I received a lovely note from Laurie of Maplewood, Minnesota. She made a baby blanket based on the sweater mini-square I designed for the Great American Aran Afghan and sent along a photo:
Isn’t it cute?? The three sweaters coordinate with the variegated yarn of the blanket. Thanks for sharing, Laurie!!
The ongoing popularity of the GAAA continues to amaze me, but it is truly a classic and a really fun and challenging project:Â Â
I think the internet and Ravelry have helped keep the interest alive. Also, Knitters partnered with Cascade Yarns recently to package GAAA afghan kits in both Cascade 220 and Cascade Dolce. Because I made my afghan with Cascade 220 (the contest was sponsored originally by Plymouth Encore), Cascade asked to borrow my afghan to display at January’s TNNA convention in California. In return, they sent me two bags of Cascade Dolce in a color of my choice!  Woo Hoo — FREE yarn!! 
 A tough decision, but I decided on the teal (color 927). So it is marinating in my stash, waiting for the perfect match. I love Cascade yarns!
I have slowed down the pace considerably on my Mitered Cardigan — the bloom is off the rose, as so often happens after the first blush of enthusiasm starts to wane.  I am mentally moving on, but want to finish the jacket soon as a supplement to my “spring wardrobe” (now that is a laugh!! 
).
Wow! that afghan is breathtakinginly gorgeous. What a beautiful piece of work. I
understand why Cascade would ask to borrow it. Enjoy everything that you both do.
Comment by lisa — April 5, 2008 @ 9:38 am
Congratulations on the Cascade display and the free yarn! I can understand why they wanted to borrow it. I am totally awed by your abilities and your versatility.
Comment by Astrid — April 5, 2008 @ 10:24 am
Congratulations! What an honor that is. That afghan is a work of art and Cascade is, obviously, very proud to display it and should be. I love Cascade yarns as well due to the quality and the color variety. Nothing like getting free yarn!!!
Comment by kellistarr — April 5, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Congrats on the free yarn! It’s cool that they used your afghan as the display. And thanks for hanging around our Ravelry GAAAaaaaaaa group and offering advice now & again. 🙂
Comment by Mama Cat — April 5, 2008 @ 8:09 pm
Susan- Free yarn? Ya gotta love that.
Your afghan is the nicest I’ve seen- you deserve the recognition.
Comment by Lorraine — April 6, 2008 @ 9:43 am
Susan – Your GAAA is unbelievable. My 19 year-old daughter is doing it in Cascade ecological and it is beautiful. How did Cascade know that you used their wool? Nice score. How do you manage to keep the blanket clean at a convention???? I’d be terrified to lend it, honored, but terrified!
Comment by Marie — April 6, 2008 @ 11:38 am
Susan,
I didn’t realize until now that you were the person who designed the sweater square in the GAAA. About 3 years ago a regular customer at my LYS was getting married and moving out of state. The rest of we “regulars” selected squares and knit the GAAA as a group as a wedding present for her. I chose your square to knit, and loved every minute of knitting it. (I personally thought your design was the best of the whole afghan, and being it won First Place, others obviously had the same idea!)
Mary G. in Texas
Comment by Katie's Granny — April 6, 2008 @ 2:31 pm