War Eagle Afghan

Crochet is a strange creature for me.  I start a bajillion and one things, and finish very few.  I'm not sure what my problem is, except that I like trying new things, and the internet is like a toy shop of crochet patterns!  

This past week was my mother-in-law's birthday.  Some time back, she'd pinned a picture of an afghan and I thought, "hrm, I think I can make that."  So, I took yarn I actually had in my stash and set out on my journey.  But, I got partway into the journey and it became pretty tiring.  Maybe it's color fatigue.  Maybe it was pattern fatigue.  Whatever it was, I set it down.

But, it became something that was perfect for the days of sitting in the cancer center while my husband received his chemotherapy.  There was very little counting, and a quick eyeball would tell me where I was in the pattern.  Also, the volunteers began to want to see it every time I came in, just to see how far I'd gotten.  In short, it was perfect for noisy, distracting environments and curious observers.

At some point, I despaired of finishing it by my mother-in-law's birthday.  It seemed quite the impossible task.  I mean, even when I finished, it still needed a border which is something I've never done.  In truth, I've never made an afghan to give to someone else.  Ever.  So, I was in uncharted territory, and I began to question whether she would even want such an item.

But, my husband seemed happy for the task I'd set out to accomplish.  Thus, I marched forward, row after row and then one day, two days before her birthday, I handed to my husband and I said, "I finished."

This is my version of the Corner to Corner Afghan pattern by Red Heart Yarns.  The link will take you to The Crochet Corner as they have a video tutorial done for Red Heart Yarns' pattern.  I simply printed the pattern and took off.  It's very straightforward, and it really comes together quickly.  

 The afghan I made is approximately 48" square.  I failed to measure it when it was complete, but that was my aim.  I (erroneously) believed I didn't have enough orange yarn to go further and that I'd not find it, but I later discovered the the color I used is still in production.  So, it might have been larger had I not believed that, but then I probably would not have finished in time.  It worked out for good in the end.  :)

The yarns used are Caron One Pound in White and Midnight Blue, and Red Heart Super Saver in Carrot.  I used one full skein of white plus part of another, and nearly all of one skein of blue.  I used a full skein of carrot plus a little of another.  My hook size was H.

The border is from the book Around the Corner Crochet Borders.  The link will take you to Amazon to look at the book.  I used border #6 in orange, blue, and white.  I can tell this book  will be dogeared before too long.  I love the variety of options!  The only problem I had with the border was corners, which I didn't fully understand.  So, I had to wing it a bit.  

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my very first gift afghan post.  I gave it to someone I love a lot, who is a treasure to me, and who raised a wonderful young man to whom I've been married for 25 years.  I pray for her afghan to bring her joy.  And I hope it's useful for those Auburn games which are coming up quite soon indeed!  

May God bless you today with His loving presence.  <3