Throw Me Down Week: Day One - The Afghan Question

This week I'm focusing on hand knit throws. The good, the bad and the just plain ugly.

The Ugly

Growing up in the 70s in rural Nebraska, they were known as afghans. You know, those tacky orange and brown creations everybody had on the back of their sofas. I didn't question why they were named after a foreign country. I did know I thought they were ugly then. And I pretty much always think they are ugly when I come across them now.

Immutable Knitting Law #1

Most afghans are hideous, but made with love.

Where the Term Afghan Came From

Surprise, surprise! This term actually did come from Afghanistan and not some long-ago knitting circle with good intentions but bad taste. Turns out the term "afkin" means throw blanket or just plain "throw" in Pashtun. They called them "throws" because the materials used to knit them would decay and the items would be thrown away. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the millions of acrylic afghans out there.

Immutable Knitting Law #2

If you call an afghan a "throw" it might be better looking.

I used to work in PR. This is why I know smart people who want their knit blanket to be perceived as tasteful will always call it a throw.

Here's the proof, and it's even orange: Happy Birthday Throw by Emily Ivey, knit by by Kelly over at Sketching Life.

Coming up this week: more great throw knitting patterns, designer inspiration for great throws, and an Ugly Afghan Contest.