I’m so excited to announce that I am participating in an amazing year-long project sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn called the Traveling Afghans.  In conjunction with Lion Brand’s “My Life in Yarn” 2020 campaign, the Traveling Afghans is a collaborative effort of 49 knit and crochet designers and bloggers from seven countries!

Over the course of one year, two afghans will be created....one knit and one crochet.

In January 2020, the Traveling Afghans project started in New York City and it will journey to a new designer approximately every two weeks. Each designer will design and create a 10"x 10" square to add to either the knit or the crochet blanket before sending it off to the next designer who will add their square.

Each designer will publish the pattern instructions for their 10" square on their website for free so you can follow along with us and create your own knit or crochet afghan!

THE ULTIMATE MYSTERY KNIT-A-LONG!  

I am thrilled to join with 24 other knitting designers to participate in the knit afghan project. It will be so fun to see each designer reveal their square every two weeks throughout 2020.  Even the participating designers don't know what the other 10" square designs will be!  I'm so excited to see how this afghan comes together!

UPDATE: Here’s a look at the Traveling Knit Afghan as of August 3, 2020. Sixteen squares have been revealed and stitched together! Scroll down to find the links to get the knitting instructions to make each afghan square. Instructions for eight more squares and a border design will be revealed between now and the end of the year.

AFGHAN SQUARES - HOW TO GET INSTRUCTIONS:

Updated November 14, 2023

Square #1: Revealed January 6, 2020 - Click to get instructions on Two of Wands website.

Square #2: Revealed January 25, 2020 - Click to get instructions on Nomad Stitches website.

Square #3: Revealed February 4, 2020 - Click to get instructions on The Queen Stitch website.

Square #4: Revealed February 24, 2020 - Click download the PDF instructions.

Square #5: Revealed March 9, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on All About Ami website.

Square #6: Revealed March 19, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Knitatude website.

Square #7: Revealed April 2, 2020 - Click here to get Christine Bodden’s instructions on Ravelry. (ChristineBoddenDesigns.com no longer active.)

Square #8: Revealed April 14, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Hanks and Needles website.

Square #9: Revealed April 27, 2020 - Click here to get the instructions on Designs by Phanessa website.

Square #10: Revealed May 12, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Whistle and Wool website.

Square #11: Revealed May 25, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Ravelry.

Square #12: Revealed June 13, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on JellyKNITTING website.

Square #13: Revealed June 17, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Evelyn and Peter website.

Square #14: Revealed July 3, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Mama in a Stitch website.

Square #15: Revealed July 27, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Yarn Hook Needles website.

Square #16: Revealed August 3, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Fifty Four Ten Studio website.

Square #17: Revealed August 20, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Originally Lovely website.

Square #18: Revealed September 3, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Northern Loop website. Unfortunately this website is no longer active.

Square #19: Revealed September 21, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on While They Dream website.

Square #20: Revealed October 5, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Hands Occupied website.

Square #21: Revealed October 20, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on North Knits website. As of January 2024, this website does not appear to have the instructions posted.

Square #22: Revealed October 30, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Knifty Knittings website.

Square #23: Revealed November 17, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Loopn’ Threads website. As of November 2023, this website does not appear to have the instructions posted.

Square #24: Revealed December 1, 2020 - Click here to get instructions on Kenyarn website.

Square #25 - Afghan Border: Revealed December 16, 2020 - Click here to get Vanessa’s instructions on Ravelry.

Click here to read my blog post about blocking the Traveling Afghan squares.

Scroll down to see list of all designers collaborating on the Knit Traveling Afghan.

BASICS ABOUT THE KNIT AFGHAN:

Finished Afghan Size: approximately 40" wide x 60" long....plus the addition of a border around the entire blanket.

Number of Squares: The afghan will include 24 different squares…plus a border by designer #25.

Worsted Weight Yarn:  We're using Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted weight yarn.  (16 skeins for a total of about 3,150 yards) You may use any worsted weight yarn! More info, including yarn suggestions, in the FAQ section below.

Knitting Needles: US 8 (5mm)

Lion Brand Kit: Lion Brand is offering a kit that includes enough Wool-Ease worsted weight yarn to knit the entire Traveling Afghan.  Click here to purchase the kit on the Lion Brand website.  [affiliate link]

The Afghan Pattern: Each designer will share the pattern instructions for their 10" square on their website when it is their turn to add to the traveling blanket. All pattern instructions will be FREE. (Some designers may charge for a printable PDF document but you can easily copy and paste their instructions from the text shared on their website for free.)

Travel Plan: A new square will be revealed approximately every two weeks starting in early January 2020.  Scroll down to see the travel schedule for the blanket and links to each designer's website.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Would you like to join in on this one-year mystery knit-a-long?  You can start the project anytime! Here's how you can participate...

1. Purchase a yarn kit for either the Knit Traveling Afghan or Crochet Traveling Afghan.  Or, use your favorite worsted weight yarn! See more info below under frequent questions.

2. Visit this page for the the master list of all designers and links to their sites so you can follow along as each new pattern is released.

3. Follow the designers on social media to get updates on their pattern releases and learn about their maker journeys.

4. Host a knit-a-long with your knitting friends! Get together throughout the year in person or online to work on your squares.

5. Share your Traveling Afghan project on Instagram and be sure to add these tags: @LionBrandYarn  @mylifeinyarn #travelingafghans #lionbrandyarn #mylifeinyarn and either #travelingknitafghan or #travelingcrochetafghan

Still have questions? Check out the answers to frequent questions at the bottom of this page!

ITINERARY FOR THE KNIT TRAVELING AFGHAN:

In case you are wondering....I am #16 on the map...in Kansas!

KNIT TRAVELING AFGHAN DESIGNERS:

#1 - 1/1-1/13 - New York City, USA - Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands

Click here for Square #1 instructions.

#2 - 1/15-1/28 - Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria - Sandra Gutierrez of Nomad Stitches

Click here for Square #2 instructions on the Nomad Stitches website.

#3 - 1/29-2/11 - Dublin, Ireland - Katie Moore of The Queen Stitch

Click here for Square #3 instructions.

#4 - 2/12-2/25 - Nova Scotia, Canada - Kelly Brooks of Knitbrooks (website not active)

Click here for Square #4 instructions.

#5 - 2/26-3/10 - Alberta, Canada - Stephanie Lau of All About Ami

Click here for Square #5 instructions.

#6 - 3/11-3/24 - Alberta, Canada - Chantal Miyagishima of Knitatude

Click here for Square #6 instructions.

#7 - 3/25-4/7 - BC, Canada - Christie Bodden of Christie Bodden Designs (website no longer active)

Click here for Square #7 instructions on Ravelry.

#8 - 4/8-4/21 - Oregon, USA - Makenzie Alvarez of Hanks and Needles

Click here for Square #8 instructions.

#9 - 4/22-5/5 - California, USA - Phanessa Fong of Designs by Phanessa

Click here for Square #9 instructions.

#10 - 5/6-5/19 - California, USA - Angie Bivins of Whistle & Wool

Click here for Square #10 instructions.

#11 - 5/20-6/2 - California, USA - Jane Tsou of Gorilla Knits

Click here for Square #11 instructions.

#12 - 6/3-6/16 - Nevada, USA - Chenoa Wilcox of jellyKNITTING

Click here for Square #12 instructions.

#13 - 6/17-6/30 - Utah, USA - Rachel Misner of Evelyn & Peter

Click here for Square #13 instructions.

#14 - 7/1-7/14 - Colorado, USA - Jessica Potasz of Mama in a Stitch

Click here for Square #14 instructions.

#15 - 7/15-7/28 - Kansas, USA - Jerica Tompkins of Yarn Hook Needles

Click here for Square #15 instructions.

#16 - 7/29-8/11 - Kansas, USA - Mary Lee of Fifty Four Ten Studio

Click here for Square #16 instructions.

#17 - 8/12-8/25 - Minnesota, USA - Kaitlin Barthold of Originally Lovely

Click here for Square #17 instructions.

#18 - 8/26-9/8 - Minnesota, USA - Julia Anastasi of Northern Loop Knitwear

Unfortunately this website is no longer active.

#19 - 9/9-9/22 - Winona, MN, USA - Trista Ziemendorf of While They Dream

Click here for Square #19 instructions.

#20 - 9/23-10/6 - Illinois, USA - Heidi Gustad of Hands Occupied

Click here for Square #20 instructions.

#21 - 10/7-10/20 - Illinois, USA - Jewell Washington of Northknits As of January 2024, this website does not appear to have the instructions posted.

Click here for Square #21 instructions.

#22 - 10/21-11/3 - Michigan, USA - Destiny Meyer of Knifty Knittings

Click here for Square #22 instructions.

#23 - 11/4-11/17 - Virginia, USA - Nathan Bryant of Loop N Threads As of November 2023, this website does not appear to have the instructions posted.

Click here for Square #23 instructions.

#24 - 11/18-12/1 - Rhode Island, USA - Jake Kenyon of Kenyarn

Click here for Square #24 instructions.

#25 - 12/2-12/16 - New Jersey, USA - Vanessa Coscarelli Black of Vanessa Knits

Click here for Square #25 Afghan Border instructions.

ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS:

Do I have to buy a kit to participate?  No! You can use any worsted weight yarn you like...any brand, any fiber.  Even your stash yarn!  The kits are available if you would like to use exactly the same yarn as the designers.

Can I use a different color of the Lion Brand Wool-Ease?  Yes!  Click here to see all the pretty colorways available in Wool-Ease worsted weight yarn.  You will need at least 16 skeins of this yarn if you choose one color for the entire blanket.  To use multiple colorways...plan on more yarn!

Are there other Lion Brand yarns that will work for the afghan?  Yes! Some other worsted weight Lion Brand yarns to consider are Touch of Cashmere (acrylic & cashmere), Basic Stitch (100% acrylic), Re-Up (cotton & polyester), Jeans (100% acrylic), Pound of Love (100% acrylic), Fisherman's Wool (100% wool), and Heartland (100% acrylic).  Be sure to purchase approximately 3,150 yards to make the entire afghan in one color.  Buy extra yarn if using an assortment of colors. (Solid colors that are light or medium darkness will show the various stitch patterns best.)

Do I have to make the afghan in a solid color? Not at all! The afghan the designers create will be made all in one color so we will be able to stick to the allotted yardage.  Feel free to use any color combination you would like...especially if you are using stash yarn. (Keep in mind that you may need additional yardage in order to accommodate different colors for each square.)

Where can I find the patterns for each square?  The pattern instructions for a new 10" x 10" square will be released approximately every two weeks starting in early January 2020.  Each designer will post the instructions for FREE on their website.  Bookmark this page to check back for announcements of each pattern release and follow me on Instagram for updates!

What is the skill level for the afghan project?  All of the squares will be beginner up to easy+ level.  Some designers will offer photos or video tutorial support.  Trying each of the various squares is a great way to learn new stitch combinations!  If there's a square that you find too challenging, you can skip that one and repeat one of the other designs that you like instead.

How can I post my project on Ravelry and connect it to the Traveling Afghan pattern?  Alexandra from Two of Wands is our lead designer on this project.  She has set up the official "pattern" pages on Ravelry.  You can link your project to either the Traveling Knit Afghan or the Traveling Crochet Afghan on Ravelry.

Why do I have to go searching on so many different sites for the patterns?  With 49 designers contributing to this project, there has been an enormous amount of coordination to make it work smoothly and we have all put in many hours even before launching. Each designer is dedicating their time to designing, photographing (and in some cases videoing), editing, and publishing a pattern for others to enjoy for free. Many of these designers rely on traffic to their blogs for income, so visiting each one individually is important and fair. I will add direct links to each new pattern when they are published....see the below the map. It will be fun to learn about knitting designers working all around the world!

What is the point of the project?  As part of Lion Brand Yarn’s “My Life in Yarn” campaign for 2020, the Traveling Afghans project is a way for designers and makers from around the world to come together and form a GIANT knit-a-long and crochet-a-long where everyone is welcome and stories about how yarn has impacted our lives will be shared. We want this project to be inclusive and accessible…and hope that it will inspire both beginners and experienced makers! Many of the designers will be sharing stories about the inspiration for the design they chose for their square. The hope is that this project will continue to generate positive conversations of acceptance and connectivity within our crafting community.