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?

Favorite Yarn Brands: Are You Loyal or Do You Try Them All?

I'm game for trying anything and, as a crochet rule breaker, I'll try different yarns even if they're not recommended for a particular project.While I'll play around with any type or brand of yarn given to me, I tend to gravitate to a select few when I'm doing my own shopping.

Until very recently, I hadn't spent any time crocheting with cotton yarn, which I talked about in yesterday's post. Now that I have, I've got to say my first love for cotton yarn is Yarnspiration's Sugar n Cream. The color selection in solids, stripes and twists inspires me to create. Soft to the touch but durable, I have many plans for upcoming cotton yarn crochet creations.

 
But, of course, my cotton yarn experience isn't very vast. I've looked at, felt and priced other cotton yarns. And then I always gravitate back to Sugar n Cream.

Over the past years, more acrylic yarn has worked its way through my fingers and off my hook than anything else. Again, I'll try just about any acrylic yarn if it's given to me or I find a great deal...and I mean a great deal. But, given my druthers, I choose Redheart's "With Love"  and Lions Brand. The large, soft skeins make me want to crochet large afghans or chunky scarves. There are more colors than I can choose from, leaving me feel like a kid in a candy shop trying to figure out which treats to choose.

Do you have favorite yarn brands? Tell me what you like for different crochet projects. I'd love to hear from you and possibly be introduced to a new favorite!