Melody Griffiths - Crocheted Afghans: 25 throws, wraps and blankets to crochet

crocheted
afghans

crocheted afghans

25 throws, wraps,
and blankets to crochet

melody griffiths

Published in 2009 by CICO Books
an imprint of Ryland Peters & Small Ltd
519 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10012

www.cicobooks.com

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Text copyright Melody Griffiths 2009
Design and photography copyright CICO Books 2009

The authors moral rights have been asserted. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher. The crochet designs in this book are copyright and must not be made for commercial sale

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress.

eISBN:978 1 782492 84 9
ISBN-13: 978 1 906525 78 1

Printed in China

Editor: Marie Clayton
Designer: David Fordham
Photography: Carolyn Barber except pages by Beckie Maynes
Pattern checker: Susan Horan
Illustrators: Michael Hill and Stephen Dew

contents

To me, one of the most fascinating things about crochet is that it can be incredibly inventive and flexible, but at the same time it can also be simple and comfortingly repetitive. In this collection I have tried to combine these two elements to achieve original, unusual designs that are easy to work. Afghans, comforters, coverlets, or throwswhatever you call themare such satisfying things to create and make wonderful gifts for every age and occasion. I hope that youll find something here thats right for you and your lifestyle in each of the four chapters in this book.

The Vintage Style section is in the soft, creamy colors of antique fabrics. Two of the designs echo heirloom crochet lace, while traditional knits are the starting place for a beautiful crochet version of a Shetland lace shawl and an Argyll diamonds design in fast working double groups. Fabrics from the thirties and fifties inspired the charming puffs (yo-yo) baby blanket, the richly textured pale green blanket, and the classic gingham blanket.

The American Dream section includes designs based on a wide range of pieced quilts and homespun weaving. The pared down style of the Shaker sect is shown in a simple throw, while the contrasting colors found in Amish quilts inspired the sunshine and shadow throw. I have tried to echo the way that a simple motif can be arranged to make a larger design in my interpretation of a Navajo blanket, and a motif based on intricate Seminole patchwork was scaled up to make a blanket thats just like an abstract painting. Pioneer patchwork quilts gave me the idea for the log cabin coverlet and the crazy patchwork throw.

For my next theme, I wanted to bring the Outside Inside so the designs are inspired by the natural world. If you like making pictures, theres a rainbow striped blanket in vibrant colors, a landscape play blanket thats like a childs drawing, and a seascape wall hanging that started out as a watercolor sketch. There are three designs based on flowers: a perfect, classic throw that uses a myriad of colors to work alternating squares in rose and daisy motifs; a flower garden throw with daisy motifs; and a wildflower throw where simple triangles make four-petal flowers set in openwork squares.

The designs in the Around the World section are inspired by a range of textiles and techniques. The patterns found on Aran sweaters were interpreted in raised crochet stitches to make a richly textured throw. Scottish plaid rugs inspired the tartan blanket, and knitwear motifs were worked in cross stitch on a crochet background to make the Scandinavian sampler throw. Eastern Mediterranean carpet designs gave me a starting point for the kelim runner, a beaded table mat from Africa triggered off the circular throw, and Japanese woven textiles gave me the feel for the ikat throw.

For me, this has been an incredibly satisfying book to work on. It has been inspiring to look at fabrics, handmade crafts, textiles, and motifs from all around the world, then to interpret them in crochet. I hope that you are inspired to be creative too.

Heres all the excitement of a traditional whitework bedcover, but made from easy-to-work, pared down blocks finished with a pretty picot edging and joined with a decorative trim to give an old-fashioned effect in less time.

SIZE

52 x 38in. (133 x 98cm)

YOU WILL NEED

11 x 50g balls of Debbie Bliss Rialto DK in cream

US F/5 (4.00mm) crochet hook

GAUGE

Each square measures 8 x 8in. (20 x 20cm) measured across straight edges, 11 x 11in. (28 x 28cm) measured from point to point, using US F/5 (4.00mm) hook. Change hook size, if necessary, to obtain this size square.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg = beginning; ch = chain; dc = double crochet; 2dctog = leaving last loop of each dc on hook, work 2dc, yo and pull through 3 loops on hook; 3dctog = leaving last loop of each dc on hook, work 3dc, yo and pull through 4 loops on hook; foll = following; rem = remaining; rep = repeat; RS = right side; sc = single crochet; sp = space; ss = slip stitch; st(s) = stitch(es); yo = yarn over hook; [ ] = work instructions in square brackets as directed.

lacy square

Make 10ch, ss in first ch to form a ring.

1st round (RS): 1ch, 1sc in ring, 2ch, 23dc in ring, ss in 2nd ch.

2nd round: