:Crochet:

let me explain …

Last year was a low production year for me in terms of knit and crochet. I didn’t do any of it at all in 2020. Outside of COVID, there were some personal things I had to deal with which left me with no energy for anything except spinning. As 2020 ended, I found myself being able to think about crafting again, planning projects other than spinning ones so I registered for the Sigma 21 project challenge in one of my favourite Ravelry groups. I like that you can set your own goals — fibery and non fibery. I also like that there’s a longer timeline to complete your projects so the pressure is less than with some other project challenges.

The challenge itself is a play on the sigma mathematical concept (sigma 5 means 1+2+3+4+5) so for the challenge, the setup is:

1 of item a
2 of item b
3 of item c
4 of item d

This challenge has gone on for more than a few years so rather than do Sigma 21, the group moderators circled back to 11 this year. Sigma 21, can you imagine trying to get through that in a year?!!!!! 😀

I’ve also started blogging again, documenting my makes here as opposed to on Instagram (if you’re interested, you can read why here) and thought my Sigma 21 project list would be perfect for my bloggy adventures with the Year of Projects blogging crafters group also on Ravelry. I joined the YOP challenge late so I appreciate that the group has two versions of the challenge running — one that’s on a calendar timeline, the second — a July 1st to June 30th of the following year timeline.

My Sigma 21 (but really 11) list is below:

1 — crochet blanket/throw — In Progress
2 — read at least 2 non-crafty books per month (25 as the minimum yearly goal) 2/25
3 — pairs of knitted socks
4 — knitted adult garments for me
5 — new techniques — intarsia, brioche, steeking, short rows, yarn embroidery
6 — destashed items per quarter (25 as the minimum yearly goal)
7 — weeks to organise paper clutter (end date 2.28.2021)
8 — new recipes
9 — completed Craftsy classes
10 — create at least 10 created by me rolag packs for spinning
11 — (x2) handmade gifts for my Hope Holders

OTHER GOALS

Spin 21 skeins of yarn — minis or full skeins 12/21 already completed here so I’m increasing this to 30 handspun skeins for 2021
Sign up for Moderate Merino but work towards 12 months of cold-sheeping
Learn to use my rigid heddle loom and make at least 6 items
Knit/crochet exclusively from library patterns.
Create container garden for balcony
Add all stray yarn and fiber to Ravelry db (Completed)
Create non Rav Excel sheet of all spindles

I love lists — I like making them, I like working through them but life sometimes gets in the way of my crafty lists. My goal this year is to do as much as I can from the one above.

On to the current project … after all the spinning I’ve done last year and recently, working on my crochet throw has been a joy. I started this throw a week or two ago but decided when I was almost at the end, that I wanted it wider. I’m currently 1/3 the way through version 2.0 and am loving how it looks. This is a project I can’t wait to see what the F.O. (finished object) looks like.

Happy cozy Sunday to you friends, and cheers for a great week ahead.

This post is part of the Ravelry Group: A Year of Projects crafty blog hop (Week 5)

Tamiko.

First a co-worker, then a friend, now a sister friend. I can’t imagine my life without her. ❤

I’ve talked about her on this blog before. I’ve talked about the way she encourages me, fights with me, loves me and is still after 10 years, one of my biggest supporters. She’s seen me sick, well, at my worst and at my best. So why did it take so long for me to make her something handmade? I’m like that knitter who makes fifty million things for so many people and never an item for a significant other. I used to be that person … but not anymore!!!! Huzzah!!!

She bought these gloves last winter, sent me the picture and asked for a hat.

I should have whipped that hat up in no time, but you know how it is … I lollygagged. Shameful, I know. Even more shameful is that she has the 45th and the current political climate to thank for me finishing this. Daily, as events unfold, I’m beyond flabbergasted at the blatant lies, the corruption, the hate and the broken promises. Or as some say — “alternative facts” 🙄 I know not making a hat is not a big deal to some, but to me it is. The longer I took to make it, the more likely it was that I wouldn’t finish it, and the nearer I got to a broken promise. In my mind, I gave her my word and I needed to make good on that or really, I’d be just as disingenuous as these politicians who disgust me with their broken promises. So I whipped up this little beauty:

And she loves it! I haven’t seen her in it yet but I was assured, she thinks it’s “absolutely beautiful”. Her joy was worth every puff stitch I cussed at. :blush:

I’m just happy to have kept my word, kept my promise.

“Promise only what you can deliver. Deliver more than you promise.” ~ Author Unknown

Pattern: Pretty Puffs Slouchy Hat
Designer: Jessica Suzanne
Yarn Used: Lionbrand’s Martha Stewart Extra Soft Wool Blend in Grey Pearl
My Difficulty Rating: Beginner. From what I read, the puff stitch seems to be intimidating to some people but it’s really not. The trick is to keep the loops loose so it’s easy to pull the last stitch through all the loops.
Comments: Although I went up a hook size (used K), the hat didn’t come out slouchy. The pattern is definitely one I’d make again, the next time I’ll go up two hook sizes to get the extra slouch.