As I work on some of the crochet panels for the Love Across the USA, Raleigh, North Carolina installation, I am reminded of a long ago project — namely, a fat bag inspired by Dunkin’ Donuts — that I crocheted to ring in 2011 when it was the new year:

I had lots of adventures with that bag. Going to Edwardsville, Illinois and other roads less traveled, and while I used the Red Heart Super Saver colors of pumpkin, shocking pink, and coffee instead of flame, pretty ‘n pink, and black, the effect was reminiscent of the pieces I am currently crocheting.

Yesterday, I had a fair number of errands to run, and having just finished a panel with a lot of color changes that required me to frequently consult the grid I had been given to work from as well as keep three colors on hand at all times, I decided to work on of the graphically less complicated squares I had signed up to crochet.

Here is how far I got:

Today,  however, I had the luxury of being home more than not, so I decided that instead of working on a panel that was so portable, I would work on one with more color changes, and even though I had to consult a chart and snip ends, I got about a quarter of the way through before my crochet day ended:

And although these pieces will not be side by side when they are finally assembled, I decided I would get a picture of them together:

Crochet always amazes me. I love the way you can work with a bazillion colors or three or just one and have something that you could not have any other way. How with each stitch, you work a part of yourself into the object itself.

So I will continue to ply my craft one stitch at a time, and with my cup of coffee and yarn at hand, I will party like it’s 2011.

Related blog post: Ringing in the new year with my Dunkin’ Donuts bag