My Mom's Blanket

This was my first fully knit blanket project. I asked her last year what she would like if I were to make something with her in mind. She wanted a small blanket to drape over herself in the Northern winters when she'd sit in the recliner or in front of the computer.
I showed her all the swatches I had done for the baby blanket squares so far and she picked out the one that she though she liked the best. I believe it is called a diagonal ripple stitch.

I followed these instructions:
Cast on 252 stitches
Row 1: *K2tog-K first st again before sliding off • K1*
Row 2: Purl Across
Row 3: *K1 • K2tog-Kfirst again before sliding st off*
Row 4: Purl Across
Very simple, yet very tedious.
This became the project that I determined would help me get a feel for using circular needles. Way too long of a flat piece for normal needles. Against my better judgment that would have come with more knowledge, I chose size 8 needles since I thought they were so versatile. If I had that cast on to do over again, I definitely would have chosen larger needles and possibly double stranded the yarn as I knit each stitch. Too late now, it has become the three year blanket.

Because of how long it takes, it sits on my back burner every so often for a month or two at a time. I just have to take a break from it. I had thought I'd have it done by this winter but it's still not looking good. Not even halfway done. This project taught me not to dive headfirst into something I have no idea about. In addition, I learned not to tell people what I was planning for them because of how long it takes. They get anxious and wonder why they don't have it. Or why you chose not to work on it for a month or longer. Plus it makes me feel pressured that they know about it's coming and I just can't crank it out faster.
I'll post more pictures as I get more done...