Love blanket in the works

It's approaching the two-year mark of our marriage and that means gift-giving time! We're trying to be creative and stick with those silly anniversary gift guidelines. You know, the ones that say the first year is paper, second year is cotton and so on...Well, once upon a time, they were practical. Like when letter-writing was common, it made sense to splurge and get new stationery with your married name on it the first year or get some towels or bed linens for cotton during the second year. Thankfully, we were blessed with family and friends who got us very nice bed linens, and we don't need towels because we're still using the mismatched ones we had when we lived apart. (Why not? They're still good!) So, what to get each other (not that we really have to, it's just fun) has been on our minds. I thought it would be fun to crochet us a blanket that we could snuggle together under. I wonder what Jason's come up with...

Frances' Ripple Afghan

During a visit with Grandma Schad, she mentioned that her friend Frances, who had died several years ago, had started crocheting a ripple afghan before her death. Grandma gave me the unfinished afghan and asked if I thought I could complete it with the skeins of yarn that were with it. I agreed to try. I guessed at the gauge, counted the stitches and tried to imagine the pattern in completion. I think I did a pretty good job, if I do say so myself, and it was an honor to complete a piece for such a good friend and accomplished crocheter.

Stash bust! OR Amanda's blanket of many colors

In my limited downtime, I am crocheting a colorful ripple afghan made of yarn given to me and leftover from various projects. I think it's kind of ugly, but I still like it. Plus, when I'm finished it will keep someone warm, and I'll have room for new yarn for new projects. Yeah!