what is an afghan exactly?

[bubblefizz]

Ok this might sound dumb:devil but what is an afghan exactly?

i thought it was a blanket am i missing something here

[MiCountess]

Nope your not missing anything - It is a blanket

 

Michelle

[bubblefizz]

Ha i see thank you Michelle

[klouised]

It's a piece of art that is large and beautiful that is used to decorate one's bed or the back of one's couch, BUT I'm too lazy to ever commit myself to making one. LOL I've got lots of afghan pattern books that I buy and drool over. Does that count?

[BlondieeAggiee]

Haha, that's like me! I have a ton of afghan patterns, and it drive the BF crazy that I will spend $15 or more on a book because it has one pattern I really like in it. I've only made three, working on my fourth.

[Sabra]

It is a blanket that is either knitted or crocheted, usually about the size for a twin size bed. And usually yarn; a blanket made with thread is generally referred to as a (bed)spread. To my knowledge, only blankets knitted or crocheted are designated as afghans. In my personal experience, the vast majority are crocheted. I was rather surprsied the first time I learned you can (in theory) knit an afghan.

[Samio]

I think it also depends on where you live. In Australia an afghan is just simply a blanket, made from wool either crochet or knit. Bedspreads are not that typical anymore, not the old fashioned thread type anyway

[Empress Busy Bee]

And usually yarn; a blanket made with thread is generally referred to as a (bed)spread.

 

Funny how we all call things different.

For me and the catalogs I look at, a bedspread is the top layer of bedding and not always yarn or thread made. And not always a comforter either.

 

To my knowledge, only blankets knitted or crocheted are designated as afghans.

 

I used to think that until I saw quite a few woven throws in catalogs referred to as afghans. Go figure. lol

 

http://www.abbeypress.com/abbey//shopframe.asp?uid=5131962573&catID=195&TopOn=4

 

In my personal experience, the vast majority are crocheted. I was rather surprsied the first time I learned you can (in theory) knit an afghan.

 

You must not know many knitters. One of my best friends is a knitter and made me a beautiful aghan.

Hoping to get better at knitting, I've personally collected a bunch of free patterns out of Woman's Day and Family Circle, over the years.

 

Bedspreads are not that typical anymore, not the old fashioned thread type anyway

 

Exactly!

Just have a look around here to see:

 

http://www.domestications.com/

 

[FelixLake]

Since I crochet as well as quilt, I like to distiguish between the two. I think of Afghans as blankets that I crochet (or could be knitted ). I call the other ones, quilts. To me, a bedspread, blanket, or comforter is something you buy at the store to cover the bed or keep warm, and that you don't mind the animals laying on. :dog

[Empress Busy Bee]

Since my bedset cost over $200, is dry clean only, and was a gift from my in laws, I very much DO mind if animals get on it.

[bubblefizz]

well here in the UK people say to me "whats an afghan" LOL and i only heard of it since learning to crochet 5 years ago, but ive never made one BUT im trying my first..... woopieee

[Me&P]

I was rather surprsied the first time I learned you can (in theory) knit an afghan.

 

LOL! Yeah, like, who knits? Crocheting is way cooler.

[evelyn]

I have a friend who knits pretty afghans , but I prefer my crocheted ones

 

Crocheted or afghans and blankets come from the store I think

[DesertCrocheter]

My friend just knitted an afghan for a wedding present, using circular needles. She made her pattern up in her head, and I thought it looked a little wonky although I loved the colors she used. But I agree, the crocheted ones are much more gorgeous! And probably a heck of a lot easier to make, too. Patty

[bubblefizz]

*ARGH* noooo not KNIT lol

i hate knitting, as lynee says crochet is much cooler

[natalie058]

I think that the differnce (store-wise, at least) between a bedspread and a comforter is size - a bedspread covers your box springs and comforters do not.

 

The way I've used and seen afghans used - it just means they're handcrafted (in some manner) as opposed to machine made, and the name isn't really depandant on size.

 

[Empress Busy Bee]

Partly true.

However I believe comforters are puffy and 'filled' with something.

Bedspreads, are flat; either thick or not.

[AidanM]

Comforters are filled with down, usually.

[Empress Busy Bee]

I didn't mean "something" as in I don't know.

I meant "something" as in sometimes down, sometimes microfiber or some other alternative.

[froggy]

Well, that's something I have always taken for granted. I thought everyone knew what an afghan was. Boy, that made me think about not just expecting everyone to always understand what we are talking about. I guess it's just the country and the culture you live in. Certainly is food for thought.

[Sabra]

For me and the catalogs I look at, a bedspread is the top layer of bedding and not always yarn or thread made.

 

What I was referring to is that I have never seen thread blankets (for lack of a better term to be completely obvious what I mean) referred to as anything other than a bedspread. No, wait, I guess 'coverlet' would also work...

 

I don't doubt it's a matter of where you live, though. I was just on another site where there was a spirited discussion of sprinkles vs jimmies on ice cream.

[mseavey2]

For me an afghan just isn't any blanket. It is a hand made piece of art. Everyone that you make has its own character to it. At least that is my thought.

[AidanM]

I didn't mean "something" as in I don't know.

I meant "something" as in sometimes down, sometimes microfiber or some other alternative.

My mistake, sorry!

[Empress Busy Bee]

No problem, my wording wasn't clear.

[Bellisima]

If you were raised on Staten Island, like I was, it's not an afghan....it's an "african"....LOL :lol:lol