Possibly My Worst Idea Ever

I have exciting news to share. I am officially done with the crochet portion of this mandala blanket. Woohoo. Go me!

It turns out that after all those hours of crocheting, there was still work to do. First, I had to weave in what felt like countless ends of yarn from all the color changes. Then I moved on to the next challenge—trying to make it look straight.

Thankfully, my mom is an experienced knitter and had the supplies I needed for blocking, and I had a fancy, dancy handheld steamer. My project this evening was pinning down all the edges evenly and then steaming it thoroughly.

I left it to cool and dry in my basement. I think I could unpin it now, but I’m a little concerned about what might happen. I’d hate for it to pull back in a weird way, so I’m going to leave it overnight and check on it in the morning.

Funny story—

I offered the blanket to my mom, but my sister and her husband have gifted them so many blankets for Christmas that they don’t want any more. Even one handmade by me.

So, after careful thought, I’ve decided to turn it into a wall hanging.

Now… based on my ongoing thoughts about the slight asymmetry of this blanket, a wall hanging could actually be the worst idea ever.

But I’m going to try it anyway.

Which is also another reason I’m leaving the pins in overnight.

Next, I need to figure out how to attach a pocket along the top and bottom edges so I can slide in a dowel and hang the whole thing on my wall.

I feel so capable. Creative. Handy.

By the time I’m done, I will have used quite a few tools—a crochet hook, a needle, pins, blocking pads, a steamer… a power drill probably… and maybe even a sewing machine.

Okay, probably not a sewing machine.

But a girl can dream.