hula hoops and hampster wheels

For my all time favorite afghan project by a ridiculous amount of yarn --- preferably Lion Brand® Homespun® Yarn -- all one color and dye lot approx. 30 skeins. Yes, that's what I mean when I say ridiculous amount of yarn. Also you'll need a P hook -- I like Crystalites -- for this project although - I prefer Susan Bates metal hooks for other projects.

This pattern is worked together - using two strands at once for extra cuddly soft - heavy duty winter afghan. Try your hardest to remove the yarn from the center -- this might require a chunck of yarn coming out as is the nature of the yarn -- and try creative ways to make sure you use the most of the yarn when one skein runs out before the other - as this will always happen with this project. I've found that making the remaining yarn a giant loop and working from that is an easy fix for the remaining skein leftovers.
Ok so you have your boatload of yarn -- this project can be made in any size so adjust accordingly -- the only rule is that it has to be a multiple of 4 -- so chain as long as you want in multiples of four.

Get to end - chain 2 and the double crochet into the second chain. double crochet into each remaining chain until end. chain 2 and turn ---

Now double crochet in first two chains, and back post double crochet around next chain. then double crochet in next three chains -- back post double crochet around next chaing - double crochet 3- bpdc- 1 - dc3 bpdc 3 contd. til end, --- chain 2 turn.

the next row back post double around the double crochet, then front post around the group of 3 - back post around one, front post around 3 etc and contd -- chain 2 turn.

next row completes the square and starts the next waffle -- and is the same as the third row --

then repeat rows 3 & 4 until reach desired length -- go around the blank trice with simple border or just a modified double crochet -- add tassels if you fancy and viola --

it is possible to complete this afghan in 2 days if you are diligent and bored and have no other plans -- I do not recommend this as the yarn does get very heave and your arms will be sore for the following week --- also this is not a good project for summer as the yarn is heavy and unless you can crochet in a meat cooler or florist's walk in cooler -- it will be warm and toast under the big mess of yarn. This pattern can be modified with differnt hooks and yarn and will produce an afghan in speedy quick time -- however -- the smaller the hook the longer it will take.

I've made 5 of these yarnnies as I call they are nice -- certain colors wash up better than others -- the red was the worst and the brown/purple verrigated was the best -- adequate results from both buttercream and off white and i'm waiting to see the verdict on the blue one I made for Dave.

A close alternative - if you can't stand working with homespun yarn --- is work 3 strands of the any following types of yarn -- caron simply soft, or pound of yarn -- these are better yarns for this project -- if you are being thrifty and want to use up some red heart yarn -- go ahead but it will not be soft until you've washed it 40 times and even then...

The issues with this project include: changing yarns -- tie off the yarn with enough left to hid the string by crocheting over -- don't wait until very end as it will be freyed and fuzzy and harder to hide. Do not make this project with the P hook if you don't mind it being a little holey -- it's still a heavy and warm blanket -- but a toe or two could poke through.

Dark colors will show every cat / dog hair. Keep the yarn wrapper for washing instructions if giving as a gift - and store one extra skein for repairs.

Yay Yarn! I'll miss yarn season as it's wrapping up now -- but I really want spring to get here.