Crochet Breaks

This week, I've been taking what I call crochet breaks due to the problems I've been having with my arm and hand. Every day, I set a 20 minute alarm. I crochet (with a support glove on) for 20 minutes. That may not seem like a lot, but it's a lot more than last week's none.

My arm and hand are feeling much better this week. My hand hasn't went numb since Sunday. I have 3 more Pale Yellow squares to make for the French Country baby afghan. The plan was to make 41 French Country and 40 Pale Yellow. Two 5 ounce skeins of French Country only make 38 squares and as you know I have an embargo on buying more yarn unless absolutely necessary. One corner of the baby afghan will be all Pale Yellow squares. I don't think anyone will notice.

The recipient of the French Country baby afghan (Kadance Faith) is still in the hospital after some birth complications so I'm not in any rush to sew it together. I also need to make a purse for Kadance's big sister MaKenna (age 2). After that, I plan to start on Cornmeal squares for both The Pigeon (I need 19) and the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired (I need 10).

On February 1, I'll be dividing my crocheting time between squares and dishcloths. I'm hoping to increase my crocheting time to 30 minutes Sunday-Friday and 1 hour (2 30 minute sessions) on Saturday starting tomorrow.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Stalemate...Crochet Style

Nothing much to report on the crochet front this week. I went to the chiropractor on Wednesday and Doc said I had a problem in my neck that was causing the weakness and numbness in my left arm and hand. He worked me over pretty good and recommended having a massage or two. I had a massage today. Wonderful things, massages. I think I could become addicted.

The therapist recommended stretching more in between activities (like crocheting or reading), wearing braces while I crochet, and crocheting in smaller increments (15 or 20 minutes).

I haven't crocheted at all this week. I really miss it. Luckily, the therapist said to crochet a little because my muscles are used to it and it would be worse to not crochet for a while.

I'll have another massage next week and see Doc again on February 6. Hopefully, I can help myself get better with better stretching (I'm going to add a stretching routine to my workout, too) and time management.

Tonight, I may crochet for 15 minutes. I'll let you know how it goes. With any luck, the French Country baby afghan may be finished by early February. Until next time, happy crocheting.

Progress...of sorts

My crocheting this week has been hampered by the carpal tunnel in my left hand/wrist. I think it's the crazy weather--warm & humid one day, freezing the next. I've still managed to make a few squares every day. I'm done with the French Country squares for the afghan of the same name and started the Pale Yellow ones today. My plans for the week include working on those (and reading to give my hand a break).

Until next time, happy crocheting!

A Finished Baby Afghan & The Results of My Weekend

As you can see, I followed through with my weekend crochet plans. I made 2 baby bootie ornaments and 6 star coasters. I decided not to make the dishcloths. I love making baby bootie ornaments for shower gifts. They're quick, easy, and have a good meaning.

Also, here's a picture of the finished Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan. My dad delivered it yesterday and I've heard they were pleased.

The Beginning of a New Year & New Projects

I finished sewing the Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan together on December 31. I edged it on January 1. I'll have a picture of it up next week.

I've started the squares for the French Country baby afghan. The baby is due January 19 and will be named Kadance. I probably won't have the afghan finished before the baby comes unless she's late. After that I have the 2 afghans I've mentioned already (The Pigeon & Dr. Who Scarf inspired) and I've added one more. I don't know anything about the baby yet other than the due date (August), so it's just in the back of my mind.

I wore my hand out finishing the Nine Patch Country Girl, so I had to take a break from crocheting for a few days. I updated my yarn inventory (it now includes yarn balls of good size) and sorted out yarn for my brother-in-law's afghan and the Dr. Who Scarf inspired baby afghan. I received 10 skeins of Red Heart yarn for Christmas as well as a whole tote of other yarn (Fun Fur, Chunky, etc.). My goal for 2012 is to use what yarn I have and not buy any unless absolutely necessary.

I've also been working on my Christmas list for 2012. Dishcloths are predominate. I'll need to make 25-30 and I'll probably make them in February. I prefer to work with cotton in cold weather. I also have several octopus pincushions and hats on the list. I'm nowhere near done with the list and it will change as the year progresses.

This weekend, I need to make a baby bootie ornament for little Stacy Jean (recipient of the Nine Patch Country Girl afghan) as she's already celebrated her first Christmas. I also need to make some coasters and dishcloths for a housewarming gift and another baby bootie ornament for a baby shower gift.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I know it's been a few weeks since my last post, but I've been busy with Christmas crochet projects and baby afghans. I decided not to make the 26 wreath ornaments due to time constraints. I did make the icicles, 2 wreath ornaments, 2 star ornaments, 8 snowman ornaments, a stuffed cat, and a baby bootie ornaments.

The Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan is almost finished. A good thing, too, because little Stacy Jean arrived on December 21. I only have 5 more squares to make. I'm hoping to have the afghan done before the new year arrives.

January will be devoted to deciding on what I'm making everyone for Christmas 2012 and dividing the projects between the months of February-November, making a square a day for my brother-in-law's afghan, and 3 baby afghans: French Country (the baby is a girl, but the mom likes the colors so I'm not changing them.), The Pigeon (colors inspired by the Pigeon books by Mo Willems), and a Dr. Who Scarf inspired afghan for a girl (Orchid, Cornmeal, Light Raspberry, Light Grey, Cafe, Buff, and Frosty Green.)

Until next time, happy crocheting!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

I officially finished the Zoe's Flower Garden Baby afghan last night. It's getting mailed out tomorrow. I finished it at my sister's house while watching some great Christmas movies on the Hallmark channel, A Princess for Christmas and An Old-Fashioned Christmas.

The Nine Patch Country Girl baby afghan is on hiatus until I get a few Christmas gifts made. It actually looks manageable for the time I have left.

~26 wreath ornaments
~2 star ornaments
~2 icicle ornaments
~5 snowman ornaments
~1 baby bootie ornament
~1 stuffed cat
~1 cow ornament


I also have some snowman ornaments to finish for a friend. And another friend just moved into her first home so I'm planning some star coasters and dishcloths.

I found out my friend H is having a girl. They haven't decided on a nursery theme or color scheme yet. They are both science fiction fans who like the old school television shows like DR. Who. Here's my great idea: to make her a baby afghan inspired by Dr. Who's scarf. The purple will make up half of the squares thus making it sufficiently girlie. I'll know more in a few months.