Crafty Rantings

I'm Crafty. I Rant. These are Crafty Rantings!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

My Plans

Phooey on the weekend plans. A fierce wind and rain storm yesterday cancelled those. No power at my house since 8:30am Friday morning and no idea when it is coming back. I came to work where I knew we had power, interent, access to coffee and a microwave. A hot lunch and coffee! Yum! I have done some knitting. I finished #3 of the commissioned projects and started #4. It's not very light at my place even with the blinds open due to the dreary weather. More rain and wind over the next couple of days. If we have no power at home tomorrow afternoon I am going to my adopted brother's house for the night. He lives near a substation and always has power. Plus coffee. And a hot shower.

I have done quite a bit of work on the shawl because it's just straight knitting and I can mostly do that in the dark as long as I count to make sure I have the right number of stitches. While it was daylight, and before I left to come to work, I put fringe on the beginning end and cut the same length and number for the finished end so I know how much yarn I really have to finish knitting the shawl with. OK, please, no grammar checkers. I'm too tired right now to correct my own grammar and I am a stickler for correct grammar and proper English. Cut me one break.

I need to make the 6 inch squares and I really wanted to do that this weekend. But without the light at home I probably won't. I just don't want to haul all the yarn etc. to work. The shawl came with me but I have not worked on it because I'd rather post to my blogs and play games and check email. Things I can't do at home. With enough light I can work on the shawl.

I imagine it'll be another early night to bed. Last night it was 5:45pm when I went. It was dark, cold and dreary. And kinda scary with all the sirens. Maybe when I get home there will be power. But I'm not counting on it. I'm already planning when to come to use my work computer/microwave/coffee maker tomorrow and when to go to David's (my adopted brother). I need to do laundry as well as knit. If I don't get power at my house, come Wednesday I won't be going to work because I won't have any clean clothes. Well, I guess I could borrow David's washing machine. But I'm hoping I can stay at my own house and not have to bother him even though I know it isn't a bother.

If I get power back I can still spend what's left of my weekend knitting and watching movies. Now that would be nice. At least I'm well and I have a place or two or three to go. Little blessings but blessings none the less.

Knit on! Or crochet on!

Friday, January 04, 2008

Commissioned Work and Weekend Plans

The commissioned work, washcloths, is moving along. I forgot to take a picture of the first set. I am knitting two patterns, the feather and fan and the other is a pattern with squares (if you go to a very old post from early last year about Judy's washcloths, it those two patterns). Anyway, I am delivering them in a set of two at a time, one in each pattern. She's not in a rush but I would like to keep at it and get her a set every couple of weeks. Of course that is how long it takes to make them.

And remember that inbetween I have a couple of washcloth swaps I have committed to and a 6 inch square swap. I am going to finish the third of the commissioned washcloths this afternoon (hopefully) and then I am going to make all of my 6 inch squares for the swap so that is out of the way. A little work on my shawl. I am hoping to cast on Amy's hat. I still have no idea why I am having trouble starting that. I think it might be because I made 4 in a row last time. Once I start it won't be a problem. And who knows... maybe then when I am back to felting I will get my butt in gear and make a couple of bowls (pretty fast really) and a few bookmarks. I need to start working on a stash for presents and swaps.

Oh, did I mention I bought yarn to make my mom a shawl, too? Same Homespun yarn but in lilac. Absolutely wonderful. Since it's straight garter stitch (knit every row), that's a wonderful project to take along with me since I never have to worry about "where is the pattern" or "where am I in this pattern". I can also just pick it up and go at it while I watch tv.

Speaking of tv, with the horrible rain and wind we're having now and that is supposed to last all weekend, I am not surprised that my satelite dish isn't working. No tv except what I have on tape or DVD. As long as it's back tomorrow I can make it through today. Too bad I don't have any netflix movies - those are in the mail and no new ones will ship until Monday which means I "watch from my stash" instead. Poor me. Only 250+ dvds to choose from.

So I will finish one commissioned cloth, probably cast on the other, try to finish my shawl or at least get darn close, cast on Amy's hat and get started on 6 inch squares. Sounds like a lot, I know. And busy. The shawl is a knit-while-you-watch-tv-project which is good. And there is one thing I like about having a plan and a few different things to do. If I get bored working on one thing, I put it down and start working on the other. The 6 inch squares will be crochet which is also a nice break.

Did I mention I am going to pick up yarn to make an afghan? That's right - I have decided I am ready to make a big project. And since it's on big needles, it should be easier. Oh yeah, here's the kicker - while I have two sets of the size 13 and 15 tips for my Options needles, I am *not* starting Mom's shawl or the afghan until my own shawl is down and off the size 15 Options needles. Why? Easy... having two washcloths of my own still on the needles and planning to have at least one of the commissioned on the needles at all times, until I get a few things finished, I will NOT start anything big. That means everything for the swaps (4 washcloths and 4 of the 6 inch squares) and the shawl, I cannot start anything new unless it's for the swaps, commissioned work or Amy's hat. Time to stick to the plan.

I did say it was windy, cold and wet, right? Yeah. Perfect winter knitting weather. Just give me a fleece blanket to sit under, a cup of cocoa beside me and we're good to go. Oh, well, maybe throw in a Kiefer Sutherland movie or something Stephen King. Now *that* will make good weekend plans!

Stay dry and warm everyone!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

The List

OK, I said after Christmas I would make the list of what I made so take a deep breath and here it goes:

For Jo, a flipflop washcloth
For Jan, a scarf and a watering can washcloth
For Vicky, a scarf
For 7 co-workers, a green/white/red holiday colored washcloth
For mom, a scarf and hat set (ok... made a few years ago but found and gifted)
For Den, a scarf
For Amy, a washcloth
For Susan, a washcloth
For Andrew (my great nephew), a washcloth
For Heather, a washcloth

Yes, a lot of washcloths (did you count? That's 13 listed but I also made 2 for a holiday swap and gave those away). You'd think that's easy because they're relatively fast to do. Well not with a design in them. Those take longer than you'd think. And the scarves took a while. Add in to that the fact that I added other items to the gifts (for most people) and it was one busy holiday season.

And before you ask, no I haven't started anything for Christmas 2008 yet. I have to finish a commissioned project and my shawl. And Amy's hat. Had I not been sick during my vacation her hat would be done as well as the shawl. But, alas, I was sick.

But there's the list. I am hoping to be able to make things besides washcloths to give next holiday. And yes, washcloths, too. They're nice presents.

Busy fingers. Next is my list of what I plan to work on this year. Gotta think about that before I post it. Especially if I plan to stick to the list!

Happy New Year all!

Sunday, December 30, 2007

Favorites

Yes, I've been watching "The Sound of Music" and here's a quick list of a few of MY favorite things, craft related.

1. The color pink
2. Quick, easy dishcloth patterns
3. A warm crochet hat and scarf
4. Super soft yarn
5. KnitPicks Options needles
6. Patterns that repeat in 4 rows or less
7. Free patterns on the internet
8. Friends who share patterns, tips and enthusiasm for crafting
9. Learning new techniques
10. Re-learning techniques I haven't used in a long time

Happy 2008 to all!