My Traveler’s Life Afghan, four years in the making. I started this back in January 2008 as a long-term project that would help me use up small amounts of yarn leftover from other projects. Today was Binding-Off Day!
November 2008
Earlier today
…And now.
The details –
Pattern: Traveler’s Life Afghan by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee
Yarns used: 100% worsted-weight animal fiber; including wool, alpaca, cashmere, angora, mohair, and llama
Needles: Size 9 US Addi circulars, 40″ cord
Size: 86″ long by 96″ wide (fits a king-sized bed as a bedspread)
I cast-on 365 stitches, I changed color every row, and I knit for approximately 620 rows. This is a garter stitch blanket, so every row is knit, without purling. The finished blanket weighs about 2800 grams. That means that if I had bought the yarn for this (instead of using leftovers) I would have needed to buy 28 hanks. That’s over 6,000 yards.
Now? I will continue to use up leftovers by making another Log Cabin Quilt. Should have another bedspread in 2016. 🙂
I cannot begin to tell you how awesome I think that is!! : )
LOVE IT! What a great accomplishment. I’m a new knitter and was wondering what to do with all my “leftovers.” I clicked the pattern link, but I’m unclear…is this a stockinette stitch? Does it roll/curl?
completely brilliant!!! I have tons of yarn. I swear I could open up a store!!!! thank you for the measurements. I think I’ll make one. wow!!!!!!!!
The blanket is 100% garter stitch – meaning you knit every row, so no purling (or curling).
S t a c i
Absolutely gorgeous!! What a labor of love.
beautiful and breathtaking, wish to make such a beautiful piece one day…have a nice weekend…
Awesome blanket! I am working on a log cabin quilt using my left over cotton scraps. I have one block almost done.
I may make four squares for a baby blanket for a friend who is expecting in January. I will buy yarn for that one once I know if it is a girl or boy. Thanks for your inspiration. I admire you for all your hard work.
was the color pattern thought out????
Lori – if you see a color pattern, it was entirely unintentional! So, no – there was no plan or pattern for the colors.
🙂
S t a c i
I have no words. This is superior! Grant simply amazing!
WOW! Stephanie’s pattern and your knitting prowess, what a beauty! The size of it is A M A Z I N G !
Gorgeous
This turned out amazing, Staci! Wow! I remember watching you knit this. Was it really in 2008? Time sure flies! 🙂
This is beautiful on many levels. The colours used the simplicity but effective idea so so on my “to do ideas”.
Goes to show, Just One Row At A Time ! ! !
This is FANTASTIC ! ! ! !
Just a Jewel !
Totally CONGRATS, gal
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Wow its fantastic, I love all the colours they work so well together. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Wow! It is beautiful. I have done a crochet version using the single crochet stitch. It isn’t a pretty as yours.
Agree with the other commenters. It’s incredible, stunningly beautiful. I bet this is the only project that you have that has gone on for so long. You sure have an eye for colour. Great work and great photos – as usual! thanks for being so inspiring Staci
And you knotted the ends and left them as fringe….awesome…could you imagine weaving in 1240 ends…yikes! It looks great!
Wow! It is stunning. Congratulations on getting it done. Enjoy.
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! Your work is always so amazing and perfect. I love it! Truly an inspiration … I can’t wait to see your next masterpiece in 2016!
Staci, it is beautiful! What an accomplishment! Bet it is warm!
That looks great Staci. You are always such an inspiration.
This is just breath taking! I can’t wait to start one too. One question, did you mix fibers or did you just use wool?
Love it! … but … how will you wash it? (Seriously, sometimes I’m worried about handwashing and drying/blocking a big heavy sweater.)
Love Love Love.. Do you know approximately how long of a left over piece you needed to knit the row?
Staci,
This is sooooo BEAUTIFUL! How many cast on stitches would you use for a Queen size? I would like to make me one.
Hi Kathy – I don’t know how many you’d need to cast-on for a Queen size – you’ll need to check gauge with your yarn and needle size, then do the math for that size. Sorry, I can’t help you here.
Good luck!
S t a c i
No wonder you are STASHLESS! All those leftover bits look much better on your bed than they would stuffed into boxes, totes, bags, and every conceivable crevice in your home! LOL I wonder how much storage space I could reclaim if I made one of these…
So beautiful! I know what to do with my leftovers now! Thanks for letting us know your measurements! My king size bed will thank you…..someday! LOL!
What is the amount of cast on for a king size bed? What size is your bed? What a pretty blanket. I love it. If you don’t have leftovers how many hanks do you think it will take for a king? Thanks
Wow! I love this! My husband’s grandmother crocheted a blanket using scrap yarns, following a pattern in the colors. I don’t know when she made it, but it resides on our couch. I’ve been knitting a blanket out of a boucle yarn for my oldest…and I started that LAST year on Ash Wednesday. It’s slow going and has hibernated a while, as all my bigger projects do.
Goodness, it’s amazing!
Staci, your wonderful website and skill has helped me to start a travelers rug myself. 365 stitches a bit ambitious for me, only started to knit about 6 months ago when I found your website, so I’ve done 120 and started with odd balls of wool to perfect my knitting technique. My knitting travels where ever I go and I look back at the colours and remember the places I’ve been. Thank you for a fantastic piece of memory.
I am really impressed! Please add me to your mailing list,
Nancy
Nancy – you can sign up here for email updates. I release a new video every Wednesday:
http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri=verypink&loc=en_US
🙂
S t a c i
Many thanks for a brilliant idea to use the rests! I love you for this!
Dear Staci,
thanks for inspiring me to try this blanket. I am using all my leftover yarn but as i work on it i wish i had other colors. anyway i like the process and i think this is even more important than the end result.
My son would love this!
Stunning! I am VERY new to knitting and found you via youtube. I have been watching and rewatching your videos as I live in a remote area and don’t know anyone else who knits! My Mom taught me when she came out to help me just before we had our fifth child. I am addicted to this craft! 🙂 Being new I typically order yarn for blankets/projects EXACTLY as shown in the pattern, lol. So my question would be the same as another in that can you use different types of yarn? (cotton, acrylic, wool..) or should they all be either synthetic OR animal.
Thank you for all the help you’ve been to me! 🙂
365 stitches! – one for every day of the year?
Hi Jennifer – thank you for the note. With any project, you can use the fiber type of your choice, but you need to be consistent with that one fiber type throughout the project. In other words, it isn’t a good idea to mix animal/cellulose/synthetic fibers in the same project. That leaves you with a finished object with no clear washing instructions.
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Wow! Staci! You did what I just dreamed of… Beautiful. Greetings from Very Cold Finland 🙂
Thanks – a great idea. I’m a relatively new knitter and don’t have a stash- but have leftover yarn. Am also looking at some of my first few projects that I don’t LOVE_ that I could frog and include in the blanket. It’s a great record of all the yarns one has used for all the various projects. I’m starting one!
Hi Staci,
Does one just tie a knot at the end of each row to secure the fringe? This is a new technique for me. Looked on youtube but only found how to add fringe. Do you knot any of the strands together or a single knot for each single strand?
Thanks- I’ve started mine and am excited. Casted on 370 using size 9 needles- 40inch cord. Having fun going through my scraps of yarn and reminiscing about the project I did originally with that yarn. Fun stuff! Thank you.
Hi Staci,
i cant wait to get started with this project! Today i sorted out my yarn drawer, and boy do i have lots of leftovers. I was wandering about the fringe. Do you made them on both sides of the afghan or just on the side where you start knitting with another colour? And if you made the fringe on both sides, how did you do that? just added them later on,or worked them in during knitting? thank you!
Hi Anne – thank you for the note. While I appreciate your questions, I’m not comfortable telling you too much about the pattern…it is copyrighted material which the designer sells in a book. You can find more info about the designer, Stephanie Pearl McFee, by clicking the link to the pattern on my website.
Sorry I can’t be of more help! Good luck.
S t a c i
This is exactly what I needed to see to start busting my stash! I love it that by changing color every row you are able to get a built-in fringe! Did you use various yarn weights but pretty much the same? Thanks, Staci, this is awesome – you must have a lot of patience but I have a lot of yarn so I’m starting tonight!
I am so glad I came across your post. I have so many scrap pieces now I know what to do with them great idea
wow that is just simply amazing!