Mission Afghan: Completed!!!

Finally, a year after starting it, the mission afghan is done.

It turns out that I had gotten rather sick of this knitting project and just wanted it done so I did not continue on with stripes at the ends to make it longer as I had planned.  I just picked up stitches along the long side, knitted in garter stitch three plus garter ridges then bound off.  The ends were 140 live stitches on threads on each end so I picked up along the gray garter borders then knitted the live stitches, ending up with picking up the other long side garter ridges then knit three more garter ridges and bound off.  Did this on both ends then started weaving in the ends.

At this point I will make a confession. every other square had four long ends to weave in.  After a couple of rows of weaving in I was done with the weaving in.  Well, it was late at night and I wanted that sucker DONE.  So...what any lazy knitter might do, I just tied off the yarn with very sturdy knots and cut the extra yarn.  Since it is not a garment and the only one who will be annoyed by the knots is me, I decided it was okay.  We will find out if it is really okay the first time, or maybe second time, I have to wash it.  If the ends work loose, then it was a problem.  By then I will have probably made another blanket and will let this one go.

Happily unconscious unsuspecting napper.  I guess the blanket was successful.

Things I learned with this project:  how to make small parts into a large whole with no seams.  Bingo!  Sewing together is not my cup of tea.

Something I WANT to learn:  how to weave in the ends as you go.  Now that I think of it,  if I look at the Philosopher's Wool website and watch their videos again, I will be reminded how to do that.  When I was doing stranding years ago I remember it worked great.  I just didn't think of it at the beginning of this project.  Too bad...

Mission Knitting: Afghan Progress

Here is the central medallion of the afghan completed, viewed from the back so you can see all the yarn ends needing to be woven in.  The next part of the project is to use the leftover yarn to garter stitch bands along both end to lengthen the afghan.  It is a great size for me just sitting in the chair, but since this is really for Dear One for when he naps on the couch, this size is not as good! 

There are parts of seven skeins left to knit on since I finished knitting on the 8th skein since I took this photo. I weighed each of the skeins then put them in two bags with as close to the same weights as possible so each end would be more or less the same length.  We shall see.

The plan, after the lengthening, is to use up some more yarn...a nice soft gray yarn...to make a border around the whole thing.  I think maybe five garter ridges will be enough.  Well, I will definitely be ready for it to be enough.  If I was not putting on the lengthening strips the border would be 540 stitches.  Adding the extra stitches for those garter rows will probably be another 160 stitches or more, so 700 stitches around, times ten round. 

This is planned to be a use-up-the-yarn project.  It amazes me that I could have acquired as much yarn as we have here in the workroom.  Unbelievable, actually.  Some we brought with us.  Unwise.  Will I ever learn?!  Maybe.

Mission Knitting: The Afghan is Progressing

The afghan has been sitting in the knitting bag for ages.  It has been above 90 degrees F. so many days lately.  Over the weekend there was a bit of a cooling breeze blowing through so I finished another row.  Only 8 more mitered blocks to go.  Then the ends using up the left over colored yarn, and finally the outer borders.  It should be long enough to be a large lap robe/couch blanket.  At least that is what Dear One is hoping to see.  He does not mind the heat.  He does mind the cold so a cozy afghan will make him happy.

I can't wait to see what it looks like!

Mission Knitting: Afghan Growing Again

Recently I started working on the mission afghan again.  I have decided to make it 7 squares by 9 squares then extend it by using up other leftover yarn.  This is what it looks like today:

I am sorely tempted to turn them into garter stitch miters but know that the gauge, thus size of the squares, will be different, so, so far, I have restrained myself....

Mission Knitting: Wedding Gift

Friends eloped a few weeks ago.  Since then I have thought of knitting them something to celebrate.  I started out to make some kitchen scrubbies since everyone needs them BUT  I forgot that I used a US 11 needle for the last ones I made.  The needles I used to start these scrubbies were US 8.  Even though I was using two strands of worsted weight cotton yarn held together, on fifteen stitches it was obvious that this would not be a kitchen scrubbie so I changed to making coasters.

The project helped me use up several balls of yarn.  The family is a combined family with at least eight people so I made four colors of double coasters.  The box I made to send them is kind of cute but not quite large enough.  I will probably send it anyway...since I like handmade boxes.  I will have to make a belly band to hold it together...

They do not look like much but they will be great to put under mugs of hot chocolate.  In fact, I might make some for us, but not until I get the baby sweater project finished.  I was able to finish these while watching the live streaming of the Messiah from Temple Square.  We usually watch this at Christmas but it is actually Easter music. 

If you want to watch or listen to it, it is still available whenever you want until April 9, 2018  at LDS.org.  There is a 30-minute program before the actual music starts all about The Messiah.  Pretty interesting...but you can move the slider in about an inch until you see "The Concert Will Begin Shortly"on the screen.  I will be listening again, probably tomorrow night.  This music is so glorious.  Great music to knit by!