Graph-ghan CAL - UPDATED with guidelines

[lily]

ok, I have left my original post intact so that the thread makes sense.
Here are the guidelines I have come up with since this post.

Graph-ghan crochet-along guidelines.



The Project:

Any graph, any stitch, any reasonable blanket size, to include baby sizes. Any colors. The only real rule we have is that it be a graph, and it be a blanket. All else is fair game.

Beginners and experts and all skill levels in between are encouraged to join us.





The time frame: I do not know.



If you have already started a graph-ghan as of today, 12/20/05, Jump on in.

-Tell us your current progress and update weekly. A picture with the

update would be nice, but is not required.



If you plan on starting between today and 2/01/06, Give a holler in this thread

- Tell us what you plan on making, when you intend to start. After your intended start date, update us weekly. Again, pictures would be neat to see every week, but they are NOT required.





If anyone would like to make us a button, that would be cool. I do not think I will have time.



If I’ve missed any important tidbits, please let me know asap, so I can add it here.



In the beginning weeks of January I will be attempting my first of several planned afghans from graphs.

I'm hoping that there are some people out there who are doing the same, around the same time, or who have already started perhaps??

Being new to CAL's and graph-ghans, I really don't know what the guidelines should be, but I see that most CAL's have them. Seeing as how this thing looks to be a collossal pain in the neck (albiet great fun!!) as well as a long term project, the only thing I can think of for a guideline is that anyone participating should probably come to this thread and tell us your progress once a week. Even if your report is that nothing has gotten done.

I'm deciding on weekly for simplicities' sake... it seems like it would be much, much easier to remember to post here every saturday than to try and remember how long it has been since you posted if I were to make it two weeks or even a month. (I would be the airhead and the main culprit in this scenario.)

anyway... Another thing I think would be sort of fun in a nerdy way would be for those of us who have access to cameras and are able to post regular pics, NOT to tell what the pattern is...so we can watch the progress of others and play "hey! what IS that!!" This is DEFINITELY not necessary but if anyone else wants to be a nerd with me please let me know.

although I think I already told in another thread what mine was going to be.

:eek yup. I'm babbling. I'll stop.

:D

[Crocheting_MammaII]

I have been looking into doing my first graph ghan.:hook I really not all to sure where to start. I guess it would be good if I learned how to do the afghan/tunisian(sp?) stitch but i have not found good instructions. like how many loops to put on the hook before working them off? and how to change or carry the colors through. I have read a little on it but it seems quite intimidating to me.

[badrhinogillett]

I'm planning on starting a graph ghan on Friday when I get the Yarn Bobbins from my mother. I'm happy to join in on a CAL... especially since I'm terrified of the whole thing! It would be nice to have people cheering us on.

[fran]

I love doing graphs! When would be the start date?

[AmyG.]

Count me in. I love doing graph ghans :manyheart and have 3 of them planned for this spring :eek (1 needs to be done in March, 1 in May and 1 in June). You can definitely SC the graph ghans if you want. THat's how I have done all of mine so far. I'm planning on using the afghan/tunisian stitch for these new ones though. Check out my epson album in my signature to see the ones I've already done. I'll keep an eye out for more information!

[Marana]

OOOH ! Count me in too. I've learned the Tunisian stitches, gotten the big hooks, graphed out 2 original designs and I've been circling in on actually getting started for awhile now.

If anyone is interested, I got the "Easy Tunisian" hooks - goggle for the web site but I think I got mine from Annie's Attic. I notice they're on sale right now so I bought another set to replace the ones my cats used for chew toys.

I don't like any of the bobbins I've seen for sale so I'm making my own. I'm using plastic, sort of like TV dinner trays but not really. I think any hard plastic would do. I'll just cut out large-ish "8" shapes with a small slit to hold the yarn end, and see if they work. I've also made bobbins out of large straws and they work surprisingly well.

uh-oh ...
Does this mean I have to finish other WIP's?

[Tampa Doll]

This is a great idea for those who have not done one before, and believe me, you can always use encouragement and help. I know I drove myself crazy trying to figure out how to do it.

Anyway, the reason I can on here, was to say, that you do not have to use the afghan stitch for a graph afghan. I used sc in all of mine. It works just as well and I found it to be easier.

Just thought I would throw my two cents:2c in.

I can't wait to be able to check in and see how everyone is doing. I think you will all be surprised as to how easy this will be.

Good luck to all and Happy Crocheting:hook

[fran]

Oops, sorry. I didn't know it was for beginners.

[dysfunctionjunction]

I am new to the graph crocheting but have always wanted to learn. Is everyone using the same pattern? I need to know what supplies I need and Where to be and when and I will give it a whirl. I am new here but want to learn.:cheer

[lily]

nope, I see no reason to make any limitations on who can or can't participate, as far as skill level goes.

It would be good to have a few experts checking in regularly. lol

any graph, any skill level, any size, I will be starting mine the first week of january, but I also do not want to exclude people who have already started.. so. If you're less than 1/3 done with one already started, or plan to start anywhere between now and Feb first, that should be good enough.

So. If you want to participate:

-Check in here and let us know you're in.
-Post a weekly update for progress, even if you haven't made any.

I will be editing my first post here for clarity as soon as I have a chance. I'm sort of supposed to be working right now.

[lily]

ok, since my crochet plans have finally settled in I can give a date for my own ghan.

I will be starting in the first week of january by working swatches and figuring size. the plan right now is to use Caron SS, and I'm doing my graph in a sc, just because that seems the simplest. Probably an H hook, although that will really depend on what the swatches tell me.
I plan to be working on it regularly(i.e... really working on it) starting the last week of january, but I'll start my weekly updates in the end of that first week.

Mine will be a Dallas Cowboys afghan complete with helmet and logo, for my DH.

[badrhinogillett]

I"m officially starting tomorrow. Doing Elmo for my DD who thinks Elmo is the most wonderful thing ever. I'll be working with RH, probably an I or J hook, as I crochet VERY tight.

I'm rather nervous about this, so thrilled to have others doing the project with me!:cheer

[evelyn]

I used dc to do mine I done frogs and bears But didnt take pictures and they have already been given as gifts They where pretty easy to do
I done them a couple years ago

[cajunwhacko]

I'll be getting into this one at some point, I have plenty of graphs just need to pick out the right one etc.

I think it's great to have a CAL so the experts (like Mary Jo!) can give advice and everyone can be encouraged.

I have to get a few (okay a bunch) more WIPs out of the way first, but I'll definitely be checking back!

[minwifeof4boys]

This should be fun... I ahve done several over the years... mostly small squares of graphs.. log cabins or sunbonnet Sue ...I have been sitting on a graph of a snowman with snowflakes in the corners for years that I got in an old crafting traditions.. seems like a great time to work on it!
Merry Christmas!
Lea

[Crocheting_MammaII]

I will most likely be starting at the end of January when I pick up my supplies. I still have to figure out how to do a graph-ghan. I will be making a spongebob blanket and pillow for my daughter Meagan.:hook Can't wait to get started i'm very excited.

[SurendraSkye]

I started one last month...but my child spilled soda all over it and I was to depressed to start over. But I would like to try after the holidays.


Is there any one who can give some tips on changing colors. I keep getting extra stiches. I don't know what I'm doing. My grandfather taught me the basics to crochet when I was 6, and I've had to teach myself the rest. And graphs are the one thing I have trouble with in a large scale.

If someone knows of explanations somewere, I might accually get one done.

Looking forward to seeing all the progress everyweek

:) SurendraSkye

[badrhinogillett]

I started last night. Did 10 rows of just a single color and 2 rows of the pattern. So far I haven't tried to pull out my hair. It actually wasn't as bad as I remembered. I think having the yarn bobbins is helping, as opposed to just having a lot of skeins hanging off the work. Don't know how much I'll be able to do this weekend. I'm cooking tonight.. .then there is tomorrow and I may just crash on Monday!

[cdgayer]

I am just finishing a graph ghan of John Wayne's head in silhouette for my father. I used a moez hook and the tunisian stitch. I like the monster sized hook and this stitch because it's easier on my carpal tunnel plagued wrist--there's less movement and less pain. I'm really glad it's turning out so well.

A few years ago, I tried a graph ghan in sc and gave up because of all the tangling of the yarn. Since then, I've learned to turn the work clockwise on one row and counter-clockwise on the next row. This keeps the tangling down to a minimum. I might go back and try that blanket. It was a teddy bear holding some baloons.

Good luck to everyone.

[badrhinogillett]

I am just finishing a graph ghan of John Wayne's head in silhouette for my father. I used a moez hook and the tunisian stitch. I like the monster sized hook and this stitch because it's easier on my carpal tunnel plagued wrist--there's less movement and less pain. I'm really glad it's turning out so well.

A few years ago, I tried a graph ghan in sc and gave up because of all the tangling of the yarn. Since then, I've learned to turn the work clockwise on one row and counter-clockwise on the next row. This keeps the tangling down to a minimum. I might go back and try that blanket. It was a teddy bear holding some baloons.

Good luck to everyone.

I'd love to see a picture of the JOhn Wayne afghan!

[gretelgrrl]

Hi everyone!

I really wanted to try my hand at this and have been meaning to start on a Claddagh Throw for my newlywed cousin. But... I wasn't sure how to start!
Here's the chart:
http://www.nezumiworld.com/crochet_042.htm

Does anyone have any recommendations on websites? Tips for starting off?
I was planning on doing the throw in sc with 2 strands of WW yarn. Is it better to use more than 2? Less than 2?
I have no idea :)
Any tips for color changes? How to start?
How to make the chart bigger?

I know - too many questions. I just don't know where to start :) I consider myself an advanced beginner...

take care,
Molly

[cdgayer]

You can find John Wayne's head at www.***********************/johnwayneheadsilh.html
I'd let you see mine, but I don't have a digital camera.

[jingles96]

I have to check new posts or the CAL forum more often - I missed this. Duh! Anyway - I have 2 graph-gahns planned for next Christmas - and eagle with the flag behind and a wolf (still search for the right graph). Since I have a wedding coming up in Nov, I want to have these done by early summer so I'm not stressed about the wedding or Christmas afterwards! :)

Long story short: Count me in! :D

[badrhinogillett]

Here is what I have gotten done on Elmo so far this week. Not too much time to spend on it with recovering from Chirstmas! The graph is kinda tiny, but once I do a boarder around it, I think this will work up into a nice size for my DD-- she's only 18 months old, so I'm not wanting anything huge. As you can see, I need to work in the ends.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0324.jpg

[purlycues]

Here is what I have gotten done on Elmo so far this week. Not too much time to spend on it with recovering from Chirstmas! The graph is kinda tiny, but once I do a boarder around it, I think this will work up into a nice size for my DD-- she's only 18 months old, so I'm not wanting anything huge. As you can see, I need to work in the ends.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0324.jpg
Your Elmo is comingout nicely
I want to join this cal too but I've never done anything from a graph before so this will be be my first.I will start in Jan

[jingles96]

Elmo is looking nice! What do you have your yarn wrapped around? Huge Safety Pins/Knitting Stitch holders?

[badrhinogillett]

Elmo is looking nice! What do you have your yarn wrapped around? Huge Safety Pins/Knitting Stitch holders?

Thanks for the nice words everyone! Jingles- those are yarn bobbins. I had a heck of a time finding them. Fortunately, my mom had some from a knitting project a few years back. I think you can order them either from Herschnerrs or Mary Maxim... I was unable to find them at Walmart, Michaels, JoAnns, or my LYS. They make the job SO MUCH easier. I tried a graph ghan years ago, and didn't have them... I ended up throwing the project away. If you can find them, go get them, it will make the job considerably easier.

[robbinstx]

I'm definately in on this one. I started 2 graph afghans in November but barely got started and put them aside for Christmas gifts. I'm picking them back up again as both of my DS's keep asking me when they will be done!

I graphed Spongebob for my 6 year old and the Teletubbies for my 4 year old so I will be working on them both!

This is great!

[Crocheting_MammaII]

I'm definately in on this one. I started 2 graph afghans in November but barely got started and put them aside for Christmas gifts. I'm picking them back up again as both of my DS's keep asking me when they will be done!

I graphed Spongebob for my 6 year old and the Teletubbies for my 4 year old so I will be working on them both!

This is great!

My daughter loves spongebob! would you be willing to share your graph? Please and thank you.

[karin4christ]

Hi everyone. I haven't joined this CAL because even though its only the third of January I already feel overcommitted. I have made two graph afghans this past year using the large easy tunisian crochet hooks from Annie's Attic. This crochet site helped me tremendously because I knew nothing about graph afghans except that I liked how they looked. www.angelfire.com/************/index.html (http://www.angelfire.com/************/index.html)

Be sure to click on Cheryl's tutorials because I think she really showed in depth how to do the afghan stitch and how to change colors correctly, etc.

Good luck with all of your afghans.
And if someone already posted these websites, sorry for being redundant.

[robbinstx]

Sure, I just need to dig it out - and I'm afraid it is on, I think, 9 pages. Can I mail them to you?

[Crocheting_MammaII]

Sure, I just need to dig it out - and I'm afraid it is on, I think, 9 pages. Can I mail them to you?

sure that would be great! Thank you!

PM me and i'll give you my address

Melanie:hook

[jingles96]

Thanks for the nice words everyone! Jingles- those are yarn bobbins. I had a heck of a time finding them. Fortunately, my mom had some from a knitting project a few years back. I think you can order them either from Herschnerrs or Mary Maxim... I was unable to find them at Walmart, Michaels, JoAnns, or my LYS. They make the job SO MUCH easier. I tried a graph ghan years ago, and didn't have them... I ended up throwing the project away. If you can find them, go get them, it will make the job considerably easier.


I was in Hobby Lobby this last weekend, wandering around the notions isle, and found the yarn bobbins! I picked up a package 8-9 of "regular" ones for about $1.81 and a package of two giant ones for about $1.71. These will definitely come in handy when I start on my next graph-gahn. :)

[junerose]

Hi, I would love to have a go at this.

I have been planning on starting 3 this year, (subject to how the first one went! lol). One for baby, a jolly roger flag afghan, a John Wayne Afghan for my dad's birthday/Fathers Day gift, and a Dora one for my God-Daughters birthday.

I will be working them in SC, but I am unsure how to estimate the yarn. Does anyone have any guidelines?

[fran]

Going to do a "Rosie the Riveter" afghan in the afghan stitch. Hope to start it soon.

[badrhinogillett]

Not much time to work on it again this week, but the afghan is going quickly. I'm getting better at it as I go along, and am, generally, pleased with the results. My color changes are getting smoother, and this has been far less frustrating than my first failed attempt.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0332.jpg

[lily]

wow. elmo is so cute!!!

my plan is to actually make sunday my 'posting an update' day, but I need to vent NOW so I guess I can kill two birds with one stone because I need to vent about my progress.

If I were to post a picture it would be a tangled pile of yarn and several hooks throw around near it. I am SO frustrated. today was gauge swatch day. :angry

I'm using Caron SS yarn, because it is cheap and soft, and so I can use the scraps for my cancer-ghans

attempt 1: H hook, sc
result: way too stiff and way too small :ohdear

attempt 2: I hook, sc
result: good drape, still way too small :irk

attempt 3: I hook, dc
result: excellent drape, size seemed like it would have been ok, but the dc's are off center from row to row and I couldn't see how it would work right with a squared graph :rant

attempt 4: H cro-hook, some made up afghan-type stitch
result: I didn't know what the heck I was doing, so it was a disaster.
:bang

So then I thought I'd try to figure out filet techniques, because that was one of the options listed with the graph. THAT was an experience. :thair


Ugh. and...... UGH!!!!!!!!!

So I just posted a plea for help in the stitch clinic forum, and maybe a dc type filet thing will work. If i can manage to get it to soak in.

another option is to do a block of 4 sc's with a J or I hook and see what that looks like. *sigh*

so there's my 'progress'

[crochetlady]

:cheer:cheer:cheerI love graph ghans and I had started one with Pooh's head . Just needs some 20 odd rows to finish. Its been sitting in my bag for quite some time now and I would love to finish it! I will restart it tomorrow as Sunday is a horrible day as far as crochet is concerned!

Thanks for starting this!

hugs
vims

[crochetlady]

Lily Why don't you try the afghan stitch with a J or K afghan hook. With Caron SS being a limp yarn the resulting fabric would be nice if you use a big hook. Just my opinion. I found this easy because I use MOEZ hooks and they are way bigger . I used them on regular Red Heart SS and the blanket was a breeze to complete. If you need help with Afghan Stitch just holler!

hugs
Vims

[lily]

I still don't understand how a whole length of a big afghan will smoosh itself onto an afghan hook. I'm pretty dense that way. I will go ahead and try little swatches on my J hook and see what happens....The next bigger size I have is an N....but the afghan stitch is pretty much the same size as a sc, isn't it?
pardon me while I derail the thread, folks. lol

[badrhinogillett]

Lilly,

If you decide to do it as Filet, then you just read each solid block as 4 DC, with the last DC counting as the first DC of the next block. Each open block is DC, ch 2, DC.

I'm clueless about the afghan hook.

However, you can do what I am doing with Elmo. He is working up very small. When I am done with the Elmo portion, I"m going to do a boarder around it until I have the size ghan I want. Kinda like the pictures they show on *******.com. Even though the picture part won't take up the whole afghan it will still work. I"ll boarder him in the same red that I am doing Elmo in, and probably a little bit of the orange from his nose to tie it all together.

[dws1119]

I'll be joining everyone as soon as I finish a couplke of other projects. I've already designed it with my new software. It is going to be a copy of my sons tattoo. He was wanting a unique afghan from me. He's got plenty og traditional ones I made years ago.

He originally wanted a dragon but I couldn't find a decent picture to use. So I came up with this idea. His latest tattoo is a ying yang symbol with the god smack sunburst around it. He's 22. But he still loves to snuggle under his mama's afghans.

I haven't told him what design I came up with so he'll be real surprised when I send it to him.

[rsisland]

I promised my oldest (17) son a dragon blanket for Christmas. Of course, it never happened. My first attempt at working from a cross stitch pattern floundered. Good attempt (actually 5 attempts) but not quite what I wanted. So I bought a nice dragon pattern from cuddleupcreations on ebay and will start at the end of January when I can purchase the supplies. Yarn bobbins will definitely be on the list this time! :hook

[lily]

ok, after dealing with pattern induced insomnia for two days. lol

I'm going to go with your suggestion, badrhino, sort of. I'm going to work this chart up in sc, on an I hook.... it is 110 by 150, but since this graph will be the focal point of the ghan, I'm adding 20 rows of black on either side of the 110 edge to make it a square.

Then, depending on how big it turns out, I'm going to somehow find logos for the five superbowls dallas has won, graph and work them up, plus maybe a few others, I don't know yet. but I'm just going to a patchwork Dallas theme, and plan on piecing it together, that way, if I end up way, way off on any of the pieces, it's no big deal, I can just make other pieces to fit.

*breathes a sigh of relief*

my progress so far: I'm about a third of the way done with my foundation row.

[ViciouzKitty]

HI Everyone! I'd love to join this CAL. How do I start a graph, is there a software to make the graph? I'm looking forward to making one of these, I'll start mine by the end of Jan.:clap

[Tampa Doll]

Kathryn, Elmo looks great. I am surprised you couldn't find the bobbins at Joanns. That is where I bought mine. I know Herrschners has them. Anyway, great job. Glad you are having fun.:clap

As for bobbins if you can not find them, you can make them out of cardboard. Make an H with the top closed and just a slit in the top to hold the yarn on.

Jessica, as for a graph, you can use cross stitch graphs. just count one stitch for each block. If you want to make it bigger, just as enough rows till it is the size you want, or use 2 graphs to make the blanket.

Sounds like you all have a big group. Whether you use the afghan stitch or the sc (which I use) just have fun. When you get frustrated or annoyed, put it down and come back to it.

Good luck to you all.:hook

[badrhinogillett]

Thanks Mary Jo. It's always nice to hear an expert say you are doing somehting right!

[AmyG.]

I'm almost done with my first ghan. It's a teddy bear with a football. I'm working on the border right now. I'll post a picture when I get done. I decided to do it in the afghan stitch (first one:eek ), but I think it turn out good. I used a J hook. All of my other ghans have been in SC with a J hook. That seems to work the best for me. Well, I better get back to work. Just wanted to check in.

[dws1119]

Amy,

I just checked out your pics. I love all your graph-ghans. They are all so beautiful. My son would love the asian design. I like the panda. I've just started to do these over the last several months. My first couple were very simple. I now have a couple software programs to help with my design process. I hope mine turn out as well as yours. Congrats!!

[badrhinogillett]

Once again, I haven't done as much as I wanted to this week on this. Got sidelined when a new fancy schmancy yarn store opened up in town. I HAD to make myself a scarf out of fancy Italian yarn. But, I must say, committing to posting the picture once a week is a help in getting me to get moving on this.

Here is this week's progresshttp://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0363.jpg

[LadyBeBop]

I'm a newbie to this forum, but I love working on graphs. :manyheart I'm almost done with the graph portion of my Elvis afghan. I'm on row 113, and the graph is 128 rows.

I know it's not going to be nearly big enough as a full fledge afghan, so I'm going to add rows of granny stitches around the afghan. I'll post a picture once it's completed. :cheer

[Crocheting_MammaII]

I sam sad to report that I have not recieved my new hooks yet:emptymail thus I have not began my afghan:cry



Also how do you calculate how much yarn of each color you need?:)

[LadyBeBop]

Also how do you calculate how much yarn of each color you need?:)

Really you can't. I just make a rough estimate and buy a couple extra skeins. Almost all craft stores will take back unopened skeins. ;)

I almost forgot to mention...I'm crocheting my afghan withhout bobbins. I tried WalMarts, but all they had was needlepoint bobbins. I should look into JoAnn's for bobbins. I tried putting small balls of yarn in plastic sandwich bags and tying the ends, allowing the yarn to poke through a small hole. But I'm still getting knotted up. :thair

Oh well...less than 20 rows to go, and the last 6-7 rows have only one color change per row. :jumpyay

[Crocheting_MammaII]

Really you can't. I just make a rough estimate and buy a couple extra skeins. Almost all craft stores will take back unopened skeins. ;)



Thank you ladybebop:hook

Anyone have a technique that they use to estimate?:hook

[badrhinogillett]

I just figure, "My stash should never get smaller" and bought what I knew would be MORE than enough. Someday, I'll figure out what to do with my single skeins that dont' match one another......

[badrhinogillett]

I did it!!! I completed the graph portion of the afghan, and I didnt' pull out any hair in the process!:cheer :lol I have to do the boarder, which I envision being rather large, but I still should be done this week. I know it was only single crochet, but this was something I was so intimidated by, so I'm rather proud of myself for stepping outside the box.

I'll post a picture when it's all complete!

[lily]

I did it!!! I completed the graph portion of the afghan, and I didnt' pull out any hair in the process!:cheer :lol I have to do the boarder, which I envision being rather large, but I still should be done this week. I know it was only single crochet, but this was something I was so intimidated by, so I'm rather proud of myself for stepping outside the box.

I'll post a picture when it's all complete!

yay!!! I can't wait to see the pics!

heres my late update. I thought i had solved the size problem, I was just going to add 20 row of black on each of the short ends and make it a square, then add a border and then I didn't know what.

so I got about 10 rows of black done, when I realized that

a.) I would have to work the graph sideways, which for some reason I do not want to do. I can't explain it, some anal retentive part of me is screaming 'NOOOOOO!'

b.) It would be much easier to just make the graph, and then look at it to decide whether it would be better to make more graphs and join for the afghan, or whatever I planned to do, and to add the black first would be silly.

c) The Colts were losing the playoff game.

so, with much weeping (ok, not weeping, I was yelling at the tv and yelling at my yarn and making my hubby laugh at me) I frogged the whole thing.

It'll actually be a relief to just start the stinkin' graph this weekend. I'll post a real progress pic sunday night, even if it's just the starting chain. lol

[LadyBeBop]

I did it!!! I completed the graph portion of the afghan, and I didnt' pull out any hair in the process!:cheer :lol I have to do the boarder, which I envision being rather large, but I still should be done this week. I know it was only single crochet, but this was something I was so intimidated by, so I'm rather proud of myself for stepping outside the box.

I'll post a picture when it's all complete!

Congratulations! :clap

I also finished the graph portion of the afghan, and I think it turned out well. I wasn't sure if you could tell it was Elvis, so I took it to work and showed it to a couple of co-workers. They could tell immediately.

Now the bad news. :eek

I'm having problems with the border. I envisioned about a dozen rows around of double crochet grannies. However, I've done about two rows, and the afghan is bunching up. :( I'll probably have to ribbit the rows. Would just making a dozen single crochet rows work?

[badrhinogillett]

Congratulations! :clap

I also finished the graph portion of the afghan, and I think it turned out well. I wasn't sure if you could tell it was Elvis, so I took it to work and showed it to a couple of co-workers. They could tell immediately.

Now the bad news. :eek

I'm having problems with the border. I envisioned about a dozen rows around of double crochet grannies. However, I've done about two rows, and the afghan is bunching up. :( I'll probably have to ribbit the rows. Would just making a dozen single crochet rows work?

My boarder is startign to not lay flat either. I'm just doing rounds of SC. I think if I block it that will end up being fine. Maybe you just need to block yours when done.

[LadyBeBop]

My boarder is startign to not lay flat either. I'm just doing rounds of SC. I think if I block it that will end up being fine. Maybe you just need to block yours when done.

Oh man...I'm a little worried about blocking. I've never blocked before.

:eek

You'd wait until the entire afghan is completed?

[badrhinogillett]

Oh man...I'm a little worried about blocking. I've never blocked before.

:eek

You'd wait until the entire afghan is completed?

Blocking sounds intimidating.. but really all it is is getting the afghan wet, gently pulling it into shape and then letting it dry. And yes, I'd wait till I was all done.

And where is our picture of Elvis? Or are you waiting till you've finished the boarder?

[LadyBeBop]

Blocking sounds intimidating.. but really all it is is getting the afghan wet, gently pulling it into shape and then letting it dry. And yes, I'd wait till I was all done.

And where is our picture of Elvis? Or are you waiting till you've finished the boarder?

Cold feet, I guess. Or, I'm lazy and don't want to drag out the digital camera.:blush

[badrhinogillett]

Cold feet, I guess. Or, I'm lazy and don't want to drag out the digital camera.:blush

c'mon.......... we'll be nice! Promise!

[badrhinogillett]

I finished Elmo just a moment ago. My daughter was already trying to use it while I was finishing up the boarder. I had fun doing it, and now feel like I can tackle graph ghans and not be so frightened. I am glad that I started on something small. Here he is:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0371.jpg

[dws1119]

Ready set go!!

I'm finally able to start my son's ghan!! He informed me the other night he wants it before his B'day in May. He still doesn't know about the design. There's only 3 colors so no big problem there.


I love the Elmo!!! You said it was small--what are the deminsions? My great nephew would love it!!!

I want to see Elvis Too!!

I've got to break down and buy me a digital camera. I've been taking reg pics, but it takes too long to fill up the camera.

[Crocheting_MammaII]

I finished Elmo just a moment ago. Here he is:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0371.jpg

How do you do the boarder after the graph has been made? i'm about to start my first graph ghan and am really not sure what i'm doing.:hook

[badrhinogillett]

the finished afghan was 34 inches wide by about 38 inches long. And for the boarder, I just did rounds of SC, with 3 Sc in each corner.

[Crocheting_MammaII]

Thank you Kathryn:hook

[crochetlady]

I finished Elmo just a moment ago. My daughter was already trying to use it while I was finishing up the boarder. I had fun doing it, and now feel like I can tackle graph ghans and not be so frightened. I am glad that I started on something small. Here he is:

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d187/badrhinogillett/100_0371.jpg

Kathryn! your elmo is looking very cute!! great job and well done!

hugs
Vims

[jingles96]

Elmo looks very cute :) Good job!

[dragonfly]

I would so love to join this. I did one before my first one ,and when i washed it i got holes in it.:( So i am scared to start another. i have a wolf gran that i really want to do but i don't want to do all that work and have it fall apart. Does anyone know what i did wrong? How do you keep the tarn from tangling that was another problem. thanks Linda

[evelyn]

cute nice job :)

[AmyG.]

Great job on the Elmo. I'm still waiting for my pictures to get developed before I post anything. I've finished my Football Bear ghan and am planning on starting a Patriotic Horse graph from the MOEZ yahoo group.

[LadyBeBop]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/LadyBeBop/Elvis.jpg

I may still go ahead and block it...it's not laying completely flat. But I think it turned out OK. :clap

Next graph project...the Snow White baby afghan for my great niece. However, I'm doing it for the Crochet Olympics, so I can't even start it for another 13 days. I'm winding small balls of yarn in advance and putting them in small plastic bags in advance, so all I need to do is crochet.

Took me a little over a month to do Elvis, but I didn't work on it full time. Need to get Snow White done in 16 days, but it's not going to be as big.

[Tampa Doll]

Beautiful job on the Elvis.


The Snow White baby afghan sounds neat. Is it just Snow White, or are the dwarfs on it also?:hook

[LadyBeBop]

Beautiful job on the Elvis.


The Snow White baby afghan sounds neat. Is it just Snow White, or are the dwarfs on it also?:hook

Just Snow White. I'll give you a link to the graph...http://www.****************.nl/index2.htm

And I forgot to post a link to the Elvis graph. http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4069755&a=31145523&p=67112216

[dragonfly]

Wow Elvis and Elmo both look great.:cheer Great going girls. I haven't started yet,got some bobins at ac moores maybe that will help me. Before i just did with balls of yarn and what a mess i had.Linda

[badrhinogillett]

Wonderful wonderful job! I really like graphs.:cheer

[lily]

I got five rows done. I can't get a pic quite yet, I'll wake the hubby up if i try to get the camera. hopefully I'll be able to take one real quick before work in the morning. but I won't have time to figure out how to get it actually hosted somewhere and then link it to make the pic show up here, so I think I'm gonna put it in my blog and link to the blog instead. then I'll actually find the thread here that tells one how to host and post pic properly.

bah. I may have to frog the thing anyway. I can't figure out how to carry the colors up a row? is that even possible? I'll have a row of all blue with 5 white, then the white continues on the row above in another 5 stitch group...off at an angle from the first one, of course.... and i can't seem to wrap my brain around how to carry it up to the next spot and start the white again. I keep thinking that it would be easier to just tie off for every color change but I think all the ends would drive me bonkers.

:think



*edit. I am working on a photobucket album right now, in another screen. I won't have time to post progress properly, so for right now I'm just adding in a link to my blog. I'll be back later on, to do it right, but for now here is the link http://http://crochetbabble.blogspot.com/2006/01/graph-ghan-update.html . If this doesn't go straight to the Graph-ghan entry, someone please let me know*

[jingles96]

The Elmo and Elvis gahns look great! I haven't had time to start on mine yet, but there for Christmas presents, so I have a bit of leeway. But with the Crochet Olympics, wedding plans and such, not that much. So I'll probably start on the eagle gahn after the Olympics. I know which graph I want to do for that one. I searched a bit for a wolf graph and didn't find something I liked (a month ago), so I'll do that one second.

Keep up the good work! :hook

[LadyBeBop]

bah. I may have to frog the thing anyway. I can't figure out how to carry the colors up a row? is that even possible? I'll have a row of all blue with 5 white, then the white continues on the row above in another 5 stitch group...off at an angle from the first one, of course.... and i can't seem to wrap my brain around how to carry it up to the next spot and start the white again. I keep thinking that it would be easier to just tie off for every color change but I think all the ends would drive me bonkers.
:think

Let's see...how do I explain this? :sweat(Can you tell I'm not a schoolteacher?)
How many stitches off? If it's less than three, you can simply "carry" the yarn under your work. Most will be under three stitches. Any more, you should cut the yarn and reattach. And with the ends, I usually just crochet right over the ends.


edit. I am working on a photobucket album right now, in another screen. I won't have time to post progress properly, so for right now I'm just adding in a link to my blog. I'll be back later on, to do it right, but for now here is the link http://http://crochetbabble.blogspot.com/2006/01/graph-ghan-update.html . If this doesn't go straight to the Graph-ghan entry, someone please let me know*

Yeah, I can't see it right now. :( I'd love to see what you've done so far.



Changing the subject....as most of y'all know, I'm crocheting a Snow White afghan for the Crochet Olympics. However, I couldn't wait to start another project. I've started an afghan with the Cincinati Bengals (my hometown team) emblem on it. I've already completed 7 rows thus far. :clap I won't get it completed before next Friday, the start of the Olympics, however I'll have something to work on after the Olympics. :D I could probably post pictures of my progress right before the Olympics.

[dws1119]

Well I'm going to restart my son's ghan--not liking the way it is turning out, the colors and SC aren't working for me. I really want to learn to do the afghan stitch or tunisian crochet. But I want to make something smaller to practice. My son's will be about 6' x 6' square.

Any suggestions from you experts out there??

I have done research on the net about this stitch and I've been practicing. Somehow I drop a stitch along the way. I can't find how I do it.

I know the best way to practice are dishcloths and scarves.

I really have my heart set against using SC to do this one.

[Crocheting_MammaII]

Well I'm going to restart my son's ghan--not liking the way it is turning out, the colors and SC aren't working for me. I really want to learn to do the afghan stitch or tunisian crochet. But I want to make something smaller to practice. My son's will be about 6' x 6' square.

Any suggestions from you experts out there??

I have done research on the net about this stitch and I've been practicing. Somehow I drop a stitch along the way. I can't find how I do it.

I know the best way to practice are dishcloths and scarves.

I really have my heart set against using SC to do this one.


Here is a good place to start
http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com/directory/tunisian_crochet.php :hook

[dws1119]

thanks for the link I forgot about this site I ended up ordering this book that was recommended on bella

http://www.chezcrochet.com/page0007.html