12 Resolutions for 2012

While both my sweater and peacock blanket are crochet projects, they are two very different mental exercises. My blanket is repetitive and mindless. I repeat the same simple pattern over and over, switch colors, and repeat. My sweater requires a lot of thought and creativity. Making up the pattern as I go requires constant judgement, etc. At least I can be my own mannequin. That makes things a lot easier.

Tonight is the last night of 2011, and thus resolutions come to mind. I make resolutions all year long, so I figured that I would spew a laundry list of my 11-ish resolutions of 2011 and add one for 2012. I already have a lot of stuff on my plate. Here goes nothing!

1. Exercise daily

2. Eat healthily

3. Be less judgmental

4. Appreciate others more often

5. Appreciate my body for what it is capable of and not knock it for its imperfections

6. To take time for myself more often/to crochet more often

Aside: I already crocheted over 1oo,ooo stitches this year, and that is a low estimate (panda, bows, blankets, table runner, animal ears, hats, scarves, etc. )Maybe I should just strive to crochet more than an hour a week? Concrete goals are more doable/measurable.

7. To only deliver high quality work

8. Evaluate my happiness at least once a month

9. To think more before I speak

10. To socialize more often

11. To ponder my spirituality

So what is my addition to this list?

12. To experiment more often, in crochet and in life, and to not be too hard on myself if such experimentation leads to a non-success (The only failure is complacency in my eyes).

I hope to return to regular blogging, if possible. I thoroughly enjoy the writing component. If not, I would write very rarely, and I love getting to look back at things.

Today I decided to experiment to get in the spirit of my new resolution.

It is pictured below.

This is an embellishment pattern by Robyn Chachula.

Bow Love!

-Bow girl

Finished but mentally blocked...

I am finished with everything for the baby blanket. I hope the parents like it...

Here it is!

I love it, but I don't think I will have trouble parting with it. It is too small and pastel for me.

I am progressing on my peacock blanket right now because I am mentally blocked on how to proceed with my sweater. Making stuff up on the fly is difficult. The upper half of the body is always the zinger. Anyway, here are some pics of the sweater in action.

It slid down. Oops. It is placed more properly in the picture below. See, now I need to make straps to remedy that! If only I knew how...

I think that it is pretty flattering considering being homemade. Obviously I will need to wear a shirt under for coverage.

Crochet adoration (I feel like being different today)!
-The one who is truly Hooked ; )

Blocking and Being a Busy Elf

I just pricked my hand 25-ish times with sewing pins (I mean, blocked the baby blanket)! Here are some pics of the ordeal...

Here are the steps to blocking an item made with synthetic yarn (in case you were wondering/care). Avoid heat/ironing or your work will melt!

You will need:
1. A hard surface (ironing boards work well if the item is small)
2. A spray bottle that has not been exposed to chemicals (buy a new one if necessary. The "no chemicals" part is important!)
3. A thick towel to lay between the hard surface and the fabric described below
4. A gingham/square piece of thin cotton fabric. It is pretty cheap at any fabric store. You can also use a tablecloth as long as it isn't that weird plastic-y material

5. Water to put in the spray bottle

Here is the setup of my blocking apparatus. Make sure it is flat and the towel and fabric are pinned together at the edges. In general, the more pins, the merrier.

The pinning begins...
All done! My work, once wet, will stretch to conform to this shape (hopefully!).
Mist thoroughly with room temperature water.

I am doing well on my sweater. I started with a new pattern, which I am making up as I go along. That way it will fit me swimmingly (hopefully). In my eyes, it is not worth custom making something if it isn't going to come out how I intend. So I ditched the pineapple motif and decided to go for the arcade look. My mom says it looks like a skirt. She's kind of right, but as I go along and make up the rest (literally! Wish me luck!), it should look more like a top. I tried it on, and it seems okay thus far.

I am working from the hips upward, in case that was unclear.

Crochet love!

- Bow Girl

Pre-Blocked Blanket

Last night, I said to my mom "I wouldn't have believed I made this if I hadn't made it!"

I Love it. With a capital L.

You can see my peacock blanket in the background. It has become my back burner project for the time being.

Now I just have to block it to make it more rectangular.

I'm off to do just that.

Blanket love!

-Bow Girl (Blanket Girl sounds too much like a wet blanket)

Progress Update

Here is my blanket as of last night.

Right now I am more of a blanket girl than a bow girl... So here goes nothing.

Blanket Love,

Blanket Girl

P.S. Does Blanket Girl make me sound like a wet blanket?

Sorry, guys!

After a month-long hiatus, I realize that I am updating this for myself, so I should probably include my 2 newest projects! Below are some progress pictures.

1) Baby Blanket

2) Sweater

And as always, I am working on my zigzag peacock-colored blanket.

My sister bought me the best crochet book ever for Chanukkah. Now I have a guide from both sisters!

Bow Love,

Bow Girl