Scrap-ghan

Just checking in quick tonight to let all y’all (“all y’all” is the plural of “y’all”) know that the patchwork scrap-ghan I had working on is finally done!  The hard part was piecing together all the squares (well, rectangles, but you know what I mean), but I think it was worth it.  Ran it through the gentle cycle with some Woolite and a low-temp dry cycle, and it’s ready to donate!

On the Mend

I’m finally feeling better – well enough to return to work.  Of course, I will likely just be working from home tomorrow since, despite feeling better, I do still get into the occasional coughing fit which could be a bit disconcerting to some.  So technically it’s one more day at home.

I normally don’t mind being at home, actually prefer it most of the time.  But I’m very prone to going stir-crazy when confined and have little to do other than watch TV or poke around on Facebook (both fine activities, in relatively small amounts). Fortunately, I managed to dig up the “scrap-ghan” I started working on last year but never finished (due to that whole “ice storm/power outage/being out of the house for six months” thing), and am working on completing it.  I should have it done either tomorrow evening or Tuesday.  Once it is done, I plan on donating it to a local halfway house.

It’s good to be feeling better, and feels better to be doing good.

My Latest Project

I haven’t crocheted in nearly a year, mainly because I find myself just too dang busy.  But I was recently motivated to make this toque (winter hat, for those unfamiliar with the word) for myself.  The motivation came from the increasingly cold weather lately – since I have decided to keep my head shaved all the time, I needed a way to keep the noggin’ warm.

Anyhow I came across this pattern via ravelry.com and threw it together in about 3 hours (which is fast for me).  Other than scarves, this is my first clothing type crochet project, so I am especially proud of having made this!

Crafting For a Cause

08.11.02 - Year 2, Day 6 - Knitting, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Every year (well at least for the past couple of years), I have participated in a project called "Warm Up America". What this entails is making a whole bunch of 7x9" crocheted or knitted "squares" which will be made into afghans that are donated to various places (such as women's shelters, nursing homes, preschools, etc.). Not only do you get to use up scrap yarn (which tends to accumulate very quickly), but it helps out those in need. Plus this year, I have the assistance of Patti and Bethanie, both of whom I've taught to crochet over the past few weeks, so now we're really cranking out the squares!

(In other news - at 9:41pm this evening, my photostream on Flickr reached 20,000 views! This of course has absolutely nothing to do with anything, but I though I'd throw that in there.)

Another One Done

Purple Afghan, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Last night I finished that afghan I started in early December. I was hoping to have not only this one done by the end of December, but another one as well. That's how crazy busy it's been.

At least the next one is started - a nice light blue one for Patti this time.

Armed and Dangerous

Armed and Dangerous, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

I have a hook and know how to use it!

Picked up some nice one-pound skeins of yarn this evening, and will be getting started on a couple of afghan projects. Will keep ya informed of the progress.

Mikayla's Afghan

Mikayla's Afghan, originally uploaded by CraftyGuy.

Our neighbor had a baby girl this morning. Her name is Mikayla.

This is her afghan that I have been working on for the past month (other than the occasional interruption from work (gack), and a brief pause to start learning how to knit (I have the "Knitting for Dummies" book that I've been perusing a bit).

Are You A Happy Hooker?

No - it's not what you think (shame on you!)

This is crochet we're talking about, an age-old craft that uses little more than some yarn, a hook, and a few free evenings.

I first learned to crochet from my mom when I was... oh, boy... that long ago? 9 or 10 I think. Anyhow, mom used to crochet all the time. I would watch in utter fascination as she would do her handiwork (afghans mostly), and asked if she could teach me. She handed me a book on it, which I proceded to read through it (this was when I discoved that I liked being self-taught and that I really enjoyed how-to books), and with some guidance from mom, it wasn't long before I had the chain stich and single crochet down pretty good. Next came double, half-double, and treble crochet.

I stopped doing crochet after a while (don't remember why - maybe part of that whole teen angst business, who knows?), but picked it up again after getting married and while Patti was pregnant with MJ, our oldest. Managed to keep at it long enough to make a baby blanket for MJ, another one for Bethanie when the time came, and completed most of a lapghan (a smaller version of an afghan) for Patti before I got distracted by a bazillion other things. Never did get around to finishing that lapghan, nor did I make a baby blanket for Thomas (I somehow doubt he'd want that baby blanket now that he's almost 10).

I have only this past spring started up crocheting again, and am still at it. I've made afghans (plus coordinating pillows) for all three kids (a picture of Bethanie's is up at the top of this blog entry), plus 2 afghan/pillow sets for Patti (the most recent set, the one I finished over the summer) is shown, right.

Additionally, I just completed an afghan for mom for her and Bernie's (my stepdad) place down in Florida where they spend their winters. We'll be heading out to New York this afternoon for Labor Day weekend, and I'll be giving her the afghan then - kinda a "thank you" of sorts.

And since we're heading out shortly, I'll just wrap this up for now.

Happy hooking!