Q: Can you name this afghan from Knitters Magazine?
A: The Great American Aran Afghan
It started out as a contest in the summer of 1999. Sister Sally kept telling me that my idea would win, and even though I didn’t believe her, I entered the contest anyway. The first squares came out in the Winter, 2000 issue, which hit the newsstands in fall of 1999. Because I had not heard anything one way or another, I assumed my square had not been chosen. Au contraire. I had actually won the contest. Sally was right again! I found out that I won when 20 skeins of Encore yarn was delivered to my doorstep in a large Kellogg’s Raisin Bran box — “Knitters” did not contact me until a few weeks later.
I was not going to make the afghan, but everyone in my knitting group (which had just started at the time) told me I had to make it, and that they would all make one, too. Note to self: don’t believe everything you hear at knitting group! I’m still the only one who finished — mine is made out of Cascade 220:
The Mini-Sweater square is mine:
My favorite square to knit was the Janet Martin Fish-in-Net Square:
This is ancient history, so why do I bring it up now? I found a large hole in the thing! Major bummer. And, what caused the hole is still to be determined. There are no visible signs of vermin, but??????
I am going to try to fix it. Wish me luck.
Jump Ahead in Time Several Hours
The hole is gone.
 
And though it looks like a perfect repair, I did indeed cheat. Miraculous as seems (and if you knew my house and my “organization methodology” you would know that the word miraculous is not used lightly), I found both the leftover yarn I used for the edging AND the instructions I had written out for myself. So, I re-knit the entire bottom eyelet edge. I did not want a crummy-looking repair job on this because it was SO MUCH WORK!!!!!!! Really, one of the biggest projects of my knitting career.
The original pattern edge was created by Rick Mondragon, Knitters Magazine Editor, and took 3.5 skeins of yarn. It is a lovely braided edge that goes around the entire afghan, but I did not want to add that much weight, plus I did not have enough yarn in the right dye lot. As you can see, my edging is a much simpler style. I have placed it under “Free Patterns” if you ever consider making this project. I used all 24 squares in my afghan, whereas in Knitters they held out four squares and made two pillows.
Though a lot of work, you really learn a lot about cables, gauge and intricate grafting. Now can I go out and knit?
I knew that square had to be yours. So unique! Congratulations. You gals are so talented which is great for me as I’ll never run out of things to knit 😉
That is a fabulous looking Afghan.
Comment by Marina — October 1, 2006 @ 11:16 am
I always did like that square as being a great twist on the theme! And your completed afghan is incredible! You two amaze and wow me!
Comment by Dianna — October 1, 2006 @ 11:48 am
Amazing! It is a work of art. I will never achieve your patience or talent.
Comment by katomliz — October 1, 2006 @ 1:10 pm
OMG – that thing is STUNNING! Perhaps the most beautiful knitted item I’ve ever seen! That is truly a family heirloom that’ll show up on Antiques Roadshow a 100 years from now and be worth zillions because of the craftsmanship. I’m so impressed. And the sweater square is genius — how did you do that? It looks like there’s an actual, three-dimensional sleeve on it! Whew — made my morning! Oh, and nice fix on the border, too. Perhaps you should store a bunch of skeins of that colorway’s lot in a safety deposit box, for future generations to mend the occasional hole.
Oh, and thanks for stopping by my blogue! 🙂
Comment by Mary — October 1, 2006 @ 1:14 pm
Wow, great repair job, gorgeous afghan. Congratulations on designing the winning square!
Hmmm. I think I knit up a couple of the squares and put them……….somewhere.
And yes, now you may go out and knit.
Comment by Carrie K — October 1, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
See — I told her she would win. She never listens to me.
Comment by surly — October 1, 2006 @ 5:50 pm
what a small world! i’ve knit since i was a tiny girl, but it was the great american aran afghan that got me knitting obsessively again. wow, so many new techniques learned. unfortunately i used the encore, blech. never finished it.
yours is truly a masterpiece 🙂
Comment by vanessa — October 2, 2006 @ 7:18 am
I was going to say how amazing that you were the winner, but really not amazing at all. As usual, beautifully knit and finished. I have the book and it is high on my list of ‘long-term’ projects. I will be in Australia next week and will search out some suitable yarn to fill up the suit-cases with. Now we know what you look like!
Comment by WendyM — October 2, 2006 @ 8:23 am
Truly beautiful!
Comment by Lene — October 2, 2006 @ 8:35 am
This is the most beautiful piece of knitted artwork that I have seen. I would love to tackle this one. Where can I find the pattern? What a lovely heirloom.
Comment by Michelle — October 2, 2006 @ 9:23 am
Holy cow! I’m speachless What a work of art! Breathtaking…
Comment by Carol — October 3, 2006 @ 2:24 pm
What a labor of love and dedication to knitting. Since you won the contest, you HAD to make the whole thing. Aren’t you glad you did? Won’t your great grand children marvel at your skill?
Comment by gail — October 4, 2006 @ 12:30 am
Wow. What a gorgeous afghan! Your stitches are so even and beautifully defined. The whole thing just proclaims “master knitter”. It must have seemed, at times, a never ending project, but the finished afghan is so worth it.
Comment by Barbara — October 4, 2006 @ 11:17 am
Of course you won the contest — that square with the little sweater is pure genius! And the entire afghan is pretty damn fine, too.
Comment by kmkat — October 4, 2006 @ 9:13 pm
Clearly the most beautiful afghan I have ever seen!
Comment by Laurence — October 14, 2006 @ 11:41 am
a
maz
ing!!!
stunning is right
Comment by a rose is a rose — February 23, 2007 @ 7:22 am
hello again,
I’m not sure if my 1st comment went throught to you, your afghan is just a beautiful piece of art an have re read trying to find pattern for framed ladder stitch.
Would be very grateful if you could give any assistance, after seeing your work I don’t think theres anything you can’t do!!
Regards,
Chess
Comment by Chess — June 8, 2007 @ 2:29 am
Hi
I wanted to tell you how beautiful your afghan is you are a really talented lady. I would like to ask, you said you used cascade 220. I am going to give it a go and because I have to order the yarn from US as I live in the UK could you tell me how many balls I would need to order? and which shade did you choose. I could see 2 natural colors but the screen colors are sometimes quite different from the actual yarn.
Any help would be appreciated and good luck with your future knitting.
Julie
Comment by julie — July 15, 2007 @ 12:45 pm
I have the same questions as the last poster: how much Cascade 220 was used and in what shade?
I knit an Aran afghan 20 years ago, but gave it away as a wedding present! I’m going to start with the easy squares on this one and see how far I get.
Congratulations on your winning square and your beautiful COMPLETE afghan.
-Mary
Comment by Mary Doubleday — July 19, 2007 @ 11:56 am
I just started to work on the Great American Aran Afghan and found your web page. You did a wonderful job with your afghan and your square is so great. I have been knitting for over fifty years and designed some intarsia sweaters myself, but this is an unusual challenge. I decided to scan the pattern into my computer and that makes it much easier to read the graphs. As was the case with you, I find that the gauge is a problem with some of the squares. I will definitely have to enhance some in an effort to make them more uniform in size. After reading your posts on the squares I am glad to see I am not the only one to have this problem. I ordered the pattern and yarn from a catalog and also agree the Encore yarn is less than desirable. I will probably do another one with a better quality yarn. You did a great job on the repair to the square on your web site.
Your web site is very helpful for someone like me who is starting this project long after the original contest. Thanks for all the info.
Rose
Comment by Rose — August 1, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
I have fallen in love with this afghan. I am now retired, and have become reacquainted with knitting. Since I have been out of the loop, so to speak, for a number of years, and now have time I would LOVE to attempt this. Where can I get the pattern — have been looking furiously — with no result. Also, would love to be able to include the “sweater” square that you have shown. PLEASE HELP ME LOCATE THIS PATTERN – PLEASE!
Thanks in advance.
Comment by Chris — May 23, 2008 @ 10:21 pm
Is the sweater pattern for the afghan square free? How do I get get a copy.
Comment by Ann Sullivan — July 17, 2009 @ 2:46 pm
I have purchased the Great Aran Afghan Book and have completed three squares to date. I have started your awesome mini Aran sweater. The body of the sweater looks just like your pic, but the first sleeve is just not right. I have already torn it out at least 16 times, and have decided it will just have to do. (This is driving me crazy!) Do you have instructions in “Other Words” for the sleeve. I am confused when I am increasing what exactly where on Pattern A I am supposed to be. Thank you for your help. Jane
Comment by Jane — April 7, 2010 @ 2:16 pm
[…] However, I was recruited to teach a class at the Yarnery for a group of friends who want to make the Great American Aran Afghan. And, folks, if you haven’t seen this selection of prize winning squares from Knitters Magazine, it is rather heavy on the bobbles, in my opinion. You see, in case I haven’t told you, I don’t care for bobbles, thank you. I will have to come to terms with them, however, in order to do justice to this class. Here is my first square, (designed by Suzanne Atkinson) not blocked, but sure bobblicious. If you want to see how nice this afghan can look, check out Susan Rainey’s version. […]
Pingback by Bobble Nightmare « Yarnerinas — April 13, 2010 @ 10:10 pm
I left a Comment back in 2009 or 2007 – can’t remember now.
Your accomplishment is noteworthy and all who made the designs possible are to be held in high esteem.
I would still love to make such an afghan – but loving to and DO are two different parts of my procrastination.
Thank you very much.
Gentle as you go,
Marny
Comment by Marny — July 28, 2012 @ 7:17 am