I have a suggestion for all that acrylic. Go on eBay and pick up some vintage knitting magazines from the 70s, maybe one that specializes in afghans. You will find some super-fly designs and the colors you have are perfect.
My grandma gave me a Granny Squares magazine from 1976 and I found two projects that I HAD to have, despite the fact that they were crochet and I didn’t know how to crochet. Turns out I don’t really like to crochet, but I’ve gotta finish all 169 squares (25 more to go!) 'cause I gotta have that disco floor looking blanket (not sure if I’ll be able to put knitting down long enough to do the second blanket I had planned). The picture in the magazine is so cool, I hope it turns out right. I’m using Caron Simply Soft, which isn’t awful to work with. I have only used it for two bags and now this blanket - I wouldn’t use it for apparel because I am a yarn snob too!
Over the holidays, found myself working on the disco floor blanket in the airport near three other women who were knitting. They were all using nice yarn and I wanted to say, “I don’t usually use such cheap yarn!”
Yes, we have a few grandma and aunt-made acrylic afghans around the house that we love, but I admit I would be embarrassed to make one myself in public. How stupid is that? I obviously need to get over myself!
(some cheap yarn does hurt my hands because it lacks give - I hope your bounty isn’t like that)