Portable Project Afghans For Friday Freebie
I have been thinking about taking knitting when you go places. The most obvious portable project is the sock, provided it's a plain-jane vanilla stockingette or a simple 2 or 4 round pattern repeat. The idea of taking along socks like Janelle Laidman's Rivendell or Eunny Jang's Bayereische complete with chart etc doesn't quite reflect the spirit of my train of thought, that's for sure! No, I was thinking more along the lines of knit-while-you-sit-and-chat at the dentist office etc. Then I had a thought that made me laugh - the take-along afghan! And then I came across these patterns and I wasn't laughing any more. Each of these makes a beautiful afghan, knit or crocheted in squares. No, this is not a new concept in the least, but each of these patterns brings something fresh to the concept of modular construction afghans.
This is Lion Brand's Color Rich Afghan , made of 4 blocks of 3 strips each. For final assembly, each of the 4 blocks is given a quarter turn so the stripes run perpendicular to each other. It gives visual interest without being obnoxious. The color variations are made from knitting the yarns double strand, each strand a different color, which also makes this a fairly quick knit. I am inclined to think you'll need a full-size knitting bag to pack this one around, to accommodate all the yarn! I see huge color possibilities with double stranding - try one solid and a variegated in the same shades!
If you're looking for smaller pieces to make, how about a Granny Square Afghan? Now I readily admit I have always believed that the granny square-anything was the most hideous thing to ever come out of the 1970's Phentex revolution but creations like this have me singing a different tune! This Granny Throw from Lion Brand has a thoughtful, subdued color scheme and is not more-holes-than-yarn in it's construction. It looks like it might actually withstand being snoozed under and then tossed in the washing machine once in a while. Frankly I think it's beautiful and deserves the very best superwash you can "throw" at it! LOL! I can picture this in color graduated yarn too, the kind that starts with dark and slowly makes it's way into a lighter shade of the same hue as you move to the outer rounds of the square... switch them up and then alternate when sewing them together!
And how can you think of modular knit afghans without tossing in a pattern for Mitered Squares , also from Lion Brand. A friend of mine wondered how I could have mastered entrelac in the round but I can't knit a mitered square to save my life! Frankly I haven't a clue. Maybe starting an afghan like this is a good way to learn... one square at a time! It looks to me like a great way to use up odds and ends of same-weight yarn, too!
So I hope this has given you some ideas for take-along projects... and if you only complete a few squares you could simply sew them into a scarf... or place mats... or coasters... Cheers all! Enjoy!
If you're looking for smaller pieces to make, how about a Granny Square Afghan? Now I readily admit I have always believed that the granny square-anything was the most hideous thing to ever come out of the 1970's Phentex revolution but creations like this have me singing a different tune! This Granny Throw from Lion Brand has a thoughtful, subdued color scheme and is not more-holes-than-yarn in it's construction. It looks like it might actually withstand being snoozed under and then tossed in the washing machine once in a while. Frankly I think it's beautiful and deserves the very best superwash you can "throw" at it! LOL! I can picture this in color graduated yarn too, the kind that starts with dark and slowly makes it's way into a lighter shade of the same hue as you move to the outer rounds of the square... switch them up and then alternate when sewing them together!
And how can you think of modular knit afghans without tossing in a pattern for Mitered Squares , also from Lion Brand. A friend of mine wondered how I could have mastered entrelac in the round but I can't knit a mitered square to save my life! Frankly I haven't a clue. Maybe starting an afghan like this is a good way to learn... one square at a time! It looks to me like a great way to use up odds and ends of same-weight yarn, too!
So I hope this has given you some ideas for take-along projects... and if you only complete a few squares you could simply sew them into a scarf... or place mats... or coasters... Cheers all! Enjoy!
Hi there! Just responding to your invitation on FleecenFibreCanada tocome say hello -- I stop by your blog from time to time anyway ever since I bought notecards from you for the Victoria FibreFest, but I never take the time tocomment! Nice to 'connect' again!
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