Afghan Square # 8 - Zig Zags

It is so past time to update :) Sorry for being so slow on this. In August we were spoiled with another wonderful guest teacher! Pam Keville was kind enough to design this pretty square for the afghan project. This is a fun square with a nice zig zag pattern to it. Pam, we appreciate your time and talents that you generously gave to the afghan project! This is a lovely addition to the project and the finished squares were just awesome. We can't wait to see everyone's finished afghans :) Have a great day!

<3 Jenny

Afghan Square Set #7 - The Rib Took a Walk Around the Block

July brought us a flurry of afghan squares. We had Robin's beautiful Cable Calamity at the beginning of the month and finished up the month with the Ribs pattern set. The Rib Took a Walk Around the Block featured two designs. There was Boulevard (my favorite) and Avenues. It's been really fun to see these squares in different colors and yarns. And this time we even got to see Avenues transformed into a purse! Too fun! I am definitely going to have to make one for myself. The afghan project has been a lot more labor intensive than I was expecting but it has also been a rewarding experience. We are so glad to have everyone join in the experience and we are really looking forward to seeing the finished afghans at the end of the year! Have a great night!

<3 Jenny

Block #6- Cabled Column Calamity

Congratulations, ladies and gents! You made it through our most advanced block yet! I am so proud that you all didn't run into more problems and it seems that most of you coasted right through without a snag (pun intended!) I created this design, not only to satisfy the hunger of those who needed more challenging designs to work on, but to instill the confidence in those of you that thought you couldn't do it. Seems that the tutorials for Cables on the KK and Cables on the Kiss Looms that I put together to help you all was really worth it and now you have little (or big, depending on how you view 25 and 27 page tutorials) booklets to carry with you to help you with cables from now on. :)
I would say that this class has been the most rewarding one for me to teach, yet. :D And the only recurrent question/problem that came up was about those stretched out looking stitches, which was normally solved by pulling the slack out from behind and redistributing the slack to surrounding stitches. I have seen several pictures of some really gorgeous cables and I am so very proud. :D

Live, Love, Loom
Robin McCoy

Square #5 - Little Lacy Flowers

June brought us pattern # 5 in the afghan series and our very first guest teacher!!! Stephanie McElheran of Loomy Daze Designs was kind enough to design the Little Lacy Flowers square for the project and spent a week with us as we learned to loom lace. We really appreciate your help with the afghan project, Stephanie. Thank you so much for sharing you time and talent with us. It was so fun to see the photos of finished squares as the class drew to a close. We hope you are all enjoying the afghan project and learning new techniques. Have a great night!

<3 Jenny

Square #4 - Wobbley Bobbley

The class for square number 4 recently ended. The pattern was Wobbley Bobbley. I think the class went really well. Bobbles are not my absolute favorite addition to a project but they were something I did want to conquer. So I set about writing up a pattern with bobbles in it. I'm really pleased with how the square turned out. And the pictures that have been posted over in the Loom Class Group have been really great. I am so proud of everyone's work. Next month we will have our very first Guest Teacher! I'm so excited! I love that we are learning so many new things together. Have a great night!

<3 Jenny

Third class finished and can't wait for the fourth!

The third class for the Lattice block pattern is over and done with and yet I am already hearing that people need their afghan block fix and can't wait for block #4! That is exciting to hear b/c I expected that people would get bored and tired of making blocks and this proves to me that I was sooooo wrong. I am glad that everyone is enjoying the classes and getting the most out of them. :D Join us at the end of May for the fourth class and we have the fifth class lining up for June as we speak.



Keep on loomin',
Robin McCoy

Excerpts from Jenny on tips for decorating Block #2

(Written April 13, 2008)

Today kicks off the second Project Afghan/Lapghan class over at the Loom Class Group on Yahoo. The pattern is Flowers in my Baskets. It is a simple basketweave pattern decorated with flowers. The pattern describes how to embellish the square with embroidery. Not everyone enjoys embroidery so we wanted to talk about a few other options for this square. The first and simplest option would be to leave the square undecorated.

As you can see, this square looks nice without the embroidery. However, if you are feeling like doing a little decorating, there are a few options. You can follow the pattern and embroider on your square.
The drawback with this option (in my opinion) is that the embroidery creates a right side and a wrong side for the block. The wrong side could be left as it is or decorated by adding some pretty fabric shapes or squares.

Another option for this block would be to make Loom Blooms with the spool knitter and tie them on to your square. I really like how this turns out.
I love this option because both sides of the square are adorable. The loom blooms are tied on the square with double knots. Then make a bow and double tie that too. They should be quite secure. This is how it looks on the other side.
A final suggestion would be some Simple Crochet Flowers. These can be attached with the same method as the Loom Blooms and so both sides of the square would be attractive with this option too.
For an afghan that needs to be less feminine, the block could be embroidered with sunbursts, stars, leaves, etc. - or just left undecorated. We hope you are enjoying the afghan project and we look forward to seeing your finished squares. Have a great day!


<3 Jenny

First Class Concluded

It has been a whirlwind of a week, but it was so much fun. There is a bittersweet feeling in the air for me today. I am happy that I don't need to hover over my computer in case someone has a problem....but I am sad that my class for this month is over. :( I was really enjoying the excitement, enthusiasm, ideas, and comradery that we were all sharing. I never expected for so many people to sign up for the Project Afghan, but I am certainly happy that you all did.
For the most part, it seems like everyone was zoomin' loomin'! There were a few stragglers or people that found out right after class started which I found to be awesome. I suspect we will be adding new students all year (OMG, what will the final attendance be?!) so that is okay to have straglers.
Something exciting to note: Cliff, the creator of the Kiss Looms, went on a mission and found me a free font for Knitting Symbols so that I could make the charts easier to read! I am so excited and can already see a difference. I did have to make do with a symbol or two b/c the fonts are for use in MS Word and I am using MS Works and Spreadsheet, so there are some fonts that need an ALT code that my programs won't except. That is remedied by substituting a symbol that I don't think we will ever need to use (or at least not in the same chart) and it actually looks like an e-wrap or twisted knit stitch. Jenny looked it over and though she says her eyes still skip a bit, it is much easier to read for her, so here is to hoping that everyone else benefits from the easier to read charts! :D
Well, folks...this past week has been a real good one. I can't wait to see how Jenny's class turns out (starts April 13th!) Then I will see you all once again on April 20th (my grandma's b-day!)
Thank you all so much for participating and making it fun. And double thanks for all of the constructive creaticism and positive comments. The students are what make the teacher! :D
OH! And those of you that were throwing spit balls, I know who it was and I expect to see you after class! :)

Loomin' with Love,
Robin McCoy

Suggestions to make charts easier to read

It has been brought to my attention that charts can be hard to read for certain individuals. So as people give me suggestions and tell me how they make it easier to read for themselves I am going to place them here for all to read. You might find a tip that helps you with other projects. :D

WandaJean told us that she does this:
How I do the Chart
I copy the chart and paste it on my notepad.
Then add 2 or 3 spaces between each row.
Then at the front and the end of each row I put <> so I will know what way im going.

A few others have suggested changing the font size before you print out the chart so that it is bigger and therefore easier to see.

And I have learned that '*' and '+' are NOT easy for everyone to see, so I will either start using letters to represent stitches OR I will find bigger symbols. :D It was suggested that I use the Internation Symbols for Yarn and Needlecraft...but you have to buy a program to have these symbols. I do not plan to pay money for symbols when I have a whole bunch sitting right under my fingertips on my keyboard. But, if it were free, I would use them. :)

All suggestions are welcome, because your suggestion may be just what someone else was looking for. Thank you!

FAQs

"How much yarn will I need to purchase for the entire afghan?"
Well, I hate to say this, because I like to have the answer for everything, but I can't tell you how much you will need. Each block will use different amounts b/c different stitch patterns require different amounts of yarn. I will venture to say that it will be approximately 145 yards of yarn. Give some or take some, of course. Take into account that if you plan to double up on your blocks, as we recommend if you want a full sized afghan, then you should double up on your yarn. :D This project is perfect for using up scraps that you have laying around, though. Originally afghans were made with scraps of yarn. If you need to purchase yarn, I suggest purchasing a 'no dye lot' color OR you can get coordinating colors to make it pretty. I don't really want anyone to have to shell out a lot of money upfront, so my suggestion is to buy as you go. :)

"If I have an idea or want to design a block for the class, who do I contact about it? And do I have to teach the class, myself?"
Well, first find the post about the specifics for the block designs and read over that so that you understand the make-up of the blocks so far. Then contact Jenny at jenniferstark@msn.com or contact Robin at mrs.robinlmccoy@gmail.com OR thades_mama@yahoo.com
You don't have to teach your class, if you are too shy. But we encourage that you do teach it yourself. It is a great experience, besides, who knows your pattern better than you? :D

"My finished block didn't come out the right size! Do I need to start over?"
I have learned that in looming, needle knitting and crocheting you have your bad days and good days and in between days. Sometimes, if you are tense or just focused on something else, it can effect the tension you use. Different people also use different tensions. For instance, Jenny is a tight loomer (haha! Put her on the spot now didn't I?) but I loom much looser than she does. This all can affect the outcome of your block. My best suggestion is to measure as you feel you are getting close to being done. If you think you are going to end up with a block too big, then measure your first three rows to see where you need to stop with your pattern and put your last three rows on. If your block is going to be too small, try doing the opposite and add a few more rows of design to your block before doing the last three rows of your pattern. If it all overwhelms you, then feel free to ask the designer what they would do about it. :D



More FAQs will be added as we proceed. If you are looking for the answer to a specific block, check the post made for that block and see if there is a FAQ section for it.
Thank you!

First Class Is Now In Session! The 'Diagonal Rib'!

The first class for teaching the patterns for blocks in our 'Project Afghan' has just started! Woohoo! How exciting! I know that many of you are just as excited, if not more, than Jenny and I and a boat load of you have signed up for the class already (124 as of this morning)...but, if you should miss the class this week, I will have the pattern posted on this blog next week. So, don't freak out on us or anything. You will still be able to get the pattern and if you are sweet enough (meaning to bring or send chocolates and other goodies to your teacher to suck up) you will receive the same quality of help after the class is over as you would while the class was in session. Just contact the designer listed on the bottom of your pattern.

Story behind the 'Diagonal Rib':
There really isn't a story except that it never ceases to amaze me that if you take an even number of pegs and use a repetitive odd numbered pattern (example 24 pegs, repeating a 5 peg pattern) it does a diagonaly effect. Not only that, but if you do this pattern on a round piece, like a hat, the rib will spiral! That is just too cool! :D
I thought that if I was so fascinated with the effect, then there should be others out there that are equally as fascinated by it. Why not make that our very first block?
Enjoy!

Looming with Love,
Robin McCoy

Want to be a 'Special Guest Teacher/Designer'?

Here are the specifics you will need for your block's design:

-Blocks are made using the Knifty Knitter round looms (mainly the red) and if you don't own a Kiss Loom, Robin will make sure that the pattern will work for the Kiss Loom as well and will send you some notes to include in your pattern to make it work for those using the Kiss Loom.

-Make your block 12" x 12". The number of pegs and rows used will vary depending on your stitch design. One block may use 30 pegs and 48 rows, while another may use 31 pegs and 61 rows.

- To keep your design from curling, remember to use a knit and purl pattern of some sort for the first and last few rows, as well as the first few and last few stitches of each row.
Example: Row 1- Knit all pegs
Row 2- K1, purl until the last peg, K1
Row 3- K1, P1, K until last two pegs, P1, K1
Middle rows: K1, P1, K1, Insert your design, K1, P1, K1
2nd from last row: repeat row 3
Next to last row: repeat row 2
Last row: repeat row 1

- We are NOT slipping any stitches at the beginning of the rows. This will help out when we are stitching the blocks together in the end. :D

-Don't feel limited to just beginner friendly designs. Since this is a Loom Class project, it is the purpose to teach the students and push them to try something new occasionally.

We welcome everyone that wants to design a block and hope that you would like to teach that block to the class, yourself. But, if you are shy and Robin can't twist your arm into teaching the class, we will be happy to teach it for you. The fact that a design was created for us to use is a great help to us!
Thank you!

Project Lapghan/Afghan

The patterns for 12" blocks that you find on this page have been taught in the Loom Class Yahoo Group. You may use the designs, even if you are not in the Loom Class. But I urge you to join our class for upcoming block patterns and to find helpful tips. You have to be a member of the Loom Class group to participate in the class itself. After the moderator approves your membership then you will need to check the group calendar to see when the class will be offered (should be last week of every month).
Hope to see you in class!