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About Afghans
KarensVariety.com
If you are new to knitting or crochet, you might find all
the talk about afghans confusing, there is a huge assortment of different
kinds to choose from and yet, they are one of the first things everyone
wants to make. The purpose of this article is simply to help sort out and
identify the various types of afghans. Once you decide what type of afghan
you wish to make, you can follow a
pattern or let your creativity soar and
create your own pattern, choosing colours and
yarns as you wish.
Afghans have many uses; basically they are a blanket. Their
size dictates their use. They can be large enough to be used as a
bedspread, mid-sized for use as a lap robe, and small enough to be used as
a baby blanket or carriage cover. Styles range from Victorian to modern
geometric.
They can be:
* lacey or filled in
* single colour, variegated or many different colours
* with or without fringe
* reversible or one sided
* made to represent a theme
* be 3D
Your choice of pattern, colour and yarn can be used to
represent a theme. If you look at the names of afghan patterns, you will
find the names in some way match the afghan; patriotic, gardens, floral,
sea, stars, school.
Once you become familiar with the basic
pattern types, you will find that most patterns use these either singly or
in combination. The choice of colours and arrangements are without limit.
One consideration is where you make your afghan; if you like to take it
with you, motifs, strips or panels are easier to carry around. A beginner
might prefer to use basic stitches; leave fancier stitches until you
become more experienced.
3D - usually added to motifs either
as you crochet or after you finish a motif. These are usually made to
represent flowers.
Afghan Stitch - A crochet pattern with
Embroidery usually from chart
Blocks - knit or crochet, larger than
motifs and sewn together
Chevron, Ripple, Zigzag - can be knit
or crochet, often in one piece.
Granny - Motifs or
Medallions made of small squares (or circles or other shapes) which are
each crocheted separately and then sewn or crocheted together to the size
you wish. They are usually multi coloured and a wonderful way to use
leftover yarn.
Looms - an easy way to crochet.
Different sized and shaped looms will create motifs. These are then sewn
together to create almost anything you wish.
Mile a Minute - These patterns are
crocheted long strips that are then sewn together in a round.
One-Piece - the entire afghan is knit
or crocheted in one piece.
Panels - wider strips, knit or
crocheted, sewn together
Strips - narrower than panels, knit
or crocheted, and sewn together
Within these categories, any type of stitch
can be used: puff, popcorn, cable, basket weave, Aran, Fair
isle.
Usually an afghan has a border around the
perimeter of the blanket, using shell stitches, picots, or a simple single
crochet edging. This keeps the edges firm so they do not curl.
Adding fringe around the outside edge is
also an option.
Examples taken from
Afghans Pattern Books
Click the pictures to see the books.
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