DIY Pool covers???

noworries, sounds like you're looking for a solar cover (I've never seen a winter cover that goes on a reel).
Whichever cover you're looking for, if you have steps that extend beyond the wall of the pool, include their length in the size of the cover (eg. 18 x36 IG pool with 8 x 4 steps in the center of the shallow end should be measured as a 22x 36 pool) Some companies make covers with a 'step flap' included, but if you don't include the steps, you could end up with a cover that falls a little short ;) That said, a new thread might have been a good idea.