I remember the first time I saw modular knitting. It was a Valentina Devine sweater in Interweave KNITS and I was in The Yarn Barn in Lawrence, Kansas. All I could say was "WOW!" I have been in love with modular knitting ever since. I have made sweaters, jackets, bags, scarves and shawls. Every one has been a challenge and a joy. Unlike regular knitting you never know exactly how things will look or precisely how things will fit. You have entered into a world of excitement and surprise.
The afghan pictured is a Christmas gift for my niece Erin who I adore. She loves primary colors so I searched many shades of Ultra Alpaca until I found four that blended well. This type of modular pattern is called mitered. You can find this afghan in a pattern booklet devoted to this afghan. This is not a good travel project because modual 1 connects to modual 2; modular 2 connects to modual 3 and before you know it you have a huge piece of knitted fabric to hold on your lap. The best thing about this afghan (besides that I was knitting it for Erin) is every square is different so you are never bored. Every time I finished a square, I would spread this thing of beauty on the floor and marvel at it. It just kept getting better and better.
I've attended classes labeled as "Stash Busters" which included modular knitting. I can only tell you that some of my most expensive projects have been stash busting, modular knitting. You really start out believing that you will only use yarn in your stash. Before you know it you find a perfect skein for the project then another then another. It's really not about saving money, it's about loving what you're knitting.
Oh, by the way. Erin loved her afghan.