WIP Wednesday – What I’ve Been Working On

I cannot believe the month of January 2020 is almost gone! What happened?!?! I haven’t checked in quite as often as I had planned, but, I thought I’d give you a little run-down of what I’ve been working on.

The Traveling Afghans. This has been an AMAZING project! Not only have I gotten to crochet blocks for an upcoming afghan (okay, it’s only January, I’ve only gotten to work on 2….), but I’ve gotten to “meet” several designers/bloggers and “hear” their stories about some of my favorite topics….Knitting, Crocheting and YARN! That’s kind of AWESOME!

When I first started this project, I was a little impatient waiting for the blocks to be posted (well, in my defense, it was a NEW project and I was ready to just get with the crocheting….). I had to remember, the Afghan is traveling all around the world to all the designers so they can add their block. I decided I would use the “in between” time to work on some of my WIPs. Then, when a new block comes out, I work on the block. It’s really a good system! I get to work on something new AND get lots of progress on those WIPs!

 

You might remember this sweater. My 2019 version of “I will complete a sweater THIS year”. Yep. It’s still not finished. But. If you notice, the FUN part is finished! I just have to complete the mundane MILES of stockinette, sleeves and then I’m ready to cut that steek! Should be any day now….Maybe I’ll get this done by the end of 2020. Maybe….

I also started another NEW project….The Bernard Houndstooth Scarf. It’s not really my fault, I was spending quite a bit of time on Two of Wands site looking for afghan squares and I fell in LOVE with the simplicity of this scarf. I had some beautiful Pure alpaca (that a friend had given me) that needed a special project. I paired it with some Shawl in a Ball Metallic (that I’ve tried and failed in a couple of other projects…..) and, yep! It makes a perfect project!

My final project is more Afghan blocks. This time I’m knitting SOME of the Traveling Afghans Knit blocks. But. Instead of knitting them for the Traveling Afghan, I’m knitting them for my Beat the Winter Blues Afghan. Sort of knitting something NEW for an old project. I should be knitting from stitch patterns, but, these patterns are all done for me! I do have to knit on size 2.5 needles to get the block down to a 9″ size, but HEY! It works!

How are your old and new projects coming along? Making progress in 2020?

Happy knitting and crocheting!

Lori

 

 

Just Checking in….

It’s been quite awhile since I’ve checked in. All I can say is, 2020 has been a year I’m not sure I can explain! 😮

I’m not going to lie, I was kind of looking forward to a lockdown. I had LOTS of knit and crochet projects I wanted to work on (does that surprise you?). I had planned to do some MAJOR house cleaning. Try some new recipes. Work in my vegetable garden and flower beds. Do a little painting. Get some time to ride my horse (after all, we do live in the country….). Yeah, I had some things I could do!

That’s when I found out that hardware stores/garden centers are considered “essential businesses” in Oregon. Wait! What?!?! Instead of locking down, we went into overdrive! Especially the nursery department!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE the idea of more people getting into gardening! It’s just that it was EXHAUSTING for my staff, suppliers, growers and ME! For months, I felt like I was running on fumes. My knitting/crocheting time (which is how I keep my sanity) was almost non-existent.

Don’t get me wrong, I did get a little knitting/crocheting time in. Actually even completed a few projects (I’ll try to share them hopefully before the end of the year…..).

Fast forward to December (that is where we’re at, right?!?! Things are FINALLY starting to slow up a little and I decided to start a new project. A SWEATER! It’s almost like I forgot about my sweater phobia. AND. I’m not even following a pattern (I’m still trying to figure out how knitting/crocheting helps with my sanity).

Well, wait a minute, I’m not really going COMPLETELY without a pattern….I’m just changing up an existing pattern (by quite a bit actually….) This Strata Sweater has been on my to-do list for quite sometime. But. Since I really enjoyed the serenity of my recent project (I can give you a hint…..it involved this Coffee House Wrap pattern) and it’s relaxing garter stitch. I decided I definitely wanted to do a garter stitch knit version.

So…..I started plotting out my base rectangle. I determined 220 stitches would get me a 55″ rectangle (give or take). I wanted to make a rope fringe like on this Rosebridge Plaid Blanket Scarf. I decided I would break my stitching at the end of every row, leaving enough tail to make the fringe. I’m pretty excited about this project! Will it turn out? Who knows! But. I can tell you this…..it wouldn’t be my first knitting fail! Hope you are all enjoying your crafting projects!

Happy Knitting!

Lori

WIP Wednesday – I’m Not Even Sure How This Happens….

Just so you know, I had NO (as in zero, none, nodda) intention of knitting the knitted version of The Traveling Afghan. I was ONLY going to make the crochet version. As you can see from the above photo, I have completed the first 2 blocks and have started the third block.

Initially, I only intended to knit some of my favorite blocks on smaller needles to make 9″ blocks for my Beat the Winter Blues Afghan WIP.

The first block was designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. It was a basketweave pattern and I thought it would be a really good pattern for the Afghan. I knit the block on size 4 needles and I was able to block it to 9″, but if you let the block “rest”, it settles back to 10″. “It’s okay….it will be fine” I told myself.

Then, along came block#2…. A really pretty block from Nomad Stitches. Since block #1, stitched up a bit on the biggish side, I decided to go down to size 2.5 needles. That should work, right? I mean why gauge swatch? The block itself is a gauge swatch!

Oh! How wrong I could be! Block #2 blocked out at 10″ too! How big would that block have been if I had knit it on the recommended size 9 needles? I think I’m starting to see how my wonky tension affects my knitting! I’m not even sure gauge swatching would have helped with this!

Now, I’m well into knitting block #3 from The Queen Stitch. Anyway, it looks like instead of adding blocks to an existing WIP, I’ve now started a whole, new project!

So far, it’s been fun! We’ll see how well I can keep up with ALL my projects as my knitting/crocheting/crafting time shortens as my workload increases at my job in the garden center (I don’t care how dedicated a crafter you are, there’s less crafting going on when you come home EXHAUSTED from your job!)

Start any new projects lately? How’s your progress on your WIPs?

Happy Knitting & Crocheting!

Loei

Happy Galentine’s Day 2020!

Happy Galentine’s Day! Here’s hoping you get to spend some time with your favorite bestie (and maybe some yarn) today!

I’ve been making slow,steady progress on my current projects. Unfortunately for me some of my favorite designers have done their best to distract me from my current WIPs with a slew of amazing new projects. Here’s the list of what I’m trying not to start (at least not until I finish some of my current projects)…

The Waterbury Plaid Blanket Scarf

The Mercantile Easy Tunisian Cardigan

The Backcountry Crochet Cardigan

The Tunisian Crochet Neckwarmer

Well, there’s the list of my current distractions. Anyone else have a growing list of projects that are making working on your old projects a bit harder? Or is it just me?

Happy Knitting & Crocheting!

Lori

FO Friday – The First Three Blocks

The first 3 crochet blocks of The Traveling Afghan are done! This project has been so much fun! I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s not just about crocheting blocks. It’s also about “meeting” different designers/bloggers around the world! Sharing the love for our craft. Whether it’s knitting, crocheting, weaving, spinning….all the fiber-related crafts is what draws us all together. We share so much with each other. Patterns, techniques, even bits of our every day lives. We’re a community of fiber enthusiasts! Don’t you just love that?!?!

Here’s the 3 blocks in detail….

Block #1 is a basketweave pattern designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. If crochet is not your thing, Alexandra also designed the first knit block (also a basketweave stitch pattern). The texture of this block is fantastic! Wouldn’t a scarf or neckwarmer be great out of this stitch pattern?!?!

Block #2 is designed by Cecelia Losada of Mamma DIY . This block reminds me of the sun. It was so fun to crochet up!

Block #3 was designed by Wilma Westenberg of Wilmade. V-stitches and Puff Stitches combine to make a Tulip stitch. It’s so pretty! AND. Who doesn’t love tulips?

If you’ve been thinking about making a Traveling Afghan of your own (either knit, crochet, or even both…), it’s really not too late! Only 3 blocks and you’re caught up!

Have you finished any projects this week? What are your knit/crochet plans for the weekend?

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Lori

FO Friday – Brushland Tunisian Wrap

It’s FINISHED! That’s right, I finished my Brushland Tunisian Wrap! For a new-to-me technique, Tunisian Crochet turned out to be fairly easy and produced a lovely, cozy wrap. Thanks again to Jess from the Make & Do Crew for creating this fabulous pattern (and some great Tunisian Crochet tutorials!). Also, a big thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for their Mandala self-striping yarn which made the color changes in the wrap 1)mindless and 2) SEAMLESS (ie; no extra ends to weave in….)! I combined the Mandala Yarn with a solid color of Wool-Ease and I’m really happy with the combination.

Well there you have it! A FO for 2020! How’s your projects coming along? Any FOs?

Happy Knitting & Crocheting!

Lori

 

 

Tunisian Tuesday – Afghan Blocks

I finished 3 Tunisian Afghan blocks over the weekend. I used the Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS) that I learned in this crash course (from the Make & Do Crew) in all 3 blocks. Isn’t it interesting how different each block looks just by varying the colors and color placement?

The solid grey block just uses one color throughout the entire block. The center grey/ turquoise block changes color on every return pass row (as shown in this tutorial). The charcoal/grey block changes color on every forward pass.

Afghan blocks (or dishcloths for that matter) are such a good way to try out new stitches. It won’t be long now before I have enough blocks to complete that Beat the Winter Blues Afghan WIP.

How are your 2020 projects coming along? Finishing up any WIPs?

Happy Crocheting!

Lori

Thoughts on Thursday – Techno Fail

In case you missed it, I’m reposting Tuesday’s Tunisian post. Why did you miss it? Apparently, there was a Techno fail of epic proportions. I usually start my posts on my phone (mostly because that’s where my photos are), but end up finishing on my computer. That’s because I’m technically challenged and it’s easier for me to add links from my computer (don’t laugh….I’ve been a “flip phone” person until 2019….).

It’s all been going good too. Until Tuesday. On Tuesday there was a power struggle between my phone and computer. Apparently, my phone won out and the unfinished, un-rearranged post published. It wasn’t there long. When I wasn’t sure how to fix it, I deleted it (at least I think it got deleted….). So….. here’s what I’ve been up to…..

I recently mentioned (this post), that I learned the basic Tunisian Crochet stitch using this crash course from The Make and Do Crew. AND. I really like it!

It’s not like I needed a new hobby (or project for that matter). But. Once I got comfortable with the basic stitch, I wanted to tackle the Brushland Tunisian Crochet Wrap.

I ended up buying a new interchangeable Crochet Hook (okay, okay, I actually bought TWO Crochet hooks,Two sizes of cords and a Tunisian Crochet Stitch Pattern book…..) to accommodate the increasing amount of stitches. I had seen these interchangeable hooks, but never realized I would ever need any….My wrap is coming along to the point that it’s getting to big for the bag I carry my “to go” projects in. So, it’s become my “at home” project.

I decided I should make some Tunisian Crochet blocks for my as of yet, unfinished, Beat the Winter Blues Afghan. What a good way to learn new Tunisian Crochet stitches, right?!?!

Are you learning any new techniques for 2020?

Happy Crocheting!

Lori

WIP Wednesday -The Traveling Afghan – Block #1

You may remember I mentioned (this post) wanting to start The Traveling Afghan for 2020. Well, Block #1 was released January 6th by Two of Wands! YAY! I pulled out my yarn and hook and got started right away!I LOVE the texture of this block! If you’ve been on the fence about this project for 2020, it’s not too late. Join us in participating in The Traveling Afghan! You WON’T regret it!

Happy Crocheting!

Lori

New Year, New Projects….

Happy New Year! 2020 is here and I’m ready for a new project! I know! I know! I SHOULD be finishing up some of my 2019 projects! BUT. It’s a new year and I’m ready to start something NEW! (just so you know, this is how I lose interest in my OLD projects and the reason I have SO MANY WIPs! 😉)

The above yarn is some that I started this sweater with (SO many sweater failures in my life! Does it crack you up when you read 2017, 2018, 2019 will be my “Year of the Sweater”? It cracks me up in a kind of pathetic way!). Obviously, I never could even commit to a sweater to make with it! No wonder I have sweater phobia!

Well…..I should probably stop telling you about my failures (although, this is just the tip of the iceberg….) and tell you about the FIRST project I plan on starting in 2020! The above “sweater failure yarn” will be used in The Traveling Afghan (along with an as of yet undetermined color or two of Wool-Ease yarn….). A sampler crochet afghan by many designers around the world. It’s basically 2 10″ blocks per month (plus finishing). There is a knit or crochet version. I’m planning on doing the crochet version, because I feel like I can complete crocheted blocks faster than knit….therefore leaving time in each month for my other projects. HA! We’ll see how that works out for me! . Well folks, that’s my plan! If you’d like to join me, I’ll host an un-official KAL/CAL on my Facebook Page. Hope to see you there!

What have you got up your crafty sleeve for 2020?

Happy New Year!

Lori