I love learning new things.
It is probably the educator in me – they say that teachers are the best learners.
So every January, while others are starting diets or exercise programs (I gave up torturing myself with both of those long ago!!!) I tend to take a course or try to learn something new.
In recent years I’ve done a couple of fun things. I participated in a Photography 365 (where you take a photograph every day and post it to a site for all the members of the project to see). Another year I worked on creating and growing my Instagram with daily pictures and captions.
This year, through a knitting friend, I found something called a Traveling Afghan. Now this is new to me – perhaps they’ve been around for a while, but I have never heard of it. Most of my knitting/crocheting is very solitary. I don’t even belong to any groups – although I hear there are a few around.
So I thought this was pretty cool and a great way to perhaps use up some of the scrap yarn I have.
Lots of it belonged to my mom – small wound balls left over from projects she did. I find it hard to give away. So this project seems like a good way to use up lots of that leftover yarn and create an heirloom or lovely gift with it.
Lion Brand Yarns sponsors the project, which will feature 49 designers from around the world. Each one will make two 10”x10’ squares: one in knit and one in crochet. Every two weeks the designer will post the patterns on their respective websites so that the rest of us can participate for free! I think that is very exciting.
You will be able to learn new stitches and meet designers from around the world. Many of the designers are from various parts of the United States, but Spain, Great Britain, and Canada are represented as well.
The patterns are reasonably simple so that even novice knitters/crocheters can participate. I completed my first square in an afternoon.
Then I decided to make one in crochet as well. I have a LOT of yarn to use up.
I’ll be posting my squares here as I go – so feel free to follow along to see how the blanket shapes up.
If you would like more information about the Traveling Afghan visit www.twoofwands.com where you can meet the first designer, see the patterns, or purchase a kit.
Be sure to check back regularly to see how it’s coming along!