Busy

With Thanksgiving over, it's next stop Christmas and Hanukah.  It seems too soon.  I got the cover copy for SCONED TO DEATH and will see the cover ideas soon.  I expect to get the copy edit of the manuscript back in the next couple of weeks, while I am writing the next Yarn Retreat book.  It seems I'm always working on a manuscript as the holidays approach.  Even though it makes things more hectic, I actually like it.  The holidays throw everything off and nothing feels regular.  While I like the excitement of them, it also makes me unsettled--especially after Christmas .  Working on a manuscript gives me something that feels normal and a structure to my days.  

I don't feel so at loose ends or let down when the holidays are over.   

It's crazy, but after crocheting for years, I had this sudden aha moment solution to a problem I have had for forever.  One drawback that crochet has over knitting is that you can unintentionally  add or subtract stitches at the end of a row.  It happens more often with half-double or double crochet stitches.  It was definitely happening with the relaxation project I was working on (and making it not relaxing)and the edges were wavy to say the least.  And then I  had this mental picture of what I had been doing wrong.  I ripped out all that I had already crocheted and started over, trying what I had thought of and it worked!  I'm not sure if  I can explain it, but I'll try.  The first stitch in the next row is done into the first  horizontal loop.  If a turning chain is made of three chains and is meant to count as the first stitch it means the horizontal loop is that stitch, not the chain three.  

And I had another aha moment after struggling to put in safety eyes for the small chicken.   They kept coming through the opening between the stitches.  I was going to junk the whole project, but then I thought of just putting the eyes in with a black marker or some black yarn as I did with a tiny bunny I made.  I still have to do it, but I feel good that it will work and will finish it up.

My web guy announced he's retiring and so I am in the process of doing a new website. A new challenge.  

 It will definitely be a busy time!