Another project finally finished.

[Longhorn]

Mine isn't nearly as intricate and labor-intensive as Mrs Robeson's quilt but I'm glad to have this afghan finished since I started it about two years ago. I got back into it when I put it on my chair so I had to actually look at it and move it in order to sit down! :)

It's called Ribbons & Lace and it's from "The Best of Terry Kimbrough Afghans" book published by Leisure Arts in 2000. I love this pattern book! I've made five afghans out of the 26 in the book. They are fun, beautiful, and easy to make.

[KarenS]

1. This is lovely

and very very elegant.

Great job!

[Longhorn]

5. Thank you!

The directions are pretty easy to follow. :)

[AllegroRondo]

2. And a cute puppy, too!

:)

[Longhorn]

6. Corky was on my lap much of the time while I was making it, too.

Fortunately, as a poodle mix, he doesn't shed but there are plenty of white lab hairs woven into it from another dog, Buddy. :)

[Mrs Robeson]

3. Beautiful Longhorn!!!

Crochet is just as intricate as quilting!!:thumbsup: :hi:
It is just different. Everyone loves to snuggle up in an afghan and I know you didn't have to put the dog on it for the pic! My cats are on top of everything I make and if I hadn't taken the picture of my quilt hanging on the design wall all 3 of them would have been in the shot!

I Love the neutral colors and I crochet too... so I know this wasn't an easy pattern. Very elegant!

[Longhorn]

7. Thanks so much!

The pattern was all chains, SCs and DCs, and written logically so it really was a breeze. :hi:

Lately, I have to rescue my yarn basket from another dog, Chance. He loves to pick them up to chew on but he usually changes his mind before he does too much damage. Fortunately, he's not interested in the finished product. Corky, the dog in the picture, just likes to lay on them. :)

[eleny]

4. What a lovely afghan

The trim looks like delicate doily patterning. This photo is so cute, too. It looks like it should be on the cover of an afghan magazine. I mean it! Is pooch your official afghan tester?

[Longhorn]

8. Thanks, Eleny!

My 1999 Olympus digital camera may look like a dinosaur but it still takes great pictures so I can't see replacing it, even though the new ones are about one-fifth the size! :)

Corky is definitely a lapdog! It gets interesting trying to crochet around the edge without getting a "please-do-not-disturb-me" look!

[Arkansas Granny]

9. Your afghan looks lovely and so does your model.

I have that book and I've been wanting to try that one, but just haven't started one yet. There are so many beautiful patterns and so little time.

[Longhorn]

11. What I love about the book is that the patterns are actually fun to do!

Usually each row or turn has you doing something different and it may take a few stitches to "get the hang of it" but the directions make sense and you don't end up doing the same thing over and over again. I've also made them in the same colors as the book, for the most part, because the colors just seemed to fit the pattern and my intended recipients. However, I'm about to do another one for a daughter and it will be in a different color. I'm such a risk taker! :)

Thanks! :hi:

[Arkansas Granny]

13. What I really love about the patterns that I've worked so far is

that even the lacy ones have enough body to them that they keep their shape. It does take a little concentration on the instructions to begin and end the rows, but the effort is well worth it.

[Longhorn]

14. Yes, the corners and beginning and ends of rows are where I have the most difficulty.

When I figure out the "cadence" of that row, it's fine. Unfortunately, there are times when I don't realize what's going on until I get to the next corner or two and then I have to decide if I screwed up enough to pull it out and go back and fix it! :)

[knitter4democracy]

10. That is really pretty!

Everything's so even and nice. You should send that to the county or state fair this year. Last year, at the Michigan State Fair, some of the crocheted afghans that got ribbons weren't anywhere near as nice as that.

[Longhorn]

12. I never thought about competing!

How closely do they examine the projects in the judging process? I know my afghans are full of mistakes!

Thanks! :hi:

[knitter4democracy]

15. They say they look closely, but I'm not sure they do.

I don't mean that to sound mean, but I was really suprised at some of the things that won. One afghan was nice and even and huge and didn't win best of show when the baby layette set that did had a few mistakes and looked like an easier pattern. It just depends on the judges.

What if you put it in the county fair and saw how it did?

[Longhorn]

16. You know, I don't think our county has a fair.

The only reference I could find goes back to the 20s! Maybe I could enter the state fair but the website said to check back for more details about the arts and crafts competition in June. I'll keep it in mind, though -- what could it hurt? Thanks! :)

[Left Brain]

17. So Pretty!

Makes me thirsty for a latte.
What yarn did you use, Longhorn?

[Longhorn]

18. Thank you!

I used Red Heart Super Saver. It's very soft, especially after I washed it. And relatively inexpensive, too! :)

[Le Taz Hot]

19. Great pattern

and what a lovely model you've chosen. ;) (Very cool chair, btw.)

[Longhorn]

20. I love those chairs!

I found them online a couple of years ago -- two folding chairs, the folding settee in the photo, a matching folding table, and a couple of barstools. They're made of bamboo and work great in the sunroom because they don't block the view of the pool and the backyard. I bought the cushions separately.

That's Corky, the poodle mix that one of our daughters found trotting on the shoulder of a four-lane highway. Our attempts to find his owner failed so he became dog number 4. He sat on the afghan so much while I was making it that it only seemed right that he ended up in the photo. :)

Thanks for your kind words! :hi:

[snappyturtle]

21. BEE-U-TEE-FULL! and sweet! n/t

[Longhorn]

22. Thank you!

And your helpful hints about selling at a craft fair almost make me want to become a seller -- though I'd have to actually make some things to sell first. ;) :hi:

[photogirl12]

23. That is so pretty!

...and doesn't it feel good to get it done???

[Longhorn]

24. Yes, it really does.

I have another unfinished afghan but I think I'm going to unravel it and start over. It's one of the first I attempted when I started crocheting again and I know it's full of mistakes.

Thanks! :hi: