Slow Progress and a Box of Goodies

I'm still working away at Ireland's blanket

I'm trying to be creative with the squares, which is making this a slower project than I would like. Who am I kidding? Even if every square were the same, it would be a slow project for me.

Sorry for the photos, I snapped these with my iphone in a hurry

I decided to add a couple of Minnie Mouse squares. We have Disney on the brain (planning a trip later this year)

I'm making this a little differently than other crochet mood projects. I notice some are making their squares according to their mood for the particular day or week, and then placing them in order as they go. I'm doing the same in a way. I'm placing them where ever I feel like they look best. So is this truly a crochet mood blanket? I don't know.

The sock knitting is going pretty well. I'm now at the toe of the first. Hopefully, I'll still be motivated to finish the second.

This was a few rows before starting the toe

 Don't judge, remember, it's my first

Earlier this week I received a package from a Ravelry swap that I participated in.

I love it. I racked up, 3 skeins of Wool-ease, crochet hook grips, candy, handmade soap, buttons, a sock pattern, notepad, postcards from Minnesota, a knitted dishcloth...even something for Ireland. Fellow knitters/crocheters are the best aren't they?

Have a great weekend,
Liz

Sock Knitting

I've become obsessed with socks. I've always been intimidated by the thought of knitting them. But Instagram has motivated me to try

I have lots of sock yarn scraps left over from crocheting shawls. So for these I'm using Noro, Spud and Chloe, Universal, Wisdom, and a couple unknowns.

My apologies for the photos, these are not set up well. I'm being lazy.

They're not perfect. This first one is a little big. My stitches are sloppy. My feet and ankles are slim, so the fit is a little loose. Hopefully they'll be pretty and colorful even if they may not be a perfect fit. I've learned that socks are way easier than I thought they would be.

dpns are a breeze for me...why are circulars so hard? Anyway, I hope I won't lose steam after the first. I'm reading that socks are addictive so I'll try to make my second pair look and fit better. I'm looking for some colorful sock yarn for the next pair. Any recommendations would be nice.

Ireland's blanket is coming along, but of course I've lost interest. I'll force myself to keep crocheting a couple squares every other day or two.

The pattern for these are from Purl Bee, the Sporty Striped Peds.

I don't know why I'm so obsessed with knitting lately, but I'll post a pic of Ireland's blanket in a day or two.

Have a great weekend!

Colorwul Knit Projects

I've learned something about myself lately. I can knit like a champ with straight needles...

Well, sort of

But circular needles are another story. I just cannot use them. I mess up my gauge. Hats are always too big or small, and the twisting drives me nuts.

I love the Patons Colorwul yarn. The hat above is in the Ocean colorway. The mitt below is my favorite colorway.

I decided to use a simple stitch pattern to show the colors. My goal is to knit the Cable Yak hat below. I hope cables will be easy. I guess I should get friendly with the circular needles. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Raveled by MariChiba found here

Today is a beautiful day here in NC. I heard Michael outside with the chain saw. I looked out and saw this...

It's the rosemary that I love. The one that I've been taking pics of every season. Well, now it has been butchered. I am mortified. I would cry, but I guess it's not that serious. But still!

In this pic from last summer, you can see it in the background

 It better come back. If not, I just may hurt Michael. Why do men think they can just cut down whatever they want?

Cabin Fever

This week I've crocheted quite a bit. I keep plugging along with the new blanket...

and this is why...

A section of our backyard

This is Michael on the tractor trying to scrape our drive

The view from our couch. He's staring at me

 So I stayed home from work half the day Wednesday and all day Thursday. It was nice, minus the snow...I'm not a fan.

 

This is Ireland's fave motif for her blanket

 This is the owl motif from Repeat Crafter Me

I think we got around a foot of snow. Fortunately, the sun came out after the snow and I made it out to work on Friday. This weekend is beautiful and sunny. It will be 70 degrees by Friday...only in North Carolina.

I'm still working on the blanket and a package for a secret swap on Ravelry. I can't show it until later. I wouldn't want my swap recipient to see what I made her. 

Have a great Sunday!

Grannies

This weekend has been all about grannies...

Making progress on Ireland's blanket

I've also been working on a scarf

It's a multicolor puff scarf

All of those little balls of scrap yarn have come in handy.

Happy Sunday!

A New Blanket WIP

Yes, I've lost it. I started a new blanket...only because Ireland asked

It seems everyone is participating in the Crochet Mood Blanket project. I thought about it and then reminded myself how terrible I am with blankets... I'm still working on the patchwork. But when your child asks you for something, you do it. So here I am crocheting 2 or 3 squares each night.

I decided to make each one different, trying to mix it up.

If it gets boring I lose my motivation. So maybe this idea will keep this long project interesting. I can choose a different pattern and color for each one.

Here is a beautiful sight...

I'm so proud and excited to see her crocheting. She is just chaining for now. I hope she will like it as much as I do. Of course I won't force her, but I will definitely try to inspire her. I hope she continues to have the desire to learn.

Now, I guess I'll work on her blanket. The color for tonight is purple.

I hope you all have a great week.