I couldn't have picked a better year to crochet a temperature afghan.
A temperature blanket uses colors to record highs and low temperatures (more on that later) over a certain period of time. They can be used to record temperatures for a year, perhaps a calendar year, or the first year of a baby's life (to be presented as a birthday gift). Some knit these, some quilt these. Some make scarfs or sweaters. The variations are endless.
So, in other words, Nature determines the colors and patterns of your work.
This year has been so unusual (both in temperature and in lack of snowfall) and you'll see what happened as a result in a minute when I show you what Nature told me to crochet for January 2023, where I live in the Binghamton, New York area.
On January 1, I started to record temperatures. I also did some reading up and found out there's a large temperature blanket community out there. I avoided some mistakes through reading their experiences but made some of my own.
The picture I am showing you at the bottom of this post is the afghan showing the month of January, 2023, recording high temperatures only. Yes, I'm a bit behind but I don't work on it consistently.
My errors
1. I researched the approximate number of stitches I would need to use. But because math isn't my strength, I made the blanket wider than I wanted. I decided not to frog it (rip it out). I'll just live with it. It will just cost me some extra yarn to be purchased.
Also, I realized right away that if I did rows for both high and low temperatures, I would end up with one huge afghan. I had to decide on low temperatures only or high temperatures only. I made the decision to record high temperatures only with one exception - February 4, which had a low of -5F (-25.6 C) and a high of 19F (-7.2 C). Both high and low will be recorded for that date.
2. It's a little ripply - in other words, it doesn't lie flat. I think it may have been because I made the foundation chain a bit too tight. I'm hoping it will straighten itself out. I feel like this is a beginner's mistake but again, I decided not to frog my work. It won't keep me any less warm at night.
3. It's a little harder than I thought it would be. But I am not minding at all. My spouse, who loves weather and picking colors, has participated in these selections and recording while I am doing all the crocheting. It's become a team effort.
Perhaps only where I live, there's a shortage of crochet hooks and yarn. At the store I purchased yarn at, I was told that there has been a strong surge in crochet lately.
Although I've been crocheting since the fall of 1970, there is always something new to learn.
These are the colors I am using, based on a crochet chart developed by a yarn manufacturer for New York City.
...too complex for me.
ReplyDeleteI love how it’s turning out.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of this but now I'm fascinated. I'm not a crocheter (I can create a really long chain haha), but I've been thinking about trying to make a quilt. It's something that my mom loved to do and I have some cherished quilts that she made for me. I'd like to create one for each of my grandchildren. Love the idea of weather!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a temperature afghan, but I love the idea of nature dictating the pattern.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be snarky and ask you if you did not swatch? Although, I've been known to swatch and still make something bigger than I intended. I like the stripes. It'll be interesting to see how it turns out.
ReplyDeleteNot snarky. Yes, I did swatch and a good thing too, because I originally planned on using an H hook and I had to regroup and go down to a G hook. So far, I'm happy with the colors in the pattern Nature has chosen for me.
DeleteVery pretty!
ReplyDeleteI like those colors. I know warmer weather will change them though.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome, Alana! Awesome! (P.S. I think you and Husby chose beautiful colours!)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful color choices!
ReplyDeleteOh, I've heard of these and considered it, but with the number of lovely afghans I've inherited from two grandmothers, I just don't need any more! I look forward to seeing more as it goes along! I've also seen embroidery projects where you stitch on small design for each day of the year to signify something about that day.
ReplyDelete