When I visited my parents at Christmas, my mom and I decided to work together to make a blanket for my brother. Our assignment was to knit (Carol) or crochet (Mom) a bunch of squares that Mom will then stitch together. The materials?

Bags and bags and balls and balls of cotton yarn that Mom made from unraveling a whole heck of a lot of sweaters bought for cheapo at the Goodwill while she was staying with me when we first moved to VA.

Having just finished up another knitted/crocheted quilt, I know how hard it is to get the squares all the right size. Mom said we should just shoot for squares that were 8″ wide. So, my first one is really long and, um, not 8″ wide. Oh well. Then I made the green one. It, I am proud to say, is 8″ square. The creamsicle square I just finished is 8″ long and about 7″ wide. So, I turned it sideways. Of course, my Mom tells me she is making her squares all 8″x8″. Show off. She’s also finished at least 6 squares to my 3. (SHOW OFF!)

I’ve started my fourth square in purple and burnt orange. It’s looking to be maybe 8.5″ wide. I suppose if I was doing the same pattern on each one it wouldn’t be so hard to keep things the right size, but I’m trying to do each one differently.