I’ve started the small squares. I’m going to run out of solid colors before I run out of needed squares; that’s obvious. But I’m going to settle for some all variegated squares. That’s fine.
Here’s how the tiny squares are going:
I have enough tiny squares to piece together half the pattern. But you can see why I doubled it. Piecing it together reveals that 1/2 of the original pattern just covers one couch cushion. Even if that’s just a quarter of the afghan, it’s still going to be small for my taste.
I’ve got to tell you, I’m deeply tickled to be making an afghan from thread my mom and I dyed. I just can’t believe that I’m going to take this from white yarn to finished colorful afghan and that there will never be another one quite like it.
Edited to add: The blue dye still rubs off when you crochet with it, so I clearly can’t avoid washing it. The dye all claims to be colorfast, but is there anything I can do to protect the color when I wash it?
Tiny Cat Pants 
from back in my youth of tye-dying in the late ’90s, I recall if you soak it in a vinegar solution that makes the color not fade. You should research that further, however, as my memory might not be perfect.
Nice potholders, B. ;) I like that you’re doing the variegated pattern in the small squares – I think it would be cool if the small ones were consistently that way, with the large squares having solid bits of color.
Okay, the problem with my comment is that the smaller ones also have solid color – but, they don’t have solid outer borders like most of the large ones, which is what I meant.
Add vinegar to the wash water. Maybe a lot of vinegar the first time. (years spent being a bachelor screwing up clothes)
Wash in cold water with vinegar and salt.
That thing is gonna be beautiful, btw.
I love the variegated colors!
Soak in cold salt water, always wash in cold water BY ITSELF. And expect your dye efforts to be shaded by the blue, for however long the blue continues to fade.
Check also at a quilting/craft shop, I think they sell “stuff” you can add to the wash water to “set” the color. But I’m willing to bet that if you read the contents, 99% of the substance will be salt.
I love afghans, and your creation is quite lovely. The “building block” effect with the various-sized squares is extremely clever.
~VOW
Hey, y’all sound like you might have a good fish ‘n’ chips recipe.
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I can give ya my hillbilly gravy recipe, if ya want.
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