Crochet Afghan and Stenciled Pillow

I love to crochet in the winter - especially afghans.  There's just something about handling the softness of the yarn and letting the finished part of the afghan drape over my lap while I work.  I have made an afghan for everyone in my immediate family at some point in the past.  So when I started this one I decided it would be for our family room and picked the colors accordingly. But soon into the project Papa requested that it be for him since he had never received one.  He is always hot and never uses a blanket at all until recently.  Now he wants his own!

And so this became known as Papa's blanket as I worked on it.  The yarn I used is Red Heart worsted weight 4.  The colors are Aran (cream color), Azure (blue color), and Lace (brown color).  I used a very old pattern that my Mother-in-law used to make all the time. It's called The Basket Weave. I fell in love with this pattern after she made me one in pastel blue and white and wanted to do one myself. So I searched the Internet and found a free pattern here.  It's very easy to follow.  

I love  these colors as they remind me of that coastal look I am striving to obtain - a combination of the colors of the clouds, sky and water, and beach.

I also love the texture the front post triple crochets give to this afghan.  So resembles a basket weave. 

The edging is just two rows of double crochets and chains and then a row of single crochets.  So simple but perfect for this particular pattern.

To add to this "vignette" on the sofa I made two pillows from drop cloth fabric.  On one of them I stenciled some fleur de lis with blue craft paint mixed with fabric medium to keep it soft.  Stenciling on drop cloth fabric is so simple and  you can customize your pillow any way you like.

Loving this corner of the sofa with Papa's new afghan and our new pillows.  And the best part - Papa actually uses this afghan almost every evening.  That is when Miss A doesn't beat him to it.
 I have started another afghan - this one for my granddaughter that leaves for college this fall.  I'm using a Larksfoot pattern in three colors and can't wait to get it done.  I'll be sure to show you.  
What are you working on?  Would love to hear about it in the comments below.  

Thanks for stopping by.  Until next time have fun creating something you love.

I will be linking up to the parties listed on the Where I Party Page.  Visit and few and check out all the great inspiration and creativeness that can be found there.