This time a year ago, I used this tutorial from one of my favorite bloggers to create afghans for my stepdaughters. My husband and I stalked our local Goodwill and church thrift shop and I washed and cut up many sweaters. I was very pleased with the results as were the recipients. We showed my mother in law a picture and she asked if I could make one for her as well. So Christmas afternoon found me slicing and dicing and I made a lap quilt in an afternoon.

I used a 12.5 inch square plastic template that I have had forever and cut 15 squares to make a 5 foot X 3 foot lap quilt.Since I had several 6.5 inch squares leftover from my prior year project, I folded them in half and cut out hearts as one would cut a valentine. I used my rotary cutter but one could certainly use scissors. It was quick and relatively easy and she really seems to love it. The sweaters are mostly cashmere so the extra heft of the heart applique actually stabilized the afghan a bit. I wasn’t fussy about the sewing because this was not a fussy project. Quick and easy and slightly wonky. This project was inspired by a beautiful afghan that I purchased more than ten years ago in the Berkshires by the amazing artist Crispina. If you haven’t seen her work, you should. She creates absolutely beautiful things from recycled clothing.I just used a wide zig zag stitch to sew the hearts to the squares and then to sew the squares together. The finished afghan is soft, warm and colorful, just like the recipient.It was hand delivered with love. Happy Boxing Day Granny!