Afghans

[CuriousKitty]

I know some of you are Afghan queens around here, and this will be my first one (and I don't even get to keep it! xD). It's for my first niece (first niece/nephew of any kind) due March 12th.

What's the best fabric? I found one with a kit (I'd just toss or put the kit elsewhere) that's 18ct acrylic fabric (Dimensions). I don't even know if acryclic fabric is soft, or soft enough for a baby.

I found another 4x7 block afghan kit by Candamar Designs (it's the Disney Kinkade kit) but it doesn't tell me what the fabric is. Since it's an alphabet I'm doing, I need at least 26 blocks, so a 4x7 at least afghan.

I literally spent two hours and went through every single craft and fabric store in my area (with exception to two that closed at seven and were too far away) and the ONLY afghan I found was a 25 block (any letters that want to volunteer to be skipped?).

Help!?

[rcperryls]

I have done a lot of afghans. In fact my first one was for my niece when she was born. She just had a birthday and turned 24. I have used a variety of fabrics. My favorite is Charles Croft alphabet afghan fabric. There is a large one and then also a smaller version for children. I've never done the alphabet though, but I like the sturdiness of it. I think it is 18 ct while most of the ones I've seen are either 14 or 16 ct. I am now typing on my iPad and it's a little harder for me to provide you with links, but 123Stitch has a large selection of afghan fabrics. I think I have some pics in my gallery of some that I have done. I usually choose a theme. I've done 2sports themes for my grandsons,a cat theme, flower theme, angels, fairies ( that went to one GD) dolphins and orcas ( other GD),a fishing theme, and one based on Paula Vaughn charts. The one I did for my niece was a teddy bear theme. She still has it. Hope this helps some. There are kits available and quite a few foe children. We've had several lovely ones that have been done here. If you search on afghan you will probably get plenty to look at.

Carole

[CuriousKitty]

I guess my main question is if "100% acrylic" is very soft or not. It turns out my original pattern was badly mis-remembered to be afghan block size, when it's actually about 24h 24w. Ooops. So now I have to pick from a bunch of animals for an A-Z or another ABC flower (original was A-Z flowers) but each letter is made of flowers rather than each letter standing for a flower.

I can't decide, cutesey or a little "too-nice" (if that makes sense) flower pattern.

[rcperryls]

My first choice for a baby afghan would be the Charles Craft Baby Alphabet Afghan. It is the softest (I think) and also sturdiest (IMHO) of the fabrics. Very very washable. The blocks go around the edge of the fabric and on the larger one are 100 x 100 stitches. The center is not in blocks so you can stitch whatever you want (or nothing). I personally don't like the "feel" of the acrylic fabrics. I think the Lady Elizabeth Afghans which are also all cotton are a bit softer. That would be my second choice. I have done several afghans on those.

Carole

[CuriousKitty]

I like it, but I don't know that I'd have the time to stitch anything on the inside! It looks so huge, I don't know where I'd start with that! O.O

Turns out the one that Ben Franklin had on hold for me wasn't an afghan, it was a quilt topper with a stamped washable design. I'm very grateful to my boyfriend for having them hold it for me, but I don't do quilts. Quilts are a mommy thing, not a me thing.

On a side note, while checking out from 123stitch, there's an option to go pick it up in-store in Bluffdale, Utah. I'm in Washington State, so I thought this was quite hilarious... 8D