Bigger than Bread

We have a friend who is doing a HUGE favor for our family. This is a much bigger favor than I can say thank you for with homemade bread. You know, the kind Grandma used to make.

So my next thought is to crochet an afghan. It has to be masculine but acceptable to his wonderful wife as well. So here's my fast and easy pattern for a man's afghan.

Chain as long a chain as you want to make it wide. Every row will be ch 3, *dc, ch, dc, ch* to the end, finishing each row with a dc in the last stitch. It should come out with every dc directly on top of the one below so that you get a mesh effect. Make it as long as you want.

Next cut lengths of yarn about a foot or foot and a half longer than the mesh. You are going to use two strands at a time and weave through the mesh with a yarn needle, leaving about 4-6 inches at either end for fringe. Tie the fringe together at the edge of the mesh to secure it. You can weave up and down for fringe at the top and bottom, or you can weave side to side if you don't want the fringe in your face.

That's as easy as it gets. The colors can be anything. I am planning a light tan, medium tan, and brown base with the same three colors going up and down to make a plaid arrangement.
Other color possibilitites might be all one color - going for a textured effect only. Or all one color in the base and a contrasting or complimentary color running up and down (or across, don't forget). Or any number and combination of colors of your choice. It can get pretty harlequin if you go into your scrap basket. I wouldn't give the harlequin one away or put it in the guest bedroom, but it could be a fun way to use up your spare yarn.

There's pattern and a beautiful image of a Scotch plaid at this website:

http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/afghans/woven-scotch-plaid-afghan-pattern.html

Made on a smaller scale, this also makes a nice warm scarf.

Happy crafting.