knitting

Think afghans and throws belong in your grandmother’s house? Think again! With today’s yarns and such a wide variety of patterns, you don’t have to resort to that tired “Granny Square” afghan for your couch or bed. Try using a soft and supple chenille yarn for a throw you’ll want to cozy up in all winter, or a lightweight lacy yarn for a light and delicate summer throw.

The easiest way to knit a big afghan or throw is on long circular needles. If you use a good-quality bamboo or even metal needle, with stout cables, they will stand up to the weight of the afghan as you create it, and your stitches won’t be all bunched up and difficult to work. That’s especially important if you’re working on a lace design, when you need the room to manipulate the stitches.

Taking my own advice, I’ve made two different throws for my living room couch. One is a heavy, very large afghan/blanket that I use during the winter, and the other is a much smaller, decorative lacy throw I put out in the summer. I made them mostly for decoration, but my husband LOVES to curl up under the winter throw, especially if he’s feeling under the weather. So, create a couple of throws that are NOT you’re grandmother’s afghans, and you may get hooked on knitting for your home!

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