Super-Soft & Cozy Striped Crochet Lapghan -- Free Pattern

As you know I've been lamenting over my decision to take on three crochet projects at a time. Normally, I'm a one-project-at-a-time girl, but I got caught up in the excitement of new projects and began feeling pressured by the knowledge that it's almost time for me to return to Germany and I wanted to get certain projects done. Two days ago, I was thrilled to check one of the three projects off my Crochet To-Do list on Off-the-Hook Thursday -- my Twisted Infinity Scarf!

In the midst of work, family activities and hosting my It's Finally Friday Link-a-Long (join in the fun!), I've finished the second project -- a super-soft and cozy striped crochet lapghan! As a work-in-progress, I loved working with the soft, chunky yarns and knew they'd work up into a thick, luxurious lapghan.

I'd had many curious "supervisors" watching to see when this soft, cozy lapghan would be finished, and over the last two days, they've given it the Paw of Approval.

Alice is the first to approve.

So does Patches...

And Ernie.

Last night I was lucky enough to enjoy my new lapghan without a cat on it, and it was deliciously cozy and wonderful! It feels like the crochet version of a favorite old pair of jeans or a warm slice of freshly baked bread that's been slathered with butter...snuggling up with it just feels good.

Super-Soft & Cozy Striped Lapghan

This is a breeze to crochet, requiring:

• a Q hook
• 2 skeins of Redheart Light & Lofty in Cafe au Lait
• 2 skeins of Lions Brand Homespun in Burgundy
• 1 skein of Lions Brand Chenille (no label, not sure of the color)

Chain to reach the desired length of your lapghan. Mine was about 5 feet long.
Rows 1 & 2: Chain 3 (counts as first DC). DC in every stitch to the end of the row.
Row 3 until you're two rows from your desired width: Ch 3, skip 2 stitchs. *DC in the next stitch, ch 1 and DC in the same stitch to form a V-stitch. Skip 2 stitches.* Repeat from * to * until the end. DC in the last stitch. Ch 3, turn your work and repeat.
Last Two Rows: DC in every stitch to the end of the row. Ch 3, turn your work and repeat.

The finished product, folded in half.

This pattern is not a revolution. There are tons of variations of V-Stitch chunky lapghans all over the internet. I've just added my own twists of the DC rows on either end for a more stable edging, plus the stripey effect (using up more scraps!). Now that it's done, I'm really ready to turn my attention to projects that say "Springtime!" How about you?

It's Finally Friday Link-a-Long at Go Crochet Crazy

Yippee, it's Friday, and we're just days away from springtime! Although I'm a summer girl through and through, I find springtime to be one of the most inspirational seasons of the year. Doesn't the onset of spring make you want to do a little redecorating, start a new project or do something that says "New Beginnings"?

Speaking of new beginnings, my newly published crochet pattern eBook, Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm, is now available (more on that in an upcoming blog post).

One of my greatest sources of crafty inspiration is seeing what you're crocheting and creating. Join in the fun and show us what you're up to in this week's Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long. Yay, for Fridays!

Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long Rules

1. Add links for up to three of your blog posts (not just your home page) using the ADD YOUR LINK button below.
2. Leave a comment on the two blogs before you, letting them know you found them through the Go Crochet Crazy blog. If you're one of the first two to the party, you can comment on the last one or two from this Link-a-Long from last week (this way everyone gets comments). Please feel free to comment on more, if you like.
3. Share this post through Google+, Pinterest, Twitter or Facebook...that's more exposure for everyone joining the link-a-long.
4. Optional: Let your readers know you've joined the Go Crochet Crazy Friday Link-a-Long by linking to this post in text on your blog.

An InLinkz Link-up

Off-the-Hook Thursday: Twisted Infinity Scarf

This week I learned an important lesson: crochet multitasking is not for me. I've been working on the last of four infinity scarves for a pattern eBook, a lapghan and a poncho pattern (get a glimpse of these WIPs here). While they're all wonderful, worthwhile projects, I haven't enjoyed them as much as I know I would if they were solo projects.

As I've hopped from one project to another, I've discovered that I feel pressured and unable to get lost in the joy of creation. And isn't that what crocheting and craftiness is all about? Relaxation and love of the craft are certainly amongst the reasons I crochet.

So it's with great pleasure that I take one of the three projects off the hook today!! The project that looked like this last week...

Twisted Infinity in Progress

Now looks like this....Ta-da!!!

The Twisted Infinity by Go Crochet Crazy

Now that the Twisted Infinity is finally off-the-hook, I'll be able to get my pattern eBook finished and published in the upcoming week. It feels good to finish projects, doesn't it? What are you taking or have you taken off-the-hook this week?

Crochet Hook Preferences -- Do You Have Any?

Until recently, I didn't have a preference for crochet hook size. I happily hooked away with whatever size I fancied or whatever hook a pattern recommended. It was all the same to me.

Currently, I'm working on three crochet projects simultaneously...another first, since I normally have only one WIP at a time. Two of the projects I'm working on involve my beloved Q hook, which I inherited from my grandmother (you can read more about the 1937 afghan I inherited from her too). The other one has me hooking away with a tiny E hook.

My grandma's old Q hook.

As much as I'm happy to be working on these projects, I have to admit I'm not loving working exclusively with an extra large or extra small crochet hook. The tiny one creates lots of work with all the tiny stitches. The large one just doesn't glide through the yarn like an average-sized hook does, making it more of a workout for my fingers. I have to say, I'm really looking forward to crocheting with my J or K hook again.

Which leads me to wonder if you have a preferred size of crochet hook. What is it and why do you prefer it? Also, do you have a favorite hook you defer to...one you inherited or received as a gift? Let's talk about hooks today! I invite you to join the conversation. And if you're in the market for some new crochet hooks or want to see my favorite, take a look at the #1 Best Seller in crochet hooks, Susan Bates Silvalume Crochet Hook Set in Pouch Sizes F, G, H, I, J, K.

A Weekend in Pictures

Many happenings have made this a wonderful weekend. On the blogging front, I started my first Link-a-Long with a link widget on Friday (you can still add a thumbnail picture and blog link here and I hope you will!). The temperatures have risen ever so slightly as spring draws nearer. I had a fun overnight with the oldest of the littles (my children's children) who is nine and as fun and honest as a nine year old can be! And progressed on a few crochet projects and made some exciting purchases.

Here's my springy, child-centered, and yarnily awesome weekend (thus far) in pictures.

It warmed up enough for a walk...the first outdoor walk in a month!

Oh joy, oh joy! The first robin of spring!

Teaching nine-year-old M to play Crazy Eights

Breakfast with my little friend

We laughed and enjoyed Mr. Peabody and Sherman

To go with an upcoming room redecoration I'm planning on with Cath Kidston colors.

Bought the burgandy to go with the beige for a quick chunky lapghan.

Yarn for an upcoming Giant Granny Afghan in Cath Kidston colors.

Start of chunky stitch lapghan in beige, taupe and burgandy.

Continued work on my upcoming poncho pattern!

As you can see, it's been a wonderful weekend with much-needed signs of spring, some solo time with the oldest of the littles and a few hours tangled in yarny goodness. Come join my link-a-long so we can see what you're up to. What happenings have been filling your weekend?