Entrelac Rectangular Afghans
For those that prefer to do Entrelac in a rectangular, yet done in a circle formation, I've figured out the math to make it happen so it will match your desired afghan or throw sizes.
Visualize a granny square that is the size of your bed. What is wrong? Chances are the granny square matches one direction of your bed but is too short in the other because it's a square. I've done this before guessing the chain length of an interior of an afghan hoping that each side grows proportionally for the bed so that no matter what you do or how big you make it, it will fit your bed perfectly.
The rectangular is done similarly to the square. You have the starting number of boxes in the middle to do first. Then go around the first layer like you would as if it is square.
Use the Entrelac Trip Around the World to understand the square version.
Firstly, the Entrelac afghan I am suggesting is done in a continuous rotation around the centre point. The trick to the rectangular version is that you have to create the number of boxes in a row down the centre of the afghan instead of there just being one as you see in the colourful example. By creating the row first, your centre point is revolving around the entire row from the very beginning causing all sides to grow evenly around it.
Math Calculations
I used Bernat Super Value as my test. Using a 6 mm or size J crochet hook. It produced Entrelac boxes that were 2.75" x 2.75".
In my test, I realized it doesn't matter what size yarn or hook I am using because what is important is the number of boxes needed to establish the centre row. As long as the proper number of boxes are in place in the centre point, it will grow properly.
Keep in mind that thicker, chunky yarn, will produce much bigger boxes which will make your afghans grow much faster. Obviously, if you use regular or thinner yarns, it will take longer to finish your project.
Starting Chain and Box Counts
- Twin - 13 Boxes Across, Chain 130
- Double - 7 Boxes Across, Chain 70
- Queen - 8 Boxes Across, Chain 80
- King - 2 Boxes Across, Chain 20
- Throw - 4 Boxes Across, Chain 40
- Lapghan - 4 Boxes Across, Chain 40
Once the first row is established, you will just rotate around the centre row as if it's like the one square.
I will have tutorials coming in the future to demonstrate this and show you how to go around. For those who are familiar with Tunisian Entrelac, you will have a head start.
Sandra Nabors says
I'm trying to figure out how to do the center where is part 2 of this video
Mikey, The Crochet Crowd says
Checking now... stand by... I didn't think there was a part 2 for this... I will be right back to you. I'm looking into your issue now.
Mikey, The Crochet Crowd says
There is Entrelac in a square. It's not part 2 but another way of doing entrelac. I entered in Entrelac into the search engine. All of the choices of the different types of entrelac come up. Click this link and you will see for yourself. http://thecrochetcrowd.com/?s=entrelac
ammusrasoi says
Hi Mikey,
I made a Entrelac Rectangular Afghans 2 years ago for my son. Now the afghan is unraveling could you please help me is there any suggestions, I tired to sew the rectangles but some new ones started to unravel. Thanks
Vasanti
Tammy Paree-Huff says
I love this idea! I'm trying to figure out if I want to make bigger boxes 12x10 sized for more of the quilt feel. So can I still use these box counts for the various finished sizes? I know I'll have to make each box multiplied by 20 instead of 10, but I want to make sure my ratio will work ok. I think it will because it's simply twice as large going both directions so in theory I'll just get to the finished size in 1/2 the blocks, but i want to make sure I'm thinking correctly.
Also, if I want to make a size in between 2 sizes, for example I want something wider than a twin but more narrow than a double, will it look ok if I just pick a box count in between those two box counts? Again, I think it makes sense because the length will stay the same and the width should then fall between the twin and double widths, but I haven't done enough with tunisian math to feel confident.
Any and all help is much appreciated! Thanks so much for this great tutorial!