When you go thrifting (if you go thrifting) do you always look for the same item? Do you always head straight to the dishes in hopes of finding some vintage Pyrex or straight to the furniture section for your next piece to redo? I love to check out a few sections. Pictures frames, toys, baskets, and linens are a few of my favorites. Lately, I have had some afghan confusion.
Every time I walk into a thrift store I see at least one afghan for sale. I am confused! Why do people part with these beauties?
By definition, an afghan is a blanket, wrap, or throw made of colorful yarn. They are hand stitched or knitted into beautiful geometric shapes and patterns.
I love color and I love handmade, so afghans are my latest obsession. I have three and all three have come from a thrift store. Each one is a different knitted stitch and I just love them. We use them daily to build forts for the kids to play in or to cuddle up with on the couch. Just this weekend did each kid have their own fort and they ate their lunch in them. Childhood memories are being made with these pretty blankets in my house.
When my afghans are not tided or clipped to furniture for forts, I keep them in a big basket on our fireplace to grab for couch snuggle time. I think they add such a nice warmth to our living room with their pretty colors.
Why do you think these homemade beauties are selling for just a few bucks at thrift stores? Or maybe they aren’t selling-that’s why they are always there! I think I just made it my little mission to collect a few more. They are fought over on movie nights around here.
I tried making Caleb an afghan when I was still pregnant with him. I only got a few rows stitched, before I became burned out and I quit. There has to be some serious dedication to finishing one of these blankets to be a usable size. Lots of time and yarn are invested in them. If I had to price one (from my experience of buying yarn and trying to sew one), I think they would easily be in the hundreds of dollars. So, tell me! Why do you think these are at thrift stores?
Is there a particular item you are searching for at thrift stores lately? I am headed out for a day of errands with my kiddos and just might have to stop to find another pretty afghan for my collection!
Thank you so much for stopping by! If you missed my DIY Ruffled Shower Curtain over the weekend-check it out and enter to win two of my embroidered hoops!
Hi Erica, I think it’s like anything else vintage…one gets rid of them because they are old they no longer appeal…even though they are still beautiful. Like world globes, I love them and used to be able to purchase them for little cost, now they are becoming popular and getting expensive. Or old dishes, or anything old…we cast of because we want new. But once it becomes popular again the price goes up. I an noticing people wanting vintage afghans again…so I expect the prices to go up as well.
Love your shower curtain…beautiful!!
Thanks Mary! Awesome perspective! I know you are so right. You should have copyrighted that globe trend…or maybe you started it :). Your pictures and home should be in a magazine!!! Such an inspiration! Thank you for visiting my blog…I’m honored! XO, Erica
seriously these throws are $80+ here. i get so disapointed going to the thrift stores here.