The Velvet Craftblog

So, I’ve sort of been offline for the last week.  Business is picking up at work, which results in longer days, which results in short evenings, and I’m in bed asleep before I can think of anything to blog about.

I’m kind of at a standstill on the crafty front.  I just can’t find anything that I really feel like working on.  The Wavy scarf is in official hibernation for now.  The Cozy shawl is just sitting there, begging to be worked on, but I’m just not feeling it right now.  I started a super-simple hat that is half completed, and also a filet crochet panel.  But I’m just not jazzed about any of it right now.

In more exciting (for me) news.  I had been thinking of going to Boston this summer to visit my Great Aunt Madelyne and her daughter Ann.  I wasn’t sure when Aunt Mad was supposed to come back from Alaska, and what with trying to figure out summer vacations at work, plans were sort of all jumbled up.   Then, in one Saturday, plans just sort of fell into place and everything worked out and I couldn’t be more excited.  Aunt Mad is coming back from Alaska in July, along with her other daughter Myra (who lives in Alaska).  My mom hasn’t seen Myra in 25 years, I apparently saw her when I was two but I don’t remember it.  Anyways, Mom and I are flying into Boston the day after Myra and Aunt Mad get there.  Neither one of them have any idea we’re coming, so its going to be a big huge surprise.  Hopefully a good one.

This morning I have to go to Planned Parenthood and get my shot, so that I don’t have babies.  This is very important.  We don’t want a miniature combination of Ryan and myself unleashed upon the world.  It would most likely end in lots of screaming…and hair.  I also have some pictures that I want to get printed up, so a trip to Walgreens is on the list of things to be accomplished.

For knitting, I want to get through another ball of yarn on the Wavy Scarf, I’m almost done with the second and would like to get through the third.  Also four balls of yarn on the Cozy Wrap, but this is ambitous, I’ll be satisfied if I can get through 2 or 3.

With the last set of goals accomplished, its time for another set.

WIP’s

Cozy Wrap – complete by May 16th.  I want to start the Adamas Shawl on Memorial Day weekend.
Wavy Scarf – complete by April 25th.  Just want to be done with the damn thing.

Upcoming Projects

Using Stashed Yarn

Blueberry Waffle Socks – KnitPicks Essential – Princess Multi
Tidepool Socks – Yarn Bee Walk Away sock yarn

Using Yarn Not Yet Purchased

Gathered Scarf – NaturallyCaron.com Country, 2 balls
Hedgerow Socks – Premiere Sock yarn, 2 balls

Other Projects Using Stashed Yarn

Feather and Fan Socks – Sockotta
Plain Vanilla Socks – Berroco Comfort Sock
Marsan Watchcap – Lamb’s Pride Worsted
Double Bump Scarf – Swish Worsted
Tipsy Rib Scarf – Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn

I feel like I got so much done this weekend.  I should really put all that energy into cleaning the place, but, meh.

Saturday I finished the Mother’s Day Scarf and the Toe-Up socks.  I also went grocery shopping.  Grocery shopping was a somewhat traumatic experience.  I don’t know what it is about the rain, but it seems to make people three times as inconsiderate as they normally are.  People were parking their carts smack in the middle of aisles, letting their kids run absolutely crazy throughout the store (I would SO vote for banning children under 12 from grocery stores).  And then one family actually pulled their SUV under the awning at the exit, and I don’t mean just under it, I mean two feet in front of the door, so no one could get out while they were loading their two cartloads of groceries.  People tried to tell them to move but they acted like they couldn’t speak english.  I made a solemn vow not to go anywhere else for the rest of the weekend, in order to avoid being on  the news with a AK-47 mowing down shoppers.  The bonus was that while driving home I saw that the old Taco Bell (which closed last year) is now a Church’s Chicken!  For the non-southerners, Church’s Chicken is like a soul version of KFC, but the chicken breasts are the size of London Broils.

Sunday, I started on the Cozy shawl.  Love this pattern.  Works up fairly quickly, or at least it seems to.  I have twelve balls of yarn, 75yds a piece.  I got through two balls and started on the third.  If I can work two balls on Saturday and two on Sunday, and at least one during the week, I could feasibly be done with this in a month.  But, I also need to start another pair of socks, as I don’t have a mindless knitting or a ‘knit in public’ project.  I also unclogged my shower and made a bang up Sunday dinner.  I made a herbed pork loin, rubbed italian seasoning on the outside and put garlic cloves in little slits.  I also made some gravy, biscuits and corn.  It was super yummy.

I feel so productive.  I bound off the Mother’s Day Scarf around 10am.  It gave me absolute fits while blocking.  I wanted to block it pretty aggressively, since there’s a large acrylic content.  I used every pin I have and about 20 safety pins.  Its still a tad damp, so I’m leaving it pinned to the bed until morning.  I’ll sleep in the guest bed tonight.  I went grocery shopping after pinning the scarf, when I got back I started working on the second Toe Up sock and finished that too!  I’m not crazy about the socks, the toes are baggy.  But they’ll be in shoes so I guess that doesn’t matter. I’m so stoked with myself.  Two FO’s in one day, I hope it means I’m going to have good luck or something.

Mother's Day Scarf

NaturallyCaron.com Spa, Color – Misty Taupe, US7 needles.

First Toe Up Socks

Red Heart, Heart and Sole sock yarn, Spring Stripe, US2 double pointed needles.