American Flag Afghan {Crochet Pattern}

I am not one of those people that re-decorates their house for every holiday. I {think} I would like to be one of those people, but it seems like such a daunting task! After struggling to get a million projects done before Christmas the first year that Cody and I were married, I decided to simplify things and focus on one project for one holiday each year.

This year, the 4th of July was on the top of my list. 

I knew that I wanted a blanket/afghan/quilt to drape over the back of the couch in my living room, but how do you decide on exactly what to make?! My mother-in-law had just finished a small lap quilt of the American flag for her own living room and I loved the idea of incorporating the flag in some way. However, I wanted something that would "flow" over my couch a little more, so I started searching for a crochet project rather than a quilt pattern. 

Pinterest turned up this afghan, which was both the perfect size and style for me. Unfortunately, in order to complete the afghan I had to download two different pdf's and go to a link in the comments of a youtube video. To make it easier to follow, I've condensed the original pattern into one location. You can also download a pdf of the pattern here: __________________ 

I had so much fun making this blanket! It took about a week to complete the main body of the afghan and another couple of days to complete all of the stars. I'll update this blog post when I have it all pieced together. 

Difficulty: Easy

Finished size: 57 in x 50 in

Materials used:

3 skeins of Claret (red) Impeccable yarn by Loops and Threads, 277 yards/4.5 oz (size 4)

3 skeins of White Impeccable yarn by Loops and Threads, 277 yards/4.5 oz (size 4)
2 skeins of Navy Impeccable yarn by Loops and Threads, 277 yards/4.5 oz (size 4)
Crochet hook, size US K/6.50mm

Crochet hook, size US G/4.00mm

Embroidery needle

Stitches used: 

Chain - learn how to make a chain here

Double Crochet (DC) - learn how to make this stitch here

Double Crochet 2 stitches together (DC2TOG) - learn how to make this stitch here

Single Crochet (SC) - learn how to make this stitch here

Half-Double Crochet (HDC) - learn how to make this stitch here

Slip Stitch (SL ST) - learn how to make this stitch here

Magic Ring - learn how to make this stitch here

Instructions:

Begin with red yarn. 

Chain 147

Row 1: 

Skip 3 chains, 1 Double Crochet (DC) in the next chain, * 1 DC in each of the next 3 chains, Double Crochet 2 stitches together (DC2TOG) using the next 2 chains, DC2TOG using the next 2 chains, 1 DC in each of the next 3 chains, 2 DC in each of the next 2 chains. * Repeat between * * until the end of the row. Notice that there is a pattern of 12 stitches. You will end with 2 DC in the last chain, and will not complete the final 2 DC to complete the last pattern of 12 stitches. 

Row 2:

Chain 3 (counts as 1 DC) (make sure your hook goes through both loops of each stitch for all further stitches), 1 DC in the first stitch, * 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, DC2TOG using the next 2 stitches, DC2TOG using the next 2 stitches, 1 DC in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 DC in each of the next 2 stitches. * Repeat between * * until the end of the row. Notice that there is (still) a pattern of 12 stitches. You will end with 2 DC in the last stitch, and will not complete the final 2 DC to complete the last pattern of 12 stitches. 

Repeat Row 2 for the remainder of the afghan (you will crochet a total of 65 rows). This pattern will not change, only the color of yarn that you are using every 5 rows. 

Row 1-5: RED

Row 6-10: WHITE

Row 11-15: RED

Row 16-20: WHITE

Row 21-25: RED

Row 26-30: WHITE

Row 31-35: BLUE & RED

Row 36-40: BLUE & WHITE

Row 41-45: BLUE & RED

Row 46-50: BLUE & WHITE

Row 51-55: BLUE & RED

Row 56-60: BLUE & WHITE

Row 61-65: BLUE & RED

You will introduce the blue yarn in Row 31. In Row 31, use the BLUE for the first ____ stitches, then change to RED for the remaining ___ stitches in the row.  

This was a great tip from the original pattern:

"Do not tie off either color when switching. Just drop the yarn and pick up when you are back to that color. (Or you’re going to have A LOT of end to weave in!)"

This is what my flag looked like at this point (before I added the stars):

Now for the stars...

Instructions:

Use white yarn. 

Round 1: Magic ring, chain 2 (one chain to start the magic ring and one extra). Make 10 DC in the magic ring (initial 2 chains do not count as a stitch). Slip Stitch (SL ST) in the top of the first DC to complete the ring. 

Round 2: * Chain 5, Single Crochet (SC) in the second chain from the hook, SC in the next chain, Half-Double Crochet (HDC) in next chain, DC in next chain, skip one stitch and join with a SL ST. * You have now made one of the points for the star. Repeat between * * four more times to complete all 5 points of the star. 

Crochet 50 stars. 

Using blue yarn and an embroidery needle, sew the stars onto the flag. 

Want a pdf of the pattern? You can download one here: 

And you're done! I can't wait to put this flag out on my couch next July!

Starting a Blog is Harder Than It Looks

I honestly have no idea what this blog is going to be about.

Everything I read about starting a blog seems to say the same thing:

{Choose ONE thing to write about}

Doesn't that get boring? I don't think I'm passionate enough about only one thing to write post after post about it. So instead, I think I'm going to write about everything. 

I love to work with my hands: gardening, quilting, crocheting, knitting, painting, woodworking...you name it. I'm also extremely frugal, so anything I've learned about these hobbies I've had to either learn myself or get advice from family and friends. So I guess that's what this blog is going to be about:

Self-help for the wanna-be crafter

Does that count as choosing ONE topic for my blog to be about? Maybe. Close enough. 

I'm hoping to not only share projects that I'm working on, but tips for others that want to complete similar projects. 

So here's to the extra instructions on crochet patterns, tips for creating your own quilt designs, and thoughts on what I will and won't do with my garden next year!