Justified in Michigan

My husband and I were often referred to as the abominable Michiganders who didn't need jackets or coats 99% of the time during the winter in Virginia.  In our first apartment in Virginia, we didn't even notice our heat pump was broken until winter was over. 
Anyway, I decided I wanted to make an afghan of some sort now that I'm back in the "great white north", but EVERY book I could find at JoAnn's regarding afghans were all crochet.  I suck at crocheting, so that was not an option. 

I mentioned in a previous post about my trip to Imaginknit, and part of my large purchase was a book on knitting afghans and five skeins of Marble Chunky yarn, which I have previously used for a couple of hats, and a scarf.  I love this yarn, even though it is 100% acrylic. 

I chose a simple pattern from the book, the Diamond Lace Afghan... or at least what I thought was a simple pattern.  I had to keep frogging because my diamonds were not forming.  I finally sat down with the book, and Microsoft Excel and charted out the pattern.  Lo and behold, the stitches weren't "adding up".  So I drew in Excel what I thought the pattern should be, and it turned out fantastically!

It took me two months to complete, and I skipped the crocheted edge for two reasons: I wasn't sure if I had enough yarn, and I wasn't going to buy a skein just for the edge... that I would suck at making.  Did I mention I suck at crochet?

I like it the way it is, and it's just the right size for snuggling on the couch when I will need to turn on the heat in my house, which should be in the next month or so.  Welcome back to the Mitten!