Where there's a will...

I've been a bot more industrious this week. I've crocheted almost everyday, but I haven't been hitting my three 20 minute sections. Most days I manage two 20 minute crochet breaks. Last Saturday (or was it Monday?), I ran in the ends on all the Pale Yellow squares. I'm planning to run the ends in on all the French Country Squares tomorrow and start sewing the afghan together next week.

I've made 17 of the 29 Cornmeal squares I need for the Pigeon afghan and the Dr. Who Scarf Inspired afghan. The dishcloth project continues. Thus far I've made 6 dishcloths and have 2 more started. Of the six, I've already given 4 away for gifts.

My crocheting in the next week will be more of the same. Next Friday marks the beginning of National Craft Month. I may stick with the dishcloths for awhile or move on to the octopus pincushions.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

I'm a Lazy Daisy!

I've been a bit lackadaisical in my crocheting plan since my last post. Birthdays have a way of throwing a spanner into the works.

I've crocheted a little on dishcloths and yesterday started making squares for other baby afghans. I haven't ran in any ends in yet.

I'm turning over a new leaf as of today. I have gifts to make and no one can do it but me. Found out 2 of the babies I'm making afghans for are boys. One's for The Pigeon baby afghan. The other, I won't know the colors until I know what the nursery's being done in.

From today on, I'm hoping to meet my goals of spending 20 minutes on dishcloths, 20 minutes on squares (this works out to 3 baby afghan squares), and 20 minutes on running in ends and/or sewing squares together. All these will be broken up so I'm not tiring my hand out.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

Breakdown of My Daily Crochet Minutiae

The dishcloth project continues on apace. I like making them and hope I can make the 20-30 I need for my Christmas list.

I finished the pieces for MaKenna's purse. All I need to do is attach the handles and run in the ends.

Tomorrow, I'm planning to start running in ends on the squares for the French Country baby afghan. I'm going to give myself 20 minutes per day for running in ends and/or sewing squares together.

I think I may also give myself 20 minutes for making more squares. That will be 40 minutes a day crocheting and 20 minutes running in ends or sewing.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

15 Minutes of Dishcloths

Wednesday marked the 1st of February and the beginning of my 29 day dishcloth project. Over the past weekend and the early part of the week I decided crocheting 30 minutes at one time was a little much. I've been getting up a little earlier in the mornings so I can crochet for 15 minutes on a dishcloth. My evening 15 minutes have been getting lost in the shuffle of dog walking, exercising, and housework.

Some of the cotton yarn I have, I've had since I lived in Knoxville 3 years ago. Oh how I miss having several craft stores nearby. In the past three days, I've finished 2 dishcloths that were already started and started a new one.

I've been working on the purse for MaKenna. I'm using Red Heart Super Saver's Bonbon Print. I've had this yarn for 2 years. I noticed this week that Red Heart went up 25 cents in price.

In the coming week, I'll continue with the dishcloths and hopefully finish the purse. Kadance is home from the hospital so I may start running in ends and sewing together the French Country baby afghan.

Until next time, happy crocheting!

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!