I finished the beach blanket-to-be today.
I began this project six weeks ago to the day, and as of four-thirty this afternoon, it was done.
The squares were made and joined, the border was crocheted, and all the ends were woven in and trimmed.
Summoning all the crochet mojo, I could find, I began my crochet day here:
The first round of the border completed, I continued my work, and by noon I had finished the 3dc clusters that comprise the second round with Red Heart Super Saver gold:
Then after trying Red Heart Super Saver cherry red, coffee, dark orchid, and burgundy, I settled on claret for the last two rounds of the border:
There are any number of lovely things one could crochet for a wedding gift, so of all the blankets that I could have crocheted, why this one?
Part of what makes this afghan so attractive to me is the way in which it so accurately mirrors life.
The pieces, while individually perfect, don’t (when assembled as pictured) fit together perfectly. But despite this unevenness and the need for accommodations to be made and gaps to be filled in, the individual pieces work to create a whole that is greater than their sum.
This particular project has such a grip on me, I have plans (after this year’s state fair project is completed) to make yet another afghan using this pattern as my guide. All that is left for me to figure out is do I join it with a single crochet through both loops as I did on the afghan on the left in the photo below, or do I continue to experiment with the join-as-you go method I used in the afghan on the right:
I still have some time to decide; until then, I wish the young couple receiving this gift the very bestas they set out on what (I hope) will be a long and rewarding journey together.
What a FANTASTIC gift. You have made a beach blanket that can become the family heirloom. It is wonderful. I would love to make one for myself. It is just gorgeous.
Leslie, it’s a triumph! What a fantastic result and yes, it does mirror the way life is. I am finding that myself struggling to puzzle out the pattern instructions, getting it wrong and unravelling before trying again. As with life, some bits seem to fall into place while others really have to be worked at before accommodation / moving on is possible. Now off to check your notes for square C1 because I can’t work out how to do the corners. Hope you can enjoy looking at your finished afghan for a short space before it departs for its ultimate destination. What an absolutely fabulous wedding present. Lucky couple! E x
I love your heirloom blanket – it is amazing! I also like your observations and comments on how it mirrors life, that the whole is greater than the sum. Your work is fantastic!
It’s beautiful, well done.
Congratulations – it’s not often one gets the opportunity to describe a beach blanket as stunning. I’m with Pigtails – I hope it is more cherished as an heirloom.
Can’t wait to see what you pull out of your hat next!
WOW!! That is a stunning piece of work!! Great job!! I’m in awe of you!
Love the blanket and the post, well done and said. I’ve had in my basket of crochet wishes a crocheted crazy quilt, your blanket inspires me to give it a whorl and make it a reality.
oops…I meant whirl not whorl (I’m a “wannabe” spinner too).
Just perfect! Can you whip me up one in say a week?? 🙂 I have LOST your e-address!!! PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME ASAP!!! it is all good just time is moving so quick. also looks like your weather might get oogly soon.. anyhoo write me Thanks from AL…
PS How are you going to wrap your gift? Just curious….. oh yes what is its finished size?
Lovely gift, and I think your analogy about how it relates to life is a great one to share as a young couple embarks on their life together.