After more than a year, I can finally say that I've finished the crochet ripple afghan for Steve. Yay! I used Attic 24's Neat Ripple Afghan pattern which is pretty easy to get into a rhythm of crocheting. Unfortunately my wrists tend to hurt after just a few rows which is one of the contributing factors to how long it took. I'd set it aside for weeks at a time before getting back to it. Then I'd crochet a few inches in a few days before the next round. Steve likes it and says that it's warm and cozy.
I started with a 214-stitch chain (like Kristin's example here) and then kept on going. Two rows for most colors and just a single row for the reds/oranges and the middle green rows. I haven't really counted but I think there's a total of 117 rows. The yarn came from three brands from Michaels craft store.
Vanna's Choice by Lion Brand 100% Acrylic
- 1 1/8 skein of Colonial Blue 109
Impeccable worsted by Loops & Threads 100% Acrylic (this is very thick yarn)
- 1 1/2 skeins in Aran 1008
- 1 skein in Navy 1110
- 1/2 skein in Grass 1223
- 1/8? skein in Pumpkin 1630
Caron Simply Soft 100% Acrylic (I loved how soft this is but the ply would get separated very easily)
- 1 skein in Dk Country Blue 9711
- 1 skein in Lt Country Blue 9709
- 1 skein in Country Blue 9710
- 1 skein in Ocean 9759
- 1 skein in Berry Blue 9609
- 1 skein in Blue Mint 9608
- 1/8? skein in Autumn Red 9730
- 1/8? skein in Persimmon 9754
In hindsight I probably shouldn't have used the extremely thick yarn but I was going more by colors and that it was washable than by yarn brand or type. It may be a while before I make another one of these. It's good to finally have it finished (and that means all of those yarn ends were woven and then cut too) and on Steve's chair. Of course it wasn't a surprise since he's seen me working on it all this time - sometimes while we were on RV trips - but he still smiled when I gave it to him. I asked him whether he wanted me to make a label for it and he said no, that he knew that I had made it for him with love. Isn't that the truth, but it's nice when they know it too.
