DESIGNER NOTE:
When I design with yarn that has long color repeats such as Paint Box, I like to showcase this feature at its best. Mitered squares are a good way to let the colors change for each square. In this case, I chose to use two separate balls as I worked each horizontal row on the skirt (you could also use the same ball but alternate using the inside and the outside for each square). Want a more gradual color change and less contrast? Just use one ball at a time, from beginning to end.

The traditional I-cord method uses double pointed needles that allow you to push your stitches back to the right end of the needle without ever turning your work. I find that simply slipping your stitches from your right-hand needle to your left-hand needle at the end of each row works just as well - this is the method indicated in this pattern.