I Go To Work: Craft Book Challenge 2013

I don’t write I build a rhyme my craft
I draw plans draft the diagrams
An architect in effect
And it slams
And if it’s weak when I’m done
Renovate and build another one
I go to work
I go to work
I go to work
Like a boxer
Train the brain and aim

~ Kool Mo Dee — I Go To Work

(changes mine)

Is anyone else with me at the speed of light in which January passed by?  Holy Smokes Batman!!!!  Insane!!!!  It’s 5:40 pm and there’s still a hint of daylight in my neck of the woods — almost time for Spring and daylight savings time!  That said, like Kool Mo Dee,  it’s time to go to work.  If I don’t, the months will fly by without me having any crafty projects to show for them!  

February is the shortest month of the year so I’ve been trying to stay ahead of the craft book challenge by planning my projects for this month before January ended.  I’m also working on my time management issues.  To that end, I’ve scheduled crafting time in my weekly schedule. 

  This month, my goal is to:

  • complete one of my spring projects
  • start Z’s blanket
  • start my circles
  • start and possibly complete my first sweater
  • start my spinning adventures — go through the Respect the Spindle DVD
  • start my surprise project/technique

I’m not giving the project titles away, so there’s some element of surprise when I actually cast them on and show them on the blog.  😛   I have to say though, I thought working from my pattern stash was going to be boring, but so far, my biggest problem is deciding what to do next!

If anyone wants to join in the Craft Book Challenge (cute as a button Nizzy I’m calling you out 😛 ) feel free!  The participation rules are here.  I’ll be working through the month then posting my final updates on the last Sunday of the month!!!

craftbookchallengesmall button

Have a wonderful week and “Happy Crafting”!

Craft Book Challenge: F.O. #1

craftbookchallengesmall button

So …. I don’t even know where to start with this entry so bear with me.  😀

So y’all know that I’m working through my already had patterns in this challenge.  My plan was to start with the Gaptastic Cowl but somewhere along the line, I stopped feeling it.  I don’t know if it was a case of  not liking the yarn colour and pattern combo.  I felt as if the seed stitch was being lost in the dark shade of the cranberry yarn I was using.   I actually was going to press forward and finish it this weekend anyway but I honestly didn’t like the way it looked.   Since the F.O. is to be a gift I really wanted to be satisfied with the project before I handed it over.   At the end of the day, I decided to frog it.  But frogging meant that I had to find a pattern in my arsenal that I could use. 

After digging through, I settled on this cowl pattern and honestly … I. LOVE. IT!!!!!!!   I saved this shorter pattern version when Stephanie released it in December 2012, but decided to modify it to make a longer version for this F.O.  (She’s since created a longer version; go to her blog — you’ll love it!!! )

Like my online buddy Andi reminded me today — knitting (and crochet) is supposed to be enjoyable and I can definitely say that I’m going to happily hand this puppy over tomorrow.  But, you’re not here only for my discourse … LOLOL … so I’m going to give you some proof of my first Craft Challenge F.O.  

The recipient requested chunky, funky, stylish, soft and squishy and this pattern/yarn combo nailed it.  ETA: Looking at the picture, it came to my mind that adapting this pattern using the Granny Square stitch might be awesome!!!!

Nikki's Cowl III

Details

Pattern: Chunky Double Crochet Cowl

Designer: Stephanie Lau

Yarn: LionBrand Thick n Quick in Cranberry — 2.4 skeins

Avoiding a craft challenge fail: Point, set, match — Nicky!  😀

Wrapped and Ready To Go

Wrapped and ready to go!!!  😀

So … did any of you make it through the month so far working through your craft books?  I’d love to see what you did!  Post your Rav, blog or Flickr links in the comments section so I could enjoy your projects.  😀

After I weave in the ends of mine, I’m going to get ready for February!!!  Can you believe January’s almost over already?  Wow!!!