Crochet: V-Stitch Scarfie

I've been spending a lot of time journaling for therapy and playing video games to avoid all the things. With Winston still being sick, but stable, and now family members having Covid, I tend to do this thing where I detach emotionally to cope with it. By way of video games. I also took a break from crochet, but I'm getting back into it. I'm working on a blanket. Blankets take for ever, to my brain, and I get bored. It's nice to know if I can handle a long project with the same stitch though. I'll be happy when I finish it. 

Challenge Item #13: V-Stitch Scarfie

Crochet: Go With The Flow Scarf

I just killed my phone lol I dropped it and now the screen is gone and the phone is so dead. The funny thing is I was planning to buy a new one on Saturday, payday 😭 I can't... Besides posting and updating things via my Mac, which is ancient, my phone is one of the main devices I use to access crochet patterns and Ravelry. Can I survive for 2.5 days? Who knows? It's funny how dependant we get on our smart phones. Luckily I transferred all my photos over to my Mac the other day and I'm currently making a ripple blanket so don't need to refer to crochet notes. 

Seriously, the odds. You've gotta laugh.

Crochet: Waffle Stitch Scarf

 Someone asked if they could order one of my scarves today! I am giving it to them and not charging them for it. These scarves were going to go to charity, originally, but given the state of things and how long this lockdown is going for (3 months so far, I think), I would be happy for any of these scarves to go to a new owner instead of sitting in storage for a year. I have months to make a bunch of scarves and blankets for charity, but only so much space in storage.

Just having someone saying they loved my crochet enough to want to order it for themselves was wonderful. I am mostly crocheting for the fun of it and because it is relaxing, but it's also validating having positive feedback.

Challenge Item #11: Waffle Stitch Scarf

Crochet: Grey & Brown Pavement Scarf

I've been quieter than usual. Across all social media I'm on. I guess that's saying something because I'm already a quiet poster on everything 😅 I've been preoccupied with Winston and his health. I'm still crocheting, but I've become more withdrawn while I'm focusing on Winston. I'll probably do a separate update about him and his treatment later when I'm not so tired.

Challenge Item #10: Grey & Brown Pavement Scarf

Description

This was meant to be an infinity scarf, but I decided on making it a regular scarf. What we've ended up with is a, mostly, grey and brown scarf which is both chunky and lacy. Thanks to the combination of the bulk of the yarn and the pattern type it's got a lovely drape to it.

Hook Size and Yarn

Hook: 9 M/N  Yarn: On this one I have used Lion Brand Heartland Thick & Quick in Sequoia (brown) and Katmai (grey). After trying to use what I had left and having a bit leftover from my last project, I was finally able to finish with the sequoia. Before I was able to get through with it in Black Canyon (black) I had begun another project, but ended up not having enough in that colour. So I thought, how about I make two of these projects and buy an extra colour which would go with the black and the brown? Hence having Katmai. 

Crochet: Black & Brown Mini Cowl

I've been thinking of other things to blog about besides crochet. I have other subjects, but after I think of them I get tired and cbf so here's some more crochet... I'm also reading, but I'm taking my time doing it. 

I'm beginning to question whether I should sell my crocheted items and then donate the money to charity. At this rate, with lockdown and season changes, I don't think any of my crochet is going anywhere for awhile. I did decide to put everything I made into storage for donation next Winter, but the more I think about it the more it bugs me. I don't have that much storage lol 

I could have a break from crochet, but what madness do we live in where that's an option?

Crochet: Ribbed Mini Cowl

 It's been so long since I posted an update on my crochet challenge I've forgotten how I've set these posts out lol. Of course it's not really that long.... is it? July 12th was the last crochet post. Not even a month! Of course being in lockdown makes one month feel like six. 

I've shaken off the Lockdown Fever since then and crocheted a shit load of things. Ok maybe 6 things. I've been reading, doing crochet, reading some more, doing more crochet, contracting oodie madness. Honestly, I can't. My fucking oodie is the shit. To be able to have a cup of tea, sit in my rocking chair, wearing my oodie, and crochet is bliss. BLISS. 

Given that we are in lockdown, super tight lockdown (my movements are restricted to a 5km radius from my home now, not that I go out except for bunny veggies because they can't be delivered damnit), I can't give any of the scarves to charity. This hasn't stopped me from making them though. Instead I am going to carry on and put them in storage until next winter. 

Happiness Where You Can Find It

Prepare yourself as my inner nerd is about to appear.

 What is one thing I really enjoy doing? Filling out forms and answering questionnaires. Yep. I love my forms (unless it's Centrelink) Census is upon us here in Australia for August. This brought back memories. I've found, increasingly, since I began therapy for the PTSD, I'm recalling memories which are not trauma. It's quite exciting, but also feels a little strange. A more "What is this?" fascination for me. 

Anyway, so the topic of census looming came up and I remembered when I was a kid how excited I would be by census date. Of course crushing disappointment would follow the initial excitement when I was told I couldn't fill it out because I was obviously too young. Before I understood what census was all I knew was the night was special. Everyone had to be at home, my parents would get together and fill out this form for what felt like ages with an air of importance. To me it was a special occasion, an event, with excitement in the air.

I also felt this when I was admitted to hospital or a parent played hooky from work.

Crochet: Classic Ribbed Scarf

I mentioned I needed a break from the yarn I was using in my last post so I've switched and it's been very satisfying. After this scarf though I might stick to cowls, but I am contemplating making my own scarf next. I dunno. Whatever mood strikes when I start my next project I guess. 

I finished this scarf before we went into lockdown. While the temptation to just sit and crochet, as I binge shows, is great it's not something I'm a fan of doing during a stay at home order. Take it from someone who had a good 8 year stint of being housebound; variety is the spice of life when it comes to hobbies and keeping preoccupied.

Challenge Item #6: Classic Ribbed Scarf

Crochet: Striped Mindless Scarf

So I was sick for a little over a week. I wasn't able to crochet, which is how I was able to tell how sick I was, but I still jumped on my stationary bike every day 🙄 That anxiety and OCD life, yo. It doesn't let up when you're sick.

Anyway...

I think I'm amassing a nice collection of scarves. I realised I still had tape yarn leftover from when I made my placemat settings, but didn't have enough left to create a tablecloth. I'm going to be using the tape yarn for scarves. It'll be interesting to work with, I do find tape yarn frustrating, but the yarn will make some lovely, chunky scarves.

My Crochet Challenge

 Let's face it. Yarn is fun and purchasing it can be addictive. When I first began crocheting I fell in love with yarn before I understood the material I was going to be working with. I bought based on colour and texture. I collected yarn.

On top of that I would go and buy lots of yarn for my Oma. Naturally I would buy more at the time. Some for her, some for me, one for her, two for me. My Oma passed away soon after she'd acquired another shitload of yarn which I then took ownership of and it got swallowed by my already growing collection. 

I now have a SHITLOAD of yarn. 

I've been working on a personal challenge to get through my yarn and only buy something new when it's to help finish a project. I now want to tighten up that challenge and I figured I'd blog about it and share my finished projects. 

I've updated my Ravelry account and shared some of my previous projects on there if anyone wants to check them out. I'm also going to be sharing projects on instagram either as I go or when I'm finished.