handy links for places to purchase –  Size 4 (worsted weight yarn)

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Here’s what I am using

I bought this yarn for a number of reasons:

1. I was in a hurry, I had no time to wait for my online order or stand in the store matching colors.  Ran into Michael’s,  loved the colors in this yarn, so grabbed and ran.
2. I thought a monochrome afghan would photograph better meaning you would be able to see and compare the different stitches better.
3. I have a quilt I am making that it will match.

I winter in the tropics, so I will be crocheting February, March and April away from a supply source. I am planning on making the first nine squares using this yarn, then will decide or let you decide if I should keep going with this color or change.   How fun   –  getting you to decide for me! 

The Learn to Crochet Facebook Group has spoken. The decision was made for a tri-color afghan, therefore, I have added aqua and creme squares. Thanks Hookers!!

I also bought myself this great set of hooks similar to these from Annies.  Not sure if it’s a Canadian thing but my colors are different, eh?  

Let me know what colors you choose!  Are you ready?  I’ll be back on February 4 with the first set of blocks.  Let’s crochet together!  And feel free to post your pictures on  my Facebook page.  I look forward to seeing them.