greatamericanaranafghan

[The Great American Aran Afghan] was the result of a design contest open to our readers. Knitters were challenged to design a square using one color and some type of Aran patterning. In response, we received so many wonderful squares that it was extremely difficult to choose just 24, and even more difficult to choose just one grand prize winner!

The first four squares appeared in the Winter 2000 issue, followed by more squares in each of the next six issues. The designs feature a wide variety of techniques, from basic cables to more innovative (and challenging) stitch configurations.

The square-based design is incredibly customizable. The original design calls for 20 of the squares to be sewn in a 4x5 grid to form the blanket and the other four to form the fronts and backs of two matching pillows. My version uses only ten of the square designs, each made three times, to make a larger blanket of 30 squares (5x6). Additionally, the original design calls for a natural (offwhite) yarn while my version uses a purple yarn (Plymouth Encore 9621).

Once all of the squares have been knit, finished, and blocked, they'll be sewn together to form the afghan. The afghan will be finished with a knit cable border which will be sewn around the outside. See the Finishing page for more details on the process and my progress.

The pattern is no longer available from Knitter's website, but can be ordered from a number of other independent online stores.

The Julie H. Levy Square

All three done.

No modifications.

Requires a pair of straight size 7 needles and a cable needle.

The Kathleen T. Carty Square

All three done.

No modifications.

Requires a pair of straight size 7 needles, a set of five double-pointed size 7 needles, a cable needle, and a crochet hook.

The Ginette Belanger Square

All three done.

Modifications: Worked in size 7 needles.

Requires a pair of straight size 6 needles and a cable needle.

The Jay Campbell Square

All three done.

Modifications: omitting bobbles. Changing Row 40 to: p1, CO1, dec4, CO1, p1, k1. The COs are loop cast-ons and the dec4 consists of slipping the k sts one at a time onto the center k st, like the dec3s in Ada Fenick.

Requires a 16" long size 6 circular needle, a set of five double-pointed size 6 needles, and a cable needle.

The Betty Salpekar Square

All three done.

Modifications: Worked in size 6 needles.

Requires a pair of straight size 5 needles, two double-pointed size 5 needles, a 24" long size 5 circular needle, a cable needle, stitch markers, and a size F crochet hook.