Knit Afghan - Lacy Garter Stitch Diamonds

Afghan made for nephew Andrew and his wife Kelly.  I've made this pattern several times - and my sister has made it a dozen or more.  Unusual but easy.

Pattern adapted from "Lullaby" pattern in the Leisure Arts book, "Our Best Knit Baby Afghans," although this afghan is adult size.  The book - which has a number of good patterns - is available at Amazon and probably also at your local not-so-fancy yarn place.  Afghan was made with two strands of Caron Simply Soft.

I'm not going to post the pattern because you really should buy the book.  But if you need help adapting the pattern, leave a comment or contact me.

Pattern is advanced beginner.  Stitches used: knit, purl, yarn over, purl 2 together.  Always easy to know where you are (as is true of just about every pattern I do).

"Toe poke" crochet pattern

You'll have to read the pattern to see how "toe poke" got its name.  This is a lovely pattern for a lacy scarf or shawl, and perhaps for an afghan.

Here's the exemplar I made to show my crochet students.  I've created exemplars of a number of different patterns that use only single crochet, double crochet and chain.  So after I teach someone the basics, she can pick out a pattern that appeals to her.

Here's a shawl I made with this pattern, along with a closeup of the shawl.  

This is an absolute beginner's crochet pattern.  It uses nothing but single crochet, double crochet and chain - and it is always easy to know what row you're on and what you need to do.

Click here for the pattern (PDF format).