Sunset Spectrum is on it's way to it's new home!  I really hope Dad likes it!  I wanted to put up details for anyone who might be interested.    12 tentacle yarn monster is double stranded through out the entire afghan,  with blending from one color to the next.

 I used Caron Simply soft white (2 skeins), Mango (1 skein). Sunshine (1 skein)   6 ounce
            Yarn Bee Soft Secret red (1 skein)   6 ounce
             Red heart Soft Tangerine (2 Skeins) 5 ounce
             Loops and Threads Charisma Yellow (1 skein) 3.5 ounce
             Loops and Thread Impeccable  Rouge  (2 Skeins), Butterscotch (1 Skein)    4.5 ounce
             Hobby Lobby I love this yarn sport orange (2 skeins)      2.47 ounce
             Fleishers (vintage acrylic)  (2 skeins)  Not sure the exact color but looked red/orange   2 ounce
            Vanna's Choice  Terra Cotta (1 Skein), Rust (2 Skeins), Scarlet (6 skeins)  3.5 ounce
            plus two mystery balls of yellow.gold color  I would say around 3 ounces.    It went fairly quick.  I used an L hook on the afghan.  I  did change to a smaller hook for the sc edge.  2 rows of sc with a k hook.
         
           

Just about finished with the sunset spectrum afghan...AKA the 12 tentacle yarn monster........  There are a total of  24 skeins involved in making this project.  The smallest skeins were 2 ounces, the biggest 6 oz.  I  am happy that it will be going to it's new home today!  It is huge, covers the top of my queen size bed and slightly drapes over the sides.  It is double stranded, and blended so that there is a gradual shift in the colors. More details later, just wanted to post a couple of pics.........

Lots of ups and downs with the current afghan.  II worked the center star in two different color ways.  Just wasn't getting the right look for this afghan.  I have been in the yarn isle of every store around here that sells yarn!!!  I have more than 60 diamonds worked up but have changed my mind again as to the pattern I am using.  I will come back to it at some point if for no other reason than all the pieces already stitched.  But for now the yarn is taking me in another direction.  I am now stitching the spectrum afghan that is available at TheCrochetCrowd.com   Still working with the same theme, but lots more yarn colors.  It is double stranded through out.  I have finished the yellow section,  now moving along on the orange section,  not sure how many colorways I am using yet, just have to see how they work up as I go along   Not many pics yet but here is a sample.......

Once again life was demanding attention so it's been a little while since I have been here.    Lots of things going on the hook today, my needles are waiting patiently in the background. :)   I am working on a project that is very special to me so it has to be just right.  I want to make a gift for someone very dear to me that is facing a big challenge now and while I know an afghan won't take care of the problem,  it will let the person know they are in my thoughts.  At least that's what I hope anyway.  I have been planning this one in my mind for the better part of the last week.  After spending some time in the yarn isle letting the yarn talk to me I think I have the right colors for this project.  The next step and maybe just a difficult as the yarn choice was the pattern choice.  I started on the Catherine Wheel stitch, loved the pattern but quickly realized it is not the best use for the yarn as I want the yarn to flow.   I have been wanting to do that one for a while so I was a bit disappointed that it didn't work out for this project.

I want the colors and flow of this afghan to represent sunset.  So subtle shading and gentle flowing from one color to the next is what I feel will work best.  I have toyed with the idea of designing my own pattern and I think I will consider this more seriously after this project is done.  I want this one finished as soon as my fingers will allow and I don't think that will happen if I have to think about the design as well as stitching it.  So with the thought of something that I could blend the colors I went in search of patterns.  I have settle on the Prairie Star afghan available as a free pattern at red heart.com  I have been looking at this one for quite some time as well but I was more than a little bit intimidated by the number of small pieces.  I am not certain, but looking at the diagram it looks as if there are 208 individual parts to this afghan.  the good news is they go fairly quickly as far as I can tell.  The time consuming part seems to be joining the pieces together and of course weaving in those pesky ends!!  Not a fan of that part I am weaving as I go so not a lot to do later.

I started this on January 1, first big project of the new year.  I have completed and joined the 6 diamonds that make up the center star.  Just started working on the second and third colors  12 diamonds for color 2 and 18 for color three.  I am not sure about the yarn for color 3 yet,  it maybe a little to bright for the others. I will have to work up a few more diamonds to see if I like that one.  Anyway I suppose I should post one o two pics so here goes.....

center star...I want to work from dark to light ...at least that is the vision in my head , we will see if the yarn cooperates.....