stepping waves afghan

[kpole]

I am planing on making this afghan for my Grandmother. She is a big blue fan. I was thinking of useing two blues and a white. I love the Waverly yarn but I don't think they have any nice bright (ish) blues. I was wondering if anyone could recommend another type of yarn that is nice for an afghan since I am daily new to making afghans. Thanks!

[Shandeh]

I was wondering if anyone could recommend another type of yarn that is nice for an afghan since I am daily new to making afghans. Thanks!

I love using Bernat Super Value for afghans. Nice and sturdy, but still soft enough that it doesn't hurt my hands when I'm working with it. And there are SO MANY COLORS in that yarn!

Bernat Super Value - Berry by Shandeh, on Flickr

Bernat Satin also works well for blankets, but is not as sturdy as Super Value. It is VERY SOFT, though. And once again, LOTS of colors available in that yarn.

Bernat Satin - Banana by Shandeh, on Flickr

[needlenut]

I am three-quarters of the way done now. Still hoping to be done around Easter!

[dogfoster]

I have really been enjoying your updates on the progress of your gorgeous afghan, it is beautiful!

But today I thought about it quite a bit. I am making a baby blanket, that is crocheted shells on the diagonal. When I first began, the increases were intuitive enough. So today I begin the decrease rows. By now the thing is huge and I am working with it all bunched up in my lap. I have spent all day working on two rows! I cannot figure out the decreases and am more than frustrated with this easy pattern! I keep thinking if you can make a whole afghan knitted I should be able to crochet a baby blanket! Anyway, I admire your tenacity and beautiful work, even in a small way I know how exasperating it is to have to put the whole thing down to get up for something, and I don't know if you have to turn in knitting, but imagine so, so turn the whole thing around, get the yarn out of the way etc.! Think from now on I will personally stick to motifs!

[Shandeh]

I don't know if you have to turn in knitting, but imagine so, so turn the whole thing around, get the yarn out of the way etc.!

If you use long circular needles, it isn't that bad. The blanket rests in your lap, and you only hold the weight of the needles and a bit of the blanket. You do have to turn at the end of each row. I turn my work, twisting the blanket in my lap, then I turn it the other way for the next row, untwisting the blanket. So, it works easily.

[Shandeh]

I am three-quarters of the way done now. Still hoping to be done around Easter!

Beautiful!

[needlenut]

I have really been enjoying your updates on the progress of your gorgeous afghan, it is beautiful!

But today I thought about it quite a bit. I am making a baby blanket, that is crocheted shells on the diagonal. When I first began, the increases were intuitive enough. So today I begin the decrease rows. By now the thing is huge and I am working with it all bunched up in my lap. I have spent all day working on two rows! I cannot figure out the decreases and am more than frustrated with this easy pattern! I keep thinking if you can make a whole afghan knitted I should be able to crochet a baby blanket! Anyway, I admire your tenacity and beautiful work, even in a small way I know how exasperating it is to have to put the whole thing down to get up for something, and I don't know if you have to turn in knitting, but imagine so, so turn the whole thing around, get the yarn out of the way etc.! Think from now on I will personally stick to motifs!

Hi dogfoster! When I am knitting, I don't even get up to answer the phone. My daughter, my brother, and my aunt (the 3 people who call me the most) know that I will call them back when I get done with the row I am working on. I have come too far on this afghan to risk messing it up by leaving it in the middle of a row.
Yesterday seems to have been a "bad crochet day" for you. Hang in there. Walk away from it for awhile. Then go back and tackle it.

[needlenut]

I am three-quarters of the way done now. Still hoping to be done around Easter!

Beautiful!

Thanks, Shandeh

[dogfoster]

Hi needlenut,
That is funny about you not answering the phone. Wondering that you do not drink too much coffee before you get started either! I have so many cats and dogs, and now these two not so muddy anymore puppy fosters, so I have to get up a lot.
Anyway I thought a lot about what I posted, and why was I all huddled under a baby blanket for goodness sake. I think I was not decreasing on the other side like I should have. Got up at 5 AM with pups, looked at the lopsided diagonal thing, and pulled the two rows out I spent hours on yesterday, and all of last weeks work too, and started from the middle anew, and having better luck. I could have made three of them with all that I had done wrong , time and yarn. Great advice, putting it down, and taking look at it the next day. That is so helpful with many things I have found. Wish I had done it sooner with this blanket! Good luck with yours!

[Laina]

I am three-quarters of the way done now. Still hoping to be done around Easter!

Beautiful afghan! Thanks for sharing your progress!

Laina