Crochet Afghan Sizes

One of my favorite crochet items to make is an afghan.  Afghans allow for so much creativity, use of color, design and so forth.  I often find myself having to search for the suggested guidelines and sizes for afghans.  So, to save myself some time, I pulled together a quick reference list of afghan sizes from kid's sizes to adult sizes.

Please note that these sizes are pulled from the The Crochet Crowd website (a very valuable source for patterns, information, etc).



Crochet Afghan Sizes

(Information extracted from The Crochet Crowd website: http://thecrochetcrowd.com/afghan-sizes/ )


Kid Sizes

Receiving Blanket – Usually Square starting at 24″ to 36″
Small Cradle – 15″ x 30″
Large Cradle – 18″ x 33″
Baby Blankets Typically Range – Minimum 24″ – 30″ width
Toddler Afghans – Minimum Range from 30″ – 36″ width
Young Child – Minimum Range from 42″ – 48″ width
Teenagers – Minimum 48″ – 60″ width

Other Afghans for Decor

Throw Afghans – 60″ width – 48″ to 60″ length

Lapghan – 36″ width – 48″ 

Mattress Top Sizes without Drape

Twin – 39″ x 75″
Full / Double – 54″ x 75″
Queen – 60″ x 80″
King – 76″ x 80″
California King – 72″ x 84″

Mattress Sizes with Drape Over Sides

Twin – 69″ x 90″
Full / Double – 84″ x 90″
Queen – 90″ x 95″
King – 106″ x 95″
California King – 102″ x 99″

Pet Themed Crochet Ideas

Pet Themed Crochet

Whether it is for the holiday, life celebrations or just for any reason or occasion, the receiver of any pet-themed crochet items will appreciate and love such items.  When looking around for inspiration and ideas, there is a multitude of sites, patterns and ideas both free and paid.  Here are a few ideas to get you going for some inspiration.

Cat Crochet

• Abstract Crochet Cats by Teresa Richardson
• Cats Afghan by Sandra Miller Maxfield
• Crochet Cat by RepeatCrafterMe
• Cat Paw Christmas Stocking by Red Heart

Dog Crochet

• Dog Paw Christmas Stocking by Red Heart
• My Puppy Pal Blanket by Brittney Off the Hook
• Dog Bone Bobble Chart by Kari Philpott
• Dog House Bobble Chart by Kari Philpott

Paw Prints

• Meandering Paw Prints patterns by Amy B Stitched that include
• Puppy Love afghan
• Meandering Paw Prints Scarf
• Meandering Paw Prints Over the Rainbow Bridge Afghan
• Meandering Paw Prints Heart of Duchess
• Meandering Paw Print Cup Cozy
• Meandering Paw Prints Pet Scarf 

Holiday Gift and Bazaar Ideas

Holiday Gift Ideas and Holiday Bazaar Ideas

It's that time of year to start thinking of holiday gift items and also holiday bazaar items. I'll update this post as time goes on with other ideas as I come across them.

One item that I think is a great idea is a bowl cozy - great for holding bowls of hot food and also for cold food while sitting in front of the TV, etc.  I've made and use this cozy and it really works great!  You can find the pattern here on the A Stitch At A Time for Amy B Stitched blog.

Another idea for both the holidays and bazaar items is a crocheted gift bag.  I made some of these last year and loved them as they are different from the standard store bought gift bag and they are reusable!  Check out Down the Chimney Gift Bags  here.

Grannies Rectangle

The Grannies Rectangle

The Grannies Rectangle is a family member to the Grannies Square!  The rectangle is a variation on the square for those who would like to work the pattern in an elongated version versus a square.  This pattern, like the square, can be made to any desirable size.

The Grannies Rectangle is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square.  The rectangle can be made as small or as large as desired due to repeating rounds.

Notes:

·      Size H/5.00 mm hook

·      Ch 3 counts as a dc

·      Lg cluster = 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc

·      Sm cluster = 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc

·      Round 3 begins the Lg cluster rounds

·      In the solid granny rounds (Round 4), dc in the ch 1s instead of the ch 1 spaces

·      Rnd 4 is the solid granny round and Rnd 5 is the traditional granny round.

Ch 16

Rnd 1: In the 4th ch from your hook, [2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sk 2 ch. In the last ch [3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc]. *Ch 1, sk 2 ch; 3 dc in next ch st**. Rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc into next 2 dc; sm cluster in ch 2 sp; dc in next 3 dc, sm cluster in ch 2 sp).  Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 space.  Dc in next 3 dc and sm cluster in ch 2 sp.  Dc across and sl st into top of ch 3.  

Rnd 3: Sl st to next dc and ch 3; 2 dc in same st, ch 1. Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1. * Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1. Rpt from * 4 times.  Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1, sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1. * Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1. Rpt from * 3 times.  Sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc across to ch 2 sp; sm cluster in ch 2 sp.  *(Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 sp).  Rpt from * twice. Dc across to ch 3 and sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 5: Sl st to next dc, ch 3 and 2 dc into same st, ch 1.  Sk 3 st, 3 dc into next st, ch 1, lg cluster in corner ch 1 sp, ch 1. *([Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1] across to next ch 1 corner sp and lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1).  Rpt from * twice.  Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1 and sl st into top of ch 3.

Repeat rounds 4 and 5 until desired size is reached and end with a solid granny round as it can serve as a border round.

The PDF of the pattern can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Grannies Square

Grannies Square

The Grannies Square pattern is now available!

Many thanks to my testers who tested this pattern for me and shared their insights, thoughts, comments, etc.  I truly appreciate all your hard work and the time you committed to making this come full circle.

The Grannies Square is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square.  This pattern is one that shows with the use of color how a pattern can take on many different appearances/looks all with just using the same pattern.

You can find the pattern pdf here or as a Ravelry download here

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Grannies Square

The Grannies Square is a combination of the traditional granny square with a solid granny square. The square can be made as small or as large as desired due to repeating rounds.

Notes:
· Size H/5.00 mm hook
· Ch 3 counts as a dc
· Lg cluster = 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc
· Sm cluster = 2 dc, ch 1, 2 dc
· Round 3 begins the Lg cluster rounds
· In the solid granny rounds (Round 4), dc in the ch 1s instead of the ch 1 spaces
· Rnd 4 is the solid granny round and Rnd 5 is the traditional granny round.


Ch 4 and sl st in first ch to make a loop

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc into loop, ch 2; *(3 dc, ch 2). Rpt from * twice and sl st into top of ch 3

Rnd 2: Ch 3, dc into next 2 dc; sm cluster in ch 2 sp; *(dc in next 3 dc, sm cluster in ch 2 sp). Rpt from * twice and sl st into top of ch 3

Rnd 3: Sl st to next dc and ch 3; 2 dc in same st, ch 1. *(sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1). Rpt from * twice. Sk 3 st, lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1; sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc across to ch 2 sp; sm cluster in ch 2 sp. *(Dc across and sm cluster in ch 2 sp). Rpt from * twice. Dc across to ch 3 and sl st into top of ch 3.

Rnd 5: Sl st to next dc, ch 3 and 2 dc into same st, ch 1. Sk 3 st, 3 dc into next st, ch 1, lg cluster in corner ch 1 sp, ch 1. *([Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1] across to next ch 1 corner sp and lg cluster in ch 1 sp, ch 1). Rpt from * twice. Sk 3 st, 3 dc in next st, ch 1 and sl st into top of ch 3.


Repeat rounds 4 and 5 until desired size is reached and end with a solid granny round as it can serve as a border round.

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This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Amy B Stitched's New Pattern - Meandering Paw Prints Shawl

I just had to share this wonderful new pattern - Meandering Paw Prints Shawl by Amy B Stitched!

Be sure to check out the pattern here.

Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Notes:

·      Size H/5.00 mm hook 

·      14 ounces/396 g yarn of choice

·      Terms are in US terms

·      Turning ch 4 counts as a dc plus 1 ch

Ch 4 and sl st into 4^thch from hook to create a loop

Row 1:    Ch 4, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into loop.  Ch 4 and turn.

Row 2:    3 dc into ch 1 space, ch 1; 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into last ch 1 sp .  Ch 4 and turn.

Row 3:    3 dc into ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc in last ch 1 sp.  Ch 4 and turn.

Rows 4 – 60:    The pattern repeats itself – after turning, 3 dc and ch 1 in the first ch 1 sp; 3 dc and ch 1 in each of the ch 1 spaces across.  In the last ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 4 and turn.

*You can keep adding rows until you reach a desired width and length of the shawl.  Fasten off and sew in any loose ends.

The pattern pdf can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Use of color can make a big difference

The use of color in our projects can make the biggest difference in the outcome.  When using one color or combination of colors for a project, the end product can turn out one way; and when using other colors or combination of colors, the same project can take on a whole new look.

Red Heart has a great article on the use of color and how our color choices can affect our projects.  Check out their blog post of Changing Colors for Different Looks.

Crocheting (and Knitting) For Charity

It is a wonderful thing when we can take our love of our craft and be able to share it with those in need.  One positive thing that I have picked up when I decided to participate in a Crochet-A-Long is that I am learning new patterns for items such as hats and shawls that I would have not done in the past as I thought that I didn't know of anyone who would want or need such items.

Below is a link to a charity listing from the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) that can give you some ideas for charities to crochet for:

Crochet For Charity - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Red Heart also has some charity suggestions for crocheters and knitters:

Red Heart Charity Suggestions

Lion Brand Yarns has a listing for 10 Charities for Knitters and Crocheters

Lion Brand Yarns

And one of my favorites - Out of the Parc Designs blog.  Lyn frequently has a blog post called Charity Idea OUTpost.  These articles are full of charity ideas that benefit people and our four-legged furry friends.  When you visit Out of the Parc Designs blog, be sure to check the archives for the OUTpost blog entries - you won't be disappointed at what you find and how inspired you can become from them.

Out of the Parc Designs

Rainbow Colors for Your Crochet Projects

The use of the rainbow colors for crochet projects is something that I've come to love.  I can remember the acronym of ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue Indigo, Violet) from art class in high school and for some reason this has stuck in my head all these years.

Red Heart has a page for helping in selecting various shades of the rainbow colors for your projects and I think it's something to bookmark for color combination inspiration.  You can find their rainbow yarn page here.

Rainbow Colors in Red Heart Yarns

Benefits from Crocheting

I enjoy crocheting as a hobby and pastime and have personally benefited from the positive health related aspect of crocheting.  Crocheting has helped me in reducing some stress and anxiety and in the process I have created some pretty amazing (bragging, I know) pieces of work.  When my mind is racing and I need to slow it down, crocheting helps as it forces me to concentrate on what I am doing and the repetitive nature of crocheting helps me to focus.

Here are several sites that have articles, tips, etc on the health benefits of crocheting:

• All Free Crochet - 7 Surprising Crochet Health Benefits

• Red Heart - Health Benefits of Crocheting and Knitting

• Little Things - Experts Say Knitting And Crocheting Can Have A Surprising Impact On Your Health

• Lion Brand - 10 MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF YARNCRAFTING

• Countryside Daily - The Benefits of Learning How to Crochet

• Craft Yarn Council - The Truth About Knitting and Crochet….They are Good for You!

• Anxiety Resource Center - How Crochet and Knitting Help the Brain 

Crochet Friends - Out of the Parc Designs

As time goes on and the more that I have shared my own work through the various social networking sites, I have gained several friends in the fiber arts world.  I've already introduced my friend Amy from AmyBStitched and today I would like to introduce another great friend - Lyn Wilson.

Lyn is a small business owner, fantastic fiberartist and and wonderful blogger.  She owns and runs Out of the Parc Designs.  Her blogs are constantly informative and inspiring as she highlight various fiberart designers and some great charities and causes.  I've had the extreme pleasure and honor of being mentioned in some of her writings and that, to me, is really something special.

Please take some time and visit Lyn's blog - you won't be disappointed and will find a treasure of articles/entries that can provide some inspiration!

Crochet Friends - AmyBStitched

Last June, I had the honor to collaborate on a crochet project with Amy Brewer. I found her site and pattern for her Meandering Paws scarf and the pattern really caught my interest. I had recently lost my beloved cat Snoopy and wanted to come up with something to remember him by.

After many starts, stops, errors and trials, I was able to adapt Amy's paw print design from a scarf to and afghan. I created a Rainbow Bridge pattern using the paw print design and shared it with Amy. In a short time, the project was published by Amy on her blog/page and it was and is a success and very well received.  Even after one year later, this pattern is still used by many.

This is a project that I am very proud of and was one that was very therapeutic and enjoyable to work on and I would like to thank Amy for the opportunity to collaborate on this project with her. Many who have had their fur children cross the Rainbow Bridge have appreciated the project. On the various social media groups that I belong to, there have been over 2000 likes and shares. And to be very honest, that is a great feeling!

Meandering Paw Prints Over the Rainbow Bridge

In January of this year, Amy and I collaborated on another project called "Meandering Paw Prints Heart of Duchess.  I had the idea of using Amy's paw print stitch in a heart formation for an afghan and after much trial and effort came up with the Heart of Duchess design in honor of one of our other cats who has passed on.  This pattern has also been met with great success and was once again a great honor to collaborate with Amy on another project.

Heart of Duchess Meandering Paw Prints

Please visit Amy's blog, A Stitch At A Time for Amy B Stitched to see her wonderful work!

In Flanders Field Square and Afghan

In Flanders Field Square and Afghan

The inspiration for this work is the poem "In Flanders Field" by John McCrae.

In Flanders Fields

John McCrae, 1872 – 1918

 In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, 
That mark our place, and in the sky, 
The larks, still bravely singing, fly, 
Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the dead; short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, 
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe! 
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high! 
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Notes:

·         Materials: black, red, dark green and white yarns – quantities vary depending upon the desired finished size.

·         Size I/5.5 mm hook

·         Terms are in US Crochet terms

·         Ch 3 count as a dc

                       

With black, ch 4 and sl st to first chain to create a loop.

Rnd 1.  Ch 1 (ch 1 does not count as a stitch) and 16 sc into loop; sl st to the ch 1 (16 sc).  Fasten off. 

Rnd 2. With red, attach to any sc, ch3 and 6 dc in same stitch, ch 2.  *(Sk 3 sc and then 7 dc in next sc, ch 2) Repeat from * twice and then sl st into top of ch 3 of first cluster.  Fasten off.

          

Rnd 3.  With green, attach in any ch 2 space, ch 3, and 2 dc in the same ch 2 space.  Skip the next 3 st and 3 dc, ch 2 and 3 dc in the next dc. *(3 dc in next ch 2 sp, sk 3 st, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next dc).  Repeat from * twice and sl st into top of ch 3 of first 3 dc cluster.

Rnd 4. Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc; *(1 dc, ch 2, 1dc in corner sp.  Dc in next 9 dc.). Repeat from * twice.  1 dc, ch 2, 1dc in the corner. Dc in next 3 dc and sl st into top of ch 3.  Fasten off.

Rnd 5. With white, attach in any ch 2 corner space, ch 5 and dc in the same space.  Dc in the next 11 dc.  *(Dc, ch 2, dc in corner sp; dc in next 11 dc). Repeat from * twice; sl st in 3^rd chain of the ch 3 of the corner st/chain.  Fasten off.

Weave in all ends.

Finished square measures approximately 6-inches by 6-inches.

Assembling:

Below are some common sizes for crocheted afghans.  The number of needed squares are in the parenthesis for each size.

Twin – 7 squares x 13 squares (91 squares)/10 squares x 13 squares (130 squares)

Full/Double – 9 squares x 13 squares (117 squares)/14 squares x 15 squares (210 squares)

Queen – 10 squares x 13 squares (130 squares)/15 squares x 16 squares (240 squares)

Places squares with the right sides facing each other and whipstitch the square together for the number required for each row.  Then place rows of squares with the right sides facing and whipstitch together to attach each row to each other.

Squares and rows can be attached to each other by slip stitching or single crochets instead of whipstitching if desired.

Any type of border can be added to the afghan if desired.  A simple double crochet border of the dark green or white would be complimenting to the finished afghan.

A pdf of the pattern can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

CGOA’s March Mega Crochet-A-Long (CAL) - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

CGOA’s March Mega Crochet-A-Long (CAL) - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

National Crochet Month - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

National Crochet Month - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Welcome to Dot's Closet

Welcome to Dot's Closet!

If case you are wondering why the blog is named Dot's Closet, the answer is a simple one (to me anyways).  My Grandma (Dorothy) had a walk-in closet that was full of bags and baskets full of yarn and projects.  It was like a wonderland of yarn!  Now many years later my own craft room somewhat resembles the original Dot's closet and it brings back many wonderful memories.

Crocheting is one of my main hobbies and passions and I love to share with others my creations.  I learned to crochet as a boy from my mother and then learned more from both my Grandma and my Memere.  Memere taught me my first "fancy" stitch - the shell stitch.  Over the years I've learned so much more on my own and am still learning.  There are several stitches and techniques that I intend on learning and using and one day it will happen!