Afghan Pattern
Posted in Arts and Crafts on 03/06/2010 01:03 am by adminAfghan Pattern
Modular crochet, better known as “THE GRANNY SQUARE TECHNIQUE”, is as popular as ever. In fact, the granny square pattern has been around for so many years and yet it’s never gone out of style. It’s a classic.
Crocheting modules in one specific pattern and then sewing them all together to form a larger piece of fabric – like an afghan – is a very practical method of crochet. The modules are portable and the project can be worked on anywhere. There’s no need to carry around the entire project, just a hook and enough yarn to make a module or two at a time. Plus, it’s easier to learn one particular crochet pattern and keep repeating it as many times as needed.
From the design point of view, multiple modules assembled together results in a very striking overall pattern. Color choice is key to creating an exciting modular crochet finished product. While bright color yarns are often used, any of the modular crochet patterns can look stunning when worked in shades of neutrals or earth tones – like beiges, greys, browns – to achieve an elegant, eclectic look that blends well with sofas and other furnishing colors popular today. It’s also possible to crochet the very same patterns in baby colors and in much finer yarn, like sport-weight or baby-weight, to create beautiful and unusual baby gifts.
The square referred to as ” the granny square” is made up of “rounds” , with each round usually done in a different color yarn. A very simple stitch pattern is used, made up of 3-stitch units. When we refer to modular crochet, however, we also mean a great assortment of eye-catching crochet patterns, some having flowers in the centers, some with very intricate multi-dimensional stitches, like the “popcorn”, the “cluster” and the “puff” stitch, or even lacy textures. Some modules are not square at all, but triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or round. Strips crocheted separately and then sewn together into afghans and throws can also be considered modular crochet.
There is a huge variety of modular crochet patterns in existence today, and many books and Internet sites offer instructions. Just enter “granny square” or “patchwork crochet” in an Internet search engine. It’s even more exciting to request an “Image” search within “Google” and view the beautiful, colorful, and inspiring photos of completed projects done in this technique.
To guarantee success with this crochet technique, it’s a good idea to learn modular crochet patterns visually – through illustrations, photos, or videos. This is important because traditional crochet instructions are often hard to follow, since they are written in an abbreviated “crochet shorthand”. Illustrated crochet patterns are definitely great, especially for beginners. Intermediate and experienced crocheters are also helped by step by step stitch diagrams. Complicated stitches are much easier to learn that way.
The technique of modular crocheting has endless possibilities. It can be used for making afghans, baby blankets, baby outfits, scarves, hats, bags, and countless other wearables and home accessories. It’s an exciting crochet method that provides many opportunities for creativity, relaxation, and personal satisfaction.
Author of this article – Bella Scharf – is the creator of the crochet website at http://www.PatchworkCrochet.com/
The site offers a collection of fully illustrated crochet patterns. Bella Scharf was design director at a major yarn company for many years, and has authored two craft books. The first – Illustrated Patchwork Crochet – was a best-seller, with over 150,000 copies sold. It was also a Literary Guild Alternate, and was featured by Doubleday Book Club.
Does anyone know where I can get round crochet afghan pattern?
I have done a search and only seen the Baby Afghan patterns – which are good, but thought I would throw out this question. Thanks!
Mary Maxim has one that is round, but you would have to purchase the kit. Other than that, I would say be creative, adapt the baby patterns you’ve found to a larger size by using larger yarn and a larger hook, and addind rows. It’s usually easy to add rows once the pattern is established… Good Luck!
Crochet Boucan Pattern Stitch – Scarf – Afghan – Blanket
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Leisure Arts 8 pattern book for crocheted afghans $8.00 |
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BABY SET AND BABY AFGHANS KNITTING PATTERN CARRIAGE SET,2 AFGHANS, LEGGINGS, $0.97 |
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CROCHET! CROCHET MARCH 2009 PATTERN MAGAZINE CLOTHING AFGHAN 17 PATTERNS $5.99 |
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Misty Morning Afghan, Mile-A-Minute Wonders pattern $2.99 |
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Jacobean Floral Afghan Throw cross stitch pattern $3.99 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS AFGHANS FLORAL STARS & STRIPES MORE@@ $3.99 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS GRANNY SQUARE AFGHANS PURSE SKIRT MORE $3.99 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS BABY AFGHANS STRIPE SCALLOP BLANKETS $3.99 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS BABY AFGHANS KNIT BABY BLANKETS $0.99 |
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32A CROCHET PATTERN FOR: “French Stripes” Afghan Avg. Skill $1.85 |
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Cross Stitch Pattern – BABY AFGHAN COVER UPS CLOWN DINOSAURS TOYS CHICKS BIRDS $5.99 |
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Green Witch Crochet Graph Afghan Pattern PDF $3.30 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS MOSAIC CROCHET THROWS AFGHANS BLANKETS $4.99 |
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CROCHET PATTERNS CLASSIC CROCHETED AFGHANS 8 DESIGNS $2.99 |
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KNIT PATTERNS AFGHANS 5 DESIGNS HEARTS LACE BLANKETS $3.99 |
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Knit and Crochet Today!: Series 200-B $12.71 All 13 episodes of this series–including “Entrelac Knitting & Crochet,” “One of a Kind Baby Gifts,” “Knit & Crochet Afghans,” “Teens Get Stitching,” and “Projects Using Faux Leather”–are presented in a three-disc set. 5 3/4 hrs. total. Widescreen; Soundtrack: English; bonus CD-ROM. **13 episodes on 3 discs. 5 3/4 hrs.**… |
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Crochet Me Workshop: Chain Reaction Afghan Project Crochet-Along with Kristin Omdahl and Marcy Smith $19.95 Description Create your own Chain Reaction Afghan Project! Editor of Interweave Crochet Marcy Smith joins up with crochet expert Kristin Omdahl on the set of the Public Television show Knitting Daily TV to create the Chain Reaction Afghan Project, a community afghan project that features 20 afghan squares from a variety of well-known and up-and-coming designers. |
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Marion – Boucle Afghan $45.08 Boucle Afghan – Lovely afghan with beautiful hand-knotted fringe, available in 17 colors… |
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Marion – Boucle Afghan Boucle Afghan – Lovely afghan with beautiful hand-knotted fringe, available in 17 colors… |
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38 Afghan Knitting Board w/ hook instructions pattern $54.00 This new board from the knitting company offers you the ability to complete large projects like afghans and sweater parts. DETAILS: More pins per side for even wider knitted pieces |
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Shaped Afghans Book Patterns in interesting shapes and beautiful colors to make six crochet afghans…. |
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The Granny Square Book: Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Crocheting Square by Square $15.03 Granny squares are to crochet what pieced squares are to quilting. They originated with pioneer women using up precious scraps of yarn to make blankets for their families, and over the years, many recognized, named patterns have been handed down from one generation to the next. Beyond this treasury of 75 different granny square motifs, Margaret Hubert shows the evolution of the granny square, how … |
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Around the Corner Crochet Borders: 150 Colorful, Creative Edging Designs with Charts and Instructions for Turning the Corner Perfectly Every Time $10.41 WORKMAN PUBLISHING-Storey Publishing: Around The Corner Crochet Borders. When it comes time to put the finishing touches on the edges of a fiber project a crochet border is the perfect solution. Edgings are essential adornments to the most popular knit and crochet pieces. But borders can do so much more; they give handmade goods a delightful finishing touch; serve as focal points; tidy uneven edge… |
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Beyond the Square Crochet Motifs: 144 circles, hexagons, triangles, squares, and other unexpected shapes $11.39 Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. 100% Money Back Guarantee…. |
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Desert Sand/Yellow & Black Shemagh Arab Keffiyeh Neck Scarf $6.49 Yellow Sand/Black Shemagh Arab Keffiyeh Neck Scarf – 100% cotton material. Desert Sand/Yellow & Black. Size 42″ x 42″ (inches). Traditional desert Arab head dress, which evolved from turbans in ancient times. Essential for protecting the eyes, nose, mouth, ears and face from sand. Can also be used as a neck warmer or hand towel. Scarf is high quality stitch. Worn by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanista… |