Patriotic CAL ~ Anyone interested?

[donnalynn2]

Last year I started working on this (http://www.drgbooks.com/crochet/Old_Glory.pdf) pattern. It's huge and is really nice but it got tedious and I put it away. (Plus I planned to make it as a Christmas gift but my DH loved it so much he said he wanted to keep it when finished so I had to make something else for this person.) Anyway, I have the WIP along with all the yarn in a box under my bed. I happened upon this box this morning and realized I really needed to finish this... It would be a lot easier if there were a group of us cheering each other on...

Or maybe you're wanting to make something else patriotic? Is there enough interest to do a CAL for this?

[funkyreporter]

Those are lovely.... would anyone have a link to a Britsh flag pattern? I'd love to join in as my DS has requested his next afghan be a British flag design as a nod to his 'discovery' of British Punk Rock!

[KinkyLilBlackDress]

Those are lovely.... would anyone have a link to a Britsh flag pattern? I'd love to join in as my DS has requested his next afghan be a British flag design as a nod to his 'discovery' of British Punk Rock!My DP is English...this would be a hit if you could find a UK flag pattern. An England flag is much easier, though.

[susandoty48]

Hi Donna, you are not going to believe this but I have exactly that flag nearly half done, it's in the back of my closet somewhere. I would love to finish it too.

[irikel]

what a coincidence.....I started to crochet a flag but it's the Puerto Rico flag. Im trying to do it on my own because I cant find a pattern

I did find one that was not free so I am going to order it if I cant figure it out.:hook

[JulieKay]

Alright, Donna

I'll bite !

I came in last night, signed up, then thought "What am I thinking ? " How am I ever gonna get this done, along with all my other things I have going at the moment ? ( So, I deleted my post )

BUT .... it was too hard to resist. I have been eyeing this flag afghan for a LONG time now and went this morning to get the yarn, so I am IN .

Cannot promise it'll be done in this century, but I'm gonna try to work out a system with all my started projects ,and try to do a little on each one every day .

Here's the pattern I'm using :

http://www.craftingranny.com/patterns_archive.asp?ArticleSource=33

Howdy Gang- I see some familiar faces in here ! :hook

[donnalynn2]

Julie - That's too funny! I'm glad now that I thought of posting this as it appears that I'm not the only one with this WIP and no inspiration to finish it!! The one you're making looks pretty close to the one I'm making. It'll be interesting to see how it looks when finished!

Ok, so now when to actually pick this thing up and start on it again???

[JulieKay]

Well, I picked mine up this morning and have started on my first row, so I have offically started ! :)

[donnalynn2]

Well, I picked mine up this morning and have started on my first row, so I have offically started ! :)

WOO HOO! :cheer:cheer:cheer You go girl!!! I really need to finish this stole I am making as a gift (should have it finished by tomorrow) and I'm making a set of dishcloths for my niece for her wedding. (They asked for money, no presents and since I hate going to a wedding with just a card, I thought a nice set of items for the kitchen would be good) so hopefully I can pick this thing up this weekend.

My DH will be glad when I do as that's one item he keeps asking me about...

[JulieKay]

You'll get it done, I know you will, Donna !
We'll swing the ballbat at each other, how's that sound ?

[JulieKay]

Nightly update

Got my first strip of red done and on second row of white now . Chugging right along . Love this boring sc --- you can do it without even thinking !

( Making all those stars will be the killer on this one ! )

[yarndiva]

How about an afghan of your choice of colors in the shape of a star??



Here is my 5 star afghan:



Baby Star Afghan
© April 2003 by Beth Espina-Cole


Materials:

1. Red Heart Sport Baby Pompadour Yarn in colors of choice.


Aluminum Crochet Hook Size F/5
Gauge: 6 rows from center to one point is 4�

(As long as the afghan is relatively flat…gauge is really not that important).

You may also use soft or worsted weight yarn and a larger hook for “bigger� babies :D


Special Stitch:

Shell Stitch = 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc


Author’s Note: It is to be understood that ch 3 = 1 dc at the beginning of each round throughout the entire pattern.


The size of the afghan is up to you…these are just the basic instructions to start with.

The picture is a sample of what the afghan looks like after 6 rounds.


Please read the entire pattern before starting! It could save you a headache!


Round 1: Ch 5, sl st in first ch to form ring.


Round 2: 20 dc, (ch 3 + 19 dc) around ring, sl st in 3rd ring of first ch 3.


Round 3: Sc in first dc, {sk next dc, shell (3 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) in next dc, sk next dc, sc in next dc}. Repeat { } all around. 5 shells & 5 sc’s. Sl st in sc, sl st in first 2 dc’s of first shell, ch 3, dc in 3rd dc of first shell, {shell in ch 2 sp, 2 dc in next 2 dc, sk next 2 dc’s, 2 dc in next 2 dc’s}. Repeat { } all around. * Sl st in 3rd ch of ch 3, sl st in dc after ch 3.

Round 4: Ch 3, dc in next 3 dc’s, {shell in ch 2 sp, dc in next 4 dc’s, sk next 2 dc’s, dc in next 4 dc’s}. Repeat { } around. Repeat * of Round 3.


Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc’s, {shell in ch 2 sp, dc in next 6 dc’s, sk next 2 dc’s, dc in next 6 dc’s}. Repeat { } around. Repeat * of Round 3.


Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next 7 dc’s, {shell in ch 2 sp, dc in next 8 dc’s, sk next 2 dc’s, dc in next 8 dc’s}. Repeat { } around. Repeat * of Round 3.


Round 7: Ch 3, dc in next 9 dc’s, {shell in ch 2 sp, dc in next 10 dc’s, sk next 2 dc’s, dc in next 10 dc’s}. Repeat { } around. Repeat * of Round 3.


Continue pattern until desired size. Edging of sc or reverse sc is recommended. Do choice of edging stitch in each dc stitch below. 3 stitches in ch 2 of shell, sk 2 dc’s when you reached the stitches that were skipped in the previous row. Fasten off and weave in ends.


After 7 rows, you can see where the pattern is going…just add 2 dc’s in between the skipped dc’s and the shell tips on every row and you should be fine.


You may alternate colors to give it a bit o’ sparkle!


A star pillow can be made by making 2 stars of 10 rounds each. Trace the star shape on to fabric and make 2 fabric stars, sew 4 sides together and turn inside out. Stuff to desired “squishiness�, sew last side of star together. With the crocheted stars, place wrong sides together and sc through both thicknesses around 3 points, place stuffed pillow and sc the star closed.


Here is the picture of my first star afghan and pillow using a slightly different pattern.

This one required that I make the star first and then make the “ripples�. The pillow was made the same way.


http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5788/starset20gi.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=starset20gi.jpg)




Here is a picture of a star afghan that’s almost finished



http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5748/image0018zz.th.png (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image0018zz.png)



Here is a finished one with my son modeling it. Isn’t he a cutie! :D


http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/8376/starstevie9rv.th.jpg (http://img435.imageshack.us/my.php?image=starstevie9rv.jpg)

Hope this helps,
Beth

[JulieKay]

Hi Beth
Those are all very pretty. Thanks for showing them . That would make a pretty patriotic afghan !
The one I'm doing, you have to make 50 wee little stars to sew on the blue background.
That's gonna be where I start moaning , i bet ! :eek

[donnalynn2]

Howdy gals... Well, stupid me was in such a hurry to get home last night that I left ALL my crochet hooks at work! UGH! You should have seen me last night trying to find something to crochet with. I finally was able to find a lonely hook hiding under some papers on my desk. It was too big for the stole I'm working on but that's ok as I was just working on the edging and even if I have to frog it tonite I was able to work with my crochet last night...

Julie, so on your ghan you add the stars later? On the one I'm working on you actually stitch them while you're making it. Mine's all in DC and you hold the white and blue while working with the stars. Some stitches you hold the white while working the blue and visa versa. It's a pain in the behind!

I must get started on this again by this weekend! I'll try and take a pic of what I've completed thus far by tomorrow.

Go Go Go Go!

[renegade]

[/url]



Here is a finished one with my son modeling it. Isn’t he a cutie! :D


[url="http://img435.imageshack.us/my.php?image=starstevie9rv.jpg"]http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/8376/starstevie9rv.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=image0018zz.png)

Hope this helps,
Beth



----------------
Your son is beautiful! So are the blankets. ;)

[yarndiva]

Hi Beth
Those are all very pretty. Thanks for showing them . That would make a pretty patriotic afghan !
The one I'm doing, you have to make 50 wee little stars to sew on the blue background.
That's gonna be where I start moaning , i bet ! :eek

Oh, I'm soo sorry that you have to sew 50 of them! Let's be thankful that it;s only 50 :lol

I made a patriotic one for my BIL and it was like 7 feet across and he's 6'4" so it was just right for him!

I need to get that picture posted!!

God Bless,
Beth

[yarndiva]

----------------
Your son is beautiful! So are the blankets. ;)

Thank you! He looks soo different now and he's my snuggly sweetie pie! :manyheart

[chickpea67]

Depending on how long you ladies keep going, I'll join. We're in the middle of moving and hte yarn funds are limited! But I have wanted to do an american flag afghan for my father. I just can't start for a few weeks. Hmmm, actually I have some off white nad dark blue yarn left from previous projects--i could start on the field...between packing up the boxes :)

[Shelena]

I would like to join in as well, as my SIL is deploying again to Iraq in June for another stay in the "Land of Sand", this time for 18 months.
I was thinking of making him an afghan in camo colors to send to him....as long as there is no rush, and this KAL goes on for awhile, as I have many things in the works right now...
Now, since seeing Beth's Star pattern, I am thinking I am going to make him one of those...I love the pattern!
Thanks for the pattern Beth...and your little one is precious:)

[NancyCA]

I think I may have to sign up for this one. Oh my! I have been eyeballing this one for a LONG time. My sewing/craft room is being decorated in Americana Patriotic. It's in the antiquey colors though. So, I'd change my colors to represent that. I think it would look really cool though. OKay....when I go out today I'll get my yarns. I'll just switch between this and my Lace and Bobbles since I got all the babyghans done now. :cheer


In other words...COUNT ME IN!:hug

[yarndiva]

I would like to join in as well, as my SIL is deploying again to Iraq in June for another stay in the "Land of Sand", this time for 18 months.
I was thinking of making him an afghan in camo colors to send to him....as long as there is no rush, and this KAL goes on for awhile, as I have many things in the works right now...
Now, since seeing Beth's Star pattern, I am thinking I am going to make him one of those...I love the pattern!
Thanks for the pattern Beth...and your little one is precious:)

You're very welcome!

I've had many online friends make this pattern and it never fails to please!

Now if I can only get a copy of the humungo-patriotic one I made for BIL.

I can't wait to see how your afghan looks in camo!

God Bless,
Beth

[JulieKay]

Donna-
Looks like you've got a hit with this CAL . Yep, mine you make the stars last then put them on. I may cheat and get sew on type stars I'm not sure yet-- i'll see when I get it further done . I have never tried doing an afghan like yours, when you change colors like that. looks like more than i have patience for !

Rachel - sounds like you have enough yarn left to get a good start .

Nancy- the old-fashioned colors of RWB would be gorgeous !

[NancyCA]

Just thought I'd add another link for a flag afghan using RH SS....


http://www.allfreecrafts.com/crochet/american-flag.shtml

Here's another one I found:

http://www.*********************/crochet/amefla.html

[donnalynn2]

Boy, I am bad about picking this project up again! I figured if I started a CAL I would get back into it, but I keep finding other projects that need my attention!

I am, however, going to be designing some kitchen items with a Patriotic flair to them so maybe I'll get to that ghan before Christmas yet!

[JinGA]

I started this flag afghan (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21307) long ago and after seeing BarbaraJean make the same one, I was hoping that I would dig mine out and finish. I haven't quite done so, but I'm still going to say that I too want to join and make that particular flag design. The starts are made individually in rounds... I think that's why I stopped. Lots and lots of stars!

But I'll join and hope for the best. ;)

[JulieKay]

Hey all,
I stepped in here and joined quite awhile back, but sorta got off track ( which is easy for me to do ) .
I am re-signing up to do this, but I'm gonna "CHEAT" just a little .
I am going to make a red, white and blue ripple afghan, so I can call it a Patriotic CAL plus a Ripple CAL ...
That way , I can join 2 CAL's at once --- :lol

[crochetaj]

Ooooh! I've been wanting to do a flag afghan for a while and now this gives me an excuse! Thanks!

I'm going to do the Americana Afghan (http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/chs-americanaAfghan.html) from LionBrand's site. But I might not be able to start on it for a couple of weeks. Homespun, though LOVELY, is a bit expensive. Anyone know if it's still on sale at JoAnn's??

:hook

[Lady_of_Roses]

There's a pretty US Flag afghan in Blue Ribbon Afghans from America's State Fairs that I'd love to do. I don't have the yarn for it right now and I get the dirty look still for having too much yarn for projects. :(

Crochetaj, check out Joanns.com and look at your local sales flyer to see what they've got on sale. :) There's 3 Lion Brand yarns on sale according to that flyer, but I don't know if any of them are what you're looking for.

[Ilene]

I started this flag afghan (http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21307) long ago and after seeing BarbaraJean make the same one, I was hoping that I would dig mine out and finish. I haven't quite done so, but I'm still going to say that I too want to join and make that particular flag design. The starts are made individually in rounds... I think that's why I stopped. Lots and lots of stars!

But I'll join and hope for the best. ;)

I started this afghan yesterday for my father, the stars are so cute! Already done 13 of them.

[minwifeof4boys]

OK.. I'm back in... I forgot all about wanting to do this... My son is an MP and I would like to do one for him.....I also designed some flag coasters 3 years ago and finished 2.... perhaps I better finish off that set before I do anything else...2 birds with one stone.. finishing a UFO and particiapting in the Patriotic CAL

[Ilene]

I am now up to 24 stars and had to take a break. The Arthritis in my hands are giving me a fit tonight. My husband wants me to keep this afghan a secret to surpise my dad and and I'm inclined to agree if I can keep my mouth shut.

My dad is 81 and a veteran of WWII, he served in France towards the end of the war.

Anyone notice that this afghan has 6 pointed stars and there is only 46?

[Ilene]

I am about 50% done with my flag. The star field is completely done and I'm working on the stripes now.

[donnalynn2]

Wow! Sounds like you're moving right along! I really need to pick up my flag again and finish the durn thing. I'm glad somebody is making progress! Can't wait to see a pic of your completed ghan!

[JinGA]

Anyone notice that this afghan has 6 pointed stars and there is only 46?

I hate that it isn't a better replica of the American Flag, but to me it's the best looking American flag pattern.

Years ago I made a few stars, but I'm changing yarn types, and I think I should start over with all the stars! Guess I should start... anytime now! ;)

[Ilene]

JinGA - I got the pattern for the afghan out of a thick book by Leisure Arts and my husband picked it out for Daddy. If I was creative enough I'd alter it and only put 13 stars on it and tell my father that's how many where on the flag when he was born. It actually became a history lesson for the family, there hasn't been 46 stars on the flag since 1912 when Arizona and New Mexico where added. I loved the 6 point star pattern and they where easy to do.

[Ilene]

JinGA- it's a shame that you haven't gotten quite as far as I have and that on one else is doing the same pattern, I could use a bit of help. I'll be finished with the stripes in a few days and it's calling for using a sc border going around the stripes using corrisponding colors which also means you have to either join with a slip stitch or cut the yarn and tie a knot in it. Neither one is going to give the finished flag a nice look. I want to either do the border as is then after it's put together add a row of gold or just do the inside border (just where the star field joins the stripes) then do an outside border in gold. What do you think?

[Ilene]

YYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I finished my flag about an hour ago!
http://www.mindspring.com/~ibennett/flag1.jpg

[angelfire]

I would love to join. I have a pattern to do a flag in crochet thread and have hesitated doing it because of it being time consuming when I have so many charity items that I want to do. I think doing one in yarn is a much better idea.
I have a son aboard the USS Enterprise. They left for sea April 30th and won't be back until November. I already miss him terribly even though he has been in the Navy for 12 years. I liked it better when he was a recruiter or when he was training recruits @ Great Lakes because I could actually drive down to see him when I went to the doctor in Chicago. I could talk to him on the phone too. Gee I wonder if he will call for Mother's Day...probably not :no .

[Kiki]

Is it too late to join on this one? I would love to make one to send to my husband in Afghanistan!!

[Ilene]

It's not to late to join! The other ladies here have so much going on, other projects. I finished mine in less than 2 weeks working on it nearly non stop. I like doing one project at a time otherwise it may become a UFO. My pattern came out of the Leisure Arts "Our Best Afghans A to Z" and the stars were very easy to do.

[Kiki]

Great! I am crocheting nonstop too these days. Keeps my mind off my husband's deployment!!

[Enchanted Daffodils]

This crochet along reminds me to finish that afghan I started when I was on the USS Truman back in 2001.I'll have to dig it out of the closet and take a picture of it.

Angela :)

[unicorn37757]

:clap That's a really beautiful pattern

[Ilene]

Kiki- Just getting back from a weekend in the mountains, how's your afghan coming?

[angelfire]

started on my flaf yesterday. Also my son e-mailed from ship so my Mother's day to tell me how supportive I was and that it was because of me that he joined the Navy, my day was completed.

[Ilene]

Wonderful Angelfire!

[Midds]

I'm in! Just so happens that I am done with school (for a month anyway) at the end of this week and I am going to be doing an afghan stitch afghan with the US flag and Union Jack attached with a border for a friend of mine that is from England but lives here in the US.

I don't know how to post pics here but if you go to:

http://www.designsbyjami.on.ca/frames.htm you will see it. The difference is that the American flag will be on the top when I do mine.

This lady is wonderful. She is great about answering questions and this is the only place that I was able to find a Union Jack pattern. Of course I had to pay for the pattern but it was well worth it.

Can anyone email me and tell me how to post pics on here? I would like to post a pic when I am done with it.

Thanks all. I will let you know how the progress is going.

Good luck to all! Have A Great Week!

[rosebud5367]

I have made a red, white, and blue bag made out of plastic bags. To bad I have no way of putting on the site I wish I did. All you crocheters would flap over it. No one out there so far was come up with a bag in this style and i would like to share my ideas and tips with others.

jennifer

[LisaP]

I finished that exact pattern about a month ago, minus the fringe. It is tedious work, but the result is worth it.

[Lavenia]

this summer I started an afghan that is a red, white, & blue granny square. 1 big granny square. it is an idea I had that I have never seen. Anyway I stopped because I wanted to needlepoint stars around the blue strip. I haven't got back to it. Maybe when I finish joining my black & white strips for my daughter-in-laws bd gift I'll start finishing mine too! I want to learn how to post pictures too. Is this what you are talking about? Lavenia

[sewnsew]

Oh I have been eyeballing that first flag afghan for days now. I even printed it up this morning. Is it too late to sign up? It will be a while before I can get started. I have to buy the yarn a little at a time. That's a lot of yarn LOL. But I really want to make this, it would be a great gift for dh for christmas next year (me being realistic about myself:lol )

[Lavenia]

I love this pattern & would love to do it....but! I don't know how to change colors. What I know of crocheting I've learned myself. I have a friend who said she'd teach me how to change colors so maybe I can learn for the next time.

[Ketutar]

In Finland it's considered disgraceful to wear a flag or use the flag as something other than just flag, like a throw, blanket, afghan, rug - especially rug!
I can't understand why the Americans are so happy to use their flag as potholders, dishrags and G-d knows what, because all that is to me... well... disgraceful. I couldn't imagine wiping tables with my flag, or trampling on it, wiping my feet on it, sitting on it, dragging it on dirt...

How do you think about this?

[rosebud5367]

I don't know if my ansewer will help you. but this is my reasoning to wearing and making flag items. And yes when you put it the way you did it does seem to be disrespectful but to us americans it is a way to show our love to country. Not only do have the things we make into flags, if only you would see want our country sells in stores with the flag on it. Anything and everything you can think of we have it with a flag on it or our colors. not everyone has a flag pole in there front yard to hang a flag, if i did i would but i live in a trailer park. that would be a good idea to make a law that every house build has to have a flag pole in the yard. Thanks for the question i never thought of it that way. But i will still wear and make flag things for everyone to know that i love the USA.

[unicorn37757]

:think I agree that we mean no disrespect to our flag by making things & wearing them, it's a sign of our respect for our country & love of it. Guess it might be hard for another nation to understand.

[Ketutar]

I didn't want to spoil anyone's joy over using their flag/colors on items, so I apologize if I did that. This is just so difficult to me to understand. I suppose it is because of different cultural backgrounds.

I have a blue and white ribbon on my coat, earrings and necklace with the Finnish lion on, I decorate my home to feasts with "flag string", and I have a small flag I wave when ever Finland is competing on the telly :-)

We can buy tiny flag poles one can put by the window, on balcony, by the door, if one wants to. I think you have those too. That might be a solution for people who live without a flag pole on front yard :-)

I am very proud of my country, love Her to bits and think our flag is the most beautiful flag in the world - just as every patriotic person. So that love and pride I do understand fully :-)

Hugs,
Ket