Afghans

I made this afghan for a Christmas present. Here is the motif pattern I used...

motif
Ch 6,join 1.ch 3,2 dc,ch 1,3 dc 5x's,total of 6 groups of 3 dc and ch 1 and join 2.sl st to ch 1,(3 dc,ch 1,3 dc,ch 1) around,join and sl st to ch 1 3.3 dc ch 1 in each ch 1 around,join sl st to ch 1 sl st to ch 1 4.(3 dc,ch 3,3 dc),ch 1,(3 sc in ch 1 space),ch 1,(3 sc in ch 1 space),ch 1,(3 dc,3 ch,3 dc),ch 1 around sl st to ch 1 5. (3 dc,ch 3,3 dc,)ch 1,3 dc,ch 1,3 dc,ch 1,3 dc,ch 1,3 dc,3 ch,3 dc,ch 1 around finish

Here's the pattern for the ripple blanket in the above pics I made for a Christmas present and didn't get a photo of it finished.But since it's a simple ripple afghan you get the idea.

Easy Ripple Afghan

Special Stitches: 3 st dec: *yo, insert hook through next stitch, yo and pull loop through stitch, yo and pull through first 2 loops on hook; Repeat from * twice. Yo and pull through remaining 4 loops on hook. 2 st dec: *yo, insert hook through next stitch, yo and pull loop through stitch, yo and pull through first 2 loops on hook; Repeat from * once. Yo and pull through remaining 3 loops on hook.

Instructions: Chain a multiple of 16 stitches plus 2 stitches. For a 40 inch wide afghan, chain 130. For a 55 inch wide afghan, chain 178. Row 1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook; dc in next 6 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 6 ch; *work 3 st dec in next 3 ch, dc in next 6 ch, 3 dc in next ch, dc in next 6 ch; Repeat from * across. End by working 2 st dec in last 2 ch. Ch 2 and turn.

Note: The valleys will probably be shallower than the peaks at this point. Work another row or two and they should even up. Row 2: Skip first dc; dc in next 7 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc; *work 3 st dec in next 3 stitches, dc in next 6 dc, 3 dc in next dc, dc in next 6 dc; Repeat from * across. End by working 2 st dec in last 2 dc. Ch 2 and turn. Repeat Row 2 until afghan is desired length changing, colors as desired.

If you are using more than one color of yarn, I suggest changing colors every 2 rows. Changing colors At end of row, when working the 2 st dec, drop the current color of yarn when you have the last 3 loops left on your hook to finish the stitch. Yarn over with new color of yarn and pull through 3 loops on hook. Ch 2 and turn. Leave 5 or 6 inch ends of each color of yarn to weave in.

Finishing... Weave all yarn ends in securely.

Variation 1 - Ribbed Ripple: Begining with Row 2, work all stitches in the back loop only to create a ribbed effect.*This is how I always work my ripples,it's a fancier look.

Grandma's Crocheted Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread...

I started a Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread... Frances Johnson is a hero among many crocheting women,her bedspread will be remembered for years.It took her 67 years to finish it and it's beautiful.Here's the video link to her showing it...
Here's the pattern...

MOTIF . . . Starting at center, ch 12, join with sl st.

1st rnd: Ch 3, 23 dc in ring. Join to 3rd st of ch-3.

2nd rnd: Ch 3, 4 dc in same place as sl st; drop st from hook, insert hook back in 3rd st of ch-3 first made and draw loop through the one on hook (a pc st). * Ch 5, skip 2 dc, dc in next dc, ch 2, 5 dc in next dc; drop st from hook, insert hook back in last ch made and draw loop through the one on hook (a pc st). Repeat from * around, ending with ch 2, sl st at tip of first pc st made.

3rd rnd: Sl st in ch-5 sp, ch 3 and complete a pc st; * ch 2, a pc st, ch 5, dc in next sp, ch 2, a pc st. Repeat from * around, ending with ch 2, sl st at tip of 1st pc st made.

*I just wanted to add this here, because a couple of people have gotten confused on this 3rd rnd with the "ch 3 and complete a pc st", at the beginning of this round. It only means the ch 3 will be the first dc of the pc, so you'll have ch 3 and 4dc to make the 5 dc pc. Just enlarge the above photo and you'll see it. 

4th rnd: Sl st in next sp (between pc sts), ch 3 and complete a pc st; * ch 2, in next ch-5 sp make 2 pc sts with ch-2 between; ch 5, dc in next sp, ch 2, pc st in sp between 2 pc sts. Repeat from * around, ending as before.

5th and 6th rnds: Same as 4th rnd, making pc sts between pc sts of previous rnd and 2 pc sts in ch-5 sp, always making ch-2 between pc sts (4 pc sts in each group on 5th rnd; 5 pc sts in each group on 6th rnd).

7th rnd: Sl st in next sp (between 1st 2 pc sts), ch 3 and complete a pc st; * (ch 2, pc st between next 2 pc sts) 3 times; ch 3, dc at tip of next pc st, ch 3, dc in ch-5 sp, ch 3, dc in next sp, ch 2, pc st between next 2 pc sts. Repeat from * around. Join.

8th rnd: * 3 pc sts between pc sts of previous rnd, with ch-2 between; ch 3, dc at tip of next pc st; (ch 3, dc in next sp) 4 times; ch 2 and repeat from * around. Join.

9th rnd: * 2 pc sts between pc sts of previous rnd, with ch-2 between; ch 3, dc at tip of next pc st; (ch 3, dc in next sp) 6 times, ch 2. Repeat from * around. Join.

10th rnd: Sl st in sp (between pc sts), ch 3 and complete a pc st; * (ch 3, dc in next sp) 3 times; ch 3, skip next dc and sp; in next dc make 3 tr, ch 3, 3 tr, ch 3, skip next sp and dc; dc in next sp; (ch 3, dc in next sp) twice, ch 2, pc st between pc sts of previous rnd. Repeat from * around. Join and fasten off. She said in the video she put 31 motifs across, (she calls them little doilies, so cute), and 30 motifs from head to foot for the spread. :D Use a sc to join motifs. 

Here's a still shot of Frances' motif and click to enlarge.

 Also pc is popcorn stitch, so where it just says do a pc, you'll know to work those 5 dc, here's a youtube video of how to do the popcorn for anyone new to it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF-83OSOSYg


BTW, I'm sorry I don't have the border around instructions, it's all I had written down. You can make any border you want and maybe someone has a photo of it online to go by. 

Frances Johnson's video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYVQ1dsRqfE

Here's a stillshot of her's, looks like sc to join the motifs.

Holidays are Over...

Well the holidays are over and I've been so busy making presents,decorating,cooking and spending with family,so I want to put some pics from the holidays.