Every now and then, everyone could use a helping hand. Ready to lend your assistance? Below you’ll find a few readers in need. If you feel you can help or have any suggestions, please post your answer in the comments. Please try to supply instructions and/or links.
Cyndi asks,
I’m making an afghan and want to know how you keep it from getting fuzzy while you’re turning and moving it all the time. Any info will help!
Jean asks,
I am looking for a crochet afghan pattern that has a football team on it–not in granny squares. It is done with a graph paper design. Can somebody help me?
Colleen asks,
Can you please direct me to where I can buy patterns for crochet blankets that are made with 2-inch squares that, when put together, make a picture (i.e. duck, dog etc)? I have only a handful of these patterns and would like to make something different for my granddaughter. Thank you so very much!
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Colleen,
What you are looking for are “Granny Square Picture afghans” There are several different books of them listed on this site (check ebay for copies of the books listed there):
http://www.tamemymind.com/blog/2007/11/04/looking-for-picture-afghans-made-with-granny-squares.php
Jean,
If you are looking for a specific NFL or college team, try checking ebay. A lot of times they will be listed as cross-stitch patterns, but the graph used for cross-stitch can easily be used for afghan or single crochet. Each block on the graph counts as one stitch.
Jean,
Find whatever NFL or college team logo you are looking for and copier directly onto graph paper. Follow link for free graph paper. http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/multiwidth/
I have found that a single/double stitch works best for crocheting graphed designs into afghans. I once crocheted a football field with yard lines, etc and the team logo in the center. Hope this helps, have fun
Cyndi: It’s your yarn. Some yarns are fuzzier than others, and you can’t make them less fuzzy. Sorry I can’t be more helpful, but at least you can stop wondering how to stop the fuzziness.
Colleen: You can also take filet crochet patterns and transfer them to graph paper. Each square on the graph is one 2″ crocheted square. Or you could take any picture and convert it to graph paper. When you design an afghan on graph paper, place the design first, then fill in the outline until the afghan is the size you want it. That way you’re not limited to the available patterns and can make anything you want. I made ‘Mom’ and ‘Dad’ afghans for my parents with granny squares and without a pattern. This also allows you to make the design with 2″ squares and the rest of the afghan with larger squares.
i agree with the above. You will have to use a yarn that does not fuzz. I have used the kind you say and though it doesn’t fuzz while working on it, I have to knot the fringe so the it doesnt become all fuzz.
A good yarn would be a worsted of any synthetic. Good luck
Cyndi, I’m assuming your afghan is getting fuzzy from all the handling it gets….in which case, try folding the afghan neatly into a plastic grocery bag (tie the handles together in a bow to keep it snugly in the bag, just leaving the row or two out that you’re working on). This way, your afghan stays neat & clean (& non-fuzzy). As you finish a few more rows, simply shift those into the bag with the rest & continue as before:).
Dear Cyndi,
Your yarn can be partly to blame but I have found it very helpful to keep a sheet over my lap when working on a larger afghan. Due to serious medical problems, I am hooked up to equipment 24/7 and tend to sweat —– the sheet really helps to protect my work and cut down on friction. I hope it will help you, too. You might also check your tension —— too tight tends to cause fuzziness in my experience.
Cyndi,a suggestion I would like to add is that of a piece of satin or equally slippery cloth or clothing either lain across your lap or worn to eliminate all friction between your present clothing and your creation. I’ve also known of people who go over their finished work with a lint shaver! Hope all goes well!
For Jean. I once did a afgan with football helmet on it, done in afgan stitch. Came out great. Got the pattern from Mary Maxim. It was a booklet with all the different helmets. Good luck
Colleen, have you given http://happyyellowhouse.com/ a try? The crochet quilts is the process that you’re looking for. I’m not sure about the size of squares. Also, you can just do a search for crochet quilt patterns & see what pops up with that. Good luck!
Jean if you Google picture graph afghans you will find all that you are looking for on this subject good luck