WIP Blindness

Yesterday I finished my tunisian cowl and sighed.
"I have no wips left!" cried I, to myself.
For a moment I sighed, wishing I had something to work on.
Then I near smacked myself upside the head, because if there is anything I have, it's WIPs.

Here, let me take you on a journey of a few of them.

Meet my WIP bag. It doesn't house all of them, but it does have many of the projects I'm currently working on.


The stuff on top- two cardigans and a little wrap sweater. All of these will take ages. But, of course, I have nothing to work on. Sigh.


A few pairs of socks. The dark ones are Andrew's socks, and they don't have many more rows. The pink ones I started on my trip to California. I'm going to be pulling them out back to the heel to make my new favorite heel on them.
But, really, I have nothing to work on.


Here are two shawls in progress. The turquoise-y one is my critron. I've got a ton of work left on it. I'm making it way bigger than called for, because I want a really big old snuggly shawl out of it. The white one is also going to be massive- and heavily beaded. It's a thread project that is going to take me years to finish.
It's a real sad state to be without project, you know?


A tank top, a scarf and a cobweb weight dress that might take me more than my lifetime to finish.
I just wish I had some way to keep my hands occupied. Just a little project would do!

My blanket and the bag I'm keeping it in. I have 9 of the 30 motifs done. I finally did another one yesterday after months off. My brain was saying "But you can't finish this tonight! I don't want to work on it unless I can pretend we'll finish it tonight." It's been that kind of a time for me. Start-itis all the way.
Alas, to be without WIP. It's a sad state.

Oh, and did I mention that as soon as I sat back down here, I noticed the skirt, the shawl and the top I'm working on that I totally forgot about? Oh, and the headband.
Brain, let this be a lesson to you. We have WIPs. We should be finishing them. Let's get cracking, ok?

I leave you with a much better photo of my tunisian rainbow cowl.

Winter Mode

I have definitely been in winter mode lately. Due to some strange but not serious medical things I was feeling really down and just exhausted. Much better now, but I feel kinda hunkered down, as though I should stay inside crocheting until May.

I made myself some wicked angora blend mittens for when I do have to go outside. They're so soft and so warm. I adore them. The white is some Fleece Artist Peter Rabbit a coworker donated to my cause. It's 100% angora and totally awesome! The pink is the Sugar Bunny I got myself as a treat before Christmas.

The matching hat. I was going to make a matching scarf as well before I realized how dumb that would be. Yes, it would be super warm, but I don't want a mouthful of angora all the time. I always wear my scarves up on my face to keep it warm.
Speaking of angora getting everywhere, because of these yummy projects my black winter coat looks as though it's been attacked by a madly shedding pink animal. I've cleaned it a few times, mostly, but I don't think I have enough lint roller sheets to really get it clean.
I think my boyfriend may just be a bit ashamed of the state of my coat. Whatever, the angora is worth it.

I finished this pair of socks for a test crochet. I adore them. The heel is perfect. My old heels I was making were never quite right, but this one is perfect. I'm going to start using it for my vanilla socks. They get closer and closer to perfection.


This is a pattern I just published on Rav.
(here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tunisian-rainbow-cowl)
My new year's goal was to publish at least one pattern a month this year. I already have my sweater that's being tested right now (someone finished it! It looks amazing! Eee, I feel like a real grown-up designer!) and another cowl that just needs a few more pictures, so things are starting off well. I'm also going to be writing up the design for the mitts pictured above and a hat similar to above. They're so nice and simple, but really warm.

This cowl pattern is free- it's so simple- but the other two I have ready I'm actually going to charge for! I want to get in to designing more seriously, and this has been a great start. I have lots of ideas... now I just need to start putting them down on paper.

Back Home with Big FOs

I've returned from my amazing week in gorgeous sunny Cuba. Me and the hook spent some quality time together, but I also just relaxed and snorkled and played tennis. My poor boyfriend got sick (again- 3 trips, twice he's gotten sick) but otherwise it was a great time.


I spent most of this day working to get my dress finished for dinner that night...

I did! My mom liked it so much she made me go pose for a picture which I promptly grabbed when I got home to show off.
I love the dress. Cozy and soft but not so warm I can't wear it somewhere tropical (as the one woman who saw it partway suggested- oh, she said, that must be only for Canada!). It's snuggly and comfy and I'm already wearing it like crazy.


Before I went away I finished this sweater. It had 3/4 length sleeves, but I decided that was silly and went full length for them. It's really snuggly and great for layering. I definitely need a long sleeve shirt under it to keep my arms properly warm.


This is what I finished yesterday. It is the most dreamy, soft lovely shawl. It's Debbie Bliss Angel and Party Angel, striped in a simple feather and fan pattern. It's huge and super cozy and so touchable. I may be cuddled up in it right now.

I really am doing a lot of cozy and snuggly kinda projects right now. Winter is settling in. We have Cascade Pastaza on sale at work and I have some sitting in my cubby that's going to be a cardigan (once I can afford some more yarn!). Also some mohair we have for a fantastic price- I have no idea what it's going to be, but I love it.

I'm working on a cardigan for my nephew right now. It's all fuzzy yarn and it's going to have little bear ears on the hood. Bear ears! So cute!
I was also making a pair of socks for me via a tutorial with no gauge. I knew it was risky but I thought it would be fine. Well, I wore the first one for awhile and realized that I couldn't lie, it was way too big. I made Andrew try it on... and it's perfect on him. And he said it was comfy. So... I'm making the second one now for him. Sigh. Next ones will be mine!

I really need to get a move on my angora mittens, though. Once it gets really cold my thin mitts just won't cut it... Ah, life is hard. Ha.

Next post I will share my craft related Christmas gifts. People knit for me! And got me yarn!