New Yarn Stash Additions

I’ve been buying yarn! I got a delightful package from Hobbii. I bought selections from Friends Cotton 8/4 and Happy Place. I took a video of my “unboxing” of the yarn. I need to learn to edit (and video), but here’s a rough view of what I got.

I’ve Started a New Project

I started this popular heart sweater by Chenda DIY. I first stumbled across it on Reddit and since then have seen several variations on the pattern across Reddit and Pinterest. Typically it’s done in 2-3 colors. I chose to do it in a solid color and allow the texture to come through. I’m using Hobbii’s Friends Cotton 8/4 in Bottle Green and a 4.0 mm Clover Amour hook. I think this yarn will make a lightweight sweater with a nice drape. The size in the video is smaller than I need to fit me. I find the instructions to be generally clear, but a bit ambiguous for beginners who need to size it up or down. I’m going to have to experiment a bit to make it a size medium-large enough fit me.

I had a rough start! I spent over a week trying to master row one. I frogged it about two dozen times (no exaggeration here!) before I was satisfied enough to move beyond the first two rows. It’s still not perfect (especially the center of hearts) but perfect is the enemy of done and I’m pretty sure I’ll be making this sweater again. I finished the majority of the first panel and have started the second panel for the front and back of the sweater. The second time through went much faster. I’m enjoying the pattern and I’d like to try it again, this time with 2-3 colors and with a slightly thicker and softer yarn. I think Hobbii’s Happy Place collaboration with Toni Lipsey would be a great yarn for this sweater. A combination of the solid and melange for a cozy gradient could be delightful.

I Still Haven’t Finished My Basket

I knew when I started that finishing would always be the hardest. I like being in the middle of project, starting and finishing are the hardest parts. I’ll get to this though. I promise!

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Have you heard the advice that if you want to make a new habit you need to tie it to an existing habit? Well, I think I’ve done that because I have a hard time watching television without a hook in my hand. As habits go, it’s far from the worst one I could pick up. An upside has been that I have also spent fewer hours scrolling on my phone. The downside is that I made an incredible amount of progress. I’m at the mercy of the shipping gods while I wait for new yarn to arrive so I can start my next project.

I’ve Learned a Few Things

I need multiple projects. When I realized I was nearly through with the rounds I had a mild panic about what I was going to do next. Just as I am a reader who can’t have any less than five books in progress, I’m going to be the crocheter who needs multiple WIPs.

I’m picky about yarn. My other fiber arts hobby is punch needle. I have a lot of yarn leftover from kits and that I’ve bought in attempts to design my own project. I don’t think punch needle design is my strength. Or I haven’t cracked it yet. So when I was feeling anxious about what to do next, I pulled out my stash. It was enlightening to feel yarns of different weights and textures and try a few stitches with my hook.

I absolutely hated a 100% acrylic yarn from my stash. It was soft to the touch, but too slippery and squishy to work with. It both fell about and knotted easily. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it, but it’s not meant for crochet. Not without pairing it with another yarn at least. So far I love wool and wool blends. I played around with some wool roving that might find it’s way into a home decor project. Maybe pot holders. It had a smooth feel but with enough friction that I enjoyed touching it. I also played with a 100% cotton baby yarn. I liked the way the cotton feels, but that yarn is so thin it was hard to work with. I’m just now a little nervous because my next project involves fingering yarn. Fingers crossed, I like it.

I really love Lion Brand’s Hue + Me and I just discovered that it’s a collaboration with Two of Wands who has some amazing looking patterns I’m excited to try out. Unless I get distracted, I’ll be trying a Two of Wands project very soon.

I Also Bought New Hooks!

These were purchased from JoAnn with a 40% off coupon. Usually this set goes for about $89 so I felt good about what I paid. My first hook was from my Woobles project. I bought 6.5 mm and 9 mm when Clover Amour hooks when started the Fireside Basket. I told myself not to invest in a set before I needed a hook in the standard collection. My next project (more on that to come!) will need hooks. So this really must become a new habit, because it’s not cheap! I got to stick with this.

Almost Done!

Here’s how my Fireside Basket is looking. If you need a reminder, here’s how it started. You’ll get a full reveal with the completed fringe detail. I have a few takeaways from this project that I’ll save for the reveal. In the meantime, I can’t believe what I’ve done so far!

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Did you hear that? I’m still crocheting. Welcome to Week 2 of 52 Weeks of Crochet. I am finding my groove plus ruminations on creating a world that fits me through craft.

I picked up speed after getting through last weeks untangled mess. What I didn’t show you last week was how I kept it from tangling. Where there’s a will there’s a way. My way was taping the ends to PVC pipes (that have artwork rolled up inside — that’s for another project) and then rolling the yarn onto them. Then I took the taped ends to create my double strand and pulled the yarn off the tubes. I am now better at handling the skeins early on. I’m still getting tangles, but nothing resembling this and nothing that a patient five minutes can’t handle. I think my next investment into the fiber arts should be getting a yarn winder so I can avoid tangling skeins and hanks. Untangling wastes so much time.

Creating a World That Fits Me: A Few Things from the Week

This week I came across a recent Therapy for Black Girls podcast episode on sewing. The guest spoke about the intersection of sewing (or craft) and liberation. Much of the message could easily be applied to crochet. It also made me think about practical ways to include sewing in my crochet projects. Or maybe finally making good use of the sewing machine I occasionally breakout and half to relearn how to use each time. I like the idea of having more clothing that reflects my size and my taste and creating the home decor items that fit my taste exactly. I like the idea of creating a world that fits me through craft.

This week I’ve been conscious about carving out time to crochet. I like having a show to watch while I work. This week’s choice has been about 1.5-2 episodes of Star Trek: Picard, which equals about two hours of crochet every night. I’ve made so much progress this way and it’s been a good way to wind down. After my evening activities, dinner, and any other chores I need to do, I’ll sit down by 8:00 or 9:00 PM and I’ll work until it’s time for bed. I’ve noticed that despite still having a screen (my laptop), I spend less time on my phone and by not being in my bedroom, I’m not desensitized to my bed being a place for sleep. I’m already looking forward this ritual and I’ve only been doing it about a week.

So there you have it! My second week of crochet complete. I’m over half-way through the project. I can’t wait to tell you about what I’ve learned along the way and share the finished object.

An Aside

After so many years with housemates, I’ve gotten in the habit of spending a lot of time in my bedroom when I needed alone or “winding down” time. I’m finally in a home with multiple rooms that can be assigned different purposes and I find that my habit is still to relax in my bed. I’m trying to break that habit and key to my success so far has been making my living area a cozy place to be. The recent addition of a new blanket and rug have helped a lot. The next step is a second table lamp and to put up art. Maybe I’ll share my space when it’s complete.

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