Yarn and Coffee – April

Welcome. Come on in. What can I get you to drink? Coffee, tea? Maybe an ice tea?

April has been a whirlwind month. Whole weeks have just disappeared!

I did finish my blue shawl for the Gala I attended. The yarn was a different dye lot but I couldn’t see a difference when I used the new balls.

 

I love this yarn. I used Vanna White Glamour in Sapphire. A stunning yarn full of sparkle. It’s hue changed with the light. Everything from a midnight blue almost black next to my black dress to a bright ocean blue in the sunlight.

 

I think the darker yarn and not taking the time to block it gave my shawl a different look from the original pattern.  I do want to try Fortune’s Shawlette  again. This corner to corner pattern worked up quickly and I’d love to see it in a different colour.

Then just before Easter when it was time to deliver the Sherbert and Cream blanket. My friend asked for a media pouch to be made. She was giving the blanket to her cousin’s little girl and wanted a gift for another child.

This was the first time I added a zipper to my work. It felt kind of awkward. I think if the occasion arises in future I’ll plan better. I think sewing the zipper in first then finishing the pouch would have been better.

Then it was time to pick up our daughter from university.  I just didn’t believe how quickly her first year would go. In September it felt like she’d be away for an eternity.  When we got up there to get her she was still sick and no help packing her belongings. Which wouldn’t have been bad expect her room is a city block over and 4 flights of stairs up from the doors.

Since she’s been home I haven’t picked up a new project. I think in May I’ll work on finishing a couple of my half done projects.

What was on your hook this month?

Yarn and Coffee: March… One more ball

If we were having coffee I’d be telling you of my trips to the yarn aisle.

Would you like something to nibble with your coffee (or tea) as we chat?

Last month I was consumed with my son’s blanket (the C2C Jack Skellington) I expected to have to purchase more yarn as I went along since I was just following an idea vs a pattern.

In March both my projects took more yarn than the patterns called for. I made what I call the Sherbert and Cream blanket. I followed a pattern but the different yarn/ hook turned a 70cm blanket into a 120 cm long blanket!

The shawl I’m not quite done yet is a similar story. My problem there was I bought the last two balls from the store. When I went back there were Clearance stickers 😦 So off to the internet.

Now I not so patiently wait. I decided I could make a prettier shawl than I could find in the store for an event that I’m attending in a few weeks. Thankfully I was only two rows and the edging short. I’m worried that I’ll be up late the night before furiously crocheting!

I’m using Vanna’s Glamour Yarn (Sapphire) It’s very difficult to take a  photo of!! None of the shots that I took of the balls of yarn worked. I don’t think I’ll be adding this yarn to the weekly Wooly Wednesdays photos. In various light, it appears to be such different shades of blue. The shimmer in this yarn is perfect but oh so hard to do justice when I take a photo.

How was your month? What projects did you finish? Or perhaps you started a few?

 

 

Yarn and Coffee ~ February

If we were having coffee this month I’d tell you about my big project and the thrill of how a ‘ new stitch’ worked.

I’m enjoying an iced latte, since it’s been unseasonably warm. What can I pour for you?

February was a mad rush to get my son’s blanket done before his birthday. I am pleased with how it looks. I didn’t think I’d be happy at all with the finished project.

It looks good overall and to the non-yarn artist. My son likes it and that’s what’s important.

Up close I see many spots where I made errors and while looking over the blanket I can see the ‘learning’ stages. I learned that a ball of yarn for each colour section makes a tidier blanket vs cutting (and leaving more tails!!) with the colour switches. I also learned that I shouldn’t cut tails late at night because I snipped a stitch or two and that’s a (&(%^ to fix.

 

I had a wee bit of time to create something for me this month. I’ve seen earbuds decorated with crochet on Pinterest so I thought it would be a fun way to add to my new walking routine!

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What yarn art have you created this month?

 

edit: This week (and this post) started in February ..so I’m counting it as the Yarn and Coffee post for February 😉

 

Off my hook in 2016

Looking back on 2016 I love the few projects that I finished but I have more unfinished projects that WILL be picked up in 2017. A baby’s blanket needs an edging. A wrap that I had forgotten about.(It just needs the ends weaved.) My mood blanket needs months of squares. My son’s 16th birthday blanket is due in a couple months. And the pineapple shawl needs to be found and finished.  ~~sigh~~

I did finish a wrap in my son’s school colours that kept me warm while watching football games.I also finished another summer wrap when I did my first review of a yarn. I made a Baymax for my nephew. And some spirit wear scarves for my daughter and her boyfriend. I also made some kitchen towels but (gasp) forgot to take photos of them.

Well here’s to a more creative 2017!

Game Day Wrap

Spirit Wear scraves

Baymax

start of Jack blanket

Shawl in Ball review

Sidewalk shawl

mood blanket

spring soft wrap

A few of 2016s posts:

Shawl in a Ball review

My first amigurumi

Sidewalk Shawl ~  What I learned by row 15

Mood Blanket ~ End of January

 

Coffee and Yarn tales

If we were having coffee I’d be asking about your yarn projects. I’m in a bit of a funk and still haven’t crocheted. (it’s been three weeks). I’ve got to change that this week or I’ll never get my son’s blanket done!

Have you tried any new yarns or new patterns? Even though I haven’t crocheted again this week I still love looking at Pinterest for other interesting projects. I love admiring other yarn artists work.

I’m looking forward to sipping my ice coffee and admiring your work.

Yarn and Coffee Share .. ends and beginings

If we were having coffee I’d be flipping through Pinterest and showing you some cute ideas that I’ve seen. Yep, always looking ahead. It’s rare that I completely finish a project before I start my next.  And this week is no exception.

I’m not quite finished my fall sport-watching wrap but I’ve started my son’s blanket. I’m making a Jack Skellington blanket for his 16th.

 

 

I have the yarn on my desk trying to prompt myself into making more maple leaves for Project Maple for Canada’s 150th . I love the colours; they’re perfect for these leaves; but the yarn is scratchy.

It’s been a quiet week yarn wise.  I’ve been watching the Olympics and cheering for the Olympians. It’s just amazing that 4th is less than a blink in time from first. While I cheer for the Canadians a little louder, it’s awesome to see such dedication in motion from all the athletes.

What have you been doing while working on your yarn projects? Do you have your next project (or three) planned?

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Special thanks to Part-Time Monster’s #WeekendCoffeeShare for inspiring this Yarn & Coffee Share.