Years ago I churned out a hand-knit sweater a year for each of my three children. As they grew, they gently informed me my sweaters were too warm for wearing in school. Well, they probably were too warm, so I soon stopped my yearly knitting sessions, but I missed the comfort of clicking needles and the resulting product.

The kids kept growing up and, as will happen, before I knew it they were off to college one by one. Then I realized they needed a blanket.