Awareness Afghan

[ImperfectMe]

Both of my daughters have Down syndrome and I'd like to design an awareness afghan.

There are 23 pairs of chromosomes, so I thought I would use one square per chromosome, plus an extra one on the twenty-first pair. This would make a quilt containing 47 squares. I thought to make an even 48 I would do one square with the child's initials or an awareness ribbon.

Here's my dilemma: I would like to represent the chromosomes with caterpillars, either designed into the square, or as an add-on, like the sock monkey afghan.

But I'm at a loss as to how to "design" a caterpillar square or add on item.

Any suggestions???

[crochetsal]

Granny style or sampler style? Granny square done in the round, if you're adding the caterpillar after, you could do a series of circles, either all the same size, or gradually getting smaller.
Sampler style, done in rows, you could use a graph, I know there's at least one site that lets you use your image to make a graph, just can't remember what it's called. Or, you could use graph paper, I still sometimes use that for graphs, even though I bought the Filet Crochet designer from Sand Castle Designs.
I just started my first coffee of the day, so my brain's not quite in gear yet (as much as it ever is!), so that's all I can come up with right now.
Sally

[ImperfectMe]

Thank you SO much for your input!

As far as granny or sampler...I'm open at this point. Granny style would be great, I've done the round squares (doing them now for the Tetris afghan.) I'd rather not do a graph pattern, as I like the added texture for the kids of having the caterpillars more "3-D".

I was thinking circles too. I could do individuals and then stitch them together in different ways so all the caterpillars are different. Now, how the heck do I crochet a circle??

[crochetsal]

The circles wouldn't be too hard. Start with ch2, work app. 6sc in 2nd ch from hook. For a neater look, I wouldn't join at the end of each round, but place a marker in first st to mark beginning.
Rnd 2: 2sc in each st around. (12)
Rnd 3: (2sc in 1 st, sc in next) around. (18)
Rnd 4: (2sc in 1 st, sc in next 2) around. (24)

Make the circle as small or large as you want it to. Just increase the 'sc in next' number each round.

Sally

[ImperfectMe]

Thanks Sally! Now I REALLY want to get the Tetris 'ghan done so I can get working on this! I'm excited to actually DESIGN my own blanket!!