Crochet Blankets, Crochet Afghans -- Blanketing My Way through Time

The other day I heard someone talking about the many crochet blankets they'd made during the past year. It got me to thinking about the crochet blankets and afghans I've stitched up, and I realized there were more than I'd remembered. Amidst all the other crochet projects I'd been relishing, I'd also been blanketing my way through time!

Since I began this blog at the end of January (I can't believe it's only been three months!!), I've blogged about eight crochet afghans -- one I'd made last year, five I made between January 2014 and present, one that's currently in progress and one I'd inherited from my grandmother. Here they are in all their crochet blankety glory...

Each one holds memories of who they were made for, as well as memories of what was happening in life during the time they were made. The feel of the yarn...the joy of watching it all come together...remains fresh even though most of these afghans are no longer with me. 

There's something special about a crochet afghan. More than a pretty thing to look at or a functional item to keep you warm, a crochet blanket is like a loving hug given from the person who made it to the person who's wrapped up in it. Please feel free to read more about each blanket by clicking the link below each individual picture. 

Do you crochet blankets or afghans? Do you have a favorite that you've made or that was made for you? I look forward to hearing about your crochet blanket memories and projects. 

An Heirloom Christmas Afghan

Giant Granny Square Afghan

Crochet Daisy Afghan

An Inherited Afghan Crocheted in 1937

Flowers in Bloom Afghan

Super-Soft, Cozy Striped Lapghan

My Little Lovey Blanket

Cath Kidston-Insipred Afghan (a WIP mentioned often, but not yet blogged about)

Today I'm Linking Up With:

Memories by the Mile Treasure Box Tuesday
Kathe with an E You're Gonna Love it Tuesday
VMG206 Brag About it Tuesday Link Party 

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?

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?

How Long is Your Crochet Project To-Do List?

Apparently, I'm a focused crocheter. Until recently, I never had supplies urging me to hurry up and finish one (or two) projects so I could start the next. Oh, I always have a mental list of crochet items I'd like to make or crochet business tasks I want/need to do. But I've never had a "Waiting in the Wings" list of projects, with yarn bought and ready to be used.

Currently, I'm working on finishing up my "Flowers in Bloom" Scrapbuster afghan and the fourth in a series of infinity scarves which I'll be releasing in an upcoming pattern eBook.

Waiting in the wings is this gorgeous boutique yarn that's going to be turned into a beautiful, assymetrical poncho.

And I'm planning to recreate the pattern my grandmother used to crochet the afghan she made in 1937, which I inherited after she passed.

This is new territory for me...working on two projects at once and having two waiting so impatiently in the wings. More beckon my attention, but I keep telling them to go away until I complete my current To-Do list!

How about you? How long is your Crochet Project To-Do List? What are some of the projects on it? If you happen to need any supplies, I invite you to stop by the Go Crochet Crazy Amazon Store. But especially come tell me what you're working on...perhaps you'll give me more ideas to add to a future list!

Yarny News -- Sale & New Additions to Bulk Up Your Stash

One of the things I love best about blogging is the wonderful people I get to interact with, who fill me in on all kinds of noteworthy, yarny news! If you're looking to add to your yarn supply soon, here are two bits of news that might be of benefit.

Michael's Craft Stores is currently having a pretty terrific sale. Through March 1st, 2014, all Sugar n Cream 2.5 oz skeins of cotton yarns are 4 for $5. Time to stock up and start dreaming about spring and summertime crochet projects!

I love Sugar n Cream's stripes collection. The gorgeous skein in the foreground is what I use to make my spa cloths, which I blogged about here.

Spa cloths made with Sugar n Cream 100% Cotton Yarn

In other news, those of you who love Bernat's thick, plush Baby Blanket yarn will be excited to know that the company is going to expand the colors available for this line!! Beginning on April 1st, 2014, Bernat is adding home decor colors to the Baby Blanket yarn collection so us crafty people can make plush, soft blankets in grown-up colors. Woo hoo!

Some of Bernat's current Baby Blanket yarn colors.

If you've got any further yarny news, be sure to share. Who doesn't like to start off the week with a bit of good news?

Scrapbuster Project -- Free Crochet Afghan Pattern

It seems just lately that everyone's working on scrapbuster projects. I'm not sure if we feel the need to justify our next yarn purchase or make room for it. As much as I love looking at those small balls of colorful yarn, the organized, fastidious person in me likes to use things up and move on.

As I searched for a good scrapbuster project, I came across several multi-stitch afghans that people are working on. But I'd just completed something similar as an infinity scarf for my upcoming pattern eBook. I didn't want to make another scarf, although the Granny Square Scarf I blogged about here would be an ideal scrapbuster project.

Finally, I decided to make a baby afghan for my daughter R's newborn baby girl. R has tons of blankets from when her son was born almost two years ago, but consented to me crocheting this one because baby S loves a good heavy blanket and this one has a flowery motif.

Here's the yarn I started with.

The baby afghan I'm crocheting for my scrapbuster project will measure about 40 inches wide (100 cm) by about 36 inches high (90 cm). The pattern below is for this size. Adjust accordingly to make a larger afghan.

My scraps come from various brands and weighs of yarn...remember, I'm a rule breaker. To follow this pattern, you need to know how to chain, HDC and DC. I'll explain how to do the Cluster stitch within the pattern. I'm using a J Hook (6.00 mm).

**Feel free to use this pattern for personal use or for profit. I only ask that you remember to give credit to me, Mary at Go Crochet Crazy, and link back to my blog page.**

"Flowers in Bloom" Scrapbuster Afghan

**This pattern would also make a lovely scarf if adjusted accordingly**

Ch 93 (crochet a wider chain for a larger blanket, but make sure your final chain number is divisible by 3)

Rows 1 - 3: Chain 2,, counts as first HDC. HDC in each stitch to the end of the row.

Row 4: Change colors. Chain 3. Skip 1 stitch. *DC, Ch 1, DC all in the next stitch. Skip 2 stitches*. Repeat from * to * until the last 2 stitches. DC, Ch 1, DC in second-to-last stitch. DC in last stitch.

**You'll use the Cluster stitch for the next row. To do this: YO, insert into the stitch, YO and draw through 2 loops. YO, insert into same stitch, YO, draw through, YO and draw through 3 loops. YO, insert again into the same stitch, YO, draw through, YO and draw through all 4 loops. 

Row 5: Switch colors. Ch 3. Skip first DC. *CL into next Ch 1 space to make a flower, Ch 2*. Repeat from * to * until last Ch 1 space. CL in Ch 1 space, then DC into last stitch.

Your work will look something like this.

Row 6: Switch back to same yarn used in Rows 1-3. Ch 2 (counts as first HDC). *HDC in top of CL. 2 HDC in Chain 2 space*. Repeat from * to * until last two stitches. HDC in CL, HDC into last stitch.

Row 7: Chain 2, counts as first HDC. HDC in each stitch all the way across.

Repeat Rows 4-7 until you crochet to the desired length. Add an additional row of HDC to make both ends of the afghan even. Finish off the edges with your favorite edging. I'll be using a scalloped edge.

Here's where I'm at so far with my scrapbuster project:

Since I'm also working on another project at this time, I anticipate needing a week or two to finish this afghan. I'll pop in and update with photos as I go along. Let me know if you decide to give this a try! Or tell me what scrapbuster projects you've enjoyed crocheting.

Project Update #1

I promised I'd return to update you on the progress of "Flowers in Bloom", my scrapbuster baby afghan project. I actually took a break from it one day to make Scrapbuster Cat Toys, which you can see here.

Since taking this picture two days ago, I've actually gotten another set of cream, green and flowers added. But this will give you a good idea of how it's turning out. Expect to see color variation in some places. As tempted as I was to go out and buy what I ran out of, I have continually reminded myself that this is a "scrapbuster project". So far, I'm loving how it's coming along.

What do you think? Do you have a favorite scrapbuster project?

Project Update #2

With great joy, I've taken this project off-the-hook today and will be able to present it to three-week-old Baby S later this afternoon (read more about it in this blog post). So, without further adieu, allow me to show you the finished product. What do you think?

Crocheting the last few scallops for the edge.

"Flowers in Bloom" is ready for its new home

**I'm excited to be participating in Oombawka Design's Link & Share Wednesday!**

The Big Reveal -- Pink & Brown Crochet Daisy Afghan

In last week's blog post about crochet baby headbands, I hinted that I was working on a special secret project for my daughter S's baby who was due any minute. After six extra days of waiting beyond her due date, Baby Girl is finally here! Her timing is perfect as I've just finished an adorable crochet daisy afghan for her.

There's just something about daisies, isn't there. In one of my favorite movies, You've Got Mail, Meg Ryan's character receives a bouquet of daisies when she's sick in bed. She says, "Don't you just love daisies? I think daisies are the 'friendliest' flower." I certainly agree. I've grown daisies in several gardens and just love them. They are friendly...how can you not smile at the sight of a daisy?

Since S has chosen shades of pink and brown for her baby's bedding, I made this daisy afghan with yellow, white, raspberry pink and mocha brown. Pink, white and brown were all store-brand yarns I bought in Germany, and the yellow was from Redheart.

As is often the case, I first saw a daisy afghan on Pinterest. Which led me to this tutorial on how to crochet the daisy. From there, I modified the additional stitches slightly to form my squares. Now, it's finally time for the big reveal!

Ta-da! Such a happy, friendly-looking afghan!

Take a closer look at the squares and scalloped edge.

Daisies are indeed the friendly flower! Crocheting this afghan brought me lots of happiness and joy, especially imagining the little sweetheart who will be bundled up in it. This is another project I will do over and over again.

If you'd like a Daisy Afghan of your own but don't crochet or have the time for bigger projects, you can order a Daisy Afghan for yourself on my Custom-Made Crochet for You page.

Crocheting this afghan made it feel like springtime. If the Chicago weather doesn't improve, I might have to start making another one!

Giant Granny Square

After a long break of many years, I started crocheting again a couple years ago. I've always been crafty, and while my kids were growing up I sewed (and sold) clothing, coverlets and draperies. A couple years ago, I picked up crochet again as a way to relax and relieve stress.

The first project I decided to tackle was something with granny squares. Why not? Granny squares can be used for a variety of crochet items, you get instant gratification by whipping up a square or two, and the color combinations are endless. I wanted to learn and make something at the same time (I don't like to waste time), so I followed a Youtube tutorial for granny squares to get me started. I highly recommend Crochet Geek for many different crochet tutorials; and she does have one for granny squares.

The first project I tackled was a baby afghan for my daughter R's son. Looking back at it now, it's not the prettiest thing in the world (hence no photo!), but it was good for a start. Then I made my granny square scarf and got lots of compliments on that.

One day, I was surfing the internet for ideas and stumbled across something called a Giant Granny Square Blanket. I was hooked!! Literally and figuratively! To make a Giant Granny Square you just keep making rounds until you reach the desired size of your blanket, instead of making a bunch of small, individual squares. I chose a palette of appealing colors to keep myself from getting bored. Here's the finished product. Since this Giant Granny Square doesn't have a home, it is for sale.

This Giant Granny Square Blanket is made with acrylic yarn in shades of blue, green, yellow, tan and off-white.

It measures 42 inches by 42 inches (107 cm x 107 cm) and is perfect as a large crib blanket, for a toddler bed or draped over your couch as a lap afghan.

You can get more information on my page, Custom-Made Crochet for You.


Making this Giant Granny Square was such a zen-like experience that I've no doubt, I'll make another one.

WIPs and UFOs...Oh My!

Come on now...you know you've got them. They're hiding in drawers, lurking in the back of a closet or stuck in a pile of other UFOs waiting to become FOs. Maybe they achieved their current WIP state because they were taking too long to finish. Or, perhaps, you had a mild case of Shiny Things Syndrome and found something else to work on.

Works in Progress (WIPs) and UnFinished Objects (UFOs) are par for the course for those who crochet regularly. Personally, I don't like loose ends...literally or figuratively...so I try to finish what I start. "Try" is the key word here.

Last week, I was searching through my yarn supply because I couldn't find the exact color I wanted. You know how that goes. But that's another blog post entirely..

In any case, I looked through my yarn stash, which is divided into several bags. Then, because I still hadn't found the color I was looking for, I started searching through drawers and cabinets. You never know where an errant skein of yarn might be found! Glory be! Guess what I found, left in a drawer in the Spring of 2013 and forgotten completely.

 First (But Unintentional) WIP

Forgotten color block afghan

 Second (Also Unintentional) WIP

Cream, gray and blue granny squares

Third (Intentional) WIP

Beginnings of a Christmas afghan for one of my kids...but in January?!

 And the first two projects -- poor forgotten crochet squares -- were found in a Walmart plastic bag in this drawer. Shame on me! 

WIP hiding place

 The first WIP is a color block lap afghan made with super-soft 3-ply yarn I bought here in Germany. I WILL finish it because it's the perfect weight for springtime and will look nice draped over the arm of our black leather sofa. 

The second WIP -- the cream, turquoise and gray granny squares -- I honestly have no idea what to do with them. I don't have enough of the blue and gray colors to make enough squares for an afghan or even a scarf. Maybe you have some ideas. Perhaps I'll have to use them as an excuse to BUY MORE YARN while I'm in the States!!!

Tell me about your WIPs and UFOs. Come on, I know you've got some lying about, waiting to be finished!