whispers The rainbow stained glass window afghan is finally finished…
whispers more quietly …Apart from weaving in most of the ends. But what are four thousand flippy-floppy slippery unravelly cottony ends between friends? And won’t someone think of the children! Unpicking this beast could keep the toddler twinnage cheerfully occupied for hours.
You want to see a picture? (Please don’t say no. I’d have to cry, and that might embarrass us both.) A couple of caveats, though, before the photographic reveal:-
Caveat, the first: No, that’s not a real cat.
Caveat, the second: Yes you can see straggly ends trying to make a run for it. They Shall Be Dealt With just as soon as I regain my crocheting mojo.
Now, let me tell you that this thing is heavy. 2.4kg / 5lb 4oz, which is heavier than one of my twins at birth. It’s a couple of metres/yards in diameter. And it’s taken ten weeks of fairly intense hooking to make. I shall not be making another one.
I used, um, quite a lot of yarn, the equivalent of 48 balls of Rico cotton: that’s over 4km/2.5 miles of yarn. Hmmm, not so impressed with that stat. I’d been hoping to post, “I crocheted the distance from Oxford to Paris” or somesuch, but, “I crocheted the distance from here to the nearest supermarket” doesn’t quite cut the mustard. Clearly my next project (other than the housey yarn-bombing) needs to be bigger.
Anyway, here’s another picture:-
More seriously, thank you for your encouragement. There are plenty of people commenting on this blog who’ve said some very kind, supportive things. I’ve appreciated your generosity very much, especially at 3am whilst doggedly double-crocheting yet another round of black. Thank you.
Here’s another photo. I had to stand, wobblingly, at the top of the twinnage’s slide to be sufficiently high up to take it.
Victoria says
It’s a stunning work of art!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! And so is your book cover. 🙂
Victoria says
Aw, thanks Hon! -:)
greenclogs30 says
That is truly wonderful. Believe it or not, I’m sitting here trying to re-teach myself how to crochet. I used to be quite good but now I’ve actually completely forgotten how to do it. It’s driving me mad, and I’m thinking I’d just be so much better off sticking with knitting and sewing, but I’m just determined to get it going again! Your post has spurred me on to keep trying!!
spanishjanet says
Don’t give up check out the blog Elizabeth Andree about crochet, I am loving crochet after a 30 year break!!!
greenclogs30 says
Thanks!
The Twisted Yarn says
YouTube is your friend…. Hope you keep at it. You’re obviously so creative, especially with a camera in your hand.
greenclogs30 says
Oh that’s lovely of you! I’ll keep you updated! Not much time at the minute though, and I just want to be happy-snapping rather than crafting!
greenclogs30 says
And yes … I learnt from YouTube the first time around and am back there now 😉
Katie Clark says
It looks absolutely wonderful. I can’t get over how much you have done in ten weeks – although I can imagine it felt like longer at times. 2.5 miles of yarn is still pretty impressive even if it isn’t as far as Oxford to Paris! I love it,it’s beautiful!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! And to be fair, I haven’t done a whole load of eating or sleeping these last ten weeks…
Allison says
WOW. That’s huge–and gorgeous! I am so impressed you finished it, even knowing that the ends would be there after the crocheting was done. That would have kept me from even starting!
The Twisted Yarn says
The ends are a bit depressing, actually. Oh well…
eclectichomelife.blogspot.com says
That last picture, where you stood on the slide?!?! Fantastic, shows the afghan in all it’s glory. I confess, I thought the cat real at first, but on second looking, I realised it might possibly not be!!! It fooled me though! Amazing and something you should be so proud of, truly an heirloom ♥
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! I very nearly toppled off the slide, though!
Kris R says
Congratulations! It is fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing. You are truly inspiring.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. You’re kinder than I deserve. 🙂
mollieandclaire says
Wow. It’s amazing.
The Twisted Yarn says
Muchly thank you!
thecontentedcrafter says
I gasped – I really, truly, involuntarily, took in a big breath of air and then let it out with the accompanying sound! It was a long, loud gasp!!
I had gathered it was going to be a stunner – but oh my – this is quite something else! I just have to share this post – some of my bloggie friends are hand-workers [including me, myself and I] and all are art lovers and this is ART!
You are remarkable, this makes my conniptions over the book I have just completed [the one made from a box] look like a toddler having a tantrum over spilt milk!
Well done, well done, well done!!!
The Twisted Yarn says
You’re much kinder than I deserve, but thank you. And if you mean your beautiful book with the blues and greens in the design and the delicate beads, then that’s GORGEOUS!
Janet says
Wow. Absolutely stunning!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
KerryCan says
thecontentedcrafter and I had the exact same reaction–I gasped out loud, both because it’s the end of an era and because it’s fabulous! Congratulations, enjoy the moment . . . So . . . what are you making next? 😉
The Twisted Yarn says
Awww, thank you. (Blushes.) Am currently ignoring all the things I should be making/doing, in order to pursue a crazed need to crochet a flowery hippo. Pictures to follow.
Caroline says
Fantastic! It’s the pale lemon that really makes it look like there’s light shining through it, just like a stained glass window. Where will you use it in your home? xx
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. I did deliberately choose a very pale yellow for just that reason. For now, it’ll be draped across a scrappy old sofa in the room next to the kitchen. Unfortunately it’s already adorned with the twinnage’s porridge, stickers, and toys. Oh well, never mind.
atcterri says
Absolutely gorgeous!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
glamgirlknits says
Wow! Just WOW!!!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. It is a bit insane, though.
Chris @ makeandwear says
Absolutely stunning. You must be so pleased ,that it’s finished and that it looks so amazing !
The Twisted Yarn says
Well I’m certainly pleased it’s finished. 😉 But thank you. 🙂
Jennifer says
Absolutely amazingly beautiful! I am impressed with your fortitude!
The Twisted Yarn says
I think the phrase you’re looking for is ‘dogged stupidity’ actually, but thank you anyway. 🙂
bamcrafts979 says
Wow! Worth every moment and every stitch! I’ve really enjoyed watching this project unfold. It truly is amazing!
The Twisted Yarn says
You’re very kind. It has been a slightly crazy project.
Jacquline says
It’s absolutely gorgeous! Good luck with weaving in all those ends. 😀
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. I might just need it…
mrsmulkey says
This is beyond gorgeous. You are obviously a crocheting goddess and we should all be constructing some sort of palace or something in your honor. I’m simply mesmerized. Truly.
The Twisted Yarn says
Awwww, now that’s DEFINITELY more praise than is deserved, but hey, I wouldn’t say no to a palace….
musingrunner says
Stunning!
The Twisted Yarn says
…Or possibly a bit mad. But thank you. 🙂
NotJustaKNitWit says
It is absolutely gorgeous! Fantastic job.
Good Luck weaving in all those ends! 😉
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! But yes, the ends………..
Anna Moritz says
pure awesomeness!!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
Magpiemakingdo says
Um, WOW. That is so stunning… and the patience it must have taken! What a feat! And what a beautiful, beautiful result.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
Tina says
That is stunning!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. 🙂
kelleyc416 says
Wow! That’s amazingly gorgeous =D
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
Serenova says
It looks absolutely gorgeous! Glad to see it finished!
Will you be posting a pattern anywhere if someone else decides they want to be a bit crazy?
The Twisted Yarn says
It’s not my pattern, it’s from Annie’s Attic: It’s here, if you’re on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cathedral-rose-window-afghan . I just modified the colour scheme. 🙂 Thank you for your comment. So are you tempted to make one?
Serenova says
You’re quite welcome for the compliment.
And I’m not quite tempted enough to actually dive in. I have two massive projects that I would like to cast off before tacking *another* huge project. I think this will go in the ‘someday’ pile.
Thanks for the link by the way. And yes I’m on Ravelry. Same username and everything. 🙂
stitchknit says
Gorgeous work of art! I would not allow anyone to touch it if I had made something so stunning! Well done!
The Twisted Yarn says
Unfortunately, the twinnage has already liberally covered it with porridge, stickers, and toys. sigh.
knittynuhn says
I love the colours! It’s absolutely gorgeous! Amazing job.
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! 🙂
nicolaknits says
Beautiful, you can certainly be proud of it. Now if you get any gimmepigs asking for one of their own, you will have the appropriate response ready, right?!
The Twisted Yarn says
I think that the appropriate response would be to laugh in a slightly hysterical and deranged tone, yes? I’m good at that. 🙂
The Snail of Happiness says
It is beautiful…and you have made it so quickly.
It does make me think how important it is to weave in ends on my Masterpiece as I go!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you. And sadly, yes, I am now in a position to recommend weaving in as you go. 🙂 Anyway this blighter is nothing compared with how amazing the masterpiece will look. I haven’t forgotten the Easter deadline…
spanishjanet says
It is inspiring you deserve to win the blog award on this subject alone. I just can’t believe how you found the time, did you get any sleep?
The Twisted Yarn says
Ha ha, thank you! 🙂 Yup, a certain amount of sleep was sacrificed in the cause of crochet. But someone on Ravelry claimed to make one of these in ‘about two weeks’!! She can scarcely have left herself time to breathe, let alone sleep.
Tajana says
What a job you’ve done!!!I don’t have appropriate words to praise you!!!!Really fantastic!!!!Bravo!!! Well done!!!!Great project!!!Chapeau!!!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you as always! But you’re kinder than I deserve, especially as you’re so skilled and versatile with a crochet hook.
Tajana says
At all!You made a masterpiece which I can only imagine to do!Enjoy it and be proud of yourself! <3 <3 <3
amandagratton says
Wow! It is fantastic!
MollyBean says
Oh wow!!! Absolutely stunning, I love it!
lagrancostanza says
Wow, this is a fantastic piece of art! Stunning!
crochetthread says
OMF (oh my frog), that is so stunning. Absolutely incredible. Well done!
roma1912 says
Now that is something else, you’ve done yourself proud xx
The Twisted Yarn says
Awww, thank you. 🙂
pixelsandpurls says
So, so awesome!
Missy's Crafty Mess says
oh my GOODNESS that is amazing. Will you make me one? Kidding!!!! I had better not show this to my daughter or I will be making one too.
The Twisted Yarn says
Yes! Show it to your daughter! You KNOW you want to make one really….
Missy's Crafty Mess says
Lol
threadandethel says
Impressive work! I believe you’ve just created a transporter…just hit the afghan with a ray of sunshine and you’re transported to beautiful cathedrals all over the world. Brilliant.
The Twisted Yarn says
Oh thank you. I did deliberately choose a very pale yellow in the hope that it would give the impression of brilliant light streaming in.
soknitsome says
That is absolutely stunning. I’m astounded you only needed ten weeks! Beautiful work.
The Twisted Yarn says
Someone on Rav claimed to have finished one in “about two weeks”!!! She clearly didn’t eat/sleep/breathe/etc…
annabellefranklinauthor says
What a magical piece of work. It actually seems to give off its own light. The end truly justifies the ends! 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Ha ha, thank you! Nooooo, don’t mention the ends…
butlersabroad says
That is absolutely amazing! Now you get to make all of us one!
The Twisted Yarn says
Um, erm, well, I’d love to, but, um…. Can I just have a leeeetle break of about ten years before I attempt another of these pesky blighters, please?
Kate says
Wow that is absolutely stunning. You must be so proud of yourself and rightly so. It is a real work of art and will make a beautiful family heirloom. I can’t believe it only took you 10 weeks! x
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you so much! I’m not sure it’s going to live long enough to achieve heirloom status, given the quantity of toddler twinnage porridge/stickers/gunk it’s already displaying. *Sighs*
jem arrowsmith says
Wow – this is amazing!! I love the last picture where you can see it in all it’s glory, it is so effective and the colours are stunning. I am in awe!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you! (Although awe definitely NOT warranted!)
lucyannluna says
Wow, you finished it looks fantastic
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you!
Mind Margins says
It’s so beautiful! Love those vibrant colors!
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you.
annie says
Fantastically, superfrigilastically, stupendously AWESOME!!!! What an accomplishment —-you rock, girl!!!
The Twisted Yarn says
Ha ha! More praise than deserved, but thanks. I wish you’d start your blog again…
miaslovetree says
Oh my goodness, it’s BEAUTIFUL! :o)
The Twisted Yarn says
Awwww, thank you!
Janette says
Wow that’s truly fabulous! Good luck sewing in all those ends 🙂
jessbryan22 says
Wow! Amazing would be an understatement! Seriously well done 🙂
The Twisted Yarn says
Thank you, as always. 🙂