Whenever I'm bored or stressed, I go straight to
Ravelry's Recently Added Patterns. Many times, the designs aren't that exciting - lots of crocheted hats and amigurumi, none of which I'm terribly interested in. It's a lot like a slot machine: in goes the quarter... pull the lever... watch it spin... and then... nothing.
However, every once in a while, you hit the jackpot: a particularly splendid design. That's been happening a lot lately because every day, some kind soul at Berroco posts a half dozen fabulous afghans. I'm not even into afghans - it takes all my will, strength, and patience just to finish the stockinette in my cardigans. But these designs are utterly fantastic - and miraculously combined into a single, incredibly affordable book:
Comfort Knitting and Crochet: Afghans: More Than 50 Beautiful, Affordable Designs Featuring Berroco's Comfort Yarn by Norah Gaughan and Margery Winter.
Check out just some of these gorgeous throws. To see them all, visit this
Berroco page.
I just bought
Comfort Knitting and Crochet Afghans at Amazon for only $13.57. When was the last time you got more than 50 patterns for less than $14.00? (I also bought Lucinda Guy's
Northern Knits: Designs Inspired by the Knitting Traditions of Scandinavia, Iceland, and the Shetland Isles so I could get Amazon's free shipping.) What a great deal for such wonderful patterns!
To increase the cost-savings, all of these afghans are made in the very affordable and washable
Berroco Comfort (although I would seriously consider using
Berroco Vintage with its wool content instead, but that's just me). This means you can knit an whole blanket for $50-100, especially if you buy the yarn with the
Webs discount.
I'm so jazzed about this book that I plan to try my hand at an afghan. Maybe I'll make one with squares so that I can work on the project a little at a time. This would solve the first of two big challenges. The other? Deciding which one to make first, of course!
Posts
Gorgeous! I think if I were going to knit one of these beauties I would go for more expensive yarn and make it an heirloom project.
ReplyDeleteHowever, being the spinster /crone that I am...I will stick to wearables. LOL
Gorgeous! Hats off to Ms. Nora for these beautiful designs.
t_a
Spinsters and crones rock! lol
ReplyDeleteI love love love Nora's patterns however the clothing options that I like NEVER go up to my ENORMOUS size! lol :( I was thinking about doing a block a month with all different techniques so that I can add to my knitting skills and use some of the extra hanks of cascade (my wool of choice) laying around! Good luck on the afghan and I can't wait to see pics! :)
ReplyDeleteAs always thanks for the great posts! :)
Ms. Irish, from one enormous chick to another, I'm absolutely sure you can upsize Norah Gaughan designs. Maybe not every single one, but there are some that are very conducive to upsizing. If you ever want to strategize, email me and I'll be happy to help.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of doing a differently patterned square at a time. A Ravelry friend is doing that and I just LOVE her results. Check this out: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/peggity/knitty-cat-kal-aran-afghan
Thanks for reading, girl. Keep coming back!