Crocheting instead of Writing

I had purchased these skeins of red, white and blue yarn some time ago along with some silver coated, and other color coated paper clips (I think the box of 150 large clips was $2, had reddish, blue, silver, green and purple in the box), thinking I was going to make wacky bookmarks with the paper clips and yarn to either sell or give away at events. I made four of the bookmarks, putting the eyes on only one, and decided to abandon that project.



So I've been trying to come up with something to do with the red, white and blue yarn. I decided last week I'd make an afghan to put in a drawing and by the end of this year, from all the entries from every event through November, I would give the afghan away. I'm using a "mile-a-minute" pattern for the afghan and to date, have not been able to find anything remotely close to what I'm using. I believe my grandmother, my dad's mom, taught me this pattern when I was about 10 or 12. My mother knows how to do it as well, but her stuff doesn't always turn out looking all that good.

I did a search today for some mile-a-minute patterns and found one website that has a few patterns on it and posted a comment on one of posting about the different patterns she has used with the pattern on it. I did say I would post a picture of a partial strip so that one could understand the counting of the "circles".

The pattern is super quick to work - the hardest/longest part is sewing the strips together but other than that, it's a quick and easy pattern to do.

Here is the pattern:

(starts out like a granny square pattern but then ends up like half circles joined up the strip).

MATERIALS NEEDED:
4 ply worsted yarn (any color or even can use varigated yarn - whatever you like - can be one color or several= mine will be three - Red, white and blue)
Size G/6 hook
Plastic needlepoint needle to sew strips together

Gauge 4 circles from bottom tip to center is about 6 inches

PATTERN:
Stitches used: ch = chain stitch; DC = double crochet; slst = slip stitch

Ch 4, slst together, ch 3, 3 DC in center of joined circle; ch 3; 3 DC in center of joined circle; ch 3; 3 DC in center of joined circle; ch 3. Turn

3 DC in ch space; ch 3; 3 DC in chain space; ch 3. Turn. - this basically completes your first "circle" as 2 half circles.

Repeat for desired length. The length I decided on for this afghan is 30 circles (60 half circles). Here is the picture of how to count the circles so you know how long you want it. I don't have a gauge on how long this is but for a lap throw, 30 circles is about 45 inches long.

I'll post later on connecting the strips (possibly in a video so that you can see how it all comes together - E :)

HOW TO COUNT YOUR CIRCLES:




As you can see where I have marked my numbers - at the chain space on the sides - this is how you count - hope you all enjoy - E :)