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I’m constantly finding patterns for useful items that I want to make. Toys, clothing, blankets, even supplies for the cats. It all starts with a visit to the craft store for some yarn. The material is very important because I want the yarn to be sturdy and soft while still pleasing to the eye. Sometimes a yarn that is beautiful just isn’t practical. However, beautiful and soft yarn also costs a lot of money. Thankfully me local craft shop always has 40% off coupons in the paper!

I had a pattern saved for a sweet scarf that I wanted to make, only I hadn’t found the time to sit and start my hookin’. Due to the unfortunate circumstances of my grandmother passing, I decided that the best way to occupy my time on the four hour drive to the funeral would be to crochet me up a nifty new scarf, and so I did.

The pattern for this “Tea Scarf” was extremely simple, consisting of approximately one million double-crochets back and forth until the shape of a scarf emerged. It was created by pixeldiva and I found it while browsing ravelry. The entire scarf took about five hours to complete, give or take. The finished product is absolutely wonderful. I was quite impressed with the yarn, Patons Rumor in hibiscus heather, as it is not a heavy weight despite the thickness of the yarn. The yarn is a blend of Acrylic, Alpaca and Polyester . Despite looking itchy as hell, it’s cottony soft, plush and as warm as a wool or wool blend yarn. I had considered using wool until I noticed how uncomfortable it as to the touch, and the wallet - just a little on the high side of what I’m willing to pay.

Now that tv shows are ending seasons or doomed to a schedule of repeats, I have found that there is a lot of extra time on my hands. I’ve started reading a book, nearly finished Phantom Hourglass, bought and read the Sunday paper and even started my “spring cleaning” early. In an effort to kill even more free time I’ve struck up an ancient hobby of mine, crochet. I used to crochet a bit when I was younger, but I was a one-trick pony making bookwoorm bookmarks for friends and random strangers. The google eyed worms were cute, but lost out to cross-stitching and sewing.

I decided on a whim to pick up some yarn and crochet hooks at the craft store last week with no real plans for making anything in particular. My goal was to learn some fancy maneuvers with my little blue hook in the hopes that I can become awesome enough in my newfound craft to make some hip little toys for my new niece/nephew-to-be. Since I only have five months, I need to be on a speed course for awesomeness. I looked online for a simple pattern and found something slightly useful, wrist warmers.

These were incredibly easy to make once I figured out what the hell a half-double crochet and a double crochet were. After fifteen minutes of studying diagrams and looking up some youtube instructionals I was all set to start. The total time for making my two squares was probably around three and a half hours. I spent some time watching Dexter repeats while working so the total time for someone paying attention is probably closer to two hours. I’m quite pleased with the way they both turned out and fit. I’m also pleased that I was able to pick a project and actually follow through to the finish so quickly. Plus these will be so much better when trying to use my camera outside. Mittens suck when it comes to adjusting the focus or trying to hit the little buttons for ISO and shutter speeds.

For anyone who is interested, the pattern came from poster CMFoster on craftster and is as follows:

1. chain[c] 32 (30 for length - 2 for turning)
2. half double chain[hdc] across length (start in 3rd ch from hook)
3. ch 3
4. double chain[dc] across length
5. ch 2
6. repeat steps 2 - 5, until you have 7 rows of 1/2 dc and 7 rows of dc
7. fold your rectangle in half
8. whip stitch from top for 3/4 inch
9. leave approx 1 1/2 inch for thumb hole
10. whip stitch rest of length
11. Turn right side out
12. place on your super cool - uber hip little wrist

I modified it slightly in length as well as the number of rows completed in order for it to fit my hand better. I also chose a slip stitch vs a whip stitch.

For as long as I can remember I have waited until the very last moments to send out my Christmas cards. It’s one of those rituals like doing homework on the bus on the way *to* school in the morning or packing for a trip two hours before I need to be at the airport. I think I secretly love being under all the stress of having to finish a task in a very short time limit.

Last year I decided it would be a good idea to start making my own cards for the holidays. “It’ll be cheaper” I told myself. In the long run it’s actually more expensive, but the handiwork I put into each one gives it that extra special personal touch that Hallmark can’t deliver. Well, that handiwork takes for-evvvv-er. This years idea was a little too elaborate though, like last years, so I’ve simplified it a bit. This is just a sloppy basic idea of what family and friends will be receiving. It took 3 hours to do this one - that included prep work of cutting all the paper and stamping all images. But still. It’ll be about 10- 15 per card from here on out, and I was supposed to have all 30 sent by last Friday! Needless to say I’d better get to work. I have a long week ahead of me.