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‘NEMESIS’ AFGHAN NEARING COMPLETION

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Ryan and Mindy’s Wedding Afghan

I’m finally nearing completion of the wedding afghan for my nephew who married last June! This has been my ‘nemesis’ afghan – a term we crocheters sometimes use to refer to a project that we either do not enjoy making or just can’t do properly or well. In this case, the central part of the afghan is a DC mesh which is beautiful when completed but is a royal pain to crochet, boring and repetitive. I do like the look of the finished project and will probably use this mesh stitch in other – much smaller(!) – projects.

At any rate, I have all the pineapples crocheted to one end of the afghan. There are seven pineapples that create the edging on the short sides of the afghan. I added the plain green border to the mesh in hopes of tying my color choices together. The original pattern was pictured in all white. I would never have been able to crochet an entire, adult-sized afghan in white (or black). This is one that I just have to make in a colorway that pleases ME. I did, however, consult the bride regarding color choices. She surfed a bit and sent me a link to a lapghan composed of 12 inch squares in most of the colors found in the variegated RH yarn I eventually settled on to crochet the afghan. I’m a bit disappointed in the size of the pineapples. I think they need to be larger, but I don’t really know how to accomplish that – and I WANT TO BE DONE WITH THIS DRATTED THING!

I enjoy making pineapples, especially in yarn rather than thread. They are positively addicting (thanks dj for that insight) and I took time to admire each one as it was completed. I stopped about halfway across this first edge to weave in all kinds of loose ends. My mind was just too tired to count and think, so I did what is usually a mind-numbing job when my mind was already numb. Two birds, one stone??

In case you want to make this afghan, it’s from Annies’ Favorite Crochet Magazine, June, 2001 but can also be found at www.freepatterns.com. It’s name is Vintage Lace Afghan designed (beautifully) by Elizabeth Ann White. I have yet to block the pineapples which I will do before gifting it to the newlyweds. Hey – Emily Post says we have a full year to give a wedding gift so I should come in a few weeks under!

Looking for more Afghan blankets to crochet? Check out these Crochet patterns on Etsy.

Comments

Have you read?

Shock Wave Free Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern

This Free Shock Wave Crochet Lap Blanket Pattern from Mary Maxim looks like one of those wonderfully satisfying projects that gives big cozy payoff without fiddly detail. Mary Maxim lists it as a free download, designed as a crochet afghan/lap blanket, with a finished size of 45 x 50 inches.

What immediately stands out is the yarn choice. The pattern is made with Bernat Blanket Extra Thick, using 5 skeins, and calls for a U.S. U/50 (25 mm) crochet hook. That is gloriously chunky territory, which usually means fast progress and lots of squishy texture. If you are in the mood for a project that feels substantial in your hands and grows quickly row by row, this one definitely has that appeal.

Mary Maxim describes the blanket as having a beautifully textured, plush, soft finish and suggests it as a project for home décor or gifting. Based on the materials and oversized hook alone, that sounds about right. This feels like the sort of blanket you make for curling up on the couch, draping over a chair, or giving as a practical handmade gift that will actually get used instead of folded away “for best.”

The pattern is marked Easy, and the listed stitch requirements are straightforward: chain, repeat, double crochet, single crochet, and slip stitch. That makes it sound approachable for confident beginners and very appealing for anyone who wants a relaxing crochet project without too much counting drama.

I also think the lap blanket size is a smart one. Not every crochet blanket needs to become a giant commitment that takes over the lounge room and your will to live. A 45 x 50 inch blanket is a useful, manageable size for gifting, for wheelchairs or reading nooks, or just for keeping on hand for chilly evenings. That practicality gives this pattern extra appeal. The usability point is my own take based on the finished dimensions Mary Maxim provides.

At the moment, the pattern page shows no reviews, so there is not much customer feedback to go on yet. Still, if you enjoy easy crochet blanket patterns, super chunky crochet throws, or quick lap blanket projects, this one looks like a solid freebie to save.

My overall take? This looks like a fast, cozy, beginner-friendly crochet blanket pattern with plenty of texture and instant-gratification energy. Very much the sort of project you start because it looks easy, then keep going because the yarn feels ridiculously soft.