The Crafty Princess Diaries

Tammy Powley’s Crafty Weblog

Bartering for Baby Afghan

| 5 Comments

A good friend of mine offered to pay me to make a baby afghan for him that he wants to give to a couple he knows who is having their first child. This is the first time anyone has asked me to make something and offer to pay for it. I thought about it for awhile, and honestly, I have no idea how long it takes me to make items that I crochet. I do it because I like to, and I’m not that great at it, so it is probably best if I don’t time myself and try to figure out how fast I am (or more than likely how slow).

I didn’t feel right about selling, but I didn’t want to turn him down either. It’s not like I haven’t made a jillion baby afghans for total strangers. Why not make one for a friend? Then I realized I could barter for it instead, and this would relieve some of the pressure.

Pictured is what I’ve started so far. I’m planning on making it about 36×36 inches in shell stitch. I’m using Bernat Baby Softee in blue and white/blue variegated. I plan to do about 12 inches of solid blue, then 12 inches of variegated, and then another 12 of solid. Then I’ll trim it in variegated. That’s the plan at least. We’ll see how it goes.

I haven’t done shell stitch in a while, so this is a nice way to reintroduce myself to it. I forgot how much texture it creates, and because of the softee yarn, it’s nice and squishy feeling to boot.

Author: Tammy

Welcome to the Crafty Princess Diaries, my weblog and site where I get to blab about my passion for crafts, primarily jewelry making, and my crafting career. My name is Tammy Powley, and I decided to call my blog the Crafty Princess Diaries because of this very dorky picture I have of myself and because my husband often refers to me as β€œthe princess and the pea,” which is just another way to say that I tend to be particular sometimes. Along with this weblog, I have a number of jewelry making books published.

5 Comments

  1. What a nice solution to a sticky situation. The afghan looks lovely. I like the ruffly look the shell stitch creates. I’d like to reach out and squish it right now πŸ˜‰

  2. I love those shell stitches! Its really beautiful! Did you make up the pattern!
    Can’t wait to see the finished product!

  3. so, what are you bartering for? the babyghan you’ve got done so far is very pretty! good job – and good idea to barter. i love doing that!
    jd

  4. @Sherry – I’m actually going to change it some from what I originally planned. I’ll post about it soon with a new pictures. It’s very similar, just my stripes will be more narrow. And, yes, I’m making this up as I go along.

    @Eileen – Thanks, it is very soft. I forgot how great shell was to do.

  5. @JD I know this is crazy, but I’m bartering for a necklace. Long story, but it’s for a good friend who makes them and I’ve wanted one for awhile. Even though I make jewelry too, it’s neat to have pieces from people I know as well.

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