The Cat Afghan Heads Home

I started this pattern I discovered in the November/December 1997 Hooked on Crochet magazine for a Christmas present for 2011. I learned so many new skills along the way. I did not finish it for Christmas, but continued to work on it. Then I washed it back in February preparing to give it as a late present. I thought I had gone through and fixed the ends from my earlier work where I knew little about weaving in the ends. However, after the washing I was faced with tons of short ends that needed to be fixed to save the piece. I could not even look at it, so I put it away to be faced later.

This Easter we had a special visitor who has not been able to be with us for a while due to illness. She came to my rescue and used a crochet hook and a technique her Aunt had taught her to catch all those nasty loose ends. I was so relieved and touched at her act of kindness. The girl who got the afghan was thrilled. I was sure she had forgotten about the afghan, but the minute she walked through the door on Easter and saw it she asked if it was finally done. It took two generations, but yes it is finally completed and with its new owner.

Check out the Holiday Blogs and Special Event Blogs for More Patterns:

Afghan Patterns

Baby Blankets

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

Christmas

Valentines

St. Patrick's Day

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Pictures may not be used without permission.

Have you Ever Had the Project that Fought Back

The Kitty Afghan has claws. I mean this thing is fighting back. I frogged three rows two days ago and completed 5 yesterday only to have to frog them all completing two more before bed time. I suspect it is that hurry up and screw up mentality that is kicking in, but it is so frustrating.

This project is taking on the aspects of the old samplers children were taught to do to improve their skills. Along this path, I have learned how to read a chart, improved techniques for changing colors, learned to use yarn bobbins, and now I have realized a real need to improve my technique for weaving in ends as this became one of the reasons for frogging yesterday. As I pulled out the last of the rows to get to my mistake, I pulled out a row underneath due to bad end weaving. I researched some better techniques yesterday and hopefully when I look at the two rows I completed last night the pattern is now correct. It is like the 12 Pains of Christmas Song, when one cat is off they all are off!

Thankfully, all the other Christmas presents are not only finished, but wrapped. DH finished the food shopping last night and my Aunt will be over to help us start prepping for the big Christmas Eve bash tomorrow. This afghan battle is not the end of the world. The recipient has plenty of other gifts waiting for her. A late Christmas gift is hardly the end of the world.

Cats Afghan Work in Progress

I have been blogging about this project for a while, but this is the first time I stopped to take a picture. I still do not take the best pictures with my phone, but I am able to take more pictures than before. This at least gives an idea of the mosaic pattern that the afghan is forming.

The pattern comes from a November/December 1997 Hooked on Crochet magazine. I am not sure if there is a free version available online. I tried doing this once without yarn bobbins and it was a disaster. My Mom kindly introduced me to the wonders of yarn bobbins and while this project has had its challenges the outcome has been more positive.

I am still coming down to the deadline. Not sure if this present will make the Christmas Eve finish, but it is going to be a close finish I am sure. I am sure I can have it done before the New Year.

Check out the Holiday Blogs and Special Event Blogs for More Patterns:

Afghan Patterns

Baby Blankets

Christmas






Halloween

Patriotic

Toy Themed Afghans

Valentines

Pictures may not be used without written permission.