History

• The afghan originated in the early days of America. Odd pieces and leftover yarn were saved to be reused. As the yarn accumulated, it was woven into squares. When these squares were completed, they were sewn together to make a blanket. The resulting blanket was used for a variety of purposes. Because the blanket was made of many different colors, it closely resembled the Afghan oriental rug brought to America by colonial trading ships. This is how the name "afghan" came to describe the colorful throw.
  
  

Function

• Afghans are typically draped over sofas or rocking chairs for decoration. They are sometimes used as throws for warmth or even bedspreads. They add warmth without much extra weight, making them useful for all seasons. Afghans are often beginning crochet projects, as they can be made easily with only basic stitches. They are commonly given as gifts or passed down to younger family members.
  
  

Types

• There are numerous designs of afghans and three primary types. Mile-a-minute afghans are typically made quickly in one piece with minimal stitching. This is the easiest type of afghan to make and is preferred by beginners. Join-as-you-go afghans are made from several different pieces. One piece begins where another leaves off. Motif afghans are made of many small squares called motifs. The motifs may be all the same or many different designs. Some popular afghan patterns include the chevron stripe, block stripe and granny square.
  
  

Features

• Afghans are almost always handmade rather than mass produced. They are made of soft wool yarn and are crocheted or knitted into various patterns of geometric shapes. They can be made of several different colors, as is traditional, or one solid color. Originally, afghans were made of yarn scraps but today they are made of dyed wool in a variety of colors.
  
  

Size

• Afghans are made in many different sizes, depending on the pattern or taste of the knitter. When using a pattern, the size of the crochet hooks will be specified, as well as the amount and type of yarn needed. If the instructions are followed correctly, the resulting afghan will be the desired size. It is also possible, with experience, to modify the pattern for a larger or smaller afghan.