Slow Progress 4/52

I would like to say that I made pretty good progress on projects this week especially since I had a large amount of down time on Tuesday. But it didn't work out that way. I have manages a couple of hats for charity, an almost finished Etsy order and a couple of rows on one sleeve of my cardigan. 

On Tuesday we had an appointment with a specialist and we did get some news that day that they didn't see an signs of cancer on Abbigail's liver as my vet was sure they would see, or any where else that they could tell. We did another blood test and they think she has IBD, irritable bowel  disease. This Would fit all of her symptoms, old and new.I'm looking forward to helping her feel better with a new diet and medication. I appreciate everyone's well wishes and I know they were heard.

So on to the non-progress of the week..

Here's the three hat added to the charity list. I dug out a couple of skeins of yarn that I had laying around, I Should be able to get a few more out of this skein and another that I had in this weight that I can only seem to find one of so it's a good project for them. I'm loving how the stripes are working out, so this was a great pattern for that yarn.

After much internal debate I think I'd decided on a shorter sleeve for my cardigan. That's not me trying to finish it up it's actually that I'm not a fan of long sleeves. So at the least I would have made them 3/4 length but for more use I'm going with a shortish sleeve. I've measure it out as 11 inches and once I get the first one done I'll see how that works. I think I should go ahead and seam it up so that I can also check the fit. So with each row being about 1/2 and inch I think I'm about 11 rows until this sleeve is ready for testing. This still isn't the right color by the way, which is really interesting that it looks so different in different lighting.

I swear it's really a nice heather blue..lol

I've got a veggie set to finish up, work in ends and add a few leaves and this one will be shipping out on Monday! 

I'm hoping to have a bit more progress to show and talk about next week, Thanks again for all of your kind words and thoughts, they mean so much to us.

If you are enjoying these updates be sure to stop by Ravelry, and check out the Year of Projects forums for more talented yarn artists! If you are having issues with the new format please be sure to switch to classic to keep the original community while they work out the bugs.

Have a Crafty Week!

Cold Sheet Progress 4/52 

Prior Weeks Balance 3269 yards out

This weeks yarn used 408 yards

This weeks yarn In 0

Updated Total Used 3677

 

Cardigan and Charity Progress YOP 3/52

After last week's post I kept my promise to myself and I went back into the cave of doom Craft Room and dug out my Silver Bells Cardigan, the pattern was in the 2014 version of the Holiday Crochet magazine. I have been working on it off and on since 2016 and it's my goal to actually get to wear it this fall. It has a longer bell type sleeve but I'm going to modify it to at least a 3/4 sleeve. Somehow I've managed to keep the pattern, yarn and hook together with the pieces, which is a good thing because I'm pretty sure I'd never find the yarn again. I had the back and one side finished back in 2017, then it was put away or forgotten for other projects, but I've been working on it this week and its going so easily I don't know why I put it down. It's just shells so it's a good project for while watching tv. I finished up the second panel for the front and have just moved on to the sleeves. not too bad I guess.

The colors are way off, it's actually a blue, but I kinda wish it was this color..lol

I had a goal to do 30 projects for a Charity that gave items to babies in the NICU to celebrate my premie's 30th birthday. Their big request right now is for hats of all sizes, I have a skein of some really soft mint colored yarn and I whipped up 7 small hats and I managed another pink hat in a larger size that I will add to the pile. This was off of a small ball I had on hand, i think I can get one more out of it too. I thought I would complete my personal challenge before sending, if I can go ahead and get the rest done I'll try that but if it starts to drag I think I'll send these on so they have them. And just keep an box for the remainders as they come along. 

I have a hard appointment this coming week for Abbigail, my lab mix and best friend. She's had all kinds of health problems over the years and she's no spring chicken but I'm still holding out hope.  We're going to a specialist to have an ultrasound and other some tests run. She's not doing well and it's even worse that with everything going on I have to leave her at the vet and wait outside. It could be an hour or hours, depending on what they think is best. It's going to be rough on both of us and I need to bring a project that's portable and also interesting so I can fill the time and not worry myself sick too. Maybe it will be a great time for Charity projects, simple and quick. We can use any kind thoughts you can send our way. 

Princess Abbigail aka Abbey dooby doo

 I'm hoping to be back next week with a big finish and hopefully some small ones, and more progress to show on old projects.

Be sure to check out the Year of Projects groups on Ravelry for inspiration and it's never to late to join.

Have a very creative week!

Cold Sheep Tally 2020-21

Prior weeks total out 2550 yards

Week 3 out 719 (hats, veggie set, sweater work)    

Week 3 in 0

Total Change 3269. yards.

One Pillow, Two Pillow and a set of Booties. Year of Projects Week 2

So as soon  I decide to buckle down on my list I find myself suddenly diverting  onto other things. I've been trying to organize my craft room, putting yarn up and putting yarn together with patterns for a while. And as I move one more box and I then realize I've got a nice selection of pillow forms just hanging around. SO instead of working on a project that needed to be completed I started another. In my defense it was quick and I've added a spot of color to my living room/office space and utilized a pillow form. And did I mention that I used two skeins of yarn that I had in hand? Win/Win/Win in my book!

Its a pattern from the crochet crowd, Crochet Textured Flower Pillow, Here's the pattern I didn't have a bulky yarn I liked so I went with two strands of Red Heart that I had on hand. And I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'll be making another one in a different color soon, well as soon as I find two skeins of a color I think will work in that area. The stash hunt is officially on !

Then as luck would have it I got a message from a person who follows my daughters Instagram and she asked about a pillow I had done for My daughter a year or so ago. We struck up a conversation and soon she was placing an order for an Acorn Pillow, yes you read that right, Acorn. So that was pillow two of the week and I can't say how much fun those large stuffies are. In case you wondered the one for my daughter was a beet! My daughter is vegan and she loved the small version so well I thought a big one would be fun and a conversation piece too. I actually ended up making a few beet pillows and a couple of other veggie pillows last year for a friend of hers that had a vegan store on the coast. You just never know where the world of yarn will take you!

Then it was on to a special order of Booties. Dad is a baseball fan and with a new baby on the way and hope for the season opener, Mom ordered these Chicago Cubs inspired booties, These are fun and easy, toe of my favorite things, and I get it add a check mark to the finish column even if it's not on the list!

I'm hoping to dive into my project bags this week and drag out my long suffering cardigan, I might have it finished by the time it gets cold. I'm really glad I bought so much yarn for it since i"m pretty sure they don't make it any more.

So having said that It's time to track my Cold Sheep/ Clean out the Disaster  Craft Room

Yarn

OUT 2550 yards (rounded) 

IN 0

Other Craft Supplies

1 Pillow Form

So that wraps up another week of Projects for me, Please be sure to check out all of the other blogs in the group and  remember it's always a good time to join. Check it out here.

Have a Wonderful Crafty Week!

Reevaluating My Mess, I mean List ..YOP Week # 1 Year 10!

Well It's been a while and I completely admit that I had/have lost my Crojo.. (crocheting Mojo for those non crafters out there) over the last two years. In my defense I had some crazy life changes two moves, one of which was coming back to a old residence in a different situation. But with all of that I think I am finally wanting to get back into creating and sharing those creations with the world, yeah I know delusions of grandeur..lol

While its Year 10 for the “Year of Projects”, I can say that I’ve been off and on since year 5.. and some years I’ve done better than others. This year I want to really spend some time with my list and see what still speaks to me and what doesn't fit now. I still have a craft room full of yarn, fabric and other items that were for projects that at some point had to be added to the never ending list that I carried around in my head and on my Pintrest boards. I fully expect to get a message every time I open my Pintrest saying something along the lines of “Certainly you’ve pinned enough on all of these boards not to need a NEW idea by now”. Thankfully they encourage over indulgence..

I haven't been completely without out a hook. I did manage to make some items for the holidays for family and friends, and fill some orders for my Etsy shop. Who knew that Farmer's market veggies would be such a hit? Enough so that I’m working on adding a new “set” of veggies in the next couple of weeks.

Having said that I've also been on the cold sheep bandwagon, and doing better than expected. Not saying that my craft room couldn’t be mistaken for a small craft warehouse, I do need to clear out yarn, fabric as well as other kinds of projects, I'm looking at you basket making supplies. Anyone looking for a good amount of vintage Italian Cotton tape yarn? I mean really where in the world did I come up with these random things..lol



But one thing that I have added to my list, *Sigh* is crocheting 30 items, blankets, loveys and hats for a charity, Charis' Love. This is a kind of a birthday present for my daughter who will be 30 this year. She was born 8 weeks early and spent a month in the NICU. I was really lucky, I had lots of crafty support by way of blankets that aunts and my grandmother had created in anticipation of her arrival, even if it just happened to be a bit early. That “organized to get things done early gene” totally skipped me. But with the event sped up they kicked it in gear and knocked out small version of booties and hats to go along with the gifts of blankets already created. It was so appreciated in that crazy time. And we continued to craft as we waited for her to come home making more items to donate for other parents and infants in the NICU. I know there are plenty of other parents without that special support that I had and I hope these items will bring a bit of happiness to them. I have a few hats completed, a blanket started, and ideas for things they often request, we'll see if I end up with just a couple of patterns or thirty different ones. I'd love to have these knocked out quickly but I know my track record and I'm not making any promises..

 

And since I’m dreaming big this year, I’ll say I’d love to get my stash loaded onto Ravelry. While I’m destashing, Moving yarn to new loving homes I hope to organize a bit a bit too. I’m adding all of this to my wish list..

I've updated my list a bit and I'll insert a few relevant pieces here, but the whole thing can be found on another page, for those who want to see the whole ugly mess..lol. I think I'll be revisiting patterns and a few more will be falling off and I'm sure that a few more might even be added..

Current WIP- Crochet
Falling Leaves Blanket (Baby) Spring 2019
Moss Stitch (premie size for charity)
Catherine's  Wheel Blanket Winter 2018
Honeycomb Blanket Fall 2018
Stitch Story CAL  (I actually started two in two different colors!) July 18 2019
Peach Blossom Blanket from spring 2018 _ Almost done, just ends to weave in!
Bee Hive Blanket- Spring 2018
Unicorn Ripple- May 2018- frogged
Pom Pom Rug- April 2018
Whale Shark- Gift for E- from two years ago
Carrot Snuggle sack- 75% done- Spring 2017
Deftly Delft Mystery CAL 2016
Flower Garden Blanket- Started 2016
Cardigan for Me -Started 2016
Sidewalk Blanket- started 2015
Twilight Ribbon  Blanket before 2015- Almost done (ends maybe) DONE!!

Crochet Projects I want to start

New Additions that I have patterns for

De Dannan wrap Tunisian Crochet 

Sheep Blanket from owlbhooked

Bee Blanket from owlbhooked

Bee blanket (I have the yarn and the pattern in a box haven't even opened it yet)

Old listings that are still hanging on 

Blankets

Mystical Lanterns - I have the pattern and started one but decided to change my colors

Monarch blanket By Hailey Bailey- I bought the pattern and it will be a gift

Patterned C2C

Wendy Blanket

4 Seasons CAL from Deramores

10 Fleece "blankets' awaiting edging

Mini Spirals of Change

Star Blanket

Angelica Afghan

Blue Mandala Throw

So here I am again with a long list of ideas and it's week one of the Year of Projects group on Ravelry. If you's like to join in or just check out some great blogs, see lots of wonderful projects or just follow a group of talented and friendly people hop right on over and check it out!

Year of Projects Week 8

It's been a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. I was out of town last weekend and part of the week. I visited one yarn store and managed to come out with only a new set of Straight needles..lol. But they were so pretty I couldn't help myself. I want to get back into knitting and I thought these might just encourage me a bit.

I knew I wouldn't have much time for projects but I picked a simple one as the next in line to finish. It's a simple pattern and one color so easy packing.

Not a huge amount of progress but I did manage a complete motive and I dug around and found another skein of the same yarn so the stash will be moving in the correct direction! I did a variation of a pattern I found on the blog Martin Up North, He was basing his scarf on a section of the Hotel of Bees Shawl, which is also on my wish list. I've been a bee keeper, I don't have any now, but I have spent many a lovely afternoon watching industrious bees coming home loaded down with pollen, doing the "direction dance" as we called and it then zooming off again. I seem to be having a thing with hexi's lately too..

I've started the next pillow also, same fabric but triangles this time. And I've got a couple of  square pillow forms so another item out of the craft room.

These mini rulers are great for jelly rolls, I bought a few from the Sewing Show last year and I'm finally putting them to use. They were less than 2.00 each and I'll  say it was a great deal.

I've gotten the center sewn together and I'm lining up the other pieces, The top couple be finished by this weekend, fingers crossed. 

I need to get on the ball if I plan on making a bit more room so I can bring home a few things from the Southern Eastern Animal Fiber Fair this October.

So my Year 9 progress hasn't changed much, I'll weigh my skein this week for blanket progress

So here's where it stand as of now:

615 yards Yarn in and 957 yards out.

I jelly roll in process in and 2 .25 yard Panels and 1 yard of fabric in.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all of the other great projects in the Year of Projects  Blog along.

Year of Projects Update Week 6

It's been a busy week and I had every intention

to post , because I didn't want to miss a week but it just didn't get done.I did attend a Sewing Expo and didn't come home with tons of new projects so that's a positive at least,

Most of my craft time for the week was taken up trying to decide on just the right border for the peach blossom. I tried at least 6 different borders before I just decided to go simple and do a scalloped edge with a picot. One thing I have decided is that if I do the Celtic lace join again, I won't do the chain five on the outside edge of the square. This is the "joining" round and for me It just left a space that was difficult to find the Just right border for. But having said that I'm happy with this one and as busy as this blanket is, it didn't need a lot more border..

I used the chain space and did four double crochet, chain three and then four more doubles with a slip stitch in the connecting chain from the prior round. It works out good and after all of the other options I think it is the best fit. Still a few ends to work in but over all I'm calling it a finish!




I managed to finish my pillow too! So now it's on to the next one, I hope to do at least two more and a cushion for my rocking chair out of this fabric or at least coordinating colors. The next two will be square since I have a couple of those forms already hanging around in the craft room, I've even started cutting out the triangles for the next pillow. Same fabric, different shapes, just to keep it interesting


I'm going through bags looking for a good travel project, since i will be out of town next weekend and I am not going to have a lot of down time but I need to keep the projects moving,

I feel pretty good about the amount of  fabric that I actually brought home when you see what I was faced with and this is only have of the expo! Lots of Beautiful Quilts, tons of fabric and accessories and machines. I enjoy attending and I was good this year. I bought two panels with a project in mind already for both and backing for one. Not too bad.

So my Year 9 progress is: 

615 yards Yarn in and 957 yards out.

I jelly roll in process in and 2 .25 yard Panels and 1 yard of fabric in.

Still basically on the positive side..as long as I finish up the fabric panels by the end of the year. since both are destined to be Christmas presents.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to check out all of the other great projects in the Year of Projects Blog along.

Year of Projects Week 4

It's Sunday again, I was off a couple of days and they went way too fast!

I have a couple of almost finishes and I even visited a Yarn Store and managed to stick to my Cold Sheep.

E and I traveled to Nags Head which is part of the North Carolina Outer Banks, only a couple of hours north from us, to pick up a couple of mugs from a potter she follows on Instagram. Her online sales generally sell out so we went straight to the source. Being crafters with small businesses of our own we try very hard to support others. Her business is Swell Ceramics and this is her instagram, if you are interested in some very beachy type mugs and cups.

While we were there we ran over to South Beach take out, which has a truly awesome menu of vegan, and other options, it can be hard to find really good food for different dietary options, but they really do a great job. If you are out that way check them out.

The best part of that is in the same shopping center is a yarn store, Yarn and More. I know who expects to find yarn at the beach, I was very thrilled! I love an Local Independent yarn store, especially one with such a great selection. They had some very beautiful yarns, all the supplies you need, in case you happen to have left your favorite hook at home or need a new project, and even cross stitch supplies. I'm hoping to get back up there soon, maybe in the fall after the tourist season is over. While I oohed and awwd over lots of beautiful yarn I left empty handed with the promise to come back once I've moved a few more projects out. It wasn't easy but I'm determined.

So that brings me to the Peach Blossom Blanket. The squares are all joined and now it's time for the boarder and about a thousand ends to be sown in .I'm pretty sure that I'll be doing some kind of fan stitch for the boarder, just the gray, since I have this huge skein to use up..lol




I've made great headway on the pillow too. Hexi's join easily, I think my biggest concern was color placement. I should have that finish this week and another one started by next weekend. I need a cushion for the rocking chair too, so I'm thinking same color palette. I have ideas for a couple of other pillows and I have the fabric and the pillow forms so there's a couple of more items heading out of the craft room too. I'm hoping to have a bit more working space come winter, which is when I have more time for crafting.

 
We've had a nice end to the week weatherwise and so I've been spending more time than normal in the yard, trying to get this  hot mess under control..lol. But I'm thrilled to be making the head way I have, but there is still lots to finish and so many things I'd love to start.

So my Year 9 progress is: 

615 yards Yarn in and 782 yards out.

I jelly roll in process in and none in.

I'm still on the positive side and I can add a pillow form too!

I hope everyone has great week and If you'd like to join us or just love a to see some seriously talents crafters at work, check out all of the blogs who are participating in a Year of Projects!