Month: June 2020
Stashbusting and Flowers
A couple of weeks ago I blogged about finding a mini stash of textured squares and making a little doll’s blanket. As I offered to send it to a grandma for the grand-daughters’ dolls pram it was hinted that as there was more than one grand-daughter they might fight over one new thing – I hadn’t thought of that! So, I raided the stash again and came up with doll’s blanket No 2. Now there’s one each but they may squabble over who has what colour. Am not going to make any more and I am feeling pleased there’s a little (a smidgeon, very little) less in my stash.
On the same post I had started crocheting a new cotton/bamboo top. Since then it’s been ripped back twice and redesigned. It was supposed to just be 4 big squares joined at angles and with shoulder straps, like a floaty vest. Sometimes things aren’t simple, are they? I chose the wrong pattern as I don’t think I would actually have worn it finished, plus I struggled to understand the initial stitches (that’s just my mistake UK terms vs US terms). I am happy now with the current progress and have been sitting in the shade today (so hot out there, 30degrees+) hooking and planning to add a border. Will share more than this next time hopefully. This is just my ‘design area’ .
As I sit I can see a few geraniums. It’s not a pretty spot in my garden but they brighten up that space and I can’t get a good panoramic one of the rest of the garden, lawns, trees, etc today.
And talking of flowers I felt very lucky as yesterday a neighbour’s daughter gave me a lovely bouquet as a thank you for putting her in touch with someone who has offered her a job. She felt lucky but so did I, so nice to be thanked for doing a good turn. So amongst the stresses of Covid 19 there are nice things happening. I think it’s going to be a good week.
Whilst waiting for the world to end, another yarn
At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic it helped to be actually doing something rather than just waiting for the world to expire. The immediate shut down of the country and the curtailment of life as we knew it was a shock and amidst feeling scared and nervous creating things became urgent and necessary. I churned out one craft project after another. I finished knits, made new ones, crocheted, cut and stitched fabrics, made presents and created things to use myself right then. I indulged in my love of making things but it was also a lot about tidying up in the home, validating items, it even crossed my mind about what loved ones might have to sort out if I didn’t make it through Covid 19. I wanted to enjoy what I had whilst I was able to. I wanted others not to have to sort through half done projects and wonder what on earth I had ever planned with the bags and boxes of (in their eyes) ‘stuff’. I am not sure I even voiced this, except to myself. Days merged into one another.
As the weeks have gone by my craft progress has declined. Not gone away totally, just slowed. Making things seems less pressing. I was talking (online) to some crafting friends and most of us agreed we are all in less of a crafting frenzy. For some, trying to get back to anything resembling ‘normality’ is now more urgent. We have mostly settled into some kind of rhythm. We are all still creating – even if something is in a planning stage rather than physical. In my own house I look around the areas where I usually craft and there again are the carefree signs, half used balls of yarn, snippets of fabric, piles of things not being used and not put back in any order (yet).
One little project just finished. A baby blanket for perhaps a crib or travel seat. This became my knit to hand when I watched tv. I am still working on last week’s crochet top which is being redesigned as it progresses. More next time about that.
Please know, I am not undermining the care we all have to continue with in our daily lives, be it in the home or outside, be it no change at all for now. Stay safe.
A handful of squares
Many years ago, possibly more than six and less than ten, I remember playing around with textures and knitting a few odd squares. I never did anything more with them and they were lost into the ether of WIPs (Works in Progress) and UFOs (Unfinished Objects) – long lost, until recently. So rediscovering a few that complimented each other, I turned them into a small blanket for a doll’s pram. There are three little girls in my extended family who weren’t even twinkles until 4 years ago and I hope one of them has a dolly who needs to keep warm on chilly days! It wasn’t an exciting new project, the squares aren’t perfect but it means one less guilt trip when I dive into the mystery cupboard of yarn and sewing projects.
Having had more time at home recently I’ve had the inclination to sort out cupboards. In the kitchen those chipped pots have been chucked, the plastic tubs now have matching lids and I have stock of store cupboard herbs and essentials. I’ve found a few things to cook that I didn’t even remember buying! I know I am amongst the many who have taken the opportunity of lockdown to take stock of many things in their lives, sorting cupboards is just a very little of it.
My enthusiasm has slowed a little, I guess the ‘novelty’ has worn off, but I am still trying to go through my craft projects and use my stash as much as possible. As I am making decisions about what to finish or abandon it has been beautifully warm here in the south east of the UK, like summer come early. I was tempted to start a new summer project and thought perhaps it was a little deserved after my sorting and stacking. If I learned something new along the way then it counted as ‘improving my mind’ and not ‘wasting my time’ and I reckon that’s ok as a little reward.
Thus, a crochet top has become a new WIP. I have patiently learned The Magic Loop. There’s been trial and error with pattern reading (US vs UK crochet terms) and keeping tension. Crochet is still quite a new hobby. This is the beginning of what I hope will become a droopy top to be worn over a summer vest.
During the coronavirus lockdown I try to think of positive things to keep busy. I value my family more, I value what we have and I think about the future, being kinder to each other. I hope others are finding similar solace.
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