Running Out of Steam

I’m still working on my crafty Christmas gifts, and I hate to say it, but I’m reaching the point of burn-out. I haven’t finished my Mom’s car coat, although all I have left to do is sew on the collar, but I’m trying to figure out the best way to do that. Then there’s still flannel pants to make my Dad. Oh, and have I mentioned that my Sister wants me to crochet her a Soldier Hat? I wanted to have that done by now as well. Yes, I should be able to get these three things done by Christmas; there’s only one problem however. All of these gifts have to be mailed to Texas, so needless-to-say, I’m not going to make it. Looks like I probably won’t even send out until Monday at the earliest or Wednesday at the latest. Ah, well…it’s the thought that counts…right? Right.

I have a few baby items to crochet as gifts as well, but the recipient (my husband’s daughter) will be here the weekend after Christmas, so I have a little time to finish them.

I’m just running out of steam. I’m tired of facing deadlines. I’m ready to craft again on my own, without any date-to-finish-by staring me in the face. C’mon 2008. I’m ready to play again!

Yay for Progress!

I finally sat down and went to work on the car coat I’m making my Mom for Christmas. I’m nearly finished with the back, which will leave the sleeves & the front. I just might actually get this thing completed in time to send and make it by the 25th. Go me.

The projects that will come after that are:

- Flannel pants for my Dad
- Baby bibs, wash cloths, hat, & booties for the new addition coming in March (presents for the Mommy-to-be)
- A few little gifts for a few great people
- Baking for the neighbors
- A hat for my sister
- And anything else I can think of between now and Christmas

Then after the holiday, I’m going to play with my sewing machine more, as well as my Knifty Knitters. I’m ready to create without the pressure of a finishing date!

A Dip to the “Dark Side”

On Black Friday, I got up at 5:15 so I could be at my local Joann’s when the doors opened at 6:00. I had my flyer with me, with the items I wanted most checked off, so I could find them easily. The first thing on my list was the flannel they had for just ninety-nine cents a yard. I plan to make my dad some flannel pants for Christmas, so I didn’t want to miss this sale. I got to the store at 5:45, but they had already opened their doors and it was a rat race to the flannel. The shelves were nearing empty since they opened early and crafty freaks had already gotten some of the good stuff, but I found several patterns that I liked. I grabbed them, headed to the cutting counter, where there was already a short line, and waited. Once I finally got my material cut, I took off around the store to get the other items on my list.

The second item on my list was a set of umm…Knifty Knitters. Yep. They had a boxed set that had a long one, a round one, and a spool, as well as some scissors, the tool necessary for the “knitting”, and a measuring tape at a reasonable price, so I wanted one. I finished my other shopping of buttons & Christmas items (no yarn, believe it or not) and finally got out of the store about 7:45–two hours after I’d gone in.

Yes, I’ve taken a step into the “dark side” with my knitting looms, and I have to say that so far, I like it. I’m still trying to get the hang of it, but it seems like a fun, alternative way to twist yarn around, at least right now. Does this mean I’m giving up my crochet for even a small amount of time? Oh, Heavens no! I love my hooks, and there’s still so many things I want to create with all the crochet items I have. It’s just fun to try something different every now and then. Does this make me a knitter? Oh, Heavens no! I’m always first and foremost a crocheter. And to me, using a loom doesn’t make me a knitter. It makes me more of a “loomer”.

I finally made a little something using one of the looms: a dishcloth. I started out making a potholder, but I noticed that this isn’t as thick and sturdy as crochet can be using the same yarn, and since it didn’t turn out to be a perfect square, I figured it could be used as a dishcloth, and actually, it works quite well. Since buying my set of looms, I joined a couple of Yahoo groups as well as groups on Ravelry so I can learn a bit more about this technique that is new to me. I realized, however, after posting my first “knitted” project in Rav, I’m no longer part of that small group of people who have posted nothing but crocheted projects. Makes me kinda sad actually, but I’m a crafty person, and I need all the craftin’ I can get.

My next crafting adventure will be getting my sewing machine going again. Afterall, I have pants to sew, and I really want to learn to do crazy quilting.

So many crafts, so little time! But I love that I was born with a creative & crafty gene!

Chunky Pocketed Scarf

I wanted something to work on at the football game last Friday night, so I decided to finally crochet the scarf I’d promised my sister last year. I sat and double crocheted through nearly one ball of yarn, but the game started getting worth watching, so I quit. When I got home, I didn’t like what I’d done, so I frogged it and started over. Twice. Once I finally got a stitch going that I could live with, I finished the scarf to full length. I didn’t like the edges so I decided an edging would be nice, done in a color that amazingly matched the variegated perfectly. (They’re totally different yarns, and I just so happened to have the solid in my stash, so it was an amazing thing for me.) Once the edging was on, I thought pockets would make a nice addition. After frogging the first one of those out twice before making one I liked, I then made the other and got them sewn on.

This is the scarf that transpired from all of the frogging and starting over. My sister’s scarf went from a plain, traditional one to something totally different. I hope she likes it. The next step is to make her a panta to match, as well as a cap.

I’m hoping to get this scarf pattern posted by this weekend, so stay tuned! It’s made from 100% wool (the chunky variegated), and acrylic (the solid). And even with the starting over several times, taking notes, and doing other things, I got it completed in a weekend.

Oh, and our high school football team made it to the playoffs. I credit my crocheting at the game. The team hasn’t played all that well this season, but they looked really good the one night I decided to do something else besides watch.

And, to top it all off, I got the wool yarn on clearance for only $1.50 a ball versus the $5.99 it would have been. I’m on a crocheting roll!

Two Down, Two (or More!) To Go

Today while watching the Chiefs play, I finished Aidan’s stocking, but it will be tomorrow before I can take and post photos. I really like how it turned out: very traditional and a couple of inches shorter than the one I made for my daughter. I’m debating on decorating it or leaving it as is. I have a few days before it’ll leave to go to its rightful owner to decide what I want to do with it.

Now, I’m about to start another one; this one will be for Dan my man. It’ll be just another traditional red & white. Afterwards, I’ll make mine, which will be a pink hue and off-white. I haven’t chosen the yarn or colors yet for it. I thought about making my parents each one–I’m sure it’s been years since either have had one–and filling each with small gifts.

I still have my Mom’s car coat to start. I’ve been putting it off because I really need to make a gauge swatch, and I just hate making those things. Since this is a wearable, though, I want it to be the correct size, so I really don’t have a choice. I need to just do it and get it behind me so I can start on the fun part.

I can’t believe how much I’m crocheting lately–just about every single day, so hopefully I’ll get all of my gifts finished on time. After the first of the year, I plan to do some just-for-the-fun-of-it projects. I have a whole list of those waiting in the background.

( Just a side note: For those who participate in Stitch-Stirrers, the new prompt is up and ready to go.)

The Grateful Thread - Beaded!

I’ve been working on a pattern for a thread headband. The first one I came up with is pink, but I decided to try the same pattern out with beads, and this is what transposed:

I did it in black because I need a band in that color, and I added gold beads to match my daughter’s school colors. I really like how it turned out–a bit dressy, a bit casual.

I’m working on the pattern still, especially since the beaded one has a few unnatural twists and turns in it, but I’m hoping to get something written up and tested soon. I have one more variation I want to make as well, but it really won’t affect the overall pattern.

The Color Pink

I love the color pink. I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed with it, but my cell phone is pink, as is its case. I own several pieces of clothing that are pink. My handbag has a pink butterfly on it. I totally support Breast Cancer Awareness, which is probably what first prompted my love of the color.

As for yarn, I don’t own a lot in pink because there’s only so much you can do with one color of yarn. I did, however, make my Bed of Roses blanket in a shade of pink. And this past weekend, I was blessed with the opportunity to go to the Yarn Barn while waiting on a parade to start. My daughter was in the parade, and I was still shopping for yarn just a couple of minutes before the procession would make its way in front of me. I didn’t miss the parade, though, and I made out with a couple of skeins of pinkish-grey yarn (photo below). The brand is Plymouth Encore Colorspun Knitting Crocheting Worsted Weight; I’ve used it before and really liked it. I have no idea what I’m going to do with it as yet, but I’m sure it’ll become something wonderful that I make just for myself. Afterall, I am the lover of the color in the family.

I recently ran across this lil’ meme that expressed the meaning behind my favorite color, which for the most part, I find to be true:

What Your Favorite Color Pink Says About You:

Blissful — Content — Romantic Idealistic — Expressive — Artistic Funny — Quirky — Individualistic

What Does Your Favorite Color Say About You?

As for my WIPs, I’m still working on my socks, although they are coming along nicely. They’re not pink, but I know I’ll wear them anyway. Have I mentioned I really don’t like the yarn they’re made of? Well, if I have, I’ll say it again: I really don’t like the yarn I’m using. It splits a bit more than I care for.

See? The yarn didn’t rain on my parade.
(my daughter playing the saxophone)

This Week

Woo hoo, I got my Crochet Liberation Front tee in the mail today, and it has now become my favorite t-shirt. I really like how it turned out, and I’m sure I’ll wear it every chance I get, especially to yarn stores and stitching events. My husband, when I was showing it off to him, said, “That’s kinda cool, actually”. He’s also accused me lately of being a “stitch-stirrer” because I’m so adamant about getting the point out there that crochet is not knitting, and vice versa. Yep, a stitch-stirrer, that’s me.

Earlier this week, I also received the two books I ordered from jan-knit’s Half-Price Moving Sale, Take Up Crochet & Crocheted Gifts in a Weekend. At less than ten dollars including shipping for the two, I couldn’t pass it up, and anyone who reads my blog knows I usually don’t say no to a good deal on books, especially crochet ones. They’re a nice addition to my library. I’m thinking that if I ever really get involved in a stitching group that truly accepts crocheters, I’ll probably set up a loan system and share the books I have since my library is growing a couple of books at a time. I’d really like to start a group especially for those of us who prefer the hook, but I’m not sure how to go about it just yet. I’m working on it, though.

On Wednesday, I got my hair cut. It was pretty much halfway to the middle of my back, but now, as is sort of noticeable in the above photo, it’s about shoulder length, in front and in back. It’s more layered now, and I now have bangs. Before, my hair was layered on the ends more and my bangs were as long as the rest of it. It feels good to get all of that weight off my head. I talked to my hairdresser about highlights, but I’ve decided against it. Instead I’m going to wear my bit of grey proudly, because I know I earned it! And, since it’s actually a pretty grey and brown, I don’t see how coloring can make it much better. Hopefully soon, I’ll get an updated photo of myself up on my profile.

As for my crocheting, I’m working on my socks for the Recipe for SOCK-cess CAL in Ravelry. I have to frog back a row because I caught a mistake. Other than that, it’s going smoothly. I hope to finish them soon; I have so many other projects I want to do as well.

School Spirit Blanket

I finally finished what I call the “School Spirit Blanket” for my daughter that I started towards the end of July as part of a Gold & Black CAL/KAL. It’s a really simple pattern from the book, Afghans for All Seasons, and is originally done holding both a variegated with a matching solid yarn together. For this one, I adapted the pattern to suit my needs by holding two strands of the same color together, using first black, then gold, then black again. I don’t normally fringe items, but it really helped give this blanket a finished look. I wasn’t sure I was going to like it once I got started on the second black stripe, but overall, I am pleased with the ending result.

 To make the stripes, I used first two skeins of black and went until the skeins were nearly used up, then did the same with the gold and the other black. I then used leftovers to make the fringe, as well as part of a new skein of gold. The yarn is Super Saver–4 in black, about 2.25 in gold–and the hook used was Q. The yarn actually works very well for this project, especially since I anticipate it being tossed around at football games, the bus, and other school functions.

 I’ve used this same pattern before to make my sister and her husband both afghans, as seen in this photo. I’m sure I’ll probably use it again and again since it makes a nice blanket, which is a bit thick due to the double yarnage. Although I started this in July and finished the first part of September, it really didn’t take all that long. It’s one of the few projects I’ve been able to just pick up and run with at any given time without really thinking about the stitches.

WIP to FO

I actually got one of my projects finished today/tonight, but it’ll be tomorrow before I can get a photo of it, so I’ll just save the details until then.

I took my daughter to B&N today to get a book she wanted. While there, I decided to look for new crochet magazines, as well as the new issue of Adorn. I came up empty handed on both accounts, and I even asked a clerk about the latter. She said they didn’t carry it (although I know they have in the past). It’s really discouraging not to be able to find anything I want. I guess tomorrow I’ll check with Joann’s and see what they have.

Now that I have one project finished, my next will be to concentrate on my socks. It just always feels really good to watch a WIP become an FO. And now that cooler weather is on its way, I may even break out my sewing machine for a change.