Sunday, February 10, 2013

Knitted Afghan --- Done!

Finally sat down this afternoon and finished sewing the last strip putting my knitted afghan together.


The afghan is incredibly soft and is going to be warm and cozy as a throw on the couch.

The pattern didn't call for any kind of finishing edge and I'm wondering if something is needed.  I'm not particularly fond of fringe so don't think I want to do that.  I could crochet some kind of an edge all around the four sides . . . but which color of yarn would I use for that?  Any suggestions as to a finishing edge?  Needed?  Or not?


After all my fuss and worry about how to sew the five strips together, the idea I had in my head worked lickety-split.

I laid two strips side by side, wrong sides up.  Because all the rectangles had a seed stitch edge on each side, I just picked up a "nub" (or collar from a purl stitch) one stitch in from the edge . . . first on one strip, then on the other strip.  Back and forth, back and forth the whole length of the strip.


This is the front side.  You can't see the yarn I used for the joining at all.  Even the back side (shown in the second picture with the needle) doesn't look that bad.

Big knitting project finally completed.  Whew!  But I've got to admit, I think I'm gonna miss having it to work on.  I got kinda attached to it!

34 comments:

Katidids said...

I LOVE IT!! IMO I say no borders! I think it woudl take away rom the beauty of the squares. Nice job...what yarn did you use?

Carolyn said...

I second the "no borders". It's a plain (not in a bad way, but how do I say it???) pattern (not meaning you don't see all the bumps & stuff) so I think you'd draw attention away from the nice texture of the blocks if you had other things going on. Ok, that just sounded like I was ripping on your afghan. But, oh, just do whatever you want, I'm sure it will be beautiful just the same.
How's that for help?

Unknown said...

I third the no boarder...but if you want to do it I would pick white or the black.... I think white would make it pop... I don't like fringe either...I have done a few afghans with fringe and the fringe feels like spiders...so I stopped doing that... Have a great day...Lisa

Freedom Acres Farm said...

I fourth the no border. I like it just the way it is. Beautiful! Good job!

Michelle said...

It looks perfect. No need for more. Thank you for showing how you joined the squares. I will be using that technique on my own projects

Tombstone Livestock said...

Love it just the way it is .... no borders.

Sparkless said...

It looks great! I don't think it needs a border at all.

Sherry said...

I agree with the others, looks wonderful just the way it is..

Kelly said...

I agree with everyone, I would leave it alone! It's done and beautiful!!!!!

Anonymous said...

I love it! I'm of the mind that it looks fine the way it is, but you have it in front of you, not me. Maybe just a simple single crochet around it to close it off?

DFW said...

Beautiful afghan!

Susan said...

It's perfect! I love the colors and pattern - and how nice to wrap yourself up in. What's next on the knitting project list?

judy said...

You can stay attached to it by cuddling in it ,I like the dded green and grey ,very lovely

odiie said...

Another vote for no border. What a great job of joining the strips together.

Mama Pea said...

Katidids - I used an inexpensive, washable yarn (and extremely soft!) . . . Red Heart Soft, worsted weight. And thank you!

Mama Pea said...

Carolyn - Haha, I got exactly what you meant! Thanks!

Mama Pea said...

lisa - Welcome and thanks for commenting! IF I were going to crochet all the way around the edge, I was thinking of the black as you suggested. Ha! Yes, fringe does feel like spiders! Good analogy.

Mama Pea said...

Freedom Acres Farm - I'm sensing a theme here . . . no borders! And I'm liking it!

Mama Pea said...

Michelle - You're welcome, it worked so well I was amazed!

Mama Pea said...

Tombstone Livestock - Yes, ma'am! No borders.

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Sparkless!

Mama Pea said...

Blackberry Brambles - So nice of you to say! Thanks.

Mama Pea said...

Kelly - Whew! I love what you say . . . done and beautiful! Thanks.

Mama Pea said...

Stephanie - Thanks, Queen of the Afghans! If you say it looks fine, so be it!

Mama Pea said...

Aw, thanks, DFW!

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Sweeze. What's next? Finishing an orange scarf (berry pattern) I started 274 years ago. ;o}

Mama Pea said...

judy - I've cuddled in it once already. Felt great!

Mama Pea said...

odiie - Thank you, thank you, thank you. It's unanimous . . . no border!

Erin said...

I'm late to the party here but I love it! I don't know how you have the patience to sew those together, mine would be a jumbled mess. I say no border, I like the mod look, although if you wanted a more country/homey look a border would look good in that case. Either way it's beautiful!

Everstuff said...

I vote no border. It looks perfectly symmetrical the way it is with the increase and decrease from corner to corner. I say perfect just like that.

Mama Pea said...

Thanks, Erin! The strips really went together so easily and quickly I was amazed. I've only done one other afghan in strips and that was for my mom many years ago. The thing I remember most about it was how l-o-n-g it took me to sew the strips together . . . but all the strips did have a cable (curves to sew together) down each side so that was probably why it took so long. At least I was smart enough not to do that again!

Mama Pea said...

Everstuff - Yup, I've decided not to put any kind of a border on it. You gals all know what you're talking about. Thanks for your nice words!

Lisa said...

Sorry I am late on commenting on your afghan, but I LOVE it too! I agree, doesn't need a border nor fringe and love the way the colors work together. Love the yarn you used.... it looks 'soft' even in the up-close photo and I bet it is oh-so-comfortable. Beautiful.

Mama Pea said...

Lisa - Never too late! I've actually spent a little time on the couch wrapped in the afghan and it is comfy-cozy! Everyone seems so definite on it not needing any kind of a border that I don't know why I thought it did!