Blankie Two

Most of you will recall when I crocheted The Boy his very own afghan. Neighbor Debbie (who really was my neighbor at the time!) patiently helped me recall basic crocheting and taught me a few new stitches. I decided to make him one because both girls had a couple of afghans a piece from family members, but The Boy didn't have one of his own. I went large with that afghan. I didn't have a pattern, just some basic instincts. It was, of course, green with some brown mixed in. That boy of mine is very possessive of "Blankie" and it has travelled all over Georgia and South Carolina since its creation.

Little did I know it would raise a little bit of discord at The Edge. Next thing I knew? He and The Man were almost fighting over it. The two of them would sit in the recliner or lay on the couch before bedtime (to wind down) with that Blankie. When The Boy would go to bed, Blankie went with him. No matter how much The Man begged for him to leave Blankie...no dice.

Down the road of life a little ways, military life intruded and my friend, Coty, moved North. Before moving, she did some purging and offered me the yarn she had no plans for. I happily accepted because I knew eventually I would use it for something.

That "something" soon arrived. One day I was looking at my basket of yarn and I noticed there were quite a few skeins that were the same brand. Hmmmmmmmmmm. I decided to take all the hodge podge colors and make The Man his own Blankie. It wasn't going to have much rhyme or reason to it, just something to keep him warm when he was relaxing. I decided not to make it as thick as The Boy's because his weighs so much he can barely tote it! (What was I thinking??)

Crazy me tackled this project at one of the busiest times of my life. Planning and executing a retirement ceremony and starting a new chapter in our lives. The few minutes I took here and there helped me focus.

Christmas arrived before I knew it and I so wanted that blanket done for Christmas. It wasn't like it was a surprise but it was Christmas, Internets! I finished all but the border and decided to go ahead and put it in a gift box. No lie, I put the two skeins of yarn AND the crochet hook in that box. I had to! We were in the midst of moving and I needed to keep it all together. The Man was so appreciative and I promised over and over I would finish it soon.

Fast forward a month and I found that box. I took out the blanket and yarn and set it to the side. A few days later I decided to finish that border so my husband would have his blanket. The Boy was all excited and telling his Dad that "Blankie Two" was almost done!

I am soooo glad to say that Blankie Two is officially done and has already been broken in properly by every member of the family. The Boy can hoard Blankie One and not have to share with anyone, but insists that Dad share his.

Like I said, no rhyme or reason, but I think in the end, the colors kind of go together pretty good. The yellow stripe in the middle is my favorite. I think it keeps it from being too "earthy". (Pretty little pillow with pineapples in the corner courtesy of Carla Girl.) Note there are no close up pictures to show the many flaws that seasoned crocheters (is that a word?) could see. Maybe now I can focus on getting projects around the house done!