Comments on: Motif Afghan Crochet-Along: The Finish Line

By: Sandra

Sandra — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:32:37 +0000

Hi Edie, I’m still enjoying the making of this blanket. Due to my jobs I’m making a slow progress, I think it will be have a significant one during the Holiday season. For now here is how is looking so far (picture on the sidebar: http://blogdesandramaria.blogspot.com

I chose joining the squares directly as I go, seems to me it makes such a nice effect when you see the blending of both yarns!

Yours is lovely, congrats on your finish!

To all the participants: I’ve been peeking here and there, on your blogs and also on Ravelry. It’s wonderful how different they look just by the color combinations. They all look delightful!

Thanks for hosting it!

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:31:41 +0000

Looks as though everyone did a great job with this CAL and thoroughly enjoyed the process…..congratulations.

Unfortunately, I didn’t wind up participating because when getting seriously stumped with a certain part of the hexagon directions, I felt as though I was bothering you, Edie, with several questions about the same place in the pattern. I couldn’t seem to ‘get it’ and after your third response, I got the feeling you were annoyed with my density when it came to this part of the pattern, so I just decided to back off. However, I followed along via the blog and again, congrats to all.

Edie says: Hi, Laura. I’m so sorry you didn’t end up participating and that you felt frustrated with the instructions. I’m also very sorry that you felt you were bothering me–that certainly wasn’t my intention! I know how discouranging it can be to try and try something, and still just not get it. Unfortunately, I can’t quite understand where you are getting stuck, and therefore haven’t been able to figure out how to make it clearer.

The reason I suggested asking a friend is that I’ve found when I get stuck and can’t understand something, the written word (and even pictures) doesn’t also work to get me unstuck. Often I have to try a bunch of different ways to figure it out–having someone read instructions aloud to me, for example, or going to someone who has done it before and getting hands-on help.

Since this particular CAL is over, the blog is not the best place to continue the conversation. However, I hate to leave you hanging if you want to work on the afghan. If you’d like to give it another shot, I’d be happy to talk to you on the Lion Brand Motif Afghan Crochet-Along Ravelry group, or at my individual email.

By: Brenda Stevens

Brenda Stevens — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:06:01 +0000

Hi,
Edie are you still checking in here or should I contact you through your website? I’ll post my questions here just in case. One is what is the difference between the magic loop with its “double ring” and another loop or ring idea I’ve seen with just one loop? What makes the doubled loop better? I’m going to “play” with it and see what I come up with, but I would like your input, or anybody else, too.
I am slow, I know, but I have only made one motif so far, though I have made it a couple of times -playing around with standing double crochets and a different way to end when changing colors – with some Lily Sugar N Cream yarn because it’s a smoother yarn and I can see the stitches better. I wish you could see what I’ve done – I’d love your opinion on my “joins”.
Earlier in the CAL you suggested that I find a time/place to crochet without distractions. I chuckled at that because there is no such thing available here – or very rarely at most. Life is pretty busy here with 7 kids (ages range from 21 years down to 2), homeschooling, and our 40+ animals, including a dog, cats, rabbits, chickens, a guinea, goats, llamas and horses. This is part of why I am slow Oh, and I also have several other projects going on, besides crocheting.
I wish there was a way I could see how others’ projects turned out.
Thanks for doing this CAL! I have learned from you and been encouraged by you! Hope you come to teach in Minneapolis soon! (hint, hint)

By: Claudia

Claudia — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:16:57 +0000

Edie,
Your afghan looks fantastic!
Thank you so much for all the great ideas. I like others have learned alot from my first Crochet Along. Especially the slip loop! What a great idea. I tried the join as you go method, at one point I didn’t know if was was going to have enough yarn to complete it. That’s when I worried about this method, but it worked out. Thanks too for the instruction on joining…I have always used the needle with the whip…. this looks a whole lot better!.

Thanks again… Loved it!!!!!

Edie says: So glad you liked it!

By: Kiki

Kiki — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:04:10 +0000

I love mine, too! I am sort of combining the join as you go method, and not! I’m doing sort of “flower groups”. There are two, each with a different solid center and the 6 motifs that connect to it are identical to each “flower”. So I am joining them to the solid center as I go with sc, but the multi-colored “petals” will be joined to eachother when I add the filler motifs to emphasise the “petal” look. Hard to describe, but I love the effect!

By: Vicky Schoeman

Vicky Schoeman — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:39:10 +0000

Edie

Your finished CAL project looks great. What about adding half hexagon motifs to the edges where applicable. I’m busy with an afghan of my own and wondered if you had such a pattern. I suppose I could work out one myself, but your help would be much appreciated.

Greetings from sunny South Africa, where the weather is slowly warming up after an unusually cold winter.

Vicky Schoeman, Cradock, South Africa

Edie says: Hi, Vicky. You can certainly add half-hex motifs if you like. I don’t have one prepared, because that is beyond the scope of this Crochet-Along. Others have mentioned that they are considering figuring one out. If someone does have a coordinating half-hex, please share it with us here and on the Ravelry group.

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:43:55 +0000

I have learned so much from this CAL! The wonderful photos really help explain the text. You mention that your afghan is not a “traditional-size afghan.” What do you consider a traditional-size afghan to be? When joining the squares of a sampler afghan, do you recommend a row of single crochet around the squares first before joining? My pattern calls for a variety of different colored squares and I’m having trouble deciding what color to use to join them. I’ve ordered one of your books since I’ve joined this CAL because you have a great way of teaching. I appreciate all of the time you spent on this!

Edie says: Although there’s no real standard for afghan sizes, I think of a full-size afghan as being at least 42″ x 58″ or so–plenty big to grab and cover a full-size adult. I usually make them about 48″ x 60″. My finished afghan is more of a lap-ghan size–generous enough to cover the legs, but not really Snuggie size.

You can certainly sc around each motif if you like. When you use a single color for the sc round on all the pieces, it creates a framing, unifying effect. Trust me when I say it’s worth the time to experiment with several different design ideas before deciding on which looks best. It is NOT time wasted.

By: Ilehlia

Ilehlia — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:36:06 +0000

Edie, your final result looks just terrific, especially on that chair. I’m glad “we” chose those colours for you! Thanks so much for all the great tips. Like Melissa above, I’ve been crocheting a long time, but never learned a lot of these finer techniques. I look forward to another CAL with you in future.

Edie says: Thanks, Ilehlia. I’m so glad you joined us. I hope we’ll be able to do it again, also.

By: Melissa Slofkosky

Melissa Slofkosky — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:42:56 +0000

Edie. Thank you, for all your information in this crochet along. I have been crocheting along time. However, I learned how to do the sliding loop.I really like it. I also learned how to do the standing crochet.It really makes changing colors alot easier. I am also going to try the join as you go method.
Melissa

Edie says: Hi, Melissa. Isn’t it amazing that, no matter how long we’ve been crocheting, there is always something else to learn? I’m always looking for tips to make my stitching look better–and make it easier. We can learn so much from each other!

By: phillygirl64

phillygirl64 — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:42:18 +0000

I think I’m gonna redo the VCB granny square blankie I have sitting as well! thanks Edie and Johanne!