"Some Assembly Required"

My Mom is an crocheting machine! Everyone in my family has one of her creations and I'm not exaggerating when I say I have probably 20 of them! She's always been artistic, with an eye for color--the bolder, the better! We've had a lot of fun over the years collaborating on design ideas. One of her projects that I have to admit I took for granted was the "63 Square Afghan." (If you're not familiar with the design, it's 63 squares, each made of an entirely different pattern; kind of a crochet sampler of sorts.) She churned out one of those babies in no time--in tans and greens--and had a grand time doing it. (It's hanging on a quilt rack in my livingroom now.)

Since she had such fun making the first one, I asked her if she'd consider making another one, only this time in one color to accentuate the textures. She said if I bought the yarn, she'd do it! So.... we presented her with a box of wool skeins, with the following instructions written on it:

Contents: 1 Wool Afghan. Some Assembly Required.

Mr. Pocketts and I trundled off to Mexico for an extended vacation and upon our return we were presented with the box--only this time it was full of neatly stacked, finished squares! (Each square even had it's own little numbered tag affixed) ....with some assembly required!

I'm embarrassed to say I did not get right on that...it's been about 3 years now. So.... considering my Mom's questionable health outlook, (nothing definitely known yet; it's depressing, but nevermind), I thought maybe she'd like to finally see the finished product. And who doesn't need some motivation?!

The squares are now laid out on a futon mattress which was temporarily on the guest room floor--it made the perfect blank slate. I'm now diligently assembling strips (have about 5 done so far). It's turning out nicely--I think she'll be pleased!

When I discovered entire online groups are devoted to making--or at least talking about making--this afghan (I am not a member of any such group), I tried to describe this phenomenon to Mom. She couldn't help but laugh, having already been through it all--twice!