Large Afghan Tutorial

I am super excited to share this project with you all as it is one of my favorite gifts I have ever made/given! 

One of my friends was unfortunately diagnosed with cancer shortly before medical school graduation. I spoke with one of my family friends who is now 5+ years cancer free to ask what she appreciated most when she was undergoing treatment and if there was anything that she wished people had done for her during those hard times. She told me that it was wonderful when people made food for her family and she appreciated a nice pashmina a friend had given her to keep her warm during chemo. I tried to find the masculine version of a pashmina and settled on making an afghan for him as a reminder of all of the friends and family who care about him and as a practical gift too.

I popped across the street (literally! I love it!) to the library to find some knitting or crochet patterns for afghans. I was leaning toward crochet as it is oftentimes faster and I hoped to get it done in the few weeks before Christmas. I was greeted by a bunch of patterns straight out of the '80s and a few newer looking ones. Finding one that looks masculine and modern was a tougher bill than I thought but I eventually found this book and this pattern. I loved this book - it includes instructions for each of the stitches, how to change colors, finish off, patterns and more. 

Here's the pattern and directions:

Here are some videos to show you how to do the stitches:
Slip Stitch (sl)
Single Chain (sc)
Half Double Crochet (hdc)

Double Crochet (dc)
Triple/Treble Crochet (tc / t-ch)

I did end up changing the patterns little bit because my friend is over 6ft tall so I made it 173 chains tall and I added a few additional rows to the width. With these adjustments it ended up being 5ft x 4ft.  In all, I used 2.5 skeins of the main color (MC), 1 of each of the other colors. 

A few weeks and 7 seasons of Monarch of the Glen (I can't wait to go to Scotland after watching it!) later the final product was done and ready to be shipped out! Here it is:

Thanks for reading and be sure to check back for more posts!

Cable Knit Crocheted Hat

I've become a Michigander for my intern year and will be a Minnesotan in less than a year when I start my dermatology residency so it seems only fitting that I embrace the cold with this practical and cute wintertime craft. 

I found this free Revelry pattern for a Cable Hat by Sarah Arnold (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cable-hat).

She says that this is not a beginner's pattern... but I did just fine with no experience :) You just have to be able to follow directions (or the Youtube videos below).

Items Needed:
4 oz. of Worsted Weight (4) yarn
H and J crochet hooks or hooks needed to obtain gauge
       Gauge: (With J hook) 4 fpdc across for 3 rows should measure 1" wide and high
Two sizes: Smaller ­Heads sized 18­-22" (Larger ­Heads sized 21-­26" in parenthesis in pattern)
Cable next 2 fpdc (from row 4) explained below: fpdc in second fpdc from hook (stitch "2"): 

Note: Every round in the pattern (with the exception of the brim) starts with 2 fpdc, when joining this means you need to: slip, ch 2, then fpdc down into the fpdc you slipped to (overtop of the ch 2, ignore the ch 2 from now on, like it doesn't exist). So for example each round would start with slip, ch 2, fpdc down into previous fpdc you slipped in, then fpdc in next fpdc. You'd then continue each row as it's written

With J Hook:
     1. 14 (16) dc in Adjustable Ring

     2. 2 fpdc in every dc: 28(32) stitches

     3. fpdc in next 2 fpdcs, dc in space between the 2nd fpdc and the next around: 42(48) stitches

     4. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in dc, cable next 2 fpdc (fpdc in second fpdc from hook, fpdc in skipped fpdc), bpdc in dc around: 42(48) stitches

     5. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc around: 42(48) stitches

     6. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, 2 fpdc in each of next 2 fpdc (4 fpdc total), bpdc in bpdc around: 56(64) stitches

     7. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, cable next 4 fpdc (fptr in 3rd fpdc from hook, fptr in 4th fpdc from hook, fptr in 1st skipped fpdc, fptr in 2nd skipped fpdc), bpdc in bpdc around: 56(64) stitches

    8. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, fpdc in next 4 fptr, bpdc in bpdc, around: 56(64) stitches

    9. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, dc in space between bpdc and next fpdc, fpdc in next 4 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, dc in space between bpdc and next fpdc around: 70(80) stitches

   10. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in bpdc, bpdc in dc, cable over next 4 fpdc (fptr in 3rd fpdc from hook, fptr in 4th fpdc from hook, fptr in 1st skipped fpdc, fptr in 2nd skipped fpdc), bpdc in bpdc, bpdc in dc around: 70(80) stitches

   11. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in next 2 bpdc, fpdc in next 4 fptr, bpdc in next 2 bpdc around: 70(80) stitches

   12. fpdc in next 2 fpdc, bpdc in next 2 bpdc, fpdc in next 4 fpdc, bpdc in next 2 bpdc around: 70(80) stitches

   13. Repeat rounds 10­-12 until 1" shorter than desired length

Switch to H Hook
Note: Every round in the brim starts with a bpdc, when joining this means you need to: slip and ch 2, this ch 2 counts as the first bpdc, then fpdc in the next stitch. You'd then continue the row as it's written.

1-5. bpdc, fpdc around: 70(80) stitches 
Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

Youtube tutorials:
       Slip (sl st)
       Double Crochet (dc)
       Front post double crochet (fpdc)
       Front post treble crochet (fptr)
       Back post double crochet (bpd)

If you are still struggling, Sarah's PDF has some pictures to assist (see link above).

If you are looking for more of a beginner project check out my Crochet Infinity Scarf Tutorial.

Thanks for reading and good luck! Subscribe up on the right to get emails about new posts!