My ambitions, it would seem, almost always exceed the amount of time available to achieve them, and today was not the exception that proves the rule.

This past weekend, I got to see the Carolina Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker. In addition to the standard music and dancing, there was also the addition of a more extensive element of magic than is included in a typical production of this holiday classic.

I left the ballet inspired, and like Clara who dreamed of the Nutcracker that came to life, I had dreams of my own.

Many of my dreams involve my crochet work, and how I will bring the pieces I am making to life.

Today the textured squares afghan I have been working on was at the center of my dreams; this is how I imagined the day would unfold:

I would finish four small squares.

I would join them into one square that would form the center of the fourth medium square.

I would edge them and finish the two additional medium squares

I would then join the four medium squares which would form the center of one large square.

I would then add a border to the large square, making it even larger, and then I would be back where I started, making one small square.

As can be seen in this photo, I was on track to finish two additional medium squares:

Then the dream began to falter, and while I managed to finish the third medium square, my progress on the fourth was not as impressive:

While I did not achieve my crochet “dream” day, the very act of having a dream helped me to organize my day and set my priorities which allowed me to get finish the third medium square and make a substantial start on the fourth square.

And for anyone who needs a reminder of the value of dreams, here is a contemporary Christmas carol to help get you in a dreaming mood so you can begin your own adventure, whatever it may be.

Video Tutorial: How to make the crochet textured square/magic motif