Knitted Afghan Patterns with Leaf Motif

Most everyone loves an afghan on the couch and or bed. It's a piece of comfort just waiting to be called upon. Wrapped around our shoulders, or feet; it is warm and soothing. I have a fair number of knitted afghans in the shop, but I think of all of them, I like the ones with the leaf motif the best. Whether plain or complex, there is just something so organic about the leaf that calls to me. Let me share a couple of my favorites with you.

Nantucket Afghan from Spinnerin: This design is also one of the shops favorite. The thick texture and diamond blocks are such a pleasing combination.

Leaf Afghan from Columbia Minerva: This design has an understated beauty, knit in contrasting shades with leaf and cable panels.

Laurel Leaf Afghan from Bertrand: This design is a colorful bit of simplicity, knit in three colors in an almost geometric way.

Lattice Leaf Afghan from Coats & Clark's: This beauty is panels of leaves worked in rows that give a lattice type effect. The design is knit in one color and has full lush fringe.

There are a few others, of course, but these are four definitely my favorite.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Knit Geometric Afghan Pattern, Alice Brooks 6542

This one is special - it is a mail order delight - Alice Brooks 6542, Vintage 1939.

When I obtained possession of this pattern, it had this advertising page clipped to it.   I love that.  

The knitted afghans are made of 5 inch squares that are overcast together.  The changing directions gives it that greater degree of contrast. 

  The squares can then be arranged to form four different afghans.  

The first two are in two color combinations and the second two are four color designs.  That's the shame of black and white photos; but what do I want from 1939.  

The paper was fragile and yellowed, but I was able to restore it to a clean crisp PDF document.   If you'd like to give it a try, it is available in my shop.      

Thanks for dropping by,  

Aran Knitting Patterns

One of the most viewed items in my shop is an Aran Knitting Pattern.   Interestingly enough, it is also a pattern that does not often sell.  I can absolutely understand why on both counts.

Knitted Aran Afghan & Pillows

This is indeed a fabulous design,  Patterns containing the 'Aran' name will contain any number of different stitches - cables, moss, honeycomb, braid, diamonds, etc.   It is made in panels that are stitched together.  They do not bear fringe or pompoms as they would just be too much.   But, what does this mean ... well ... it's a fair amount of detail work with an over changing pattern stitch.    I have heard some say that it is a good beginner to intermediate pattern though, in that is gives one practice on may different stitches.  

Aran Pullover 

This lovely Aran is on the 'simpler' side - featuring diamonds and seed stitch.  The entire design concept is reported to date back to the early 1900s in Ireland with the knitting of sweaters.

Aran Mini Dress

And this Mother / Daughter Dress is a beauty.  

Socks

And hundreds of variations of socks, I'm sure.  

The complexity of design, texture, dimension will continue to be a draw for knitters forever, I'm sure.  There are a number of other Aran designs in the shop, should you care to browse further.    I'm sure there will be many more in the three dresser drawers of patterns I've yet to complete.

Thanks for dropping by. 

Afghan Patterns, Columbia Minerva 742

Columbia Minerva have graced us with at least 7 or 8 different afghan books over the years.   This one, simply called Afghans by Columbia Minerva, contains 17 patterns.    The majority of the patterns are crochet, although there are 4 that are knitted.    The book has not dating or copyright references, however, I place it (public domain) in the early 1960's based on picture styles (props) and use of color.   Any later and it would have copyright references, and any older, it would not be in all color pictures.    Plus, the ultimate reference - the $1.25 original purchase price.    Several of the patterns are heavy on the embroidery, placing them right into that Heirloom quality.  

I'm pleased to share the book with your.

Taking center stage on the front page is the Rose Afghan - a crocheted afghan measures 47 x 69, made up of a center and side panels with a marvelous rose motif embroidered.  I particularly like the sparse use of the lush tassels on this one.

Flower and Fruit Afghan is crocheted in blocks and then embroidery of applies, grapes, pear, cherry,  pansy and black-eyed susan's are added.

 Officially, this is the Feather and Fan Knitted Afghan.   It is one of the classics, measuring 45 x 67 inches when completed.

This tri-color design is a gentle Crocheted Ripple, measuring approx. 49 x 54 inches.

Four motifs made a block; 7 3/4 inch squares make up this 49 x 64 inch  Crocheted Patchwork Afghan. 

This is an ongoing delight.  The Rosebud Afghan features Cables and small embroidery rosebuds along with triple knot fringe.   I'm surprised they did not name it an heirloom.  

This easy-to-crochet piece - The Daisy Afghan, is made with 305 motif flowers and blocks and put

together a 44 x 60 inch piece.  

The Red and White Afghan, made up of 7 strips, ends with triple knot fringe and measures 46 x 68 inches

This piece, the Blue and White Afghan, has a strong cable in a two toned striped and a nice finishing touch of fringe at the end of each cable.  

The Two-Toned Afghan is put together with 5 1/4 inch blocks of complimentary colors.  It measures 46 x 68 inches. 

The Black Afghan with Rose Motif has that lacy and flowery feel.  When finished, it is 54 x 72 and bound to become a 'couch' favorite.

This piece, Leaf Pattern Afghan, is made up of three panels with a raised leaf pattern running through and tufts of fringe to finish it off.

A brightly colored, yet masculine, Garter Stitch Afghan.  Note the tassels are of varying colors. 

Here is yet another stripe.   This piece, The Knitted Stripped Afghan, has a subtle blending of 5 shades.  It is a large piece - measuring approx. 57 x 72 inches.

Made up of 4 1/2 inch flower (my interpretation) motifs, surrounded with a border, the Crochet Loop Stitch Afghan measures 50 x 67 inches.

And, last but not least, bold selections.  First, on the right, a Crocheted Striped Afghan,   And, on the left, a Knitted Plaid Afghan with triple knot fringe.

Whew !   Now, that is at lot of afghan choices; 17 in all.  I spent two days working through this book and found my favorites changed as I went along.  At first, I was stuck on the Blue and White for it's simple elegance, then the Knitted Plaid (after all, how could you not love plaid), but, in the end, it was the Daisy Afghan that attracted me most.   How about you?

I've listed these patterns separately in my shop, noted by the links under the pictures,  should you be interested.  There are, of course, dozens of other knitted and crocheted afghan in the shop as well.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Minerva Afghan Patterns Volume 66

Yes, I know ... another afghan book.    Next set of book's I pull out to scan and process, I'll try to switch between afghans and 'other stuff'.   But, let me not be to judgmental on this one ... it's Minerva Afghans - A collection of Colonial Favorites.    This book goes back to 1943!    And, it's got a nice collection of what are now classics, or variations of them.   The only thing that would improve on this book is a little color in the photographs, but the truth is ... 67 years ago black and white was the thing.

The book contains 11 patterns, all crochet except Monticello and Lincoln, which are knitted.    The patterns call for Minerva Milady Knitting Yarn or Minerva Afghan Germantown.   You will need to substitute to a current equivalent. All of these patterns look fairly easily --- mostly beginner level.

Minerva Afghans 

A Collection of Colonial Favorites

No 6600 - Charleston - The delicate beauty of the Old South is portrayed in this dainty afghan made in tiny jewel-like square.  It takes such a short time to make on of these squares, that the afghan can be completed in a jiffy.   The finished squares measures about 2 3/4 inches.  The pattern calls for 22 colors of assorted colors and black.   It measures approx. 50 x 54 inches.

No 6601 - Portland - This is New England's version of the old Mt Vernon, or Granny Afghan as it is sometimes called.  The boldness of this design suggests the rugged simplicity of our Pilgrim Ancestors.  This  calls for 18 skeins of assorted colors and 8 skeins of black.  The finished piece measures approx. 60 x 72 inches.

No 6602 - Pin Wheel - This colorful old favorite will always be popular.  The hexagon shaped motifs are very easy to crochet, and an endless variety of color combinations can be made.   It can be finished with a border of two rows of double crochet instead of the fringe, if preferred.   You will need 12 skeins assorted colors, along with brown and beige.  The finished piece is approx. 54 x 66 inches.

No 6603 - Rainbow - The sign of the rainbow suggests a happy future.  The design of the afghan shows true American Indian inspiration.  Work stripes as suggested, or in a color scheme of your own choosing.  It will be an heirloom to be proud of.   It calls for yarns in 6 different colors.   The finished afghan measures approx. 66 x 72 inches.

No 6604 - Victoria - This afghan can be made in any combination of five harmonizing shades or in Hit and Miss manner, using any colors desired.  The soft rose shades listed below are used in model illustrated.  The fringe may be omitted.

No 6605 - Log Cabin - The original design of this afghan must have been inspired in the Log Cabin days of Abraham Lincoln.  Strength and simplicity of pattern make it truly beautiful.  It may be worked in hit and miss manner, using any colors desired, or according to instructions.   It calls for dark brown, light beige, copper, light green and dark green.  The afghan consists of 48 - 8 inch squares.   The finished piece is 50 x 66 inches.

No 6606 - Rickrack - An old-fashioned name for an old-fashioned afghan.  The variety of bright colors, used in hit and miss manner, make it very gay and will add a cheerful note to any room. It calls for 25 skeins of assorted colors and black.  The finished piece is 52 x 66 inches.

No 6607 - Salem - This afghan is typical of the New England of Colonial Days.  It is simple in design, made for warmth and durability and is especially suitable to use with the sturdy Colonial furniture.  It used 12 assorted colors, black to join squares and 2 contrasting colors for borders.

No 6608 - Mount Vernon - The one afghan made more than any other is the original old Mount Vernon.  The crocheted squares may be joined together diagonally as illustrated, or straight, if preferred.   It is a true classic.   It calls of 15 assorted colors and black.  Each square measures about 4 inches.   The finished afghan is 54 x 72 inches.

No 6609 - Monticello - The rich elegance of this knitted afghan, made in red, white and blue, shows the exquisite handiwork of the gentlewomen of the Old South.  The afghan contains 108 squares, joined together alternately, 9 squares wide and 12 squares long.   The finished size is about 46 x 56 inches.

This knitted afghan was a great favorite with the Pioneers of our country.  They used any yarn, any color, and any weight to make this comfortable coverlette.  They knitted two strands together in the light weight yarn, and worked alternate rows of color in some of the squares to use up all the odds and ends of the different colors.   The patterns calls for 26 assorted colors and black.   The finished piece measures approx. 48 x 72 inches.

The back page is an advertisement for the brand - Lees Minerva Knitting Worsted. 

Even in black and white, these are a lovely collection of patterns.   I've listed them individually in my shop should you be interested in working one for yourself.  A link is in the description of each.

I hope you enjoyed a review of this delightful book.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie

Crochet Afghan Patterns Coats Clarks Book 289

Are you getting tired of looking at Vintage Afghan Patterns yet?   I hope not, as I not only have this book that I'm about to show you, but a fair number more in a box out in the studio waiting to be scanned and all that jazz.

This one is Spool Cotton Book 289.    This book was a promotion for Coats and Clark's  Red Heart Knitting Worsted, as well as their Baby wool.   And, yep, you guessed it - All the patterns are made with these yarns    You may, of course, substitute to equivalents, as needed.    With the exception of 2 knitting patterns, they are all crochet. 

Here's a photo-journey of this Vintage 1952 book.

Coats Clarks Afghan Book 289

C-117 - Persian Print Afghan is Crocheted in 4-ply knitting worsted.  Made in two colors, the 4" square motifs, with flower center, creates. 42 x 62 inch afghan.  

C-119 - Television Afghan is a real nice ripple knit in three shades of one color.   It measures approx. 51 x 66 inches.  The edges are crocheted.
This pattern is offered as a Free Download.

C-120 - California Ranch Afghan in two colors is crocheted in panels.  It is not an actual ripple, however, has quite a ripple effect.

 C-121 - Autumn Chevron Afghan measures 48 x 60 inches and crocheted in 6 colors.  Interesting that this picture is blurry.   I scanned it 4 different times and something about the pattern and/or color combo ... this is as sharp (even with Photoshop assistance) that I can get it.   Now, how interesting is that!

C-122 - Siesta Afghan is an interesting name for this four shades of green beauty.  It is stitched with a Plastic Crochet Hook No 6.   The finished piece measures 47 x 62 inches. 

C-123 - Sugar N Spice Afghan is the only Baby Afghan in this book.   It's a sweet little piece, measuring 32 x 46 inches.  It is created with a plastic crochet hook No 5 and 7 shades of the Knitting Worsted. 

C-124 - American Afghan is made of of 4 inch motifs to create a lovely piece measuring approx. 38 x 62 inches.  It is created with 5 shades of  knitting worsted and a Plastic Crochet Hook No 5. 

 C-125 - Harlequin Afghan is large, measuring 62 x 70 inches.   This pattern is knitted with one pair of knitting pins.   The edges are finished in crochet with a Plastic Hook No 5.   

C-126 - Highland Home Afghan is marvelously plaid.  This pattern is created in black, red  with yellow lines woven through.

C-127 - Flower Garden Afghan measures approx. 48 x 64 inches; made up with 266 small flower motifs in assorted colors.

C-118 - Colonial Charm Afghan adorns the back cover. It's a wonderful piece made of with 4 inch multiple color flower motifs.  

It's interesting that there is just one knitting pattern here.   Although most books are heavier on the crochet side, knitting usually gets at least a third of the attention.     My favorite of this set is the Highland Home plaid beauty.   It would look great on my couch in shades of brown and rust.   (hint, hint).    You, which are your favorites? 

These are listed individually in my shop in PDF format; just follow the link under each picture, should you be interested.    Either way, I hope you enjoyed looking through the book.

Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie