by joy

Created on: October 13, 2008   Last Updated: September 19, 2011

Knitting an afghan is a project that is likely to be time consuming but rewarding. For many new knitters, the idea of making a blanket that can be used to decorate a room or for warmth on a chilly evening seems to embody the reasons why they knit. After all, knitting isn't just a fun and relaxing hobby, but it is useful too!

There are knitting patterns that range from those who are just starting out to expert knitters. If you are an expert knitter, you likely already know what is important about following a pattern, so this article is geared more towards those who are just starting out.

The place to begin your new afghan is by finding a pattern. You may have a pattern book that contains the information you need, you may go on line to find a pattern that you like, you may borrow one from a friend, or you may create your own pattern from software on the computer, such as www.wildstitches.com or www.software4knitting.com. As a beginner, it is often advisable to use a pattern that you have found in a book or on the Internet, as the designer has already tested the size of yarn and needles that you will need to create the texture you are looking for.

The next step is to select your yarn. While you can be creative with color and substitute a different yarn than the one is recommended by the designer, it is important to find a replacement yarn that is of the same bulk and gauge (the number of stitches used to make a swatch of a certain size). If you choose a thinner yarn than the one that is recommended, your afghan may appear to have "holes" in it and be smaller than what you were planning. If you use a yarn that is bulkier than the one that was recommended, your project is likely to appear "lumpy" and larger than you were expecting.

Many patterns that you will find are clear about the skill level required to adequately complete the project. It may be suitable for a beginner, with easy stitches like knitting and purling and few color changes, or it may be more complex with many different types of stitches and color changes. If you are knitting your first afghan, it is important to honestly assess your skill level and to try a project that is either at your skill level or below. There is nothing more heartbreaking than having spent months working on your afghan only to find that the finished project isn't as attractive as it would have been had there been fewer errors.

Your pattern will usually have a legend that explains any abbreviations you may encounter. If you

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