This afghan is not only a functional blanket but also a statement of personal style and creativity. The bold colors and intricate patterns reflect the personality and artistic vision of its creator, making it a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

MATERIALS: AMERICAN THREAD "AUNT LYDIA'S" HEAVY RUG YARN: 1-70 yd. skein Yellow, 2-70 yd. skeins Chartreuse, 4-70 yd. skeins Orange, 12-70 yd. skeins White, 24-70 yd. skeins Assorted Colors. "AUNT LYDIA'S" CARPET AND BUTTON THREAD: 1 spool White. Aluminum Crochet Hook Size H or any size hook which will achieve stitch gauge below.

GAUGE: 3 dc = 1 inch.

MOTIF: With Yellow, ch 4, join to form a ring.

1st Rnd: Ch 1, work 8 sc in ring, join in 1st sc, cut yarn.

2nd Rnd: Attach Orange in same st, ch 3, 4 dc in same st, drop loop from hook, insert hook in 3rd st of ch, pick up dropped loop and pull through, *ch 2, 5 dc in next sc, drop loop, insert hook in 1st dc, pick up loop and pull through (popcorn st), repeat from * 6 times, ch 2, join in top of 1st popcorn st, cut Orange.

3rd Rnd: Attach any color in a ch 2 loop, ch 3, 4 dc in same loop, *5 dc in next loop, repeat from * all around, join in 3rd st of ch.

4th Rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in next st, 3 dc in next st, *1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st, repeat from * all around, ending with 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, join.

5th Rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in each st, join.

6th Rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 2 sts, 3 dc in next st, *1 dc in each of next 6 sts, 3 dc in next st, repeat from * all around, ending with 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, join.

7th Rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 3 sts, 3 dc in next st, *1 dc in each of next 8 sts, 3 dc in next st, repeat from * all around, ending with 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, join.

8th Rnd: Ch 3, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, 3 dc in next st, *1 dc in each of next 10 sts, 3 dc in next st, repeat from * all around, ending with 1 dc in each of next 5 sts, join, cut yarn.

9th Rnd: Attach White, work 1 sc in each st and 3 sc in each corner st, join, cut yarn.

Work 23 more motifs working from 3rd to 8th Rnds in assorted colors.

JOINING MOTIFS: With Yellow, work 1st Rnd colors same as Motif.

2nd Rnd: Attach Chartreuse and work same as 2nd Rnd of motif.

3rd Rnd: Attach White in any ch 2 loop, ch 4, 1 tr c, 5 dc in same loop, *5 dc, 2 tr c in next loop, 2 tr c, 5 dc in next loop, repeat from * twice, 5 dc, 2 tr c in next loop, join, cut yarn. Work 14 more joining motifs to correspond.

FINISHING: Sew motifs together through back loops of sts, and sew joining motifs in each space as illustrated.

POMPONS: Open skein of White, cut one end. Cut Carpet and Button Thread into 18 inch lengths, fold thread in half, and tie skein tightly at 1 inch intervals. Cut between tying. Shape and trim pompoms. Attach 1 pompom to each point of all motifs and tie 2 pompoms spaced evenly between all points.