One Sixth Of The Way

 My 2024 Advent shawl hit the 1/6 of the way to completion.  To remind you I am using fingering weight yarn and a size 8/H/5 mm Tunisian Crochet hook on a cord.  I did include all 3 different size names from the same hook, because quite simply I have no idea where in the world you are reading this from and I don’t want you to have to figure out the right size hook name from a different country.   

Yes, last night I hit the last color of section 1 out of 6.  This section is 12 inches long or 31 cm. The last color was a variegated purple that will contrast nicely with the white.  There are 60 more rows which means that I will be doing 60 Tunisian forward pass rows and 60 return pass rows for each row counted which will be 12 inches or 31 cm of white.  I know it’s an awful lot of work, however; the fabric is turning out quite lovely. Just in case you were wondering about the width, it is 19 inches or approximately 48.5 cm wide.  Yes, I am using the Tunisian Simple Stitch for the entire pattern so far.  That may not apply to the broader.  That would be in case you just happen to have an extra advent box of fingering weight yarn or 18 mini skeins of fingering weight yarn and 2 full skeins of a neutral or contrasting color around and want to make one.  I am using the Russian join so that I do not have to weave in the ends.  This also lets the colors blend in more smoothly, with a natural grace. 

If you do not have an advent box and want to make this please feel free to stash dive. If you are anything like me you like to buy little skeins to try. The mini skeins are not that expensive to buy. Just little bit sized treats.  They just seem to pile up on the shelves. So go get creative with color. Using a color wheel if necessary. I am sure that there is an app for that.

Now the picture so far.  By the way, this advent box is from Conbread and Honey available in her shop with a pre order or mailed out to you just in time for the holidays. 

My Slow Project

 I always have a slow project that will take at least a couple of years to complete.  The picture below is my current slow project.  This is an Advent Calendar box by Cornbread and Honey.  It is a shawl of my own design, llllll—-llllll—llllll,  then I will put an edging around it in white.  The center dashes will be white also.  The pattern is included. See the above, the vertical lines and dashes.  Each vertical line is one color the dashes are white. I am doing this in Tunisian Crochet on a size H hook or 5 mm, with fingering weight yarn.  Yes, it is a very slow project.  I just started color number 6 out of 18 plus the white. I am elated that I finally got to the purple.  

I don’t work on this project everyday because of the size of the yarn and the small Tunisian Crochet Hook.  It requires intense concentration for every single stitch.  This project was frogged out once and I went up 2 needle sizes.  This is about as fine as I like to go.  You will also notice the Russian join on all the colors, this leaves a blend join and I am able to use all the yarn which will give me more wingspan when this is finished.  

You would be in the right to ask what the finished dimensions will be at this point.  I will say that I did not do the math to figure out what the dimensions will be. I did not even count the cast on stitches , just made sure it was close to my size. Since this is not going to be a published pattern, but a bespoke shawl just for me.  By the time I finish this it might even be a little bit bigger than planned.  I was losing sizes at a reasonable rate until I got sick in March 2024. I have found it hard to lose weight and inches while dealing with this issue.  Needless to say, I hope to get back to the point when I am losing weight and sizes again. Hopefully the shawl will right size with me.  

Busy getting things finished.

 I have been busy finishing projects, but too tired to take pictures.  The count for this week is 3 scarfs finished.  1 pair of Maxi Fingerless Gloves completed.  Another pair a mini mittens started, the first one is almost done, and I think I have a better way to do them. Time for pencil and paper first. I personally prefer bottom up instead of top down.  Also knitting on 2 knitting needles or one pair of circular needles is easier for beginners than juggling 5 double pointed knitting needles.  

I restarted a Tunisian crochet scarf and am making quick progress.  My purse project is 25% finished.  My 3 pound cone scarf project is making great progress.  No it’s just the odds and ends of the UFO’s that need to be finished.  I just need to find a place out of the house either no distractions.  

I have at least 1 new pattern to type up too.

I even found the time for a few 5 minute chores around the house today.  Now it’s time to call it a day.  

This and That

 To day was all about getting paperwork done and packages out the door.  I packed the boxes and John went to the post office.  I was reminded again to pack the books separately because the postage is less that way. I must say that I took a few minutes to swoon over the Golding Fiber Company Spinning Wheels. The only one in my budget range is a small traveling spinning wheel. Not to say if budget was not a problem there were one or 2 spinning wheels that I might consider. 

Then it was on to the paperwork. I am not surprised that the durable medical equipment company who refused to take my insurance also failed to provide their company tax identification number on the paperwork they sent me for the insurance claim.  I will be going to another more reputable company for the on going supplies.  

I even managed to get some paperwork out for a nonprofit out 2 months early.   I still have 2 on line forms to fill out. I really hope that they are quick forms and the pages are not to long.  

On the fiber front. I unravel 3 rows of Tunisian crochet due to a dropped stitch.  I also worked on the Doodling Shawl for 40 minutes and knit a little over an inch.  

Well it’s time to call it a day.  

The Best Way to Work Down My Yarn Stash

 I am making a good amount of progress in knitting and Tunisian crochet projects today.  Except for weaving in the ends they are basically finished.  So today’s  knitting and crochet count is one of each.  I do wish I had a bigger Soak Wash tub to hold the projects that need seaming or weaving in the ends.  The basket includes one pair of Maxi Fingerless Gloves to seam in the Della Q snap bag and 3 scarfs that need the ends woven in.   Maybe it is a good thing that this is the small wash tub.  I am sure I could get 3 times the amount of projects in the bigger wash tub.  I like to weave in the end in natural light.  I also tend to have more energy earlier in the day.

Currently I am on a finishing binge on the project front.  My body seems to require more rest right now.  So the best thing besides napping that I can do is listen to a book and knit.  Also winter is coming, so I need to knit faster.  I say this tongue in cheek, because today was yet another day over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. There has not been enough rain this summer. So the summer seems longer than normal. A good afternoon rain storm just makes the day more pleasant. Because of the long-term drought in the desert Southwest, we haven’t seen regular afternoon rain showers for a long time.

Progress Report Advent 2024

 This week I started working again on the Advent Kit that I bought in 2024 from Cornbread and Honey. The good news is that I am working on it again. The bad news is that I probably will not be done by December 2025. I working on this with on this with Tunisian Crochet on a size H, 8 or 5mm, on fingering weight yarn. That being said, I am 4.5 mini skeins in.  The oak pattern that I designed has 6 mini skeins followed by a white section, repeat once and add the last 6 mini skeins.  With a crochet boarder in white.  

I am getting a lot of nice compliments from complete strangers.   That feels really good.  I also did the next 2 Russian joins so I won’t have to weave in any ends. I can also use all the yarn with less waste.  

A Slow Summer Day

 It’s been one of those days.  I am a lot on the tired side. So spinning did not happen.  A little Tunisian crochet project saw a little action on an oak* shawl, I am working on the center panel right now.  I also found time to work on a pounder scarf in progress, just because I needed some left handed knitting time.  I find alternating between knitting right and left handed takes pressure off my right hand.  

Because I have finished, but sadly not photographed them all yet. I have found space to move some knitting projects from the sewing room to the knitting/ spinning room.  I even found a few UFO’s. Imagine that, me having multiple UFO’s.  I think I will take the basket off the shelf and just stack the projects on the shelf and use the basket elsewhere.  The basket just uses up to much shelf space.

Some time in the far future my plan is to separate the sewing room from all yarn. Wish me luck on that one.

*oak is a one of a kind project that I will be making for myself.  This is usually because the yarn is no longer available or the yarn is too expensive for most knitters.  I like to keep the price of yarn down on most of my patterns.  Fiber arts can tend to get expensive, thus seem too exclusive for many.  Also the more expensive the yarn in a pattern is, the less likely the pattern will sell. 

Projects by the Dozens.

 This is the year to complete as many UFO’s as possible.   Every where I look in the sewing and knitting rooms I  seem to find more UFO’s without even looking.  I just seem to be scattered trying to finish everything at once.  Right now I have one on the sewing machine with two more lined up, meaning under two hours to finish each project.  One on the espinner, a little over halfway done with the first spin, then plying, hot bath and thwack. Too many on Tunisian Crochet Hooks and knitting needles to count. 

Did I mention I still have to write the directions for a beginner weaving class on mudd rugs?  That will be two different pdf’s. 

Now if I could only be more organized.  Wait a minute, if I was more organized I would be able to complete one project before starting another project.  I don’t think that is going to happen anytime soon.  

The Next Step

 90 percent of the deep house cleaning is done.  It’s just things like the pantry, filing cabinet and curio cabinet that need my attention.  

So I am turning my attention to UFO’s problem. I currently have 4 baskets of UFO’s that need to be completed. UFO’s are projects that are in various stages of completion.  Last year I tried a log book to keep track of my UFO’s.  That was a terrible failure.  So I am going for a straight numbers thing.  For every 10 projects I completed, I have given myself permission to cast on another project.  The only exception to this rule will be charity knitting for the kids and some family members.  

To keep track of all this I plan on dropping a stitch marker in a jar for every completed project.  This should be totally doable for me.  It’s not like there is a shortage of stitch markers in this house.  I am also sure that I can find a see through jar or vase.  With a limited amount of hand time per day it will take longer than in the past. I have started this project today with a random project. I got 2 inches completed today.  Pictures for you of my progress when the items are completed. 

My goal is to get rid of my PhD in knitting. Projects half done.  Wish me luck.  

Five

 Yes, I have finally finished 5 projects.  Need I say more? Well yes   Four charity scarfs and a washcloth for myself. The great thing about teaching people new fiber arts skills is that I always get a new washcloth out of it.  

Finding Balance

 Today I think I found balance between cleaning, organizing, shopping and resting   Yes, today did include a 2 1/2 hour nap.  Trips to 3 different stores and I got everything I needed for the up coming task’s for the rest of the week. 

I finished my first Tunisian Crocheted Scarf.  I did not use a pattern for the scarf.  I just did 15 stitches across and the basic Tunisian stitch for the entire scarf. I found a bright cheerful verigated yellow and orange color way to offset the dark brown for the edges. It is the perfect size for a younger child. It was too late to take a picture tonight. So you can see it tomorrow. Yes I had one skein of the yarn left and I started a second scarf tonight. I am teaching some friends next week and we will start with a washcloth.  

Now that I have recovered from the latest surgery and the multiple year sinus infection I seem to have a lot more energy.  I also have the need to create.  I am finishing projects as fast as I can.  I am also into organizing things beyond Recognition.  I even have a Dedicated drawer for small spinning items, crochet, and Tunisian crochet hooks, and Miscellaneous knitting items.  Maybe when I’m done I will take a few pictures. Although that is not guaranteed.

Now that my scarf yarn drawer is almost empty, I will have John pull down a box so I can add more yarn for charity projects.  I like to just pull out a dozen or so projects at a time from my stash.  I will also be knitting about 4 pairs of mittens for me.  I lost most of my mittens to the overwhelming scent of the hand lotion fiasco last winter.  The scent of the lotion would  not wash out of the yarn.  I even tried Dawn which I use on raw fleece. After 3 unsuccessful tries, I just threw them out.  

TTFN. My aspirational list for tomorrow as long..

First Sample Is Finished.

 I made the first of two sample washcloths for a class I am teaching next week.  I like to start with smaller projects for a first pass on a new skill. I like to keep the supplies as inexpensive as possible.  This should come in under $15.00 for 2 different washcloths.  This will be 1 skein of yarn and 2 different crochet hooks  

As a teacher I really hate to see students spend almost $150 USD for a beginner project that they might not like.  So if they don’t like Tunisian Crochet not a lot of money is down the drain. If they like it they have 2 new washcloths to use themselves or give as gifts. If they don’t like it they have 2 different washcloths to show for their efforts. If after making the 2 washcloths they still want to make the expensive shawl we can move forward with the project.  

The next washcloth will be in the same stitch that they want to use for the 3 skein designer shawl pattern.  That I will do tomorrow. In the meantime this is the basic Tunisian Crochet stitch in washcloth form.  I do believe that the picture is sideways.  Do turn you mobile Device 1/4 turn and it will be right side up.

When Sharing Is Not Good

Eric has shared his cold. It's not my favorite thing to be sick. At least I have been able to do limited knitting and crochet projects. I am on a cup cozy binge right now. I have 7 finished with 4 waiting to be seamed. I have also sketched two other versions of cup cozies too. I plan on making 24 of each design by the  November 10 fundraiser.

I have also started to piece together the shabby chic quilt. Hopefully it will be finished soon so that I can make a few more sewing projects. They have the added bonus of not hurting my hands and being faster to make.

The more I use my hand the better it seems to be within limits. My ring finger is still not up to par, but I am working on that every day. I have not tried to fold laundry yet, but hanging up wet clothes for the clothes line is getting better. Each day is a little better.

Fun

Today John was gracious enough to take care of Eric while I took 2 classes. The first was Tunisian  crochet which I can do almost all right handed. It is very fun to do. I think it is geared towards someone with a large yarn stash like mine. The second was triangular weaving, a bit more challenging for me. My hand gave up 3 rows before the end of the piece and the instructor had to finish my piece for me so that some one else could use the loom. I think I like the ridge heddle loom and the coaster loom better for me. It is time to give my hand a rest. Besides that my one fingered typing is just awful, just ask my spell check.