Robyn Chachula - Unexpected Afghans: Innovative Crochet Designs with Traditional Techniques

unexpected
afghans

This book is dedicated to my grandmother Rose, for inspiring all of her grandchildren, even many years after her time, to understand that crochet can be beautiful and simple, and it can wrap you with love.

I am very thankful for this opportunity to work with such talented and creative designers. Their passion for crochet fueled my love of the simple, amazingly beautiful afghan. Thank you for making this book come alive with your brilliant projects.

All the yarns used in the book were donated graciously by the yarn companies. Thank you so much for your support and quick responses to all my requests. I truly appreciate all that you have given me. Those companies are Blue Sky Alpacas, Brown Sheep Company, Cascade Yarns, Tahki-Stacy Charles Inc., Classic Elite, Bijou Basin Ranch, Lion Brand, Caron International, Universal Yarn, Premier Yarns, and Coats and Clark.

Thank you to everyone at Interweave, especially Kim Werker and Karen Manthey, for making the ramblings of a sleep-deprived mom sound intelligent. I would also would like to thank Virginia Boundy for helping me crochet two of the pillows in the book so I could keep focused on writing and editing.

Most important, I would like to thank my friends and family for all their love and support in every crazy challenge I take on. I would especially like to thank my husband, Mark, for his unwavering love. Without his encouragement and help, this book would not have been possible.

Last, I want to thank you, the readers. Thank you for enjoying what I love to do so much. Your enthusiasm for crochet is what keeps me energized to share my kooky designs!

I have always been downright nosy about what other designers have in their homes.

I sometimes think I keep magazine sales afloat by myself. I always wonder how creative people design their homes to keep them inspired. For me, I try to live in a natural setting that has four distinct seasons, in a place thats centrally located enough that I am able to take a short walk to explore new exhibits at a museum. I then take pieces I find in my community and fill my home and studio with their colors, textures, and patterns. The subtle inspiration in my home has a direct effect on my crochet work.

My initial approach to this book was that pure sense of just being nosywhat do other crochet designers have in their houses? That then morphed into, what would an afghan look like at Leigh Radfords house or in Drew Emborskys studio? And finally, how amazing would it be to have all the masters work on one big canvas to showcase our craft so we all can decorate our homes?

The results are astounding. I asked each crochet designer to use the afghan as a vehicle to showcase their favorite aspect of crochet. Some went colorful, some turned to granny motifs, and others came up with intricate stitch patterns. Each project highlights the beauty of crochet cables, colorwork, lace, granny motifs, or Tunisian crochet. Plus, every project has the intimate stamp of the designers unique inspiration. The best part is that even though the projects in the book look amazing and maybe even slightly challenging, each one has tips and stitch diagrams to guide you along the way. Every chapter also begins with a small pillow project to ease you into the more involved afghans that follow.

So go ahead, jump on in. What would look good in your home? Could it be the masterpiece from Simona Merchant-Dest, or the modern take on granny motifs from Linda Permann, or the show-stopping exploded doily from Doris Chan? I know my hook is itching to start one for each room in my house.

Be honesthave you crocheted an afghan before? Of course you are not alone if you have. I am always amazed by how many crocheters first projects are giant afghans. I can count myself among those numbers as well. My first afghan was a sampler with each block a different stitch pattern or granny square. I adored working on the project and learning a new stitch on each block. The pride I felt from finishing all the blocks and sewing them together is what has hooked me on all my projects since.

But maybe youve never crocheted an afghan. This book is a great place to get started. I truly believe that any kind of project can be someones first project as long as it interests them enough to finish. If it is a boring project or stitch pattern, you are going to think crochet is boring. Why not start with something a bit more complex, as long as you are willing to learn how to make it? Even though all the designers in this book come from different backgrounds, the one thing we have in common is that we finished our first project. Here are what some of our experts have done, in their own words:

DIANE HALPERN My first project was a 70" (178 cm) cluster stitch winter scarf that went great with maxi coats. It promptly stretched and became lethally long!

JILL WRIGHT I learned to crochet working granny squares, but Im pretty sure my first actual project was a filet-crochet long-sleeve cardigan in a fine cotton yarn. I like to challenge myself!

DORA OHRENSTEIN My first crochet project was a cape that could also be worn as a skirt. This was back in the seventies when I was living on a houseboat in Amsterdam. It was in the days of wild colors, and it had lots of them. I had no idea what I was doing, but it came out very nice.

DORIS CHAN A blanket for my favorite toy horse, a palomino named, no surprise, Trigger.

DREW EMBORSKY I started crocheting when I was five years old, and if my memory serves me, my first project was a granny square pot holder.

EDIE ECKMAN I dont remember my very first project, but I suspect it was a little stuffed animalI made dozens of them out of leftover yarn. I was making amigurumi WAY before it was in.

ELLEN GORMLEY The first project I can remember was a crocheted Rubiks Cube made of solid-color granny squares sewn together into a 3-D cube shape. It was a little lopsided but I was ten and it was the 1980s. I wish I still had it.

KIMBERLY MCALINDIN My first crochet project was a baby blanket. It was the pattern on the back of a Red Heart Supersaver yarn label, and it took me two months to make and understand the pattern. I was determined though, and I figured it out with a lot of ripping!

KRISTIN OMDAHL My first crochet project was a baby bootie in an intermediate stitch pattern. I struggled for quite a while with it, but once I got it right I figured if I can do this, I can do anything!

LINDA PERMANN My first real crochet projectafter a series of foiled squares-turned-triangles and pancake-shaped hatswas a set of star ornaments made from crochet thread. I was so happy to have found a diagram for them in an old Irish Crochet book from the libraryit was the first crochet diagram I had ever seen! I made lots of them for my holiday tree and still have them today.

MARTY MILLER