Wednesday, April 2, 2014

An Afghan for my Dad

I love to make things for my family and friends. It's very rare that I feel possessive over something I've made, as most of the time I enjoy the process itself. But when I think back over the past ten years (when I first learned to knit and crochet) I can count on two fingers the things I've made my dad--a knitted scarf, and some canvas covers to keep any light out of those giant jug things you use when you make your own wine. Last year, in the midst of some afghan or another, he said to me jokingly "You should make me a Penn State afghan." I gave a quick search and came up with nothing to guide me. I back-burnered it as if I was going to make one I'd have to make my own chart, and if it's not stick figures or rainbows it doesn't get drawn by me.  He never mentioned it again. On a whim a few months ago I looked again, and found a crochet pattern for a Penn State afghan. Here's the link to the pattern. I don't know when the PSU copyright police will intervene (if at all) so if you're interested grab a copy now.


I started this project on Super Bowl Sunday. I'm pretty sure I've made it about twice, once you consider the amount of frogging and restitching I did. The whole thing is done in half double crochet, which always gives me fits along the edges. I literally counted every single stitch for a loooong time to make sure nothing was getting wonky. I finally found my rhythm, running a marker over each row on the page as I finished. I must have been cock-eyed at one point as I goofed up what is essentially highlighting, and had to rip out a third of what I had done. And then I did it again a little later, but not quite so drastically. I spent a few evenings overall not even stitching, but just comparing my chart to my blanket to find where I went wrong, and then wrapping my yarn up to go at it again. Considering that this blanket is a great couch throw size, and the amount of redoing I had to do, it actually came together quite fast. I finished it up this weekend, gave it a wash and dry, and now it's ready to be used. So it figures the weather turned and it finally feels like spring around here.


I've never made an afghan like this before, so carrying the yarn in such a way to make it almost invisible from the front was a learning experience. When it's all laid out you can see a little bit of where I carried it, but when I researched how to do this a lot of the examples I saw had the same thing going on so I figure it must be an occupational hazard. I really truly don't care, as I'm pleased as punch that the Nittany Lion came out looking like it was supposed to.


I guess it doesn't matter where you start an afghan like this, but I started at the bottom. The letters are pretty blocky and close together, so it was good practice for minding the yarn.


Doing an entire afghan in HDC was quite tedious, and I might have lost my mind were it not for the logo breaking up the monotony. I really like the texture that results from it. I don't know how I used to make all my afghans in one color (I feared weaving in too many ends so I avoided color changes). When I think back so many of them were just one solid color--I don't know if I could do that anymore for anything beyond a baby blanket sized project. I almost look forward to the color changes to see how they all play together.


I put one row of single crochet all the way around to neaten the edges and finish it off. My fingers were SORE trying to work that hook into my stitches on the sides. I wished and hoped the whole time that I wasn't creating ruffles or pulling too tight. But everything came out nice and smooth.

 Due to this not being the most relaxing project, tension got the better of me, and the sides are a little wavy. But I don't care. Who lays an afghan out on the floor nice and flat and keeps it that way? No one. Around here they're folded or rumpled, on the couch or recliner, usually with someone snuggled under one. As long it fulfills the purpose of a blanket, I don't give much of a hoot about imperfect edges.

So you wanna see the whole thing, then?


I used plain old Red Heart yarn in soft navy and white (I didn't think navy would be so hard to photograph consistently, as it shows a little different in some pictures, but it is indeed navy). I ran into an interesting thing. Most of my yarn was similar enough, but one of my skeins of blue (and I bought the jumbo size) was weird. The yarn felt very thin, almost like a sport weight. When I bought more to compare them it was interesting to see the difference. I've never encountered that before within the same brand, but it's something I'll be keeping in mind in the future.

This was probably one of the more difficult things I've ever made. Which should make up for the fact that it's only the third thing I've ever made for my dad. This should count for fifty things, at least.

Linking up here:

22 comments:

  1. Bethany - that is an AMAZING FEAT. I am so impressed! One of my crochet students just asked me about making a redskins crochet blanket - using a similar concept. I will show her yours. You must have been pretty sick of blue by the time you finished this. Great job- I'm sure your dad will love it. I know quite a few diehard Penn State fans - they would love it too.

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  2. WOW!! That's great work. Have you given it to your dad already? I am thinking you'll move right up the chart as favorite daughter ;-) I think a project like this would've made me cry.

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  3. it looks great, well done on getting it done quickly, that would have ended up on my UFO pile! What is Penn State?

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  4. It looks fab! I think that's him well off the list for the next decade or so ;o)

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  5. Well done! Your dad should be happy!
    Ripping that much out... ouch! I have a knit blanket that I STILL haven't finished because I had to frog about 1 foot. I can't imagine pulling out that much!

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  6. Oh my! This is so fantastic. You did a great job, I'm so impressed! Thanks for linking up at Sunday Soirée!

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  7. That's awesome - must have taken FOREVER!

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  8. This is so great. I love how nice an even your stitches are. Your dad must love it!

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  9. Beautiful can I get this pattern I would love to make it for my 2 PSU graduates. Let me know malomar1@optonline.net Thanks

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  10. Wow! This is amazing. I'm not sure I can do it, but I'd love to try. I have a PSU graduate and a current PSU sophomore. If you are sharing the pattern, I would love to have it! thanks....theshenk5@comcast.net.

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  11. That is an amazing blanket. I too come from a PSU family and would like to try and make the blanket. I have been looking all over the internet for a pattern like this. If you are able to share the pattern my email is chidar83@gmail.com. Thanks in advance.

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  12. I just started crocheting and looking for a cool project to do. My boyfriend went to PSU so I think it would be awesome if I could make 1 for him. If you don't mind sharing the pattern, please send it to my email tnp002@bucknell.edu
    I really appreciate it!

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  13. My son just got accepted to Penn State and asked me to make him and afghan. While searching the web I came across your afghan. It turned out great! I would love to try to make him this afghan but cannot find the pattern. I was wondering like others if you would be able to email me the pattern. My email address is reeler2737@mypacks.net. I would greatly appreciate it!

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  14. What an amazing gift for your Dad! Beautiful work! I do believe the PSU Copyright Police were out in force and nabbed the pattern... sad.... If you still have it to share, I would love to gift this to my son, who is graduating with his Masters from PSU on Mother's Day. My email is gaduval1@live.com

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  15. Hi! Great work!, would LOVE to make this if you still have the pattern!!
    My email is jessi_joy@hotmail.com
    Thanks so much!

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  16. Hi there. The pattern is beautiful. I'd love the pattern to try to recreate the afghan as a graduation gift. Please. My email is jnlorber@gmail.com thanks! !:)

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  17. Thank you, again, for sharing the graph for this with me! I made a special trip to Webs to purchase just the right yarn, and came home with their Valley Yarn in Northhampton SW Bulky Merino. The end result is a blanket that is amazingly soft and cushy, and fits the bed top of a full size bed or would work well as a twin sized bed cover or simply as a couch throw. My son will walk with the Masters in August and we could not be more proud. So what better than expressing our pride and commemorating the occasion with a hand-knit Nittany Pride Blanket! I can't wait to give it to him; I suspect there will be tears! I added some length before and after the graph as well as a seed stitch border, if you would like to see the finished object it can be seen here: http://ravel.me/gaduval/h6n36

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  18. If u could can you send me the pattern

    My email is
    Lilmama.mandy@gmail.com

    Thanks

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  19. Hi, just like so many others who posted messages to you, we are also a Penn State family. I attempted to crochet a throw for my grandson last a while back, but stopped because I couldn't figure out how to make the logo. If you are willing, I would really love a copy of your pattern. Is this possible. My email is: ptrund621@gmail.com Thanks very much!!

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  20. Hi, your afghan looks great! My husband is a big Penn State fan and I would love to be able to make him an afghan. Are you still willing to send a copy of your pattern? If possible, my email is kimandjamie@verizon.net. Thank you!

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  21. Hi
    Afghan is great. My grandson will be graduating next June would love to make this for him. Do u sell your pattern
    Email ppierno40@gmail.com

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  22. Are you selling the pattern? If so, please contact me at rumpha@hcboe.net

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