Posts Tagged ‘crochet afghans’
Here are some quick tips on how you can make the best crochet afghans!
- Wind Yarn GENTLY
The tension on your yarn can affect how your afghans come together – you want a good, firm amount of tension, but not too much, or it won’t come together properly.
As well, by having a properly wound ball of yarn, it will be less likely to fall apart or end up being too thin.
It’s important that your yarn is thick enough – that way when it gets crocheted together, there is ample room to make your afghans as comfortable as possible.
- Wash Your Completed Work
When finished making crochet afghans, it’s best to wash them in soapy water.
Use cold or cool temperature.
Most yarns will have a certain amount of color bleeding that takes place. Washing your completed crochet afghans will ensure that the majority of the color that will bleed out will happen when you’re doing it, as opposed to with other clothes.
Empty the wash water, and rinse in clean, fresh water.
When you’re finished – do not hang dry your new afghan – it will likely cause it to lose shape with fabric stretching.
Lay them flat to dry, turning them over to ensure equal drying levels.
- When Crocheting, Leave Safety Pins in Place
When you’re crocheting your masterpiece, leave safety pins in your piece, almost like a trail of breadcrumbs.
A distraction can happen at any time – from the phone ringing to something occuring on tv.
I personally keep a set of safety pins nearby, and place one in the crochet afghan every 10 stitches.
This way, if I need to go back and resume my position, I can simply count how many stitches I am past the 10 mark, and resume from there – knowing where I am at all times on my crochet afghans.
crochet afghans are a great project to take on – here’s how to get new ideas for your projects
- Look for patterns online
There’s thousands of free patterns online, it’s a matter of simply sifting through them to figure out which is your next project.
Many of these having ratings and comments from others that have done the same pattern – as well popularity and download amounts.
Look for a project that suits your level. It’s always fun to take on something interesting!
- Buy a set of patterns
For the little that crocheting costs, it’s worth it to spend a little on a book of patterns or crochet afghans technique.
Learn as much as you can, and many good books often include commentary of “extras” on how to do your craft better
- Think about the person you’re giving it to
If giving a gift, know about the person you’re giving it to
Maybe they’re a football fan or they like puppies?
If you know what their interests are, you can come up with new ideas to make crochet afghans that they’ll be very happy to have.
- Ask around
Simply asking people in the community is a good way to get new ideas for your projects!
Enjoy crocheting so much you’d like to turn it into a full or part time occupation?
There are many people that are doing this today – either for extra income, or for more reasons to be able to crochet!
Here’s Three Great Ways to Sell your crochet afghans
– Free Classifieds such as Craigslist and Kijiji
Wondering why newspapers are having so much trouble staying in business these days?
It’s because consumers are flocking to online classified sites like Kijiji and Craigslist. This means that there’s thousands of potential customers that are actually searching for the type of products you’re producing!
Having an free ad up in these places is great for visibility, especially for people looking to have custom work done for birthdays and holidays.
You should update your ads fairly often so that they remain current, however once established this can take a few minutes a day.
If you are going to go this route, it’s usually advisable to set up a separate email and phone number – this way you’re able to protect your privacy, and also ensure that you’re able to turn your business off when you’re not in “work” mode!
If you are going this route, it is strongly advised to take the proper precautions into place – meet only at your or somebody else’s home if you feel completely safe about it – even people you think are “ok” may not necessarily be.
Arranging a meeting in a public place such as a coffee shop or well traveled park is often a better option.
While the majority of people on craiglist and kijiji are well meaning, honest citizens, there are a few bad apples out there (as there are with everything). Being cautious will always pay off.
– Local Bazzars and Craft Fairs
People come here looking for things to buy! Crochet Afghans are a great gift, and very unique.
With the right samples, you can sell right on the spot, or advertise your services for customized one-of-a-kind work!
Selling into craft work like crochet afghans is very much about networking – and these events are a great place to meet other crocheters and crafters and exchange knowledge.
Soon you’ll be a point of reference, with a number of customers and connections.
You’ll be known as the local “crochet afghan” specialist, and others will refer people to you for your work.
This will bring you a more steady stream of customers, and let you grow your business even more!
– eBay Marketplace
There is tons of opportunity to market via eBay – one idea is to make crochet afghans for special events such as super bowl or thanksgiving, and market them directly on eBay. People looking for gift ideas will love what you’ve come up with, and will flock to buy them from you.
Keep in mind that a big selling feature in eBay is having built reputation – when you sell an item, the person who bought it from you leaves feedback as to the quality.
Having a strong reputation with good quality feedback will greatly help your sales over the long run.
At the beginning, things may be somewhat slow, but as time progresses and you sell more and build more reputation, you’ll notice your sales go through the roof!
One of the best ways to be creative is to crochet afghans without a pattern.
While this is something for the intermediate or advanced crocheter, it can be taken on by anybody.
- Start with stripes
Stripes are the easiest to create without a pattern – it’s just a matter of making a line and keeping the stitches in line.
Stripes look great with any materials that work together, and they’re a great way to start into the world of crocheting without a pattern.
- Move up to Granny Squares
Granny squares are the next simplest method, and give the look of an old fashioned patchwork quilt.
They can be made quickly, and are easy to line up across the entire piece.
- Try pattern stitches
Popcorn stitches, shell stitches, or V-stitches are all ways to try out different patterns to see how they work together.
By trying new techniques, you’ll be making your own patterns and crochet afghans in no time!
Birthdays, Holidays, and “Just Because” Crochet Afghans are the gifts that keep on giving.
Always in use
On the bed or the couch, a crochet afghan takes it’s place as a part of the family it lives with.
Always ready to help on a cold night, there’s nothing like cuddling down with a warm fluffy afghan. And it’s the constant reminder of the gift you’ve given that will keep them happy all year long.
Quick and Easy to make
crochet afghans are great for all levels of crochet experience – begining, medium, and advanced.
They’re a great way to learn – for advanced crocheters, the possibility of geometric patterns can make a fun result. For the beginner, it’s a fantastic way to see the result of repeating patterns across your work.
An afghan gives you a large clear view of the effect of patterns and repetitions – and will let you learn and grow in the craft.
Cost effective
With a little searching, free patterns can be bought online, or purchased.
Other than the pattern, some yarn, and your crochet hooks, there’s very little else to worry about – just sit back and enjoy yourself.
They’ll thank you when they get their crochet afghans!