This isn’t the best shot of the colors, unfortunately, but you can see the general idea of the blanket. I definitely like this one MUCH better than the last.

I’m even enjoying the yarn, which is amazing me, because it’s acrylic. It’s Vanna’s Choice Baby, and I really like working with it. It’s incredibly soft, not squeaky at all, and I think the resulting blanket will be soft and easy to clean.

Now I just need to sit down for a marathon TV-watching session and get the last few rows done!

This is why you never say “never.” Because this week, I was very, very excited about potholders.

After sending my finished potholders in to the swap, I waited (im)patiently for my return package that would contain five potholders from various other swappers. Look at what arrived on my doorstep on Wednesday:

Are they not incredible? Wow, they’re all so different, but each of them is so fantastic.

Thank you to Lucia from Ohio, Cindy from Texas, Oiyi from New York, Heather from Massachusetts and Lulu from Colorado! These are all absolutely gorgeous, beautifully made, and so unique.

I’m not the only one who liked them, either.

Zelda action shot, trying to steal Heather’s potholder. Sneaky!

My sister suggested a lightweight cotton baby blanket or the like for the expected wee one. They all live in North Carolina, so wool wouldn’t be as practical. I figured I could make a lightweight stroller blanket without much problem.

Knowing I wouldn’t get a knit blanket finished in time, I sat down and cast on for a simple V-stitch crocheted blanket, seen here:

Have you ever worked on something, and wished so badly for it to to turn out perfectly, that even though you know it’s not turning out quite the way you think it should, you just keep going?

I did that with this blanket. It turned out extremely – OK. Then I tried to put an edging on it, and OH BOY did that not work AT ALL. It was a mess. It was puckering and bunching and ruffling where it shouldn’t ruffle. After fighting with it for a few nights, I finally decided that it was time to let it go. I couldn’t feel good about passing this on to a new generation. It wouldn’t be fair to start out a new life with such a mediocre, lopsided mess keeping him warm.

Never fear, though. I have a Plan B. Yes, another cotton blanket. But one I know will be SO MUCH BETTER. I’m very excited about this new project, I just have to pick up the yarn this weekend. Yarn shopping! Hurray!

Pattern: Old Fashioned Potholders by Cathy at My Little Kitchen (Ravelry Project Link)

Yarn: Berroco Pure Pima, 100% Cotton, in Cantaloupe, Custard, Ambrosia, Norse Blue & St. Barts; on size 2.5 mm Clover Soft Touch crochet hook

Started: February 2010 Finished: March 2010

Accidental Mods: I didn’t really notice that the original pattern called for crochet thread. So I completed almost as many rounds as directed, even though I was working with thicker yarn. Therefore, these are at the large end of the required 6-9 inches required by the swap. But I figure that’s good – a little larger potholder means more protection to the user, right?

I really like these, and hope their recipients like them too! What a fun swap!

For the pattern, click here.

These are two-sided, so this is four completed potholders, plus the front of the fifth (the green one still needs the back done, I’m about halfway through). Then I have to finish the loops, give them a soak, and they’ll be done! I’m shooting for this weekend to be absolutely 100% complete.

Each side takes about 2 hours or so. I know this because I did one complete side while watching a movie on Sunday afternoon, so there you go.  You can’t really tell, but they’re about 9″ across, which is at the wide end of the preferred Potholder Swap guidelines.

I’m pretty pleased with them! I tried to vary up the five colors I had on hand, to account for various tastes of the potential recipients. But I definitely have a favorite. Care to guess which one?

And because the light was so nice yesterday afternoon, another photo for your viewing pleasure. I had to adjust the colors a bit, so the light blue isn’t exactly right, but it’s pretty close:

Happy Tuesday!