Prayer Shawl(s)

Today went well. I got most of the big projects on my list under control. What I'm going to show you is the completed prayer shawl. I left it with three edging rows. Finished off all the loose ends. Put it in the dryer with a damp towel to pull off all the hairs (even with no dogs or cats here, things seem to be rather hairy.)

And I wanted to get the next one started before I leave. The first couple of rows are always the hardest- you have to really pay attention to get them right. So I got into the third row and the second color. This verifies the size will be about what I want.

Last year, I went on the train and took the one I just completed. It was sport weight yarn and took up very little space. It did use up some of my yarn stash, but it wasn't a genuine scrap-craft afghan.

Since I'm taking the car this time, there is room for a bigger handicraft box (I don't have a tub the right size, but a box is fine.) And this is worsted weight yarn, so the whole thing will go much faster. I actually bought a pattern. I was going to figure it out by looking at the picture, but the pattern was only $4, so really... why give myself the headache?

Here is the stash that is going with me. The directions say that each row takes about 30 yards of yarn. So I checked one leftover wad of yarn and it was just over 30 yards. I rolled that up and used that as my standard. Any little balls smaller than that one I don't need to take with me. Any yarns that have enough just alike (same color and dye lot) to potentially make a single project I don't need to take. What I have is 42 different colors, and most of them are enough to do more than one row.

It's packed and in my travel pile.

The other biggie I got done today was to write this month's column for the Ludington Daily News. I do have to find a couple of pictures to go with it, but that won't be too hard. I'll do that in the morning. And I worked out the logistics for one of my visits that was starting to get gnarly. I think the itinerary is all set now.

Then I have a lot of smaller jobs that I hope to get through tomorrow. And it's supposed to be nice, so hopefully I can take a walk. Friday will be for finishing any remaining tasks and packing the car. Whew!

Saturday, I'm on my way with the first stop to be selling books at the Gun Lake Winterfest in Wayland, MI. Lots of fun activities too. Stop in if you are nearby.

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Prayer Shawl Sunday

Huh. I thought for sure I shared a picture from a year ago when it was Prayer Shawl Sunday at the Methodist Church, but I guess not. That picture would have looked a whole lot like the first one here.

I had only heard of them from my cousin Jean until last year. The idea is that they are handmade, and the maker prays for the future recipient (often people in care facilities) while doing the handwork. I had thought they had to be done with a certain pattern, but that is not the case.

In fact, in the picture above, the tubs are full of yarn that the ladies are trying to give out so people can knit or crochet a blanket/afghan/lap robe, whatever you want to call it. You can see the variety of ones they have to give away that are hanging on the railing.

Anyway, when I learned last year that these could be just about anything, I perked up immediately. I have as many tubs full of yarn as the whole church has here! I like to make things, but I don't need any more things. I've already given most of my close friends afghans.

So, on the train to New York last February, I started a prayer shawl. I wasn't going to show you until it was done because... you know... I have enough unfinished projects that it's a little embarrassing. But I needed a topic for tonight. And Sunday was the promotional day. And, I"m really close to being done. I have one more purple row and then 6 blue rows, and then an edging.

My plan is to get it finished before heading East for this year's flower show. Then I'll start another one in a different pattern. This didn't even make a noticeable dent in my yarn stash. It's done in shell stitch for anyone who cares. I'll show you again when it's done.

I was supposed to go to Muskegon for a dentist appointment today, but I cancelled. I wasn't interested in 2-3 hours of white-knuckle driving. I did go out locally to do a couple of errands. Wrote 533 words in Vacation from Dead Mule Swamp.

See A prayer shawl cousin Jean made

Just for Jean

 OK, this was just for fun, but how awesome is it to have a chicken-head friend? I mean I have a chicken-loving friend (Jean), and maybe a chicken friend (Kay-Kay).

Today was the second day of the vendor event. It went well, and on top of yesterday, I had a great sales weekend. This is going to be a very busy week.

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Blue Ribbon Roosters

  I am marginally proud of my accomplishments to get some of the thousands of items in my possession sorted this past year. Here's a little goodie that surfaced.

Way back when, I was actually entering various handmade items in the county fair. Most of them won awards, but I'm not sure any more exactly what items took what place. However, I do remember that these crocheted rooster potholders took a blue ribbon.

However, they are no longer in pristine condition. I gave them to my mother, and she displayed them in her kitchen as decorations. When she was in failing health, but still living at home, one of her helpers apparently couldn't find the everyday potholders, took these off the wall and used them. The were badly stained, and you can see that one of the rings is missing.

I soaked them several times and washed them. They came pretty clean, but they'll never look like new again. You can see a couple of the stains even in the picture. Here's the back. I lined them with fabric scraps from a favorite shirt of mine from that time period. I made the shirt, of course, and there was always some leftover fabric from any sewing project.

Now they will be documented and put away with a lot of the other fabric items I cleaned and sorted this year.

In other news: I worked really hard at the editing, took a short walk, and started a small jig-saw puzzle.

See More Crochet Fun

Just a Little Pretty Thing

 
You know I couldn't stop myself from fooling around with one more little thing. Started putting yarn away, and then this happened.

What is it for? Anything you want.



Felt fine all day today. Still do, really, but tired. Bed early I think.

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Hello, Autumn

 
Took a quick run out to the Shagway Arts Barn after work today. I love this tree that overhangs the driveway. Although the leaves are still green, something about this just says late summer.



The last wreath was delivered, and this is the end of things I'll take out there this year. I like how this one turned out, although I like the bright colors of the first one better.



The sky certainly looked autumnal. It has rained off and on all day (currently ON).



If you live in a tourist town, you can tell for sure when fall has arrived. The roads were deserted. There were lots of choices of spots in the parking lots. I didn't have to wait for a checkout at the grocery store. It's quiet.

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And then Someone Said, "CRAFTS"

 
Subtitle: Loss of Focus, or a Requisite to a Fulfilling Life?

You may remember that I've been trying out some craft sales again this year, out at the Shagway Arts Barn. Got a check this past week. Did pretty good. Better than I expected, not good enough to justify doing this. About a third of the income was from book sales, and the rest was from crafts. Hey, I at least made back the money I spent on yarn.

Let me say that apparently my ability to pick things to make that people will actually buy is abysmal. I've been trying to sell craft items, off and on, my entire adult life, and I've never come up with anything yet that was a "hot seller." And it's not for lack of quality work.

Tomorrow, I'm going out there to volunteer for the afternoon. All the artists are supposed to volunteer time, and I'm way behind because of my work schedule and hikes. Nancy, the owner, knew ahead of time that I'd have a tough time getting my hours in, and she's OK with it. I've helped on a few critical days. And I may be able to get some more time in (other than tomorrow) before they close at the end of October.

Nancy is REALLY good at setting up the displays to be appealing, and getting people out to Shagway to look around. She says it's their best season yet. So, if I'm still not selling much, it's nobody's fault except my choice of items to make.

Anyway, she encouraged everyone to bring out autumn/fall items. She says they sell really well. My goal for today was to get two wreaths done. One down.



One in process which will have more muted colors.



It needs to be done by about 10 a.m. tomorrow. Think I'll make it? Right. Have I made good use of the time today? Right. Fooled around extensively trying out different ideas that I didn't like.

I think maybe this whole craft thing this summer has been a loss of focus on the goal of writing. See, I was just going to put books out there. Then Nancy said, "crafts sell well too," and my eyes popped out of my head and started spinning again, and I went, "CRAFTS?"

So, have I wasted yet more time this year? Maybe. I sure can't make enough with handmade items to make any serious money. It's better to concentrate on books. Do I NEED to have some time with yarn and "stuff" to create fun things? Maybe.

Could I make writing the priority, but still knit or crochet a few items to sell without (key phrase) going nuts and spending too much time on it? Maybe. Maybe not.

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More Crochet Fun

 
Today was extra long at work, and of course I go back in an hour or so. Just going to share a few more fun crocheted items.



Now we wait to see if any of this stuff sells. I have a gift for picking things I think are cute that no one else wants. But I'm having a good time and deluding myself into thinking I'm being productive (half kidding... I really hope some things sell).

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Chilling and Crocheting

 
Yesterday I was impossibly tired. Worked all day and all night anyway. So Saturday is my chill day. I get to give myself a break and not feel guilty if I don't accomplish anything.

That said, I started to feel "project-y" around 4:30. No, I didn't do all these today.



Ann asked to see what crafts I have been making to put at Shagway Arts Barn this summer. The answer is lots of various stuff. Some I had previously made, some is new.

Over the past week, I made the patriotic mat and coaster set and the round ombre brown/yellows basket.

Today I tried the square basket. We will have to call this a prototype. The results aren't good enough to suit me yet. I did manage to solve some of the issues I don't like about crocheted baskets, but the implementation in this particular one isn't stellar. Nevertheless, I like it as a starting point.



Tomorrow is bell choir, and in the afternoon I'm leading a hike. My energy better be back in the morning! And there should be trail pictures tomorrow.

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Fooling Around

 
Bitten by the crafty bug again. Just had to try some interesting motifs that can be used as mats or potholders. Both are crocheted.





Mother Nature was fooling around too. At least we didn't get the snow, but the edge of the storm lashed around and brought us strong and bitter winds all day long. But the day is ending with a lovely sunset.

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Black Vest, Cha Cha Cha

 
I don't know much about dance, but I do believe the Cha Cha has a lot of stepping backwards as well as forwards. That is sure the story of this vest. But I'm calling it done.

Sometimes making it up as you go doesn't work as well as other times. I had to redo the bind-off row on the bottom because I did it too tight. I had to unravel and re-knit the first armhole ribbing because I did it too tight. At least I had enough brains to do the second one to match the correct version of the first. Then I did the neck ribbing a little too tight. I could wear it, and did so this morning, but it was tighter than I wanted. So I unraveled that and completely re-did it today.

Do I like the finished product? Meh. Don't like black. That's the bottom line.

However, one goal was to do an unusual enough stitch that it has a little bit of interest. After church, the lady sitting in back of me said she'd been studying it during the service and she really liked the design. So that mission was accomplished.

Of course, the big joke is that it was so warm today I hardly needed a sweater vest. But, doggone it, it was made so I wore it!

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We Temporarily Interrupt These Socks

 
Yesterday was non-stop and when I finally got home I was so tired I completely forgot to do a blog post. Today is more normal.

I've begun working on the second fancy sock, but it has to go on a slight hold so I can finish something I need to get done.

If you have a long memory, you'll recall yet another project started and not finished. (You can follow the link if you want to see the design closer) This one was begun just about a year ago. I want a vest for bell choir, and we are supposed to wear black and white. I'm not a fan of black, so I don't own anything that will do.

Over the weekend I picked it up again because I really would like to have it done by this Sunday. Here's where it was when I started working a few days ago.



Got the front done.



Sewed it together and decided I'd knit the ribbing. The body of the vest is crocheted, and crocheted ribbing is possible, but I opted for the knit. About an inch to go on the bottom, then the armholes and neck.



Think I'll have it done by Sunday?

	It Fits!
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Windowpane Promotional Afghan Done!

 
I'm afraid I imposed on the winner of this afghan because she is a friend. I didn't get it done as quickly as I might have. On the other hand, It's either the first or second fastest I've ever finished a project of this size, so I get maybe half a brownie point.

I REALLY like it, but am not at all sorry to give it away. I just like making stuff.



Here is is in progress, nine months ago.



Want to see a closer view of the finished edge?



And for those who like to see the back of handmade things, here you go.



OK. I crocheted for five straight hours to get this done. It took an hour each time I went around the outside edge. Now I'm going to bed.

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