With Love From Brooklyn

Nicky4 Comments

Last weekend had a tough start so I took pleasure in hibernating.  Deep, quiet, surrounded by the things which make me feel better.

The first thing I tackled was my WIPs.  Good googly moogly, let’s just say I had a lot!  I decided to store the projects that weren’t working up right in a separate container so I could reclaim the yarn.  Then I went on to packaging the ones I’m going to keep working on and frogging the ones I’ve lost interest in.  The exercise was quite an eye-opener.  I found projects all over the place.  Stuffed in all kinds of containers.  Started but not finished.  Not the way I want to continue crafting (but that right there is another story for another time).

I made sure I got everything out … look ma, I’m not lying:

WIP Stash

I had such success with the projects, I continued on and sorted my tools, then my stitch markers. I ended up finding two missing tape measures in the process.  Took me the entire day but it was worth it.  But I was in good company — a “Murder She Wrote” marathon was what I needed to keep me going.  😀

Sunday brought more hibernation and I started my day with a few of my favourite things:

Hibernation Jan 2015 II

I’m not sure why the world is on such a noisy fast track; quiet, solitude and hibernation always makes me more productive in the aftermath.  Noise has its place, but if we follow seasonal patterns, we’ll acknowledge that there are times when we just need to be still and retreat.

How’s your winter going?  Have you been clearing clutter, enjoying solitude and appreciating the things which bring you joy?  I’d love to know what you’re up to.  Until we talk again,

With love from Brooklyn,

With Love From Brooklyn

For the Little Ones

Nicky6 Comments

I know for some, crafting started on Day 1 of 2015 but it took a few days for me to get started.  But once I did, as the kids in my neighborhood would say, “it was on and poppin’.”  To start the year, I figured a little focus on someone else would be a good way to start my crafting year.  Seems like that was everyone’s thought since charity crafting is the focus of the Ravelry’s HPKCHC Quidditch Match 1 (Winter 2015).  Out of those thoughts came these:

The Little Prince & The Little Princess

 

The Little Prince & The Little Princess II

Two crochet beanies to be added to some other hand-made goodies for babies dropped off or left in my local area hospital under Daniel’s Law.  No one needs to start his or her life being unloved and/or unwanted.  While the hats might not make any difference to the abandonment circumstances, my hope that in some small measure, the Little Princes and Princesses will have a better than nothing at all start with the handcrafted layettes these hats will be a part of.

  • Pattern: Newborn Hat
  • Designer: Athena De La Rosa
  • Modifications: Used aran weight yarn in order to create a larger sized hat.  Added two rounds of sc (single crochet) through the front loops to lengthen and add a decorative element to the pattern.  I also attached some iron appliques for some added panache!
  • Yarn Used: Vanna Choice in Dusty Blue and Beige.  King Cole’s Cotton DK (pink yarn)
  • My Ravelry page: The Little Prince & The Little Princess
  • Additional comments: These items have been totally crafted from my stash, including my library of patterns.  One of my crafting goals this year is to work through the entire year with my current stash and pattern library (outside of any unsolicited gifts I might receive this year).

How has your crafting year started?