• Size: Lap size
• Colors: Blue, Green, Red, Multis of Blue / Green / Red, Black
• Pattern: Primary Colors Granny Square Lap Blanket
• Hook: H probably
• Date: start Jul. 5; finish Jul. 23

Tired of crocheting now - and too hot!

• Size: Lap blanket size
• Colors: Print Pastels, Blue, Yellow, Pink
• Pattern: Custom Granny Square Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H probably
• Date: start Jun. 29; finish Jul. 7

• Size: 30 inches x 44 inches
• Colors: Pinks, Blue, White, Beige, Yellow, Baby Pastels (multi) (Red Heart Classic)
• Pattern: Granny Square Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start June 22; finish June 29

• Size: 39 inches x 45 inches
• Colors: Blue, Gold, Green, Red, Orange (Red Heart Classic)
• Pattern: Blue and Gold Blocks Lap Blanket - - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start May 31; too hot to continue hiding yarn ends June 8; finish June 29

This lap blanket was going to be just blue and gold, but I ran out of enough yarn when it was time to join the squares and crochet a border. So, I did the joining and border using primary colors that matched: green, red, and orange.

• Size: 34 inches x 46 inches
• Colors: Blue and Pastel Scraps
• Pattern: Granny Squares with Flowers Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start May 18; finish May 31

• Size: 30 inches x 41 inches
• Colors: Melon, Purple, Green, Yellow, Baby Print, Light Yellow, White (sport weight scraps)
• Pattern: Flower Centers Granny Square Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: G
• Date: start May 3; finish May 18

Baby / sport weight yarn is very soft!

• Size: 37 inches x 56 inches
• Colors: - Pink, Blue (sport weight scraps)
• Pattern: 4-Patch Granny Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start April 3; finish April 11

• Size: 37 inches x 49 inches
• Colors: - White, Coral, Green, White-Pink-Green-Yellow Multi (sport weight scraps)
• Pattern: Flowers in Snow Granny Square Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: G (centers), H
• Date: start March 28; finish March 31

Sometimes a scrap project just turns out lovely!

• Size: 37 inches x 47 inches
• Colors: Pink, Off-White (Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: 6-patch Striped Squares Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start March 10; finish March 18

Since the blanket wasn't going to be big enough if the 6 squares were joined and I didn't want to do a large border around the joined squares, I decided to add a decorative edging on the two sets of 3 joined squares to widen the blanket.

• Size: 38 inches x 51 inches
• Colors: Medium Green, Light Green, White, Black (Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Offset Log Cabin Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start February 23; finish March 2

I had a few extra squares from the 24-square Log Cabin Lap Blanket, but was running out of some colors. So, this blanket is an "offset" log cabin style!

• Size: 41 inches x 63 inches
• Colors: Medium Green, Light Green, White, Black (Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Log Cabin Lap Blanket - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start February 17; finish February 23

This one is a bit larger than lap blanket size (normally about 35 x 45), but I got carried away and didn't pay attention until it was all put together!

• Size: 35 inches x 50 inches
• Colors: Leftovers (mostly Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Granny Square Lap Blanket - White, Tan, Greens, Pinks, Yellows, Blues - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: I
• Date: start February 10 using leftover squares from blanket just finished; finish February 12

I had 5 squares leftover from the previous granny square lap blanket - 1 pink, 1 yellow, 1 blue, and 2 green. So, I crocheted an additional square using purple and grey, made a white and sage border around each, joined them, and put a border around the whole thing. Didn't take very long!

• Size: 35 inches x 59 inches
• Colors: Leftovers (mostly Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Granny Square Lap Blanket - White, Tan, Greens, Pinks, Yellows, Blues - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: I
• Date: start January 22, 2007; put aside early February after 20 squares; picked up again May 28; put down again May 29, 2007; finally finished February 10, 2008

It's longer than it should be for a lap blanket, but it's done. This one took me a while to finish. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the brightly colored squares together, but when I added a wide white border, it pulled together.

• Size: 42 inches x 47 inches
• Colors: Dark Sage, Sage, Light Sage (Red Heart Super Saver)
• Pattern: Pinwheel Filet Granny Squares Lap Blanket - Greens - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start January 2; finish January 14

That's Jasmine (Jaz!) helping me layout the blanket for the photos!

• Size: 33 inches x 45 inches
• Colors: White, Cranberry, Claret, Dark Safe, Medium Sage, Sage (Red Heart Super Saver)
• Pattern: Flower Picture Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: I
• Date: start January 21; finish February 7

This is a simple picture afghan of a single flower, stem, 2 leaves, and 2 fallen petals. The free chart of the flower pattern is to the right.

The squares were crocheted following the Two-row Granny Square Pattern for Patchwork Quilt Picture Afghans I posted a few days ago. The border is something I made up as I went along: almost the same as dc in a standard up-down ripple pattern: 1 row white, 3 rows cranberry, 1 row dark sage.

• Size: 44 inches x 69 inches
• Colors: Black, Coconut, Country Blue, Dark Sage, Grey Heather, Autumn Red, Bone (Caron Simply Soft)
• Pattern: Patchwork Solid Granny Squares Blanket (my own)
• Hook: G
• Date: start August 25; finish September 30, 2007

This is the crochet project I got burned out doing in September. Ack, such dull colors (to me who likes the wild colors used for my Babette Blanket!), but I thought they would be good for a blanket for my stepson Bryan. The squares are the same style as used for Babette which is a common variation of the traditional granny square.

Because I don't like the join showing on one side of each square, I join in a corner instead (see the photo of the red square - there's no line down the center of any of the 4 sides). The square pattern is published as square #3 Square Target in the book "200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans" by Jean Eaton - AND, it is square #77 in "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" (with this mod: make each corner 2dc ch 2 2dc) by Leisure Arts. There is also an online version of the square pattern called "No Seam Granny Square" at Chez Crochet (scroll to bottom of page).

A chart detailing the color, size, and number of squares is below.

• Size: 58 inches x 75 inches (without border: 55 inches x 72 inches)
• Colors: Bone, Sage, Red, Red Violet, Limelight, Violet, Chocolate, Mango, Lemonade, Blue Mint, Grape, Soft Green, Berry Blue, Watermelon, Rubine Red, Iris (Caron Simply Soft) (see thumbnails of these colors!)
• Pattern: Babette Blanket - Design by Kathy Merrick (with modifications by me)
• Book: Interweave Crochet (magazine) - Spring 2006 - Copyright 2006 - Interweave Press
• Hook: G
• Date: start June 24; finish August 13 (but didn't work on it for a total of about 17 days during this time period)

[UPDATE January 2008: Interweave Press is offering the Babette Blanket pattern on their website!]

A larger view of the full-size completed Babette Blanket (I need to take a better photo!!!):

Simply put: I'm in love.

The default configuration:

To make the Babette Blanket in its original configuration (without the border; 55w x 51h) using worsted weight Caron Simply Soft yarn and a G hook, I used less than 1 skein of yarn for each of the 17 colors, including Color A. In addition, although the pattern says to use Color A for joining all the squares and panels, I instead used one of the colors of the squares that were being joined.

My additional panel:

By the time I had completed the additional panel I designed to make the blanket more rectangular (55w x 21h), I had still used only one skein of each color, but Color A C is very low.

For the border around the rectangular-shaped Babette Blanket, I used Colors R, K, and S in that order.

Below is the chart and layout of the additional panel I designed for my Babette Blanket - it is joined at the bottom of the original design (if you have the pattern for Babette, these will be familiar to you):

The pattern for the squares is a common variation of the traditional granny square. Because I don't like the join showing on one side of each square, I join in a corner instead. It is published as square #3 Square Target in the book "200 Crochet Blocks for Blankets, Throws, and Afghans" by Jean Eaton - AND, it is square #77 in "99 Granny Squares to Crochet" (with this mod: make each corner 2dc ch 2 2dc) by Leisure Arts. I just found this online version of the square pattern called "No Seam Granny Square" at Chez Crochet (scroll to bottom of page).

The value in using the Babette Blanket pattern created by Kathy Merrick published in the Spring 2006 Interweave Crochet magazine is having the color charts for the squares and the diagram of the square placement. Based on my experience creating the additional panel for my Babette Blanket, the planning of square placement and colors in the original pattern is excellent!

Thumbnails of the Caron Simply Soft colors I used:

Bone

Sage

• Size: 37 inches x 46 inches
• Colors: Scarlet, Rose, Off White (Caron One Pounder, Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Cluster and Lace Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: J
• Date: start February 9; finish February 17

After finishing the Calico Lap Blanket, there was still a bunch of red, pink, and white left so I started making squares with cluster centers surrounded by lacy white.

• Size: 39 inches x 50 inches
• Colors: Scarlet, Rose, Soft Sage, Off White (Caron One Pounder, Caron Perfect Match)
• Pattern: Calico (with modifications)
• Book: 40 Fabulous Afghans - ISBN 0-696-02357-01 - Designs by Patricia Bevans - Copyright 1993 - Meredith Press
• Hook: J
• Date: start February 4; finish February 9

Instead of photographing these last 3 finished blankets on the couch using what little light comes from the window, light from the light bulb, and flash on my digital camera, I tried natural light with no flash. The colors needed a lot of adjustment - and still aren't really right - and the angle of photographing them flat on a table top just doesn't work. I'm gonna switch back to the couch next time!

The "sc, ch 1, sk 1" is one of my favorite patterns because it's easy and repetitive (soothing) and versatile. It can be used for solid colors or a variety of stripes (like this blanket). It can also be used for ripples - in fact, it's a great pattern for scrap blankets with a lot of color changed (just carry the yarn from the end of one row to the beginning of another row a few rows later and cover those carried-over strands on the blanket edges with a border).

• Size: 35 inches x 45 inches
• Colors: Cape Cod Blue, Lace, Off White, Country Basket Ombre (Caron One Pound and Perfect Match)
• Pattern: 9-patch Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start January 4; finish January 21

Sometimes I forget how much I don't like the color blue...until I work on something that has a lot of blue. I was very relieved when this was done.

• Size: 31 inches x 42 inches
• Colors: Pink Lightning (dark pink), Orchid (light pink) (Red Heart Classic)
• Pattern: Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
• Hook: H
• Date: start January 13; finish January 17

My first finished lap blanket for this year! In only 5 days! I made up the pattern for each square as I went along.

Size: 35 inches x 49 inches
Colors: Scraps, Black (Red Heart)
Pattern: Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
Hook: H
Date: start December 20; finish December 28

Second of 3 lap blankets for 2007 donation finished during the holiday break from work.

Size: 39 inches x 51 inches
Colors: Scraps in Reds, Oranges, Grey, Black (Red Heart)
Pattern: Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
Hook: H
Date: start December 24; finish December 27

First of 3 lap blankets for 2007 donation finished during the holiday break from work. That's Cleo wondering how she can help me take the blanket photos.

Size: 36 inches x 50 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps in warm colors (Red Heart Classic and Super Saver)
Pattern: Granny Square Blanket (6 squares with unique patterns; 6 solid squares with same pattern) - Design by Cheryl Lambert
Hook: H
Date: start November 19; finish November 26

And this is the second of 2 custom granny squares lap blankets: the warm colors blanket.

Size: 33 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps in cool colors (Red Heart Classic and Super Saver)
Pattern: Granny Square Blanket (6 squares with unique patterns; 6 solid squares with same pattern) - Design by Cheryl Lambert
Hook: H
Date: start November 19; finish November 24

I started by making 12 unique granny squares in a variety of colors from my large collection of miscellaneous yarn scraps. When the 12 squares were done, it was obvious that there were 2 groups of colors: coolish and warmish. So I decided to make divide the 12 squares into 2 sets of 6 squares and make coordinating solid-color granny squares to coordinate with them. This is the first of the 2 resulting lap blankets: the cool colors blanket.

[Update 5:22pm December 7, 2006] This blanket is one of two I donated as a door prize to today's winter party at the college where I work. So, it is no longer a 2006 donation blanket.

Size: 44 inches x 53 inches
Colors: Browns, Taupe, Coral, Beige, White, Multi (Red Heart Classic and Super Saver)
Pattern: Granny Square Afghan - Design by Cheryl Lambert
Hook: H
Date: start November 12; finish November 19

[December 20, 2006] Bill and I decided to give this lap blanket to our neighbor Janet for Christmas. So, it's been removed from the list of blanket donations.

Size: 38 inches x 52 inches
Colors: Scraps in Autumn colors: Taupe (medium orange), 2 different Dark Browns, Medium Avocado (dark green), Light Avocado (light green), Bronze (dark orange), Off White, Cashmere (beige) (Red Heart)
Pattern: Variety of 20 squares chosen from this book
Book: 99 Granny Squares to Crochet- Leaflet 3078 - Copyright 1998 - Leisure Arts
Hook: H
Date: start October 28; finish November 6

The latest completed lap blanket for this year's donation. I still need to decide where I'm going to donate them to - either another convalescent hospital/nursing care facility or the local shelter.

[5:50pm November 16, 2006] I decided to give this blanket to Patrice for her birthday, which is today! So, this blanket is no longer on the donation list.

Size: 37 inches x 48 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps in 12 colors (Red Heart Classic)
Pattern: Basic Granny Square with variety of color changes
Hook: H
Date: start October 10; finish blanket #1 October 15; finish blanket #2 October 17, 2006 (that's Jasmine in the second photo!).

I decided to make 2 12-square lap blankets instead of a larger 24-square blanket. The black border around each square really makes the colors stand out!

Granny squares for the first blanket were joined from the front using "sc, ch 1, skip 1 st/sp on one side then again on the other side". Details: hold 2 squares wrong sides facing, sc in corner ch sp of front square, ch 1, sc in corner ch sp of back square, ch 1, sc in center dc of 3-dc group of front square, ch 1, sc in center dc of 3-dc group of back square, ch 1, sc in ch sp of front square, ch 1, sc in ch sp of back square, repeat around.

Granny squares for the second blanket were joined from the back using "sc, ch 1 in every other st/sp on both squares". Details: hold 2 squares right sides facing, sc through corner ch sp on both squares, ch 1, sc in center dc of 3-dc group on both squares, ch 1, sc in ch sp of both square, ch 1, repeat around.

My latest crochet blanket project uses the basic granny square pattern and 12 different colors to make 24 different squares. A color is used only once per square and for the same row on only 2 squares. For instance, light blue is used only once in a square, and light blue is used for row 1 for only 2 squares and used for row 2 for only 2 different squares, etc. It's been fun playing with 12 different colors!

I now have 24 uniquely-colored squares of 7 rows each. I plan to add 2 rows of black to each square, join them, and add a border. Before joining, I will decide whether to make 2 lap blankets with 12 squares each or one large blanket with 24 squares. The decision is based on what I would plan to do with the 24-square blanket.

Size: 36 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Blue Jewel, Mist Green, Light Periwinkle, Medium Navy (Red Heart Classic)
Pattern: Basic Granny Square with variety of color changes
Hook: H
Date: start October 2; finish October 8, 2006

Here's the second of 2 basic granny square lap blankets recently completed. Each of the 12 squares have different color change patterns of the light blue and mint green colors.

Size: 35 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Cameo Rose, Off White, Medium Avocado, Dark Avocado, Coffee (Red Heart Classic)
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Hook: H
Date: start September 24; finish September 30, 2006

I haven't felt much like following a written pattern (desiring mindless crocheting instead), so basic granny squares are the perfect mindless crochet project! This is the first of 2 basic granny square lap blankets recently completed.

Size: 39 inches x 50 inches
Colors: Pink scraps
Pattern: My own
Book: None
Hook: G
Date: February 2006

I used much of the pink scraps in my baby / light-weight worsted yarn stash for this lap blanket. I varied the flower petals on many of the flowers because flowers aren't symmetrical in real life and I thought it might make the afghan more interesting. The color combinations aren't exactly lovely, but they aren't downright ugly either. I hope it goes to someone who likes pink and flowers and will appreciate this blanket.

[December 20, 2006] Bill and I decided to give this girly-type lap blanket to his cousin Jim's wife, Ellen, for an early Christmas gift. So, it's been removed from the list of blanket donations.

(The baby blanket was given away before I realized I hadn't taken a photo. This is the yarn that was used.)

Size: (unknown - about 35 inches x 45 inches)
Colors: Newborn Print (variegated white with baby blue), White (solid) (Jamie Baby Yarn)
Pattern: 35 different granny square patterns (some modified in size or style from the pattern book)
Book: 99 Granny Squares to Crochet - Leaflet 3078 - Copyright 1998 - Leisure Arts
Hook: F
Date: February 2006

In mid-February, I got on a kick to get rid of as much baby yarn in my stash as I could. From a not-remembered source, I had 8 or 9 1.5-ounce skeins of Jamie Baby Yarn in Newborn Print. Without anything in particular in mind one evening, I made a granny square, then another, and soon I had a pile of 8 - all unique. I decided to continuing making unique granny squares from the 99 Granny Squares to Crochet book to make a baby blanket or lap blanket to be given away to some as-yet unknown place or person.

After 35 granny squares (7 x 5), I didn't have enough of the Newborn Print yarn to connect the squares and add a border, so I bought some Jamie Baby Yarn in solid White for that purpose - it worked perfectly!

The blanket was quite lovely to look at when completed! Too bad I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a picture of it before it was given away!

Size: 38 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps
Pattern: Mixed granny squares
Book: None
Hook: J
Date: January 2006

Yarn ends will be tied in later.

Size: 38 inches x 52 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps
Pattern: Basic granny square
Book: None
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

Yarn ends will be tied in later.

Size: 37 inches x 49 inches
Colors: White, Scraps
Pattern: Hexagon Granny
Book: Scrap Bag Afghans - Leaflet 2494 - Copyright 1993 - Leisure Arts
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

[Update 5:22pm December 7, 2006] This blanket is one of two I donated as a door prize to today's winter party at the college where I work. So, it is no longer a 2006 donation blanket.

Size: 35 inches x 45 inches
Colors: White, Scraps
Pattern: Double Trouble (Star Squares) - Design by Kathleen Garen
Book: Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans - ISBN 1-59217-004-8 - Copyright 2003 - House of White Birches
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

Size: 35 inches x 45 inches
Colors: Scraps in cool colors
Pattern: Double Trouble (Star Squares) - Design by Kathleen Garen
Book: Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans - ISBN 1-59217-004-8 - Copyright 2003 - House of White Birches
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

I became a lap afghan crocheting machine! This is one of 8 started and completed between December 12 and January 1.

Size: 35 inches x 45 inches
Colors: Scraps in warm colors
Pattern: Double Trouble (Star Squares) - Design by Kathleen Garen
Book: Big Book of Scrap Crochet Afghans - ISBN 1-59217-004-8 - Copyright 2003 - House of White Birches
Hook: K
Date: December 2005

The Double Trouble afghan has two square patterns: Star Square and Box Square. I liked the Star Square a lot so I used only that pattern for this lap blanket.

Date: December 2005

Top row:

1. Colors: Wood Violet (light purple) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #5 - Design by Patty Kowaleski
   Book: Corner Bookmarks - Leaflet 2749 - Copyright 1995 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
2. Colors: Orchid Pink (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Pineapple - Design by Judy Teague Treece
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)
3. Colors: Red, Forest Green, Maize (yellow) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Classic Bookmarks: Flower - Design by Barbara Neid (modified to make petals fatter and add a second leaf)
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)
4. Colors: Bridal Blue (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Cross Stitch - Design by Brenda Stratton for Crochet Trends & Traditions
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
5. Colors: Burgundy (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Classic Bookmarks: Butterfly - Design by Barbar Neid
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)

Bottom row:

6. Colors: Cream, Violet (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: Mile-A-Minute - Design by Kyleigh Hawke
   Book: 3 Dozen & One Bookmarks - Leaflet 873720 - Copyright 2002 - Annie's Attic
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
7. Colors: Cream, Maize (yellow) (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #5 (pineapples)
   Book: Crocheted Bookmarks - Leaflet 2594 - Designs by Cindy Peecher - Copyright 1994 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 4 (2.0 mm)
8. Colors: Mint (light green), Forest Green (Royal Classic, size 10)
   Pattern: #7
   Book: Granny Square Bookmarks - Leaflet 2631 - Designs by Carolyn Pfeifer - Copyright 1994 - Leisure Arts
   Hook: 7 (1.5 mm)

For a few co-workers this Christmas.

Size: 35 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Scraps
Pattern: My own
Hook: K
Date: November 2005

Hmmm, I didn't quite have the pattern right for the valley of the ripple until the last few rows.

Colors: Melon, Lavender, Pastel Yellow, Spring Green, White (Lion Brand Baby Soft)
Date: November 2005

Afghan Size: 34 inches x 44 inches
Pattern: Squares
Book: Snuggle-Up Baby Afghan - Leaflet 3205 - Designs by Carole Rutter Tippett - Copyright 2000 - Leisure Arts
Hook: F

Jacket and Booties Patterns: Rainbow Set
Book: Baby's Best to Knit and Crochet - Leaflet 191 - Designs by Helen Passey - Copyright 1981 - Leisure Arts
Hook: F

The second of two layettes sets for two new babies on their way in Bill's family - both of his second cousins - one baby is due in late December/early January and the other in April. Since the first layette set seems to lean toward a girl, this set is for a boy or a girl.

Recently, Jimmy/Sarah learned they were having a boy - and I'm thinking that I may make a boy-specific layette set...or maybe not...

Size: 38 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Olympic Blue, Blue Jewel, Dark Old Rose, Pale Rose (Red Heart Classic)
Pattern: Bars and Squares
Book: Unique Granny Afghans by Anne Halliday - Leaflet 957 - Copyright 1990 - Leisure Arts
Hook: I
Date: June 2005

I love multicolored blankets using squares or motifs or stripes, but they take longer to finish because all the yarn ends need to be hidden. Bars and Squares is a twist on the basic granny.

Size: 78 inches x 95 inches
Colors: Black, scraps
Pattern: (From a variety of crochet pattern books, leaflets, and some I made up on my own)
Book: Various
Hook: Mostly H
Date: March 2005

In the first photo, that's Cleo on the left and Jasmine (Jaz) in the bottom right corner.

I started this blanket February 21 and finished it March 27. It's taken me this long to get around to posting photos! And, of course, I either forgot to measure it or misplaced the measurements. I'll ask Greg to measure it for me - done: The blanket is 78 inches x 95 inches. I have photos of each of the 35 squares and will (sometime) be posting them too.

The blanket was made for Lauren (my son's girlfriend) just because. As it turns out, the blanket arrived a few days before her 25th birthday on April 18!

General descriptions of the squares are...

Row 1: Flower, Turtle (stuffed head), U.S. flag variation, Mondrian inspired, Cat (applique)

Row 2: Puffs square motif, Puffs variegated (row by row), Daisy, Zig Zag, Post textured (solid color, rows from center)

Row 3: Lion's head, Peppermint, Diagonal square motif, Heart in Puffs, Daffodil

Row 4: Square motif, Green leaves motif, Small diagonal square motif, Shells in rows, Wrapped gift

Row 5: Offset granny square, Watermelon, Blue flower granny motif, Spooky cat, Gold star

Row 6: Checkerboard, Rainbow on black and white (my own pattern), White and yellow flower, Puffs variegated (rows from center), Spiral Square

Row 7: Alternating Puffs (solid color), Post textured (variegated, row by row), Polar bear head (a teddy bear pattern in white), U.S. flag with one star, Blue flower

Here's what I've been working on... The 35 squares for Lauren's "bold colors and abstract" blanket were completed Friday afternoon during the needle arts group I started two weeks ago at work. Friday evening (after a yummy dinner with Bill at La Imperial in Hayward), I began crocheting the squares together into columns (in my mind, rows go left to right and columns go up and down), and on Sunday began crocheting the columns together.

When I talked with Greg this weekend, he asked me to send him a photo of Lauren's blanket "in progress" - the photo above was taken yesterday evening before I began that night's work on it.

Hmmm, it isn't quite "abstract" but there's no theme and none of the squares are identical.

Size: 34 inches x 52 inches
Colors: Pale Blue, Medium Blue, Pink, White, Pale Yellow (Caron Dazzelaire)
Pattern: My own (4 different granny square patterns)
Hook: G
Date: January 2005

Way back in October last year, I posted photos of 4 coordinated granny square designs I had created. I still haven't gotten around to writing the patterns down, but I did finally finish a lap blanket using the patterns and baby-colored (pastels) Dazzelaire yarn from my stash (plus some yellow I had to buy when I ran out of enough yarn to connect the squares together!!). The blanket was started on September 22, put aside when other projects became more interesting, rediscovered in my recent craft room reorganization spree, and finished on January 19. It's the first lap blanket I've finished for this fall's donation to a local convalescent home.

Size: X-large
Colors: Aran (cream), Buff (tan), Aspen Print (variegated) (Red Heart Super Saver)
Pattern: Classic Cardigan - Design by Darla Sims
Book: 101 Granny Squares, New Motifs for Contemporary Designs - Copyright 2004 - The Needlecraft Shop - ISBN 1-57367-168-1
Hook: J, K
Date: January 2005
Adjustments to pattern: Alternated puffs on sleeves, added 1 row of puffs and 1 row of sc around body bottom, added row of sc around cuffs, added rows to the edging to make the collar wide enough to roll over, adjusted hook sizes for my gauge (pattern says to use K and L for x-large), crocheted a belt using Aran.

Da-da-done! I finished my first cardigan/sweater on Friday evening! I wore it today when I took myself to see a movie (In Good Company with Dennis Quaid and Topher Grace - good!). I showed it to Mom yesterday before I took her out for her birthday lunch, and she said I looked like a snowball. A snowball! Harrumph. She then asked "Did you have fun making it?" and was pleased that I had. Hmmm, I'm not easily insulted - snowball indeed!

The sleeves are too long by about 2 inches, even though I held them up to my arm to measure. Who knew the sleeves would grow once they were attached? I'm considering removing them and reducing their length, but I'm not sure whether I want to go through the hassle of finding the hidden yarn ends...it's not a pleasant way to spend my time...

The photo accompanying the pattern shows alternating puffs on the sleeves, but I followed the directions a few times and the puffs were lining up vertically. So, I ended up doing my own thing to get the puffs to alternate.

[Update January 23, 2005] I removed the sleeves, shortened them by 3 rows of puffs and 3 rows of sc), and sewed them back on. Perfect fit!

The twists and turns (cables) in the Twists & Turns afghan I'm making for Deb started to bother my right wrist (even with the wonderful Clover Soft Touch Crochet Hooks, Back Triple Crochets in the previous 2 stitches are tough on the wrist!), so Thursday evening I started a cardigan from 101 Granny Squares. My first sweater! Ever! I chose a cardigan instead of a pull-over sweater because my internal heater nowadays runs from warm to hot and it's easier to remove a cardigan to cool off!

I stopped by Jo-Ann Fabrics in Dublin after work Thursday to see what yarn, if any, was on sale (sale-priced yarn is excellent for donated blankets) and was very attracted to Buff (tan) and Aran (creamy off-white) yarn. So I bought 4 skeins of each with the intention of starting my first for-donation lap blanket of 2005... Once arriving home, however, I spotted the 101 Granny Squares book, picked it up, and was lost in the thought of making the Classic Cardigan pattern in Buff and Aran. From my stash, I selected a variegated third color: Aspen Print. While I'm well aware that Red Heart is not the softest yarn, I have hope that, after a few washings, the cardigan will be softer!

The back and front were finished by Sunday evening. In 3.5 hours last night while watching the second two installments of 24 (with the lovelier-as-he-gets-older Jack Bauer, err, Kiefer Sutherland!), I made one sleeve, attached it to the cardigan's body, and hid yarn ends.

I should have a new sweater in a day or two!

Size: 17 inches wide x 26 inches long x 6.5 inches high
Colors: Red Heart Paddy Green, Forest Green, Emerald, Candy (multi)
Pattern: Tommy Turtle
Book: Marshall Cavendish Limited, Deck 9, 1985
Hook: G
Date: October 2004

Because I overstuffed his body, Tommy's shell was initially too small. So, I made 9 more motifs and added them to the shell, but then each side looked like it was missing a chunk...so I made 2 more motifs. When all were assembled, I placed the shell on top of his body and discovered the shell was too big! So, I put Tommy aside and allowed myself to get distracted by Tj's shawl and beret.

Thursday after dinner, I made up my mind what needed to be done with Tommy's shell: remove 3 motifs from one end. That meant digging out yarn ends I'd already hidden, pulling out connecting and edging borders around those motifs, recreating connecting edges and borders around the remaining motifs that had been attached to the 3 removed ones. It took about 2.5 hours, but it was well worth the effort since the shell is now more in proportion to Tommy's body! Then, he got his eyes and mouth and was finished!

Tommy Turtle came to work with me Friday to show himself off. He watched me work the whole day and came home with me for the weekend so I could take photos for this site. Right now, I think he'll live in my office at work and keep me company!

A few weeks ago, I created these 4 granny squares on-the-fly using stitches I've picked up over the years. As you can see, they are very similar and are well coordinated for a blanket or shawl or slippers or whatever granny-square item you desire!

The patterns will be published on this site...as soon as I get them written down.

Size: (Unknown - blanket was donated in November 2004 without remembering to measure it first)
Colors: Variegated Purple, White
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Book: None
Date: September 2004

Pictured in the first photo are Bubba (top left) and Cleo (top right).

This basic granny square lap blanket uses scrap fuzzy-like yarn in variegated purple and white, including two different brands of white (I thought they were close enough in texture and color). I was going to add a border around it, but there isn't enough of either of the white or of the multi-purple yarn. Since I haven't found white yarn that matches, I've decided to leave it borderless.

(3, 4) Tommy with his shell centered on his back. His butt still hangs out!

I bought more polyester fiberfill last night and finished stuffing Tommy, sewed on his tail and legs - and then realized I had overstuffed his body when I discovered his shell was too small!!! He was going to suffer from a cold butt if I didn't make his shell larger, so I made 9 additional motifs and will add them to his shell this weekend. Instead of a roundish shell, he'll have an oval one! He will hopefully be completed and ready to come to work with me Monday morning!

I began stuffing Tommy last night, but ran out of polyester fiberfill! A visit to Michaels is on my list for tonight or tomorrow! I also need black felt to make his eyes and mouth.

The first photo is Tommy's body and head top, feet, tail, and head gussets. The second is the first 3 of 18 pieces for his shell.

Size: 37 1/2 inches x 52 1/2 inches
Colors: Turquoise, Oranges, Red, White
Pattern: Hexagon Granny
Book: Scrap Bag Afghans - Leaflet 2494 - Designs by Carole Prior - Copyright 1993 - Leisure Arts
Hook: I
Date: September 2004

The second of two hexagon lap blankets I finished earlier this month using various brands of donated and leftover yarn. The hexagons for this blanket were also started during this month's heat wave. I ran out of turquoise yarn so Mom and I stopped by Michaels after lunch together one weekend and selected the creamy white for the last 4 hexagons, the connecting border (slip stitch every other stitch), and the border. This blanket is quite beautiful!

Size: 35 inches x 50 inches
Colors: Purples, Lime Green, Yellow, White
Pattern: Hexagon Granny
Book: Scrap Bag Afghans - Leaflet 2494 - Designs by Carole Prior - Copyright 1993 - Leisure Arts
Hook: H
Date: September 2004

One of two hexagon lap blankets I finished earlier this month. It uses donated and leftover yarn of various brands. The hexagons were completed earlier this month during the heat wave and were put together afterward. I was going to make the entire blanket using purples, lime green, and white - but I ran out of lime green! That's when I added yellow. With the hexagons strategically placed, the odd color combinations work well!

Here's the bottom of Tommy Turtle's body and head! I started it a few hours ago. It feels different (nice too!) to work on something other than a blanket pattern!

Instead of starting Tommy Friday night, we went out to dinner at La Imperial mexican restaurant in Hayward and then I settled in for the evening with the baby colors granny square blanket I had already started. I'm creating my own 4 designs for the blanket's squares. I'll publish the patterns in this blog later.

Size: 38 inches x 46 1/2 inches
Colors: Painted Desert (multi), Greens, Claret, Rose, Brown, Blues
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Book: None
Date: Early 2004

Completed sometime January, February, or May 2004.

Size: 31 inches x 51 inches
Colors: White, Pastels (scraps)
Pattern: Colorful Granny (same as Granny's Daughter) - Design by Nancy Fuller
Book: Granny's Delight Afghans - Leaflet 75021 - Copyright 2000 - Leisure Arts
Date: Early 2004

Completed sometime January, February, or May 2004.

Size: 36 inches x 36 inches
Colors: Greens, Black, Oranges, White (scraps)
Pattern: Center: Starflower Retreat - Design by Kathy Wesley; Remaining rows are my own pattern
Book: The Ultimate Book of Scrap Afghans - Leaflet 1272 - Copyright 1999 - American School of Needlework
Date: August 2004

This single granny square was created using one of the squares leftover from the 12-square Starflower Retreat oranges-greens-red-black lap blanket. The center circle and black square around it is from the pattern. I made up all other rows around it.

Size: 37 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Blues and Greens
Pattern: Granny Square (I wrote down the pattern by studying the squares and posted it here.)
Book: (Unknown)
Date: June 2004

I gathered a bunch of leftover blue and green yarn together and made this lap blanket using the granny square pattern I've used for several other blankets (printed pattern lost or misplaced a long time ago).

Size: 41 inches x 41 inches
Colors: Mixed (scrap yarn)
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Book: None
Date: June 2004

This blanket is another single, large granny square. Again, colors were switched when the yarn ran out.

Size: 39 inches x 39 inches
Colors: Mixed (scrap yarn)
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Book: None
Date: June 2004

This blanket is a single, large granny square. I switched colors when the yarn ran out which results in a totally random and vibrant color scheme.

Date: August 1981

I've been looking through old photo albums this week - and found this August 1981 photo (on the left) of my favorite granny square blanket. I made it for my new double bed - which the blanket covers in the photo.

In 1990-1991, I wanted to make a king-size version of this blanket using a different set of colors for our bed, but I didn't have the pattern anymore (Mom may have it in her collection of pattern books). I ended up re-creating the pattern by studying the old blanket. I'm not a pro at writing out crochet patterns so I don't know all the do's and don'ts, but here is the pattern described as I know how to describe it.

Size: 37 inches x 47 inches
Colors: Canary Yellow, Navy Blue, Mexicana (rainbow multi)
Pattern: #9 Floral Sampler
Book: Romancing the Afghan - 10 Designs - Leaflet 2881 - Copyright 1996 - Leisure Arts
Date: November 2003

My boss asked me if I would make a lap blanket for her mother. She liked the hexagon blanket I made in purples and black so I said I'd make another hexagon blanket with the yarn she bought for the blanket. She and her father went shopping at Michaels and picked canary yellow and navy because they were looking for something bright - and the yellow is just that: bright!

I made several hexagons with just the yellow and navy but it just wasn't working for me (i.e., I didn't like it!) so I bought some Mexicana - a bright rainbow-colored yarn - to tie together the yellow and navy. The resulting blanket is more cheery and colorful than just a 2-tone hexagon-style blanket.

The blanket pattern has 3 different styles of hexagons, but I used only the 2 styles I liked. Each hexagon is unique.

The solid navy half hexagons use a pattern I created myself specifically for this blanket. (I'll post it soon.)

I finished crocheting covers for five 12-inch pillows for women I met in the past 3+ months in a class at Kaiser. I forgot to take photos (of course!) of the pillows before giving 4 of them away. The 5th (pictured above) is in now my car so I can drop it off. Each pillow was very different from the others in pattern, texture, and color (light blue/light grey/white, dark rose/medium rose/white, purples/greens, gold/white/burgundy, blues/white). They were fun to make! I bought the 12-inch pillows at Michaels Craft Store and crocheted large granny squares for each side, then crocheted the sides together around the pillow.

I also forgot to take photos of the 19-inch pillow I made for Tamela before giving it to her last Wednesday. Oh, well...the pattern for each side was the same as one 4-square block in the blanket I made for her.

Size: 31.5 inches x 45 inches
Colors: Brown, Taupe, Claret, Painted Desert (multi)
Pattern: Nine Patch Granny - Design by Martha Brooks Stein
Book: Granny's Delight Afghans - Leaflet number not indicated - Copyright 2000 - Leisure Arts
Date: July 2003

Just in case you think I've done only gardening recently...here's the latest lap blanket, completed last night.

I customized the pattern to use 6 9-patch squares (2 x 3) instead of 12 (3 x 4). This made the blanket smaller. I wasn't getting a 3-inch square using the I crochet hook so I moved up to a J. Even with the J hook, the blanket was still not wide enough so I customized the border by adding a row of double-crochet in Claret and finished it off with another 2 rows of the pattern's single-crochet border in Brown. The blanket still isn't as wide as I usually make them (about 35 inches), but it is good enough.

I also had some trouble sewing all the squares together - I was apparently pulling too tight so the squares pucker a bit. That's probably another reason why the blanket isn't wide enough.

165 squares = Lots of yarn ends. Let's see:

• 165 squares x 2 yarn ends per square = 330 yarn ends
• 11 rows of 15 squares = 14 seams per row x 2 yarn ends per seam = 28 yarn ends
• 11 rows = 10 seams but since I must use yarn matching the color of one of the squares being sewn together, let's assume there are 4 colors changes on average per row, so 10 seams x 4 color changes x 2 yarn ends per color change = 80 yarn ends

So, I've woven in approximately 330 + 28 + 80 = 438 yarn ends into this blanket. The tip of my thumb has been a bit sore for a few days.

Repeat after me: I will never do a blanket with so many small squares or color changes ever again.

Size: 37 inches x 52.5 inches (crib size)
Colors: Light Blue, White, Cream, Medium Yellow, Medium Blue
Pattern: #47 Ripple Stitch
Book: 63 Easy-To-Crochet Pattern Stitches Combine To Make An Heirloom Afghan - Leaflet 555 - Designs by Darla Sims - Copyright 1987 - Leisure Arts
Date: June 2003

My husband's cousin's daughter (Jackie) and husband (Jason) had a baby boy (Jack) on May 29. I don't know her well, but I thought it would be nice for us to give her and baby Jack a hand-made crocheted baby blanket. So, I pulled out a few plastic tubs of yarn, selected sport-weight yarn in baby colors, and spent quite a bit of time looking through pattern books for something I wanted make. I selected a square pattern that has bumps (I like texture). I made 4 squares in medium blue and then cross-stitched the letters of Jack's name on them. The border uses the same medium blue. The other squares are arranged randomly so that no two squares of the same color are next to each other. After I started the blanket, I learned that the colors selected for the baby's room are blue and yellow, so this blanket will fit right in!

I finished weaving the yarn ends into the blanket last night, took the photos this morning, so the blanket is ready to be shipped to Oregon on Monday. It's a surprise!

Size: 35 inches x 44.5 inches
Colors: Scraps
Pattern: Varied Squares Afghan
Book: Woman's Day Super Special Granny Squares & Crocheted Fashions (magazine) - published September 1988 - Copyright 1988
Date: May 2003

I wanted to try this pattern because it is so different from other granny square blanket patterns. Granny square blankets usually have squares all the same size created using the same pattern (which helps keep the gauge the same for all squares), although the patterns can be different if the gauge is the same for each square. This pattern uses squares of different sizes: 4 rows for the smallest to 16 rows for the largest. The squares are arranged to form a rectangle. The actual pattern makes a larger blanket than the one I made since I had to trim off a section of it to make it lap blanket size instead of full size. So, what you see in the photo is the first two-thirds of a full-size blanket. With a full-size blanket, there would be another section of mixed-size squares on the right side of the blanket.

I switched colors every 4 rows for each square. The pattern actually says to switch colors for the fourth row and then switch back again - so that the blanket is more uniform in design. Since I'm mostly using scraps, I did my own thing with the pattern.

Since the yarn I used was not the same type/brand/thickness, the squares didn't all meet in the right places so some of the squares are a little puffy instead of smooth, but overall I like the pattern so will probably try it again using the same type of yarn next time.

Size: 37.5 inches x 41 inches
Colors: Black, Purple, Variegated Purple
Pattern: #9 Floral Sampler
Book: Romancing the Afghan - Leaflet 2881 - Copyright 1996 - Leisure Arts
Date: May 2003

Earlier this month, Leslie B. from work visited Michaels Craft Store with her mom and bought 4 skeins of yarn to donate to my lap blanket projects! Very sweet! I used the solid purple and mixed purple skeins with some black yarn I already had on hand to make this hexagon granny blanket.

I've never made a hexagon blanket before and realized after putting the blanket togther that I shouldn't have added one more row to each of the hexagons. The hexagons are sewn together in columns and only every other column is the same length - the columns in between are either shorter or longer, depending on how the hexagons are arranged. So, there were spaces the size of 1/2 a hexagon on the top and bottom edges - spaces which were larger than they should have been because of the extra row I added to each hexagon, spaces which made the blanket less efficient for keeping feet and tops of thighs warm. So, I made up a half circle pattern to fill-in the spaces on the top and bottom edges. The last photo is a closeup of one of the filled-in half-circle spaces.

[Update December 2, 2003]

Here's a half hexagon pattern I created.

Size: 33.5 inches x 44 inches
Colors: Forest Green, Army Green, Cream
Pattern: European Afghan (variation of Basic Granny Square)
Book: Woman's Day Super Special Granny Squares & Crocheted Fashions (magazine) - published September 1988 - Copyright 1988
Date: April 2003

I love forest green and since I hadn't done a green blanket yet, this was just the right project. The variation of the basic granny square is so fast to make - it requires almost no thought (i.e., is automatic and soothing). The beige/off-white yarn has a slightly yellow tint to it. I used the basic pattern of the European Afghan squares and did my own thing.

Size: 34 inches x 48 inches
Colors: Black, Scraps
Pattern: Stained Glass Afghan (Basic Granny Square)
Book: Woman's Day Super Special Granny Squares & Crocheted Fashions (magazine) - published September 1988 - Copyright 1988
Date: April 2003

I finished this multicolored and solid basic granny square lap blanket around mid-April. It was inspired by a blanket the Stained Glass pattern which had some squares in solid colors and other squares in a multi-colored yarn of the same tones. Since I didn't have any multicolored yarn, I used other colors. I decided to create alternating strips of solid squares and multicolored squares. There is a scheme to the placement of the multi-colored squares - can you see it? (Answer: From left to right, the inner color in one square becomes the outer color of the next square.)

Size: 32.5 inches x 46 inches
Colors: Yellow, Cyan
Pattern: Basic Granny Square
Book: None
Date: February 2003

I had so much yellow yarn leftover from the Yellow Lace Swirls blanket. It was the same type of yarn as some leftover cyan yarn, so I decided to make a lap blanket using this unusual combination of colors. I don't necessary like the combo, but someone else might.

The pattern is a basic granny square. Each square is unique. I tried to place the squares in a pattern that was balanced overall for the entire blanket.

Size: 34.5 inches x 44 inches
Colors: Navy, Royal Blue, Sky Blue, White
Pattern: Clay's Choice Afghan (pattern modified to lap blanket size)
Book: Patchwork Grannys for Afghans, Pillows & Bedspreads - Leaflet 267 - Designs by Diane Marie Goff - Copyright 1983 - Leisure Arts
Date: January 2003

In December 2002 when my husband was looking for Christmas tree decorations in the "attic" of our garage, he came across a box marked "Cheryl's Yarn." Lo-and-behold! Guess what was in it? 2 unfinished blankets I had started in the late 1980s or early 1990s before I stopped crocheting due to tendonitis in both wrists in March 1992.

There were 99 3.5-inch squares for this blanket in the box. The original afghan pattern needs 176 squares. I redesigned the pattern to be a lap blanket size (about 35 inches x 45 inches) requiring 130 squares and made the additional squares. 2 squares from the original 99 didn't fit into the redesigned pattern so these will be taken apart and used for scrap blanket yarn.

When I was putting together the blues-and-white "found" blanket, I discovered that I didn't have any more Royal Blue or Soft White yarn needed to stitch together about half of the squares. Using the Light Navy or Baby Blue on the Soft White and Royal Blue seams wouldn't look good. So, I stopped by Michaels Craft Store, compared the squares I'd brought as samples with the yarn they had and bought just what I needed! The Royal Blue matches exactly. The Soft White is just a little off, but good enough. Fancy that - matching yarn that is 10+ years old!

The first photo above is the blanket after I laid it out on the kitchen table. I managed to get the rows organized before any of the cats decided to "help" me.

I will probably never do another blanket like this - it has entirely too many small squares which means entirely too many ends to hide and too many squares to sew together. Although I do like the detail provided by smaller squares. Hmmm, maybe one day I'll feel like doing a small square blanket again.

Size: (1) 36 inches x 45 inches, (2, 3) 36 inches x 54 inches
Colors: Mixed Rose/Pinks, Mixed Blues, Mixed Purples, Mixed Yellows, White, Navy
Pattern: (Unknown) (Mom thinks she may have the pattern somewhere though so I may get that info here someday.) [Update May 2, 2004: I wrote down the pattern by studying the squares and posted it here.]
Book: (Unknown)
Date: Squares started sometime in 1990; completed October 2002; donated in December 2002 to the convalescent home where my grandfather stayed.

The colors are a bit off - that is not red or dark orange in the multicolored blanket; it is supposed to be a deep rose.

In late September 2002, I went through the yarn, crochet books, and crocheted squares for the king-size bedspread blanket I was making in 1991 before my wrists problems started. Because we have 3 cats now (we had only 1 then) and because there were so many more squares to make (that I didn't want to do) to finish the king-size blanket, I decided to make 3 lap blankets with the 68 squares instead.

Each square is 9 inches x 9 inches, so that makes the 20-square blue-and-purple blanket about 36 inches x 45 inches and the 24-square multicolored (blue, rose, yellow and purple) blankets about 36 inches x 54 inches.

Hmmm, can you spot the mistake in the blue-and-purple blanket? Hint: No 2 squares alike should be adjacent to each other, including diagonally.

I started planning the king-size blanket in 1990 or 1991. The colors are great! Each square has 3 coordinated colors with a navy blue border. There are 4 sets of colors, with 3 colors in each set (13 colors total). I bought all the yarn, made a plan for how many squares I'd need, and began making a lot of squares.

I stopped working on the king-size blanket (and cross-stitch crafts) in March 1992 after being diagnosed with repetitive stress in both wrists/arms.

The notes I found with the blanket squares indicate that I made some more squares for the blanket in January 1993. It bothered my wrists so I stopped working on it and put all my craft stuff away again.

In September last year, about 10 years later, I dragged it all out out again. I'd been thinking about it off and on since at least early June but hadn't actually done anything about it.

There were about 50 skeins of unused yarn in a variety of colors, most of was bought for the king-size blanket. A lot of the lap blankets I've created use this left-over yarn.

Crocheting is relaxing and I can listen to TV or talk while doing it. So, I can be doing something more useful while I watch TV and hang out with my hubby in the living room. I've been enjoying crocheting again - I used to enjoy doing a lot before I had to stop. It was a destressor and a creative pursuit. It's even better when there's a purpose for what I'm making - such as the lap blankets for the convalescent home or a gift for a baby.