Restore!

I'm taking the day off... sorta. I'm trying to restore my yarn closet to THIS level of organization. I started last night and I think it's going to take a week. I have let my office and this closet descend into the chaos that I can't even show you, it's so shameful. My office is the "dump and run" spot for me. There are reasons that door stays CLOSED.  

Also, restoring my mind today! I found a ton of old project binders that I no longer need. I found my original manuscript for 3 books including one that I never published and proposals for 2-3 more. You know binders represent BIG projects for me. Now I have empty binders to start NEW big projects! I can't wait.  I'm going to visualize myself in 5 years finding these binders when they are full and projects are completed... what was in them? What projects did I accomplish that I was proud of?  

Who needs a bucket list when you can make a Binder List?

Extension!

I really despise asking for extensions. Sometimes life happens or projects take longer than expected. Extensions should be (and thankfully are) very rare for me.

I got two more days and it feels like a stay of execution. :)

Anyway, it will be worth it. It's a great project.

So, this is a short post so that I don't squander the gift of time I've been given. Back to work.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

Looking back isn't always painful.

Today I worked on an interview piece that will be coming out in early October. (I'll link it when it's live!) The interviewer asked questions about projects that I'm proud of and it pushed me down the rabbit hole of my over 300 projects, the books, the classes, etc. I spent some time reading the reviews of my 6 (one more on the way!) Annie's Online Classes and it was like a balm to my soul. People took the time out of their day to say such nice things! You can read for yourself! So nice! Thank you!

Crochet is an amazing hobby (or career) because you can SEE the tangible result of your work. That doesn't happen for many professions. Our world is so virtual and vague that it's gratifying to work with something tangible and visual.

(Here's a look back at a favorite project sponsored by Red Heart, the Brocade Throw) A few people have even taken the challenge to create this monster and did great with it! One bite at a time, you can do it! 

For those of you who need more validation... here's a tip, see if it works for you.  For years I have kept an email folder and an actual paper folder that I call "The Smile File".  When someone sends me a compliment or a card or something meaningful, I keep it in the Smile File.  Then, on the bad days when it has become clear that a door has closed, or uncertainty hits, the Smile File is ready to reveal the truth of those moments. Kindness exists. Maybe start a smile file? Or send someone a note of kindess for them to tuck away in a smile file?

I won't spill about which projects and fibers I love the most, I should wait and let the interview reveal that. It's easy to look back so much that you run into a pole.  I can't wait to share with you the Looking Forward part.

I have some BEAUTIFUL (so pretty that I'm actually saying it out loud, not self-deprecating, not qualifying my work like I usually do, no 'if I had it to do over again...'. NO) I have some beautiful work that will be revealed in the coming months.  I'm seriously contemplating writing another book too. It's percolating.

In the meantime, I have another side project going on and I need to know what classes you would like to take and which teachers in the industry you would like to learn from IN PERSON... Comment here and let me know what is on your crochet bucket list.

An Essay in Photos

Last bits from vacation

We got to see an alligator in the wild... that was something. (I was actually kind of thrilled because we were on a bridge above and I knew we were safe).

Then we left the beach and stopped by the lake to hang out with cousins for the weekend.

 

When I disappear...

When I disappear it is usually because I have a tight deadline or family vacation. This time, it was both!

The project, in process goes into the front seat but the reinforcement yarn is accessible in the back. At every rest stop, I'd grab the next color that was needed.  

I don't mind being a passenger because then I get a great deal of stitching accomplished. 

We made it to the beach. It was so incredibly windy that I couldn't crochet on the beach. I didn't want blowing sand in my work.

But, I could crochet by the pool...

And I could crochet at the tavern...

And I could crochet in the hotel guest laundry... 

Cupcake break! 

Run break! 

The project made it through 6 states and shipped from Kentucky. Done and home! 

Free Crochet Pattern: Tea Party Cardigan

Thank you to Red Heart yarn for sponsoring the Tea Party Cardigan! It's a free crochet pattern found HERE.

I'm so pleased with how well it fits the model! It's an easy pattern worked from the top down. 

It only needs 1-2 skeins of Red Heart With Love in Wintergreen and an H hook.

Consistent Effort

Not every week can have closure. Not every week brings a check. Not every week has a reveal. Some weeks are just consistent effort toward a bigger goal. So, not much progress to report but progress none-the-less.

Here's a random chicken photo of the four chickens we have left. A baby raccoon and her mother found their way into our coop and ate two chickens a few weeks ago. I walked into the coop to find the baby napping and the mother out. The remaining 4 chickens hanging out with the baby raccoon waiting for their turn for the masked bandits to get hungry again. I was able to get the 4 out of the carnage and into a safe spot until the Captain came home to evict the baby raccoon and reset the coop. :(  Interesting that the three oldest chickens, including the lame black one, survived and the younger ones were lost.

Maybe being an old bird has it's advantages.

My Mountain Man

He did it! The Captain made the summit of Mt. Rainier with his tour group and guides and made it safely down this weekend.

Nothing like summer on a mountain!

Sneaky Peek

A crochet pattern sneak peek.

HAHAHA! The back... Forgive me while I have a little fun with you.. I'm a little delirious from working on deadlines this week.

Drawing Crochet Symbol Diagrams

Quick tip: When hand drawing crochet symbol diagrams, do not squish one stitch per square on graph paper. Instead, use the height as your guide. If you were drawing out all single crochet, which are short, you could just make them one block tall. For half double crochet, if you chain two then make your rows two blocks tall.  For double crochet, shown above, allow your stitches to be three blocks tall. It's more proportional to the actual project and it's easier to read. 

Winter in July. Crochet Felting

What's your favorite yarn for felting? I'm asking for a friend ;)

There's nothing like crocheting heavy winter projects in the middle of July!

Are you working on warm weather items or cold and what season is it where you live?

Knit and Crochet Now! Season 8 promo video

Enjoy a quick look at the behind-the-scenes montage for season 8.

Free Crochet Pattern! Remembering Bruges Throw

Thanks, Red Heart for sponsoring this new FREE crochet throw pattern. It's an Easy pattern made of Super Saver Dusty Grey.

Theo approves!

Go to Red Heart and get the free Remembering Bruges Throw pattern. 

Classy Pentagon Shawl: FREE Crochet Pattern

I'm so excited that Red Heart has revealed the FREE Classy Pentagon Shawl! Thanks to Red Heart for sponsoring this pattern. It's very easy and fun to make.

It uses 3 balls of Unforgettable in 3968 Regatta and an H/8 hook. It's an "Easy" rated pattern.

If you like it, go hit the love button on Ravelry!

 Two people have already made it! Check out their color choices for more inspiration.
Again, here is the link to the FREE Pattern. 

Monday Motivation: 50K

50K is 31 miles. I'm still not sure what made me think, "Sure, running 31 miles sounds like a great idea!"

I know what did it, it's Lisa's fault. My BRF (Best running friend) did the event last year and assured me that I could do it. Well, just because you can do it doesn't mean it's a good idea...

The short version: I did it, I'm not injured but I'm really sore. I'm proud of my accomplishment but I don't feel like I need to do it again. I got about 6 hours of car ride time to design and get a great start on a new design for Red Heart.

The long version:
The Eagle Up Ultra had 50k, 50 miles, 100K, and 100-mile divisions including a ruck (walk with heavy backpacks) division. So 31 miles was the SHORTEST distance I could do. These people are machines. I was in awe of the people who blew by us like we were standing still. We got LAPPED on several occasions. But it's ok. I'm 44 and never run a marathon, let alone an Ultra.

The course was a 5-mile loop along the Erie Canal. It was beautiful and mostly shaded. We saw turtles and lizards and crazy big birds and horses pulling the canal boats, and tiny toads.

We stayed in a hotel the night before and the breakfast bar isn't open at 4:45 am when we left to get set by the start by 6 am. So, I skipped breakfast. It was too early to think about food and I was still full from the pasta dinner the night before. (Which, in retrospect, worked well!)

After the first 10 miles, Lisa, Brian and I were cruising and in a happy place.

An Ultra is a little different than a typical race because it is so long that stopping to eat, reapply sunscreen, wipe your face, change shoes, change into a new shirt... all normal. Here we are stopping after 10 miles for 2-3 minutes to regroup and take a selfie!

At the 20 mile mark, I stopped and changed my socks and shoes, made a pit stop, took some salt pills. They also have water stations about every 1.5 miles. Two of the stations were water and the other two had water, potato chips, pretzels, Twizzlers, and candy. Both salt and sugar are important on long runs. I know from experience that I need salt more than I need sugar (cuz I get plenty of sugar in my day-to-day life? Because I'm sweet enough already?). Anyway, I ate at least 2 bags of chips during the race and a couple of handfuls of pretzels.

Brian, Lisa and me. We walked the last 11 miles as fast as we could though we all had blisters forming and various aches and pains.

At mile 25, I saw that Tom had met his 20-mile goal. (He was carrying a 50# backpack for his training to hike Mt. Rainier next month). He was lounging in a chair recovering while I re-applied sunscreen, downed a bottle of water and grabbed a piece of pizza. (Seriously, I took the pizza with me as I started mile 26).

(He's on the left in the orange hat).

Since it is a 5-mile loop, that means for the 31st mile, you have to actually cross the finish line, go out half a mile and turn around half a mile and enter the finish line from the back. It was so hard to pass the finish line and do ONE MORE MILE.

The event raised money for Team RWB, which I'm a member of. It's like the old VFW halls for veterans but instead, encourages veterans to mingle among the community while being active and being healthy and well. So, when you know the event is for veterans, (unless you are injured) you can't NOT do the final mile. Seriously.

Here I am, finished. I look a lot less perky than the 10-mile selfie! LOL. Then I promptly ate two hamburgers and another slice of pizza. Remember, I skipped breakfast and the only lunch I had was the pizza at mile 26. ;)

So, for Monday Motivation, I'm not asking you to complete an ultra marathon.  That isn't a good plan for everyone. (Ask me in a week if it was a good plan for me). But I will ask you to think about the hard work our military and their families do for us. Maybe today, go for a little walk or run and send some good vibes or prayers of gratitude and safety for them and peace in our world.

Another Online Class, Coming Soon!

I was in the studio at Annie's yesterday filming another cool online crochet class! It was so great to work with the team again. I'll keep you posted when I hear of the launch date.

Late night pre-class prep. 

The Indiana sky is big. 

I brought Chickee to the studio with me this time! 

A sneak peek at swatches. 

Here's the link to my other classes while you wait for this one to be revealed. 

Work Packing

I'm in the 'throw all the worsted weight and hooks into a bag' stage of work trip packing. Don't forget the fudge rounds, lipstick and I'm good to go.

I hope.

I'll post on Friday when I ask for prayers for the stupid  challenging weekend I have ahead.

It will either be the dumbest thing I ever do or the most epic. It's a fine line.  #YOLO

The Debut Episode of Knit and Crochet TODAY.

Looking back can be so much fun.

I found the original post of when I first saw Knit and Crochet Now, back when it was called Knit and Crochet Today. 

I had no idea back then that I'd eventually be ON that show! Read my naive review of the show HERE.  So funny!

I set my VCR to record the show because back then, in September of 2007, I didn't have DVR.

Look! It's Brett on the screen. And my boy Charlie on my lap. He was such a good kitty. And here I am learning to knit while under a blanket I made for Chickee for her birthday. Good times.

Knit and Crochet Now Coming Soon!

Knit and Crochet Now tv is coming sooner than you think. In the mean time, catch more details in the new issue of the Talking Crochet Newsletter. 

Read my behind the scenes recaps while we were filming... here, here and HERE.