Year of Projects: Week 18

Project Percentage Complete: 59%

Overall Percentage Complete: 61%

Number of Project Items: 27

Number of Added Items: 29
Total Items: 56

I had a bit of a faux pas with the socks. I'd like to say it was a "newb mistake" but I'm afraid it was just me not paying attention. What happened is I was visiting my mother when I decided to start on the second sock rather than attempting the short-row heel on the first sock. So, I shot over to Hobby Lobby and grabbed a new set of dpns. Yup... a new set... that were 1 size too small.

*sigh*

Oh well. I used the 2nd sock to practice the heel on and learned the lesson that I really don't want to attempt the heel on my "real" sock without the yarn ladies at my side.

That'll teach me, eh? Since I won't be able to go to yarn group for a little, I've had to set my fantastic socks to the side temporarily. That has opened up my craft time to a lot of other things.

One Hour Cowl with Black Buttons

In list news, I added 3 new items to the list: two hats and a cowl. I whipped the cowl up in 1 hour and plan on putting the pattern on the blog. Pardon that I look like I'm half asleep and seriously hot. I am half asleep and seriously hot... that cowl is warm!

I had my son take the picture - and because he is 12, there is this weird slant upward for the photo. Oh well - I'm just glad he is willing to help me with silly things like this. *chuckles*

The first hat is something I've been rattling around in my head for a while but haven't tackled until Wednesday night after I finished the cowl. I think joining different types of yarn crafting is interesting and I'd like to try more of it. The hat was my first attempt at doing this. Look for the pattern soon. I may do it as a video and written instruction.... just because.

Cris' Hybrid Hat

Other than these items, I really don't have much more going on. I know I need to snap off the last few ice skates and start the golf club covers if I'm going to finish them to be Christmas presents.

The last week has been an interesting one ... I have not quite felt myself since I have achy joints, sore chest, and dizzy spells. You see - I was bit by a spider last weekend. I haven't gone to the doctor yet simply because I am not displaying a fever. I have looked up information and have a decent benchmark on when I should go to the doctor if necessary - couple how I feel physically to my general workload AND the idea I need to make the kids' costumes by this weekend ... its a recipe for blog failure.

I really do plan on getting back to regular updates as soon as possible. Right now it looks like it will be in two weeks, right after I finish my comprehensive exam for graduation.

sneak peek to my daughter's costume

So other than all this - things are going along as normal. I look forward to seeing how everyone else is doing. For me, right now, I think its interesting to see that the list I originally picked is way to small but I know I could never have predicted all the additions. Granted, it will be pretty cool at the end of 12 months to see just how much I can get done in a year.

Have a great day everyone!


Project List Items (not complete)

- Filet Market Bag
- Lacet Table Runner [...started...]
- Throw for living room sofa (no pattern selected yet)
- Round Afghan/Throw (potential Christmas present)
- Angel Tree Topper
- 4 pair Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas gift)
- 2 sets Golf Club Covers (no numbers) - (Christmas gifts)

Project List Items (done)
- 3 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (personal use)
- 11 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas)
- Easy Cabled Scarf
- Poncho (early Christmas present)

Added Items (not complete)
- Wristlet Bag (adjusting pattern) [...65%...]
- EnviroTote Market Bag #4 [90% complete]... I really need to line this and get it off the list!
- Angel Hair scarf
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- 4 thread crochet coasters
- knit socks [started]
- hybrid hat

Added Items (done)
- Wristlet Bag (making my own pattern)
- Mystery CAL Beach Bag
- 5 Knit Washcloth
- 3 Crochet Dishcloth
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- Ear Bud "purse"
- WW Yarn Runner for  ledge
- Angel Hair scarf
- 1 hour cowl
- Hybrid Hat (patting coming soon)
- 1 Loom Knit Hat

---------------------
This post is part of the Ravelry Group "Come Blog-A-Long" #yearofprojects Project. If you are interested in joining along or finding other posts similar to this one, visit the group on Ravelry.

Surprising Sales

I have never done a craft fair before.... and in all honesty I still have yet to do one BUT my crocheted items made their debut yesterday.

So let's back up a little bit.

I have wanted to try doing a craft fair, I really have, but unfortunately my time restrictions are just too insane, especially this semester. I have a few friends who do them and do really well selling their crafted goods. Weirdly enough, these are not the same friends that know I'm relatively crafty - odd, eh? I figure when they are showing me stuff, they aren't looking for me to talk about what I do - they are simply wanting feedback on their crafty goodness....

but I digress.

So somehow, in the last few months, one of my friends who does craft fairs found out about the hidden crochet inside of me. She offered that if I had anything I'd like to send along, I could - she'd have no problem displaying my pieces. I thanked her politely and thought nothing more of it.

Fast forward to a few days ago - Where we work hosts a holiday craft festival at the end of October. So I happened into my craft room (like that doesn't happen daily *cackles*) and realized I had a box with several scarves in it that I really hadn't any plan for. It was then I thought I'd take them to my friend and offer for her to display them for me. I offered half the table fee and she insisted no - that I could barter with her: my goods selling on her table at no extra cost for my helping her get an Etsy store set up (banners, etc).

Anywhoozles, it was a little exciting sitting at work today knowing she was downstairs, with my scarves on her table.... and people were looking at them! I think it was good that I was not sitting there because I usually get nervous and act all weird and get really talkative - mostly because I don't want people thinking I'm overpricing things or that I have no talent and shouldn't be selling anything (personal demon, don't ask)

1st scarf to sell

Around 11 she had texted me and said she sold a scarf. I was EXCITED! The first scarf to sell was the scarf I originally began making for the man. Remember it? I thought the colors were masculine enough but after he saw it, he said it looked a bit too girly - the white halo of fiber is what I think he was referring to because the last I checked, brown and grey were "guy colors."

In the early afternoon, someone came up and asked me about the smaller of the scarves and if she could get it in different colors... of course, I replied - and I walked away with an order for that. And to top it off, when my friend brought my stuff to me at the end of the craft show, a coworker bought another scarf.

I'm pretty stoked, to say the least!

2nd scarf to sell

It's exciting that people would be interested in something that I made.

I was pretty surprised too because when I walked around, I think mine were the only scarves. I could have swore there would have been more - but nope, mine were the only ones.

So, I ended up with a pretty satisfied feeling after that and another offer to set items on the table in two weeks. If I do that one, I'm sure I'm going to pay my friend something. Those tables aren't cheap!

FO Friday

Ahhhhh another FO Friday. It has been a long time since I've participated in this meme; however, it is not because I have not finished anything. Quite the contrary - I've finished quite a few items related to my Year of Projects list and a few others on the side.

The primary item that I have finished in the last week is a cowl.

I worked it up in a bulky white yarn, I believe by Sensations. I'm not 100% on that and quite frankly, I've thrown the label away.

The cowl itself was crocheted on a size M hook and took less than one hour to complete. Another "one" milestone is that it took less than one skein. I attached two large black buttons for contrast and am very pleased with the outcome.

I am thinking of writing the pattern up and posting it here for free, even though it is simple.

I started a bit of a hybrid hat on Wednesday and finished it up Thursday night. I am using a loom and crochet together and will post the pattern here in the next few weeks.

The hat is technically a match to the cowl although I think the hat needs some matching black buttons to really make them match. What do you think?

If you enjoy reading about what people have finished and would like to read more OR you have a FO of your own you'd like to share, head on over to Tami's Amis blog and check out the link party.

Review of the Coming Home Poncho

image (c) Lion Brand Yarn on Ravelry

Today's post is something I have not done in quite a while - it's a pattern review.

I am going to be reviewing the pattern called the Coming Home Poncho. The pattern was written by Doris Chan and published by Lion Brand Yarn.

Ravelry Link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/martha-stewart-coming-home-poncho-crochet

Honestly, I was a little surprised to find this pattern on one of the "free - take me" sheets at Michael's. My oldest had shown interest in a shawl I had made myself but indicated she'd much rather have it in a poncho rather than the open-front shawl. I must have tucked that tid bit away for future reference because as soon as I saw the free pattern, I immediately thought of her.

While you can replace the recommended yarn out with whatever you prefer in the same size, the recommended yarn is Lion Brand homespun. I don't know about all of you, but I for one am not a fan of this yarn. I love the colorways but the yarn itself is a bear to work with. It is very splitty, that little thread in the middle just seems to catch on everything except the hook, and quite frankly, when I'm crocheting it seems to fuzz up a little.

I do like that the yarn is washable, it's very soft, and like I said before - the colors are gorgeous.

I chose to do my eldest's in "prairie" which is a gorgeous mix of browns with a splash of blue and green mixed in. I thought it was perfect autumnal colors and she would love it.

The pattern works in the round, and as you can guess by the nature of the yarn, it was a beast to get going from the starting chain. Once I got the first row of double crochet finished, the remaining portion of the body of the poncho was easy enough to finish.

The edging is nice but I have to sheepishly admit that I thought the poncho was going to be a little short so I added a couple extra rows to the main portion - so when it came time to do the edging I had to modify it a bit so the numbers added up and the peaks made sense visually.

Working the color last was fine and presented no issues.

As I said, I ended up adding a couple rows because it didn't seem like it was going to be long enough. Granted, I did not come out to Ravelry to see if they had the poncho posted in different sizes so in a way, that's 'shame on me.' Had I went to Ravelry, I could have seen the published the poncho for all sizes and I could have picked a pattern that fit the eldest instead of modifying the freebie pattern to fit my needs. I genuinely didn't even think of it - I figured a free pattern was all it was. Lesson learned!

my eldest in the "Coming Home Poncho" I made for her

What happened in the end is that I didn't finish the last row of the edging, although I think that it ended up looking pretty darn good.

The colors are definitely very autumnal and while it was meant to be a Christmas present, I gave it to her early so she could enjoy the benefits of the garment before it was too cold.

Overall, I would say the pattern was well-written and worked up pretty easily. I started it and even with limited craft time due to work, school, and family - I felt that it didn't take too long at all.

I believe this pattern is good enough for a beginner to complete although knowledge of basic crochet through making double crochet stitches is needed. If a new crocheter is going to try this yarn, I would suggest they use something other than the homespun.

In the end, I rate this pattern 4 balls of yarn simply because the pattern cannot be increased easily and it was recommended to use the homespun yarn. Both of these are easily resolvable by looking up the pattern in different sizes and using a different yarn; however, a person that doesn't know either of these options are viable would probably not think the pattern goes as smoothly as it does. I'm sure that if I came back to make this again and used a different yarn, I'd rate the pattern higher.

I will make this pattern in the future and know that it'll work up even faster once I get way from the suggested yarn.

X is for.... Xenagogue

While I did not get to post last week, that does not mean I'm ignoring the letter X out of ease. Sure, it's a hard letter but that doesn't make it any less important than the others... and yes, I can tie my X word back to crochet.

Xenagogue.

Simply (?) defined as a guide or someone who conducts strangers.

I consider myself a little bit of a xenagogue because of the tutorials I put on YouTube. I started on YouTube (YT) several years ago and was opening myself up to give advice. I have done a lot of research in my day and thought I could open the world up to what I knew. That turned into something interesting as it was the driving force behind my going back to school.

While I didn't give direct instruction with my advise, I do think I was loosely considered a xenagogue. As time went on, I received my bachelor's in psychology ..... however, my channel changed. I started putting up more personal vlogs - insight into my home life and the first time I lost a lot of weight. From there, I continued on to school which I am almost ready to graduate with a Masters in Public Health (MPH). But again, my YouTube channel changed. A few months ago I decided to put up a tutorial on crochet. It was well-received.

Since them I have received thousands of views on my videos and several nice comments about how helpful they are - all from people I don't know.

I really am glad I can do this for others - I hope to be able to put as many that are needed out there as time moves forward. You can see all that I have done by clicking on the category for video tutorials (on the right).

In a nutshell - I think I have offered a lot of xenogogue-esque (now that's a word!) behaviors to anyone who came along to that channel.

---------------
Image from: http://www.jmeacham.com/

Year of Projects: Week 17

Project Percentage Complete: 59%

Overall Percentage Complete: 61%

Number of Project Items: 27

Number of Added Items: 23
Total Items: 51

I'm posting this later because I was traveling a bit - and mostly because I would prefer to have it fully updated when it posts BUT also because I have took some projects with me and was wanting to push my numbers up in a good way.

I have added a pair of socks to the add list but I have no idea how long that'll be before I finish them. The numbers didn't go up because I removed the "child's scarf in self-patterning yarn" - I decided this yarn is best suited for socks soooooo once I finish the pair I'm working on, my first pair ever, then I'll move on to the pretty self-patterning yarn.

Going out of town this weekend (just got back!) gave me plenty of car time to work on the socks. I started out with only one sock on the dpns but then when I got there, I got to the heel so fast, I decided that I should get another pair of dpns and make the other one up to the heel. The reason being: they are my first pair and I have no clue how to do a heel flap.

I am going to try and decipher the heel flap on a toe up sock BUT if I can't, then at least I was/am making progress. I figure I got enough done, the yarn group ladies can help me if I don't figure it out and I will have spent no wasted time waiting. I'll have 2 socks ready for a heel flap come Wednesday night yarn group.

As for getting things off the list - I desperately need to get my arse to the fabric store to pick up a remnant big enough to line the market bag that has been sitting on my list forever. The finished bag is downstairs just waiting to be lined. I just need to line it.... perhaps I'll put that down as a goal for the next week.... perhaps *laughs*

I was able to finish the shawl that I'm giving to my oldest as an early Christmas present. I was pretty happy to have it done. I just hope it's long enough. She came to visit on Thursday night. I was pleased with her reaction. She genuinely seemed to like it. So, finishing that one item pushed my percentages up and it looks like I'm over the halfway mark for total items and the original list itself. YAY - go me :)


Now I shall leave you with the list. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.


Project List Items (not complete)

- Filet Market Bag
- Lacet Table Runner [...started...]
- Throw for living room sofa (no pattern selected yet)
- Round Afghan/Throw (potential Christmas present)
- Angel Tree Topper
- 4 pair Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas gift)
- 2 sets Golf Club Covers (no numbers) - (Christmas gifts)

Project List Items (done)
- 3 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (personal use)
- 11 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas)
- Easy Cabled Scarf
- Poncho (early Christmas present)

Added Items (not complete)
- Wristlet Bag (adjusting pattern) [...65%...]
- EnviroTote Market Bag #4 [90% complete]... I really need to line this and get it off the list!
- Angel Hair scarf
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- 4 thread crochet coasters
-  knit socks [started]

Added Items (done)
- Wristlet Bag (making my own pattern)
- Mystery CAL Beach Bag
- 5 Knit Washcloth
- 3 Crochet Dishcloth
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- Ear Bud "purse"
- WW Yarn Runner for  ledge
- Angel Hair scarf

---------------------
This post is part of the Ravelry Group "Come Blog-A-Long" #yearofprojects Project. If you are interested in joining along or finding other posts similar to this one, visit the group on Ravelry.

[Video] Crochet Cross Stitch

I had previously made a video about the crochet cross stitch and realized later that I only showed one version. This tutorial covers three different ways to complete the crochet cross stitch. We all have our preferences so I figured I needed to show all three ways so you can decide which you prefer.

[Video] Bow Ties

A tutorial explaining how to do the bow tie stitch.

Year of Projects: Week 16

Project Percentage Complete: 56%

Overall Percentage Complete: 59%

Number of Project Items: 27

Number of Added Items: 23
Total Items: 51

Whelp..... no motion in the numbers for me this week. I was overloaded with school work and all the efforts going on at work (working 8 hour days with time at home during the evening hours). I was also very busy planning, prepping, and executing a pumpkin' carvin' party for the kids.

Pumpkin Carvin'

Saturday was the party - and boy am I sore! I spent a lot of time cooking and decorating - trying to make sure everything was great. We ended up with 11 kids aged from 2 to 12 and I don't know how many adults. The kids started off carving pumpkins. They were allowed to eat food freely - we had no scheduled appetizer time. They really loved the dish water punch I made. After an hour of that, we took some time for some games. It was fun!

Of course, I ended up skewing the games to the "little kid" team won almost all the games. They definitely had an advantage over the other teams filled with big kids. The big kids did get to win some games though. After that we had cake and then the kids were allowed to finish off their pumpkins, eat candy, and socialize.

Mummy Wrap Game

It was a great day overall. It was a lot of work and my feet are killing me - but it was worth it. Every kid left and I got a hug.

So, while I made no progress with my crochet this week - it's ok, we made some fantastic memories this week.

Project List Items (not complete)

- Filet Market Bag
- Lacet Table Runner [...started...]
- Throw for living room sofa (no pattern selected yet)
- Round Afghan/Throw (potential Christmas present)
- Angel Tree Topper
- Poncho (Christmas gift) [...75%...]
- 4 pair Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas gift)
- 2 sets Golf Club Covers (no numbers) - (Christmas gifts)

Project List Items (done)
- 3 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (personal use)
- 11 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas)
- Easy Cabled Scarf

Added Items (not complete)
- Wristlet Bag (adjusting pattern) [...65%...]
- EnviroTote Market Bag #4 [90% complete]... I really need to line this and get it off the list!
- Angel Hair scarf
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- 4 thread crochet coasters
- Child Scarf in self-patterning yarn [ just started]

Added Items (done)
- Wristlet Bag (making my own pattern)
- Mystery CAL Beach Bag
- 5 Knit Washcloth
- 3 Crochet Dishcloth
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- Ear Bud "purse"
- WW Yarn Runner for  ledge
- Angel Hair scarf

---------------------
This post is part of the Ravelry Group "Come Blog-A-Long" #yearofprojects Project. If you are interested in joining along or finding other posts similar to this one, visit the group on Ravelry.

W is for .... Wonderful

Oh I apologize to my readers now because I am at a loss for time... it seems that this week and the next 2 weeks are going to be atrocious for me and I apologize now.

So let's keep my ABC post simple. W... wonderful. That's exactly what I think of crochet.

How much more simplified can it be?

I have enjoyed the craft of crochet since I was 5 years old - for those of you counting, you need 3 sets of fingers to accommodate the time I've been crocheting. There is just something about sitting down and creating. Either going through someone else's pattern, someone else's design - to get to the same finished product they did however many years ago... or sitting down with yarn and hook and nothing else. There is just something wonderful about what crochet offers.

It is a craft my mother taught me at a very young age that has a) warmed people whilst they slept b) warmed heads, necks, and hands of many during the harsh winter months, c) allowed me decorate my home with whimsical and practical items, d) provided a means for me to show people I care when I give them a hand-crafted gift, e) kept me sane and focused when I needed it most, f) gave me an "out" from the stress and chaos of my regular life and g) allowed me to show strangers that I care by offering them basic life items that they otherwise may not have access too. I'm thankful for crochet. In many ways, crochet changes lives.

[Video] Turkish Flat Stitch Beaded Bracelet

If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave a comment.

Year of Projects: Week 15

Project Percentage Complete: 56%

Overall Percentage Complete: 59%

Number of Project Items: 27

Number of Added Items: 23
Total Items: 51

WHEW - This week went pretty good. I tried to stay to the new routine of getting my homework done early in the week although it was a bit more difficult since Monday ended up filled with eating out and going for a shopping trip. Finished a research paper on the radium dial painting industry on Saturday - go me. Hopefully that will yield a good grade. I haven't heard back from my first exam though - I wonder what is holding him up on grading and returning those....

I did take some time Monday night after the family was settled in to finish off the Angel Hair Scarf. I think it looks pretty good..... granted, now that the man thinks its too feminine, I have no idea what to do with it. Oh well - it's really just a topic I can't let go of. Once the scarf has a new home, I'll let go of the idea that I picked a bad color for the man *laughs*

I spent some more time on the poncho and it is progressing nicely. It is several inches longer than what it was on Wednesday in my WIP Wednesday vlog.

The picture is on my drive-by model (I think she was headed outside to play some more when I stopped her and made her put it on). The poncho is for a full grown female so the size may seem a little sloppy for this tiny model of mine *laughs*

The color and flow is really coming out nicely. I think the recipient will really like it.

I have a few more rows to add to it before adding the edging rows and the neck hole. I just finished my first skein and tied in my second. I got a lot of mileage out of one skein.

Let's see - what else.

Oh, did I mention I am seriously addicted to yarn?

I went shopping and found some really cute self-patterned yarn from Sensations brand. I had to have it and before starting my research paper, I had to do a few rows.

If you look over the brown row, you'll see a few splotches of light green. Basically the pattern is a blue row, brown row, a white field with hints of floral, and then repeat. I have no idea what I'm making other than a child-size scarf just so I can see the pattern unfold.

How sad is that? Has anyone out there bought a yarn just so you could see the pattern? And literally just start knitting or crocheting so you can see it - no real plans on the finished item? Should I be ashamed and never admit to it again?

*laughs*

Other than that, the list continues to grow as I do dumb things like buy self-patterning yarn but the project list percentage is actually pretty good. Once I finish the poncho, I'll have another big jump in the overall project percentage. The total percentage continues to fluctuate because I continue to add projects outside the original list.

Oh well - its all about having fun with it, yes?

Have a great day everyone!!!

Project List Items (not complete)

- Filet Market Bag
- Lacet Table Runner [...started...]
- Throw for living room sofa (no pattern selected yet)
- Round Afghan/Throw (potential Christmas present)
- Angel Tree Topper
- Poncho (Christmas gift) [...75%...]
- 4 pair Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas gift)
- 2 sets Golf Club Covers (no numbers) - (Christmas gifts)

Project List Items (done)
- 3 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (personal use)
- 11 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas)
- Easy Cabled Scarf

Added Items (not complete)
- Wristlet Bag (adjusting pattern) [...65%...]
- EnviroTote Market Bag #4 [90% complete]... I really need to line this and get it off the list!
- Angel Hair scarf
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- 4 thread crochet coasters
- Child Scarf in self-patterning yarn [ just started]

Added Items (done)
- Wristlet Bag (making my own pattern)
- Mystery CAL Beach Bag
- 5 Knit Washcloth
- 3 Crochet Dishcloth
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- Ear Bud "purse"
- WW Yarn Runner for  ledge
- Angel Hair scarf

---------------------
This post is part of the Ravelry Group "Come Blog-A-Long" #yearofprojects Project. If you are interested in joining along or finding other posts similar to this one, visit the group on Ravelry.

V is for Video

Ugh - I totally missed my regular day for posting in the ABC meme with the Accidental Knitter... but I'd like to point you in the direction of videos!

Well, while mine (link over in the label list!) are good examples, I am talking about any video found online to assist in people learning various fiber arts. The internet has become a wonderful tool and while I still appreciate the written word, be it electronic or on paper, we have to appreciate what videos have to offer people. You can WATCH someone make a stitch. You can WATCH someone make an item.

Currently, I'm trying to figure out the best way to deliver left handed videos. I know how, I just need to find the right software - but in the meantime, check out YouTube! There are a ton of people out there willing to help you learn anything you want about crochet, knitting, sewing,... everything!

WIP Wednesday: A Video Update

This is a video update for my WIP Wednesday. If you are interested in other blog posts (usually text), slide by Tami's Amis and go through the Mr. Linky posts.

Best Month EVER!

It is no surprise to anyone that knows me when I say that October is the best month ever. The weather is perfect for me and it holds the excitement of one of my absolute favorite holidays!

I just thought I'd take a quick moment to share my quick put-together table centerpiece.

I am very happy that with this new house, I have an opportunity to decorate inside and out. Our old house did not afford us that luxury.

The children have already named him Mr. Fletcher (I have no idea) and would like to keep him up year round. Perhaps I should begin crocheting him a Santa hat and some bunny ears - to make him mutli-holiday friendly.

There will be more decorations to come this month - I have so much to make. Not to mention, I am trying to get some patterns up that are holiday specific.

Have a great day!

[Video] Easy Shells

This video tutorial shows you how to complete the "easy shells" stitch pattern. It is assumed you know how to chain stitch (ch), single crochet (sc), and double crochet (dc).

Year of Projects: Week 14

Project Percentage Complete: 56%

Overall Percentage Complete: 58%

Number of Project Items: 27

Number of Added Items: 23
Total Items: 50

Boy oh boy what a week. I spent the first half of my evenings making sure that all my homework was done. I enjoyed the luxury last week of having it done early and the rest of the week to work on whatever I liked. I'm glad I did that because I had to work a couple evenings for my regular job. So - that means I didn't get to crochet as much as I would have liked. Oh well - I still feel relatively accomplished with it.

My percentages went up a little because I finished two more pair of the paperclip ice skates. As small as those are, they surprisingly take a bit to make - approximately 30 minutes per pair.

I am continuing to work on the scarf and poncho that I talked about earlier this week. I am also pushing right along with some Halloween specific patterns.  I did get a crochet tutorial done for the easy shells pattern and you should be seeing that posted on the blog tomorrow. If you are eager, you can head over to my YouTube channel and watch it now. (link in the right column)

 I did have a great day with "the girls" on Saturday. The girls are some of the gals from the Wednesday yarn group that I attend. If you remember me blogging about finding the group, I had no idea that these ladies would turn into "the girls" for me. I'm really glad I found out about the group. They go out on these little outings and this was my first one. We met up at a small cafe for lunch and then drove out to the community college for a craft/art fair geared towards women and diversity. It was really fun. It was good hanging out and having a few laughs. I came away with a gorgeous cloth-covered vase, a henna tattooed hand, and a uhm.... item of birth control that is given out by high school student nurses *laughs*Don't ask - hehehehe

Anywhoozles - I shall leave you now with the detail of my projects. In the spirit of needing to post a picture, even though its not related, I leave you with my daughter who is excited to be learning math that no one else in her class knows (yes, she asks me to teach her stuff she doesn't know and is not being taught in the classroom - chip off the old math nerd block!).

Have a great day, everyone!

Project List Items (not complete)

- Filet Market Bag
- Lacet Table Runner [...started...]
- Throw for living room sofa (no pattern selected yet)
- Round Afghan/Throw (potential Christmas present)
- Angel Tree Topper
- Poncho (Christmas gift) [...25%...]
- 4 pair Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas gift)
- 2 sets Golf Club Covers (no numbers) - (Christmas gifts)

Project List Items (done)
- 3 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (personal use)
- 11 pair of Paperclip Ice Skates Ornaments (office Christmas)
- Easy Cabled Scarf

Added Items (not complete)
- Wristlet Bag (adjusting pattern) [...65%...]
- EnviroTote Market Bag #4 [90% complete]... I really need to line this and get it off the list!
- Angel Hair scarf [...75%...]
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- 4 thread crochet coasters 

Added Items (done)
- Wristlet Bag (making my own pattern)
- Mystery CAL Beach Bag
- 5 Knit Washcloth
- 3 Crochet Dishcloth
- 2 Kitchen Chair Wall Protector
- Ear Bud "purse"
- WW Yarn Runner for  ledge

---------------------
This post is part of the Ravelry Group "Come Blog-A-Long" #yearofprojects Project. If you are interested in joining along or finding other posts similar to this one, visit the group on Ravelry.

Wasting Time

I sat down at lunch earlier this week with some IT guys who asked me some pretty fun questions about knitting - and then the conversation went to a place that was pretty interesting and thought provoking. It caused me to be a bit more reflective about my past and what I have done in my life.

As I sat there, knitting on one of my current WIPs, one of the IT guys asked if I felt like I was wasting time. He went into a long story of him spending a lot of time at night recently playing skee-ball on his phone at night. That there is a leader board and he's trying to get listed. Obviously we were curious what in the world this story had to do with knitting (much like you are right now, eh?), but then he asked me how I felt.

If "every time you do a loop, and another loop, and another loop, do you ever wonder if it's worth it." Before I could say anything, another IT guy says "of course its worth it, she'll have a scarf when she's finished." He said that in the end, he would have his name on the leader board too, which is his overall goal. And then the other guy said "yes, but hers can keep you warm in the winter" and he laughed and retorted "having all those unknown people thing I'm wonderful for being so awesome at skee-ball will keep me warm too." Of course, we all got a laugh.

But then I went into how its not a waste of time for me.

Fiber arts is soothing. It relieves stress and gives me an outlet for my creative self. It takes me away from television and games, both of which I have wasted a lot of time doing. It also allows me to create useful items that I use within my own home (dishcloths, washcloths/soap savers, blankets/afghans, and my kitchen chair covers). I can make all sorts of items as gifts for my family and friends, but I also have an opportunity to create wonderful items for various charities. These are items that can put a smile on someone's face because they know that whomever made it, made it because they care. There is something about being able to create to give you a feeling of accomplishment.

The list goes on and on.

After the lunch conversation and I was back at my desk, mindlessly scripting away, I thought about the hours he was putting into this phone app trying to get on a leader board. I can't say that I don't understand what he is doing because for several years (yes, YEARS) of my life, I played an MMORPG (that shall remain nameless) and it is safe to say I was highly addicted to the game.

With the man working evening shift, I had nothing better to do. We had one vehicle and he took it to work. I sat at night by myself after the children went to bed. And I would usually log into the game rather than pick up my hooks or needles. I somewhat admit I became rather "high profile" in the game due to hosting events and starting/maintaining a high-traffic website dedicated to decorating homes within the game. The last few years I spent working as event staff for a popular free server.

The game did nurture my sense of creativity as I ended up focusing on building decor in game and when working as event staff, did create a lot of role play events and items for the players to enjoy. It was a fun time in my life, but in the end - what do I have to show for it? Did I put smiles on people's faces? Sure - at the very moment something was going on - but are they reminded of those times? Probably not. At least not by looking at something tangible. I personally have nothing but time spent to show for my efforts, and some great memories. I cared about those players and when I left the free server, I admit I cried a bit - how could I be drawn into the virtual world that way? I don't know, but I was. I was going to miss the people who used the same virtual space as their get away.

I am glad that I 'wasted my time' playing that game. That 'virtual space' opened up a lot of opportunities for me including a stint as an internet radio DJ and station manager. I met some wonderful people that I do call friend. I am, though, glad I was able to break that cycle of having to be in a virtual world. Enjoying my time with pixels more than my time in the real world. I was able to get back on track with many things, including my fiber arts.

I still play games but for some reason, I am more grounded with them, although I have not logged into the game mentioned above for a very long time. I'm sure all of my accounts have been wiped and all my items have disappeared or made their way to someone else's stash. Perhaps I'll log in again one day, just not right now. I sometimes play RuneScape with my son (if you play, shoot me your username, I'll add you to my friend list in game). I play other games on the PS3 like Call of Duty and Battlefield, but not too often. Family, work, and school always come first.

And of course, my fiber arts.

Hmmm so what in the world is this post saying (considering it went in a VERY different direction than I had originally planned).....

Find balance. You can play games with no tangible outcome and feel like something has come of it. You can create crochet and knit pieces for others - just find balance in what you do and you can feel accomplished and not feel like you have wasted anyone's time, including your own.