Monday, March 15, 2010

Vanna White's Tea Time Afghan


This weekend, I finished crocheting an afghan that's been on my project list for quite a few years! "Make Vanna White's Tea Time Afghan" said the pattern in the January 1995 issue of Good Housekeeping. I came across the pattern last year and began the afghan by crocheting the six large squares in bright raspberry pink yarn. I didn't begin cross-stitching and embellishing them until this winter, however, and my goal was to finish this afghan by spring. (Whew, I made it with a few days to spare!)

Here's a close-up of part of one block crocheted in the afghan stitch, also known as Tunisian crochet, which makes a very pretty -- and very thick -- canvas for a pattern, or in this case, a cross-stitch design.

Below are close-ups of my cross-stitched and embellished blocks.









And here's what Vanna's afghan from the magazine looks like (she has a better stylist than I do). According to the pattern in Good Housekeeping, this project is reprinted from the book "Vanna's Afghans A to Z," 1994, Oxmoor House. And now, if you don't mind, I'd like to buy a vowel: an "A" so I can spell Angela's Afghan!

23 comments:

  1. I'd like a "B" for beautiful! If that doesn't make you want to curl up with a book and a cup of tea, I don't know what will--- B-)

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  2. Angela, that afghan is really smashing. I love the raspberry pink color and the lovely embellishments on each cup.

    That Tunisian crochet makes a nice dense canvas for the cross-stitch. I like it better than the loose lacey look of some stiches. Beautiful work!

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  3. That is beautiful...what a lovely pattern,,good job..
    Devon

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  4. I was going to say the same thing... a B for Beautiful! So pretty! Will it be a gift or to enjoy yourself?

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  5. How absolutely lovely. Isn't it a wonderful feeling to complete a project and have such a beautiful piece of handiwork? You should have such an amazing sense of accomplishment, Angela.

    I just love all of the teacup embellishments.
    Enjoy your new creation!

    My Mother loved to crochet and I treasure the afghans she created for me.

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  6. I am very impressed with this beautiful afghan, and with your handwork. I love your choice of raspberry pink yarn as the background. Congratulations on finishing this heirloom piece.

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  7. I give you an A for awesome. It is is soooo pretty. Anyone know of an embroidery (not cross stitch) pattern for anything tea?

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  8. Wow Angela! That's tea-rrific! I love your afghan, holy smokes that looks like a lot of work!!
    Great job!

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  9. That's beautiful! I could use it about now as I cannot get warm! Pink is one of my favorite colors.

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  10. Oh, Angela! You did such a fabulous job! I lve this color. (much better than the one on the cover). Such nice workmanship. Did you come up with each cup design? So pretty . Congratulations on such a lovely piece.

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  11. Oh my, you all are *too* kind! Janine, this is actually something I made just for the fun of it, with no recipient in mind. And Teresa, it was easy to come up with the cup designs, because I have been saving laces and embellishments for years -- could probably decorate 100 of these if I needed to!

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  12. I have that A to Z book by Vanna !
    You did an amazing job on the teacup
    afghan !

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  13. Yours is much prettier than the pattern. The embellishments are just way too cute. I think an apron made like this would be adorable.

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  14. Great job and I like the pink. What fun to make a project like that throughout the winter.

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  15. This is beautiful ! I admire you "hand crafty" gals.

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  16. Just beautiful Angela. You are so talented, and btw, I like your color choice better than Vanna's. Enjoy!

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  17. As Jane said, 'A' for awesome!
    You did a wonderful job and I like the pink colors better than the blue one. The detail work is fabulous! You outdid yourself, Angela.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Joanie

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  18. Oh my word! That is just beautiful!!! I thought you were blogging about an afghan you bought! It is just wonderful.

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  19. hello there thanks for your grat post, as usual ((o:

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