Catty Corners Afghan

I went to CP today for encouragement cuz this afghan just seems to go on forever. And I do really know forever, having one afghan that took me 3 years to make. This isn't even 3 weeks yet. But it is small squares, with lots of color changes. Seems to take longer to hide the ends than to crochet the square. The reason I don't do small squares for anything. But, this pattern caught my eye, and I decided it was the perfect challenge for my county fair entry this year. I received some really good advice, but unfortunately, some of it is not practical in this case. Like start to assemble the squares, so I can see how much I have done, and the remainder won't seems so far away. Well, there are 30 matching pairs of squares, none alike, so assembly can't be started until all the squares are done. Can't start the ripple border until the squares are put together. Catch 22.

Another suggestion was to put it aside and work on something else for awhile. Two problems with this. #1, I'm afraid I won't pick it up again. I really hate small squares. #2, if I stop now I will forget the color sequences.

I also think I am trying to catch a cold or something, and that is making me cranky. Think maybe I'll just take some Nyquil and go to bed. It will all be better tomorrow!

Thank you, each and every one who tried to snap me out of my mood. It will be a beautiful afghan when it is finished.

None of the below!
Finished the scarf, wrote down the pattern, took it to the guild meeting for show and tell. Everyone loved it. This will be a very versatile pattern. You can stop at about 30", add a couple of buttons for a neck warmer, or make it as long as you want. Need to take a pic, but the batteries in my camera are d-e-a-d. And I keep forgetting to get new ones.
When I finished, I started the Catty Corners Afghan from www.e-patternscentral.com . I'm planning to enter this in the county fairs this summer. The colors I'm using are from the TLC Essentials colorway Cherry Chocolate (or something like that). Anyway, pinks & browns. Love it, love the afghan. Never thought I would say that about an afghan with 63 4 1/2 " squares. The thing that will make this stand out is the ripple border. I'm liking this color scheme so much I told Penny (my roommate) that I might just have to change the colors in my bedroom. LOL!
My daughter is planning to come to visit late Feb or March so I told her to bring her crochet hooks. I have several patterns that need testing. So she's excited about that. Can't wait to see her!!

Great start!
Well, a couple of posts ago, I lined up how I thought I would handle my goals for this year. Well, I'm here to tell you- I'm ahead of schedule! So far this month I have completed:

• 3 book totes (three kings day presents)
• 6 12" squares for the TCC afghans
• 6 edgings on fleece blankies for Project Linus
• 1 pr slippers for my Jan person on my 2008 xmas gift list.

The only thing left on my list is a scarf for Dawn to send to the troops next year. Well, I'm going to take care of that tonite by designing a scarf to match the hats I did for xmas. 2 birds, 1 stone. Of course, that involves pattern writing, and then I will have to do it again to make sure the pattern is correct, but that is a good thing. (more scarfs for Dawn).

But what to do after my obligations are met? Make another neck cozy from the pattern I wrote during the holidays? Start a sweater for myself from that sock yarn that is patiently waiting? Or, design a vest for the Musette yarn? Or, work on the Diamond Patch redesign? Hmmmm. Not sure, what do you think?

Christmas Gifts 2007
Well, they did not end up being what was on my original list for this year, but I am proud of them anyway. The beanies for the girls is my own creation. I found a pattern with this cable in it, but after I started, the cable was the only thing I liked about it. So, frogged the whole thing and started over. I took notes as I made the first one, then went to the computer, wrote it out, took it back to my chair to start the second one. What I wrote out did not resemble what I crocheted at all-so back to the computer; first hat in hand, yarn and hook. Figured out what I did, crocheted the whole hat sitting in front of the computer. Third one was much easier, and the fourth I slid right thru. Yea! Pattern writing is a lot more difficult than you would think it to be. The yarns used are mostly Vanna's Choice as I had several single skeins in my stash, then they were trimmed with other yarns that have been hibernating also.
The scarf for Nicolle is a one of a kind-I bought the yarn from my LYS. It is hand painted sock yarn and is yummy. I keep using this word for this yarn. It is so soft, you just want to bury your face in it. I chose a pattern from one of my harmony guides, and just worked it until I ran out of yarn. I did edge it with a loose slip stitch on the wrong side.
The guys beanies I found the pattern online-don't have the url handy, but I think it was called checkerboard beanie. I experimented with Jason's and made 2, reversing the contrasting colors and then edged them together to make a reversible beanie. He hasn't received it yet as he is in the field on maneuvers getting ready to go back to Iraq. So we'll see how he likes when he gets back in a couple of weeks.
And last but not least, I made a neck cozy for my daughter using Rowan Cashsoft DK yarn. This stuff was a dream to work with. Another pattern of my own design. My friend Kitty went to Britex (sp) Fabrics in the city for the buttons, which appear to be the most gorgeous shade of green abalone that I have ever seen. And, I forgot to take a picture of it. That's what being rushed at the last minute will do to you. I did write down the pattern and plan on making another one soon, so if this pattern writing went the way of the beanie, I can figure it out while it is still fresh in my mind. Heidi did say she would take a pic and send to me. She also said she wore it yesterday and that it is very warm and oh so soft! Yes!
I have two friends that read a lot and always carry a book with them. So I made Paperback booktotes for them. Kitty's is a trellis stitch and Chelo's is done in basketweave. They both seemed to really like them.
The pics are in My Photos, Christmas 2007.

Catching Up

I know, I know! I haven't been very good at keeping my blog up this last part of the year. Since our move in Sept, things have seemed just slightly out of sync. But, I'm going to try to catch you up on the end of 2007 in the next couple of posts
First, we'll start with our crochet guild. Men Who Crochet chapter of the CCGOA.
Our first guild meeting was in May last year, and we decided right off that we wanted to do something to pay back the Telegraph Community Center for providing space for our meetings. So, we decided to make afghans for the Center to distribute come the holidays. We are a very small chapter, with only 4 or 5 who come regularly, and another 6 or 7 who attend the quarterly Crochet Soirees.
We started making 12" squares for these afghans. We made enough squares to assemble 2 complete afghans with a few left over for 2008. But--the members also donated about 12 more afghans and 1 quilt from their personal closets.
Since the only time all these were in the same place at the same time was the day of our presentation at the Community Center, I tried to quickly take pics of the items before they were donated. To see them, check my Photos to the right and click on Community Center Afghans 2007.
Since Peter is a volunteer at the Center, he was there the day they were distributed, and he said there were a lot of big smiles from the people who received them. Good! That's what we wanted.

Here comes the year 2008!

And with that, I hope to be much more organized than this past year. Of course, an unplanned move didn't help much, but I could have been better.

• Since I have 14 people on my list that I try to make something for each year, the sensible thing to do is a minimum of 1 per month. Sounds good!
• Our guild chapter is also doing squares for charity afghans for the community center again next year, and since we are such a small group so far, I need to do probably 6 squares each month.
• I like to put snowflakes in my Christmas cards (didn't happen this year, got them crocheted, but never blocked) so need to do about 5 a month.
• Then Dawn needs scarves for the troops, and instead of hurrying at the last minute, would like to do at least one every other month.
• Which brings me to Project Linus. I have fleece blankies up the kazoo, thanks to many bargains I've found. I would like to edge a minimum of 1 each month for next year.
• I still have the redesign of the Diamond Patch Sweater to finish. I really want to wear this sweater!
• I have a list of WIMs on my blog that are mostly for our home that I would like to do this year.
• I don't even have a plan for the county fair circuit for this next year.
• And last but not least, there is the CGOA design contest. I would like to enter something in that.

The problem: too many things on the list, not enough hours (it's that full time j-o-b thing). I love to crochet. Do some almost every day. I thought if I wrote it out and made a plan, it would flow more easily through the rest of my life, but when I list it out like this, it's beginning to look more like work than love.

New Patterns and Publishing

Ok, ok! I know it's been awhile since I posted but that doesn't mean I've been sitting around on my hands. I have been working with my creative mind and have used my new Harmony Guides to make a gorgeous scarf for my granddaughter's 18th birthday. Then, still on a high from that, used another stitch from same books and made a neck cozy. Actually, I made 2, same pattern but different yarns and improved the edging a bit on the second cozy. Also, put the buttons on differently for a change of look Which one do you like best?.

When I showed it off at our guild meeting, a couple of people wanted the pattern. So, what's a person to do? Of course I had copies for them!

Someone in one of my online groups posted info on submitting patterns to the Crochet a Day calendar for 2009, so have been looking at what I've actually written down in the last year. And have been looking at a couple that I didn't write down, but should before I forget. Wondering if I should take the plunge and submit a couple of items. What do ya think?

At about the same time, I got my back issues of Crochet! magazine, and CGOA is having a design contest this summer. Winners could be published in future magazines. Got a couple of thoughts on what to submit for this, but a little early to voice these thoughts yet.

If I want to expand my horizons and pursue designing, I need more hours in the day! My j-o-b is definitely going to be in my way, but sure need the $$$.