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?

How Did You Learn to Crochet?

Several friends and family members have asked me to teach them to crochet or create a few video tutorials they could use to take up the craft. Though I've given their suggestions some thought, I've determined that's not the direction I want my crochet business to take (I'd need a 36-hour day to get everything done!).

This led me to think about the many ways in which people learn to crochet. I've heard stories of people learning as young children, while sitting next to a favorite grandma or a mom who deftly wove her crochet hook in and out of a skein of yarn. Others are self-taught, with written instructions found in a book or on the internet, or through video tutorials.

Years ago, when I was pregnant with my second child, I bought a crochet book and a couple skeins of yarn at Joann Fabrics and taught myself to crochet. I distinctly remember crocheting the granny squares -- made with lovely shades of creamy yellow, pale pink and white. I have no clue whatever happened to that growing pile of squares. I was a big sewer back then, supporting my growing family as a single parent through my seamstress work. I ended up sewing my daughter a baby blanket, which became a beloved favorite.

Fast-forward to a few years ago when the need to fill some time with a productive activity brought me back to crochet. I relearned how to do it by watching video tutorials on YouTube by BeThinTx1, BobWilson123 and Crochet Geek. As I listened and followed, listened and followed (pausing often until I got the hang of it), I began to feel a connection with these ladies and the sounds of their voices as they led me through the process of learning something that would become a huge, important part of my life. I've been hooked ever since!

Crochet, I find, is a very personal craft, mostly because it connects us to loved ones -- past, present and future generations -- and fills various needs. I hope you'll share your story about how and why you learned to crochet. Isn't it lovely to know you have a common bond with countless others around the world?