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!
4 comments:
Good day-after-Thanksgiving morning!! Hope your holiday was great and that you enjoyed your teppan dinner. I was at my son's -- as always, way too much food but it was good.
My daughter's mother-in-law was an expert knitter -- could make amazing intricate patterns. She tried to teach Dana but finally said, "Honey, you are good at many things but knitting isn't one of them."
My Christmas shopping is done -- everything ordered online. I'm crocheting a couple things -- a shawl and a lapghan for a neighbor who is in a wheelchair. My daughter's birthday is in early December and our tradition has always been to put out decorations on the weekend near that date. I do just enough to make my little condo look festive -- ho, ho, ho!! I occasionally look at a blog of a woman who says it takes her 33 days to decorate -- I take about 33 minutes!
Have fun with all your editing, etc. -- there are lots of things to do between writing and publishing.
Enjoy your day and the straight edges on your crochet project!!
Patty, the teppan meal was delicious. I had made stuffing. mashed sweet potatoes and had cranberry sauce during the week, so we had touches of traditional food.
It sounds as if Dana has other talents. I can't imagine doing those intricate knitting patterns.
Since we all have so much stuff, I am more into giving experiences like taking Jakey to Palm Springs and going on the tramway up to the snow. I am sure your handmade gifts will be appreciated.
There is a house near us where it takes them weeks to put up all their holiday decorations and just as long to take them down. I leave ours up to my son and Jakey who love to decorate.
I hope you enjoy your day!
I've not had a problem with adding or subtracting stitches on a row of crocheting and sorry, I don't understand your explanation. The chain three counts as the first stitch -- the second stitch would be a double crochet and would be done in the horizontal bar of the second stitch in the previous row. We're probably saying the same thing, just differently!!
I love it when we give ourselves little hints to straighten things out. I am crocheting a lapghan in the alpine stitch which is new to me. I've got the stitch down but some of my rows are not straight on the side. I haven't pulled it out yet. I am hoping I can crochet some kind of border and straighten things up as I go. Probably wishful thinking.
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