WIP Wendesday: End of March

Despite my inconsistency in posting, my reading has been steady, but really slow. The same can be said of my knitting and crocheting. Life has just been happening. Spring Break is next week for me, though, so I hope to get a few life updates posted, as well as yarn & books :)

The book came recommended to me, and seeing as I really enjoyed my last recommended read (My Sisters the Saint) I thought I'd give it a try. Not much to report on it today, as I've barely made it past the first 50 pages. I can say that it is a riveting story of a small town preacher trying to save the desolate street gangs of New York City. Originally, I thought it was a more recent occurrence, but this was written in the early 60s, about the 50s. It talks a lot about relying on God, no matter the circumstances, which is really hitting home with me. 

My crochet project is a chunky scarf. I bought this yarn from a co-worker, who got a great deal on it, but it wasn't what she thought it was-- super bulky single ply wool. Naturgarn is definitely interesting to work with, and not my first choice of fiber, ply, etc, but I hate passing up a good deal. So bulky scarves! They would've been perfect for this past winter, but I figured it doesn't hurt to plan ahead for next. The pattern is my own, double crochet, with some crossed stitches thrown in. As you can see, I just started, so nothing much to look at. 

In regards to the weather--- I'm ready for it to stop. It feels like this winter has been perpetually cold, and I've had a near constant chill. The weekend promises 50 or 60 degree weather, and I'm really hoping I can get out and enjoy some of it. 

WIP Wednesday

Yarn Along

Slippers in the Spring

When we thought the rain was going to stop, the field behind our house looked like this. 

 So, I was a weirdo the other day, and shared a picture of my toe poking through a hole in my hand-dyed, crocheted, felted slipper. I realized that there was no explanation for this problem, etc. A while ago, I shared this pair of slippers that I had made with yarn dyed with my cousins. They were not sturdy enough (to me) for everyday wear, so when I remembered that I had a stack of projects to felt, these slippers went in the wash too. I wore them, I loved them, but my toes poked through the double-crochet that didn't quite felt all the way (or perhaps, too much, as after the second washing, they were a little snug).

These slippers will find a home with my cousins who dyed the yarn initially, as the kiddos have smaller feet than mine, and have a cold basement that could require wool slippers. But after wearing them for a few days, I realized that I really, really wanted a pair of wool slippers for myself. The first thing that came to mine was this pair of slippers, which I made for my aunt. I would, of course, actually felt them, even though the pattern doesn't call for it.

I have the needles, the yarn, and the desire. However, since I knit really slow, I'm not sure I will get them finished before I won't need them anymore. But! If nothing else, they will be ready for next winter.

(And with all this nasty almost-winter-again weather, I might actually get to wear them sooner then I think... If they get finished)

When the rain started again on Thursday, the field looked like this.

Oh, and don't forget!!!

 

Love my State

You know you live in Michigan when...

Forty degree weather means rolling down the windows and not wearing a coat.

I just love spring and summer, and I really want to switch over to a spring/summer wardrobe full of bright colors and sandals and painted toenails. And it's only March 4.

Weekend Roundup

Another typical weekend for me.

Working all day Saturday, with some attempted lesson planning and the like. I did get some crocheting done in the evening, mainly powering through an infinity scarf for someone I was seeing on Sunday.
I also started working on my Snowdrop, as part of the February CAL that the Crochet Shoulder Wrappers group is hosting.

Top: Red Heart Holiday Hunter/Gold
Bottom: KnitPicks Stroll Tonal Stonewashed

My mom had the US Figure Skating Championship Women's Finals on, so I watched a bit of that with her, remembering how I used to love watching the female figure skaters.

Sunday morning Mass, breakfast with the family, a bit of a nap. More crocheting. A prayer meeting in the evening, with a speaker sharing about the youth programs. A variety of people asking me how wedding plans were going. By the last one, I was a bit flustered, mainly because right now there is not much wedding planning, as both E and I are finishing up school, and the big things are all planned and out of the way.

This morning, I woke to a text from one of my friends, informing me of the snow day. It was way too early for her to be texting me, but we're both teachers, so I guess she thought I would be up. That text was followed shortly by a text from my host teacher, telling me to go back to sleep. My fiance called 10 minutes after that, because he volunteers to be my secondary alarm clock. Because I was in no rush to get up, we actually chatted for a few minutes before he had to go. He has to get up for school too, and his wasn't cancelled.

Since I got a bit of a lie-in, I was not overly productive today. Errands mainly, plus chores that I don't have as much time to do when I'm in and out of the house for school and work. More crocheting, working on my "Ten-minute" projects. (both of my 10 minute projects take more than ten minutes, but it is good to spend some time with them.)


10 minute project- trying to finish Mom & Dad's afghan!

 Not much else-- Hope you all have a lovely week!

Seasons of Love-- 3KCBWDAY4

A Knitter or Crocheter For All Seasons? As spring is in the air in the northern hemisphere and those in the southern hemisphere start setting their sights for the arrival of winter, a lot of crocheters and knitters find that their crafting changes along with their wardrobe. Have a look through your finished projects and explain the seasonality of your craft to your readers. Do you make warm woollens the whole year through in preparation for the colder months, or do you live somewhere that never feels the chill and so invest your time in beautiful homewares and delicate lace items. How does your local seasonal weather affect your craft?

Day 4 of the 3rd Annual Knitting and Crocheting Blog Week is about seasons.

I love seasons. All seasons. I feel that each one has their place, and I love something different about each one. I live in the Midwest United States, and lately we've been having some weird weather, but usually I can tell which season I'm in.

Upon reflection, due mainly to this topic, I discovered that I do knit and crochet in seasonal cycles. Right now I am transitioning into summer knits and lighter projects. It is not really the time to make blankets or anything heavy. I'll work on small things like dishcloths and amigurumi for a few months, and around late summer, I start moving into fall crafting season. During the fall, I participate in craft shows with my aunt, and I make a lot of scarves, shawls and hats in anticipation of the winter months. So, when August rolls around, I check my stock, and start whipping up scarves and hats, along with a few shawls. That's mainly what I work on for the majority of the fall and winter months, sprinkling in some Christmas gifts and a few blankets if I'm not too busy.


I'll admit that I don't always stick to this general pattern all the time, because it is a *general* pattern of my crafting habits.

And in preparing this post, I realize that I don't take FO pictures outside as much as I wish I did. Showing you through pictures would be a million times better then simply telling you... Oh well.

To check out more posts about seasonal crafting and the like, google the tag 3KCBWDAY4