Crochet WIPs

I think this one month break is the longest I’ve been away from this blog. Short story is that I’ve been dealing with an issue that’s just been taking up so much of my time and energy, that I’ve been unable to do the stuff I love the way I know how. There’s not much more to share right now so until then … let’s set the issue aside and go to the “new stuff” and maybe an update on an old one.

I’ve been plugging away on my Duotone cowl and really should be saying that it’s done, but even that happy spring project got set aside these past few weeks. I’m almost done with the second section; that’s not bad progress all things considering. With the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup back in full swing, I’m giving myself until the end of the month to finish it, kitchener it together then block and have the F.O. for you.

I think all die hard crafters feel this way — when we go some time without doing what we love, we get more crazed! Am I right or am I right? So this weekend, I decided to jump back into the saddle and have some “soul food”.

My Sunday intake of “soul food” meant reading my Bible, classic literature (that Jean Rhys woman I love to hate), vintage crochet books and starting a shawl pattern that my IG buddies Kokomire and Elisa were convinced I could do. I didn’t believe them but I tried anyway … and as my uncle would say … holy mackerel! I actually was able to follow the video then work solely from the crochet chart as there are no written instructions. Can I just brag here a little and say that I’ve never used charts only for knitting or crochet? Since Sunday, I’ve been doing what I need to during the day and counting down the hours before I can get to this project. The rows are already getting long but I’m going to finish it! I have to. Even my mom is waiting for the F.O. photos!

So far, I’ve gotten to this point:

I would have gotten further but I keep stopping to stoke it and shake my head in wonder at the fact that I followed charted crochet instructions and made this! I tell you … Elizabeth Zimmerman was right when she said — “Really, all you need to become a good knitter are wool, needles, hands, and slightly below-average intelligence. Of course superior intelligence, such as yours and mine, is an advantage.” I would add crocheter to that quote as well. 😀

Is it just me or do you feel the same way? When you take a break from crafting and you finally get back to it, don’t you just want to:

So that’s what I did … or at least am trying to do. On Saturday, I added candle making to my repertoire. Not just melt and pour wax stuff. LOLOL! Actually working out ratios, measuring, melting, adding fragrance, then letting the mixture set so I could end up with a usable candle.

As the sun went down yesterday, it felt good to walk through the apt and smell the fragrance of a candle burning that I made.

I think I’m definitely out of my craft slump.

How have you been since I’ve been gone?

I think by now, anyone who reads my blog knows that I’m making a mood blanket. Since it’s inception, I’ve made some modifications to the original plan and have been counting down the days until I can wrap myself up in this pretty. Some days, it was quite easy to work on, but as the rounds got noticeably longer, at points I have been slogging through getting them done. Recently, I’d been up to 10 rows behind, got up to date, fell back again and am now 4 rows behind excluding the border. I plan to crank those out this week so I can be done the first portion of this set. Yes, I said set. You’ll just have to wait and see on Jan 1, 2015, (all things being well) to see what the rest of the set is. 😉 Yesterday, while my friend was visiting, as we talked, I cranked out two more rounds! Yay!!! I’m not doing anymore photos of it until the set is done, so here’s the last look until the end of the year:

I think seeing the finish line and how well it’s shaping up have really renewed my energy to get this done on time rather than let it languish in my basket. It helps also that for the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup championship on Ravelry, I’m working on this as a Detention project during the Fall term.

In addition to the blanket, this week I’ve also worked on this project I frogged. I’m almost done the beanie itself but decided to add something special to jazz it up a bit.