Flowerpot Afghan Design

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

Do you remember the white lace afghan I’ve blogged about a couple of times?

Well, not only is the afghan done, but the design is now published as well! I’ve been calling it the Nemo Afghan because I wrote up the pattern (and did all the math for the different sizes) during Nemo, but didn’t want to actually publish it with that name because I also wrote up a square that day & I publlished it as the Nemo March Square. Because the two designs are completely unrelated, I definitely didn’t want to use the same name for two separate designs, so after brainstorming, I finally came up with the Flowerpot Afghan.

Do you see little flowerpots?

Like I usually do for my afghan designs, the pattern is written for four sizes:

preemie 24” by 24”
small lapghan / toddler sized 32” by 32”
small afghan (twin sized bedspread) 49” by 72”
large afghan (full sized bedspread) 60” by 84”

Afghan requires Red Heart Super Saver yarn, 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn, 7 ounces (198 grams), 364 yards (334 meters), 2 (3,6,7) skeins needed.

If you prefer to use a “one pound” skein of yarn such as Caron’s One Pound, you need 1 (1, 3, 4) skeins to complete the afghan.

Afghan is now for sale on Ravelry, Craftsy, Shop Delighted, and Etsy, and soon to be listed on Patternfish. I’ve also listed the pattern on Crochetville, which now sells crochet patterns by independent designs! I’m slowly listing all of my designs.

New 12″ Squares

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

I recently blogged about Melinda’s Wrap Square, a free for the moment 12″ square design. Well, I’ve been a busy bee, and I’ve also published two other temporarily free 12″ square designs… Celebrate the End of Winter Blues

Celebrate the End of Winter Blues was designed for my year long afghan square CAL on Ravelry.

and It’s a Cluster Square.

Purple Square made by one of my testers, pandastamper

It’s a Cluster Square was designed for the Afghans & Blankets ongoing square CAL. This is year two of the CAL. The first year we brought out a new square to crochet every week, and this year we’re working a little slower by crocheting a new square every two weeks. This is the second time one of my squares was chosen for the CAL but the first one I designed specifically for the group.

Both patterns are free through the end of May & then the price will be $2.25 each.

melinda’s wrap square

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

This is a 12” crochet block pattern that utilizes an unusual stitch called the “wrap” stitch, which is similar to a cluster but differs in the method of construction.

Pattern will be available for free through the end of May, 2013, and will then become a paid pattern, so be sure to download it now!

Many many thanks as always to my fabulous testers, marjos, debspugs, pandastamper, Tinochka7, and Marifly.

download now

friday fo

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

While we were up in Maine last week I managed to take some FO shots – doesn’t everyone drag afghans with them across 2 state lines just so you can take photos on the beach?

First, granny square afghan #1 made with various sized grannies joined-as-I-went

This one I started with 2 small grannies, immediately got sick of dealing with yarn ends, and started just working around and around…

I actually put a border on this one

I forgotten how much I enjoy making grannies.

Both afghans are the first two of hopefully many afghans for the veterans. One of the nice ladies on several of my Ravelry groups challenged me to make some afghans for the veteran’s & I realized though I’ve made hats & scarves for the vets, I’ve never done afghans, & I decided since I had so much red in my stash (and seldom use red in my regular afghans) , I’d make patriotic afghans for them. So, 2 are done!

scrap fall afghan completed: fiber friday

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

Do you remember way back in October mentioning I was working on some fall colored scrap afghans? It started life as my work demo project for Michael’s – at the time I didn’t have samples for classes I needed to work on, so I could crochet anything I wanted. I’ve discovered that my crocheting (or knitting) generates much more interest & excitement if I use LOTS of bright colors, so this was the project to take. And in November I shared a couple of finished afghans with you.

Well I finally managed to complete, finish weaving in the yarn ends, & photograph the last one… which was made using just the main motif, and not the two smaller ones, so it’s more of a regular afghan than a “quilt”.

I joined these using one of those methods that helps to make a bigger afghan, and tried to add a decent size border as well, in order to get a decent size lapghan.

The final size ended up about 35″ by 43″ – a little small, but OK.

It’s been added to the afghan donation pile – which thinking of, I’ve dropped off two bags worth of afghans so far, with two more bags to go. When I say bags, I mean STUFFED FULL of afghans, at least 20, is in each bag. Lots of warm laps!

Remember when I showed you that funny bit of knitting & asked you to guess what it was?

and

I also finished a while back, but finally blocked & took photos of my knitted New Edge, using scrap purple sock yarns

And while I have your attention, if you missed it, there’s still lots of time to join us in our crafty book challenge! Won’t you please join us & help spread the word?

I’m also doing feature & follow Friday this week…
the question is…
Who is your favorite villain from a book?

I instantly thought of Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmations (the book, not the movie), but I think my all time favorite would be He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named from Harry Potter. Of course.

link ups:

http://crochetboulevard.blogspot.com/

fiber arts friday

tami’s amis

Feature & Follow Friday

socks in progress- yarn along

Posted on January 16, 2013 by Anastacia Knits

You might have noticed I’m not calling this post work in progress wednesday, but yarn along. I’m going to try – key word try – to actually participate instead in yarn along – where you combine books & yarn into one post. Duh, why didn’t I do this years ago? I’ve seen other people do it, so I’m finally jumping on the bandwagon.

So, without further ado….

Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading, and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

I decided at the last minute to do yarn along, so I don’t have a photo of any books with my wips, so let’s start with the wips, shall we?

I’m not sure when I actually started these socks – before Christmas anyways. I only work on them on work breaks, and only when I’m not reading. I usually have a book & my socks with me every day – if I’m alone in the breakroom, then I read; if there’s someone else in the room with me, then I knit & chat. I’m using up random scraps that were supposed to go into the sock yarn blanket, but let’s face it – they aren’t going to be knitted into miters, now are they?

Yes, I’m aware they aren’t the prettiest socks in the world. I’ll probably make just the one odd sock & add it to my pile of mismatched socks.

Last week’s wips that I showed you are complete & blocked… now I just need to take photos!

I also have some progress on my garter stitch short row scarf / shawlette thingie, using scrap sock yarns in purples…

I also started a new Wiggly Way ripple afghan for charity (last one I finished blogged here)

Now, onto the books:

Technically, I have a ton of books I’ve started reading, some of these were started back in July, according to my goodreads profile! Yes, July!

In no particular order, I’m reading:
When Calls the Heart (Canadian West #1) – just started on a lark, not sure if I’ll get beyond the first chapter, honestly
Addicted to Magic (Addicted, #1) – I don’t even remember this one, but it’s on my goodreads “currently reading” list
Thwarted Queen – I started this in July & loved it, have NO idea why I never finished it!
The Stolen Crown: The Secret Marriage that Forever Changed the Fate of England – another one from July that I loved & have no idea why I didn’t finish it.

These last two I started so long ago, I’ll probably start reading from the beginning again & at least skim the parts I read 6 months ago, to refresh my memory a bit

For the Outlander challenge, I picked up Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander, #6) from the library & I’ve started reading that again. Man, I forgot how much I love this series & it sort of makes me wish I had started from the beginning again, but when I look at the earlier books in the series (which I all own) & see how many pages of reading it involves… which means other books don’t get read…

friday fo: garter stitch hat, slip stitch scarves

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Anastacia Knits

Good morning! I have a few things to share with you today.

First, a slip stitch scarf (part of my slip stitch crochet collection):

only increased to a few stitches & worked even to create a long tail, & then increased as in pattern for the rest of the scarf.

and my second slip stitch scarf:

followed my new slip stitch shawl design for quite a few rows, but did not finish section one to keep the edges staggered & to make this scarf sized, not shawl sized.

Love the effect!

Both scarves are to be donated.

And a simple garter stitch hat to donate to charity

and a stack of afghans ready to be donated, do you recongize them?

link up
someday crafts

free pattern: Ogunquit Granny

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Anastacia Knits

Ogunquit Granny

Photographed on Ogunquit Beach in Maine, shows plain border

By Anastacia Zittel / http://anastaciaknits.net / anastaciaknits on Ravelry / http://www.ravelry.com/groups/anastacia-knits-designs

Materials:
o Approximately 1-2 pounds of worsted weight yarn scraps, or any desired yarn. Keep all the yarn the same weight for best results
o Size H (5.0 mm) crochet hook

Gauge: doesn’t matter

Abbreviations (pattern uses US terms):
ch: chain
sp: space
rep: repeat
ea: each
sc: single crochet
dc: double crochet

Pattern Note: This is a three quarter granny square, & will be worked flat for the majority of the pattern. Because of its construction, the afghan will always be twice as wide as it is high. It is designed for charity & stash-busting. There are two options for borders: if you do not like the proportions of the afghan as written, use the second “granny square” border.

Pattern:
This section is worked flat, turning after each row.
Row 1: Ch 4, (dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in 4th ch from hook: 7 dc made.
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1 sp, now & throughout), turn, * (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc-corner made) in ch 2 sp, ch 1, rep from * once more, dc in 4th ch of beg ch 4: 14 dc made.
Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc, now & throughout), turn, dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp (this forms the beginning of the bottom of the afghan), ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, dc in next ch 1 sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch 4: 19 dc made.
Row 4: Ch 4, turn, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, * (3 dc in next ch 1 sp,), ch 1, rep from * once more, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch 3: 25 dc made.
Row 5: Ch 3, turn, dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until last ch 1 sp, dc in ch 1 sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch 4.
Row 6: Ch 4, turn, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until last ch 1 sp, dc in 3rd ch of beg ch 3.
Rep rows 5 & 6 as many times as desired, changing colors at will. When afghan is desired size, do not end off, but change to desired border color in last stitch of row 6.

Plain Border:
Use this border if you want to keep the proportions the same as already established.
You will now be working in rounds.
Round 1: Ch 1, do not turn. Working across top edge of afghan, 2 sc in ea dc across top. * 3 sc in corner, 2 sc in ea dc across & ch 1 sp across until next corner. Rep from * twice more, join with a sl st to 1st sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, work a round of reverse sc all the way around afghan.

Granny Border:

Use this border if you want to add some “height” to your finished afghan – see photo above.
Round 1: Ch 5 (forms the beginning of the first corner), do not turn. Working into the top of the last dc made from the body of the afghan, 3 dc, ch 1. (3 dc, ch 1) into the base of every other dc across top of afghan until next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into 3rd ch of beg ch 3. Sk ch 1 sp made from beg ch 4 from body of afghan, ch 1, * (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next corner, rep from * once more, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) across last side of afghan until beg of round 1, 2 dc in last dc, join with a sl st to ch 3rd ch of beg ch 5.
Round 2: Sl st into first corner, ch 5, 3 dc in same corner sp. * Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until next corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 sp. Rep from * twice more, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1) in ea ch 1 sp across until last corner, 2 dc in corner sp, join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beg ch 5.

Repeat round 2 as many times as desired for border.

End off. Weave in ends. Show off!

Thank you to my tech editor, Kristin LeMoine (kri on Ravelry).

Thanks to pandastamper, mercylullaby, ladyfernaco, grayhare, blogstarr, marjos, poodlemama9, dtf1983, & honeystalks for their test crocheting skills. As always I couldn’t do it without all of you.

Feel free to make as many of these as you like for local craft fairs/auctions/raffles/bazaars, but please do not sell finished items online. If making for charity, please let me know the name of the charity & include my contact info with the item (anastaciaknits on Ravelry). If you have any questions or comments or just want to join like-minded souls, please join my Ravelry group at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/anastacia-knits-designs or on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AnastaciaKnits

fiber fo: second scrap afghan

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Anastacia Knits

I finished weaving in the ends, & here is the second fall scrap afghan…

I have enough motifs already stitched up to do a 3rd I think, I just need to figure out a border/joining color.

Believe it or not, I don’t think I have anything in my stash that will work – I’ve been really using up the acrylic stash lately & I’m getting down there.

Have you joined us on facebook yet? please stop by & say hi

friday fo: fall scrap afghan, green ogunquit granny

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Anastacia Knits

Hello, crocheters!

I’ve been a busy bee, wanna see?

I finished up one of my fall scrap afghans & a green Ogunquit Granny…

Considering I didn’t really like this design when I started it, it’s grown on me a lot.

And here’s the scrap afghan, sized just right to fit on a lap… or maybe I’ll donate some of these to Dog Orphans, a local dog shelter…

I have a second one just about done that I’ll share with you next week.

Before I let you go, I wanted to ask if you had “liked” me on facebook yet? If you have a quick second, I’d really love it if you popped over to the group & said hello.

Happy crocheting!

Anastacia Knits

easy, elegant & edgy crochet designs

Category Archives: afghans