When I was pregnant with my daughter, I worked up two baby blankets for her. They quickly became favorites, and for a few years, they were the only covers that she would keep on at night. (So I always made sure that she had really really extra warm pajamas on!)
Well, she's four years old now, which means that the blankets are four years old as well, and let me tell you, they look it. Four years of lots of kid love can be hard on a blanket, no question. So, a little after Christmas, as we were in Michael's, taking advantage of a killer yarn sale, I asked her if she would like to pick out some yarn for a new blanket. Of course she was thrilled. A few pink and rainbow skeins later, and we were on our way.
I asked her what pattern she'd like, and (unsurprisingly) she chose the
same ripple-stitch pattern that I had made for her cousin last year.
To be honest, ripple-stitch isn't my favorite afghan aesthetically. (Don't tell my kid, okay?). They are easy easy to do though, and work up quickly, and that's what she wanted. So, I was happy to comply.
Isn't it a treat when you can make a loved one so happy by something that you make with your hands? I love being a crocheter.