Sometime I feel I need to post only when I have groundbreaking stuff to share. I don’t. I’m going to blame the month of March for my lax blogging. No reason. I just don’t want to take responsibility for being absent.
All the CRAB STITCH edging!! Mwhahahahahahahaha.
I stash busted a C2C baby blanket for my spouse’s niece. Who is due in August. So I have made 1 baby project off my list. And used 4 balls of stash yarn. I will be putting out a pattern for this blanket. I colored in my pattern on 10sq/in graph paper, and that was TEDIOUS. I’m going to do an excel sheet, which will take less than half the time. This way I can easily include visual options for making it BIGGER! Yardage will be easy to estimate.
I’ve been trying to get this done, and honestly, I feel it took FOREVER. It took me almost 2 days to get the whole border done. The blanket is about 37×40″ finished. I used a size I/5.5mm hook, not a tiny, tedious endeavour. I powered through with tea. I brewed up a whole pot of my favorite STASH tea: Double Bergamot Earl Grey. The tea cups were a birthday gift from my bestie/brother from another mother. I bring one of the set out when I miss him most. I’ve been missing him; after 2 years, I still have a difficult time accepting losing him.
Tired no make-up selfie.
Double Bergamot Earl Grey.
I worked a little bit on the Kyyyyyle blanket. But I’m not in love with how its turning out, so I don’t really want to work on it. I should like it. It SHOULD look good. It is still a dissapointment. I’ve been working on a pair of striped stash socks. No pictures. Just a boring toe-up sock.
My stash balls used for 2021 is currently 28. I’m well on track to make my 100 for calendar year 2021.
I’m still working on other outstanding patterns. I don’t want to start any new design projects until I get some of my current projects published. I have quite a few in end-stage production. Hopefully the kids will start hybrid school next month and I’ll have 2 days a week to focus on my projects. I’m at my most productive and creative in the morning- when they need me the most for virtual schooling.
I hope just getting a blog out will be my push to keep up! Love ya!
That was sarcasm. And today (and the week) was fine, otherwise.
Not today. But from the other day when I showered AND wore make-up AND blow-dryed my hair. But its practically the same because I am wearing the same hoodie again.
You see, last week a friend of mine mentioned a need her and her family had. It was something I could help with. I was all, “Say no more, I’ve got you”. Then today, when I needed it most, the dryer stopped working. PERFECT.
You see, what I was helping my friend with was in the dryer. It needed to be dried. I had every intention of meeting her at an outdoor community market today. I said I would be there. I TEXTED her to let her know I would be there at 4. I just needed the dryer to finish up, iron the items, then put them in a box to deliver to her. I had to bail. Because the dryer broke.*****
Now, 2 hours later, the dryer has been fixed. Everything has finished drying. We’ve made and eaten dinner as a family. I still have to get out the iron. But now its too late to bring her the stuff today. The market is wrapped up and I’m not 100% certain I have her current number. I feel flaky and disappointed that I couldn’t be true to my word.
We are so fortunate that my spouse is able to fix “stuff”. This is the 3rd or 4th time he’s made a minor repair to the dryer since we moved in 8 years ago. It was a $3 part and once he was home, it was a 5 minute fix. Including putting the dryer back together. Honestly, I think he’s magic.
***** You may ask why I waited so long to get the items together. I started this weekend and make reasonable progress. Then yesterday, I ran out of one little, but necessary item to finish, then needed to make a trip to the craft store for some elastic so I could finish up. In true Cinna fashion, I made the scope of the project larger than it needed to be, and therefore took more time than anticipated.
This week had me checking off a surprising amount of tasks on my YOP list!
I finished my Right Round Scarf AND the Right Round Cowl last week. I crocheted a couple baskets to wrangle laundry room clutter My Stash Bust total for the first week of March is 6 balls!! My YTD total is 24. I’m well on my way to my 100 ball goal for the calendar year.
Sure, it looks neat today. Next week, no promises.
Also this week I LITERALLY spent 5 minutes fixing my wheel. Its been broken for well over a year, maybe almost 2 years. The worst part: I’ve had the part needed for the repair since before it broke AND it was literally sitting in a bag ON the wheel the entire time. I spun the remainder of the bobbin. I have more fiber to spin, ply, and set. I’m notorious about not setting my twists. No pictures.
Now that my pattern development projects are complete, I’m back to working on the Kyyyyle blanket. It will not be a pattern, the blocks aren’t quite RIGHT. I’ve invested too much time into it to rip it all out. So I’m going to finish it, wash it (and hope the fibers relax a bit more), and mail it to my friend. Having a blanket made by your friend need not be perfect to be warm or appreciated. I hope to have it finished soon, in the meanwhile, I can contemplate my next project.
With all my finishes this week, I can officially update my YOP list! I finished 20 line items from my first list. My second list is somewhat more open-ended.
Part 1: complete
Part 2: Active
My YOP Goals!
Other non-YOP goals: I went the entire month of February without buying yarn. I thought on March the 1st I would go crazy. But here we are 7 days in and no new purchases. Once I have a project in NEED of something specific, I will 100% guilt-free purchase the supplies. In the meanwhile, I’m going to keep running down the stash.
Today has involved no crafting, but a surprising amount of time in the kitchen. It started with my egg sandwich lunch, rolled into a lunch meal prep session, that made a sink full of dishes, and turned into Sourdough Waffles with Turkey Bacon, pineapple slices, and cucumbers for dinner. SO MANY DISHES. After the kids are in bed, I’ll be able to do some crocheting on the blanket! It will feel good to relax.
Right Round Scarf worn upon finishing before a wash.
I finished the Right Round Scarf on Monday (March 1st), and IMMEDIATELY launched into the worsted cowl version! Which I finished up Friday. While winters are generally pretty mild at my Mid-Atlantic location, some days are beastly between the bitter cold and the biting wind. No amount of scarf coverage will block the wind, it cuts right through multiple scarves/cowls. The Right Round Windscreen Cowl came out of walking between my gym’s main building and the auxiliary building (about a block) on a frigid windy day (back before my gym schedule got thrown off course).
I might be well on my way to MEMORIZING how to actually do kitchner.
The scarf: I used every color from my Love Lines kit. I have 65 g remaining, out of 280 g at the start. After a wash, it is 92″ (over 2 meters in length!!) long. It is nice to wrap around the neck. With all the extra length, I don’t have to worry about it coming upwrapped. I used a simple fair isle motif for the striping. Not difficult, but keeps it interesting.
Making sure my fleece scrap was adequately sized
I am still shocked it worked.
Halfway through the kitchner adventure.
It fits nice and CLOSE and is warm! (before I wove in the final end)
A close up of the patterning. The lower colorwork is where I have my kitchner “seam”.
Beautiful Stash.
The cowl: I am constructing my sample out of a bunch of stash. I didn’t have enough stash (besides sweater quantities) to make it out of all the same brand. At least it’s all the same fiber content; I used 100% wool. But if you don’t like/use/have/prefer wool, acrylic or cotton would also be adequate. Since I’m adding a LINER to the inside of the tube (for warmth and wind protection), the outer yarn is secondary for warmth. Cotton may be appropriate for the windscreen variety. I thought undoing the provisional and kitchnering the ends together was going to take FOREVER, it was about an hour. So not bad!!
Releases: I’m debating this as a bundle with 2 PDFs, instead of 1 PDF with multiple patterns. It would be the same price regardless. I need to spend 20 minutes, without interruption to make a chart. Date TBD. Likely late March Release.
Goal share time: I can say with a fair amount of certainty, I didn’t buy yarn in February of 2021. I more than made up for it in January; I had an advent box to open for the first 2 weeks of February- but the yarn was PURCHASED in January! One of 3 months of cold sheep complete.
When actually flattened, its the same width at both sides.
I’m about to finish up my Right Round Scarf!! Its been 2 weeks of almost exclusive works. Size 3 needles and fingering weight yarn is still slow when its stockinette! I’m so pleased with the results!! Less than 50 rounds to go, a zillion ends to weave in (ok, about 100), and a kitchner bind-off! I want to finish it today, but it likely will be a March 1st finish- still ok with this!
I’m going to start the worsted version as soon as this is done. Its going to be PERFECT for FREEZING, WINDY winter days (spoiler: liner). This is also an informal testing call. SO… yeah.
There’s overlap in the back to “Protect Ya Neck”.
I have my Acute Shawl out to a few testers and I need to find the right (local) place for some pictures of the small mountain of shawls I’ve produced for this project! And create a chart, I think I’m going to draw the symbols over a close-up. This week I couldn’t shake the idea of using bulky weight for an Acute Cowl. Within an hour or so, I whipped up this darling in Lion Brand Thick and Quick with my trusty 10mm hook- I’ve added this option to the pattern. SOON I’ll be able to release the project!
Not flattering. BUT I can fit my WHOLE HAND in the front pockets. Impressive.
Other boring news, I got new retro Mom jeans and I’m wearing them unironically with Dr. Marten’s Chelsea boots. What have I become?!?!
I’m the kind of person who easily gets lost in a good book. Last summer, I discovered that the RIGHT audiobook is just as easy to get lost in as a physical book. This week I fell into Octavia Butler’s Kindred. I have been meaning to read her work since college, but would forget to look for her once I got to the bookstore. 2 years ago I started keeping a list of books and authors I wanted to read: This has helped me broaden my horizons. I’m subscribed to the 28 Days of Black History newsletter from Anti-Racism Daily; Octavia Butler’s novel, Parable of the Sower, was featured on the 19th. I took this as a sign from the universe, and directly went to Hoopla (an app supported by my local public library, THANK YOU). I decided to read/listen to Kindred this week. From the beginning I was GRIPPED. Parts of the book are visceral, story is so fascinating, I absolutely binged the book.
I started a Tale of Two Cities, but fiction from this time period is a slow burn for me. It takes a long time for me to get into.
Progress!! Too bad its getting warm out.
While binging on an awesome book, I made a TON of progress on my Right Round Scarf! I have 4 or 5 more sections to go!! I tried on my WIP today! I’m thinking I can have it completed this weekend.
I’ve also been drafting up the Acute Shawl to get to my testers (like 10 minutes of work left to do). I feel slightly less sure of my crochet abilities sometimes, so I feel some anxiety that I’ll get it wrong. I’m just being absurd, I know. But the imposter feeling is real.
I’ve been working almost exclusively on the “Right Round” Project. I am currently about 55% of the way through the project and I love it more every day! The fingering weight yarn and size 3 needles are not particularly quick, but the project is really great. I’m already planning a cowl version AND a “windscreen”-cowl version (in worsted).
Quick (washed out) pic of my current progress on the Right Round scarf. AKA: Box of Joy
I’m also working on getting my Acute Shawl pattern out to Testers! I don’t have a crochet symbol add-on for my word processing, so I’m going to hand draw the chart. I want to include a chart in ADDITION to written instructions. I like when I’m able to look at a chart and visualize where my stitches should go. Even if I’m following the written instructions for the pattern. I’m sometimes working a cowl option for people who like the look of a “bandana-cowl” or who don’t have quite enough yarn (or patience) for a full-size shawl.
Oh look, its TAN.
Hopefully I’ll share my updated list next week, as I’m just past the halfway point for my YOP. A lot of my design ideas are being executed under different names! I really enjoy being able to take my ideas, turn them into a finished item, THEN share them with others.
Yesterday. When I wore my Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap.
This week has been feeling chaotic! Our schedule has been thrown up in the air; a holiday here in the USA, a new learning model with school, a snow day! I woke up thinking today was Monday. It took me a minute to realize it’s Friday!!
Plugging away at “Right Round”
I managed to finally post my Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap pattern this week! I worked on my “Right Round” scarf, my Advent Box pattern development project! I’m just less than half way done. Up next, I’m going to do two color cowl version of the pattern!
My boy child came up with an alternate extinction theory yesterday.
After playing in the snow for a little bit yesterday, I was finally able to get my sewing machine out! It’s been in hiding since December. Again, I was working on masks. Somehow, my daughter has managed to misplace the majority of hers? I sewed her 4 new ones, in a “big kid” size with adjustable ear loops (bringing her total up to 10 or 12). I made my spouse 2 new masks, and replaced the elastic on two other masks. Nothing special, but necessary. I even got them all washed and dried, so they are ready to go today! (No pictures, sorry)
Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap: Solid, Colorblock, and MYOM (Make Your Own Marl) Versions
Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap: Version B Shown in Adult Medium.
Live your own life aquatic with this awesome Zissou inspired watch cap.
The proportions seem all wrong, but when placed on the wearer, they magically become all right.
Adult Large (Version A)
Adult Large, Adult X-Large, Toddler/ Kid (Version A)
Toddler/Kid and Adult Small/Medium with pom poms (version C and CC)
Toddler/ Kid with yarn pom pom. (Version A)
Assorted size and length Magic Sea Captain and MYOM Watch Caps
Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap Solid/Color Block
Sizes: Newborn/Baby, (Toddler/Kid, Tween/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult X-Large). Will stretch to fit up to 20 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24+).
Dimensions: 4 (4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 5.75)” wide, flat/unstretched. Will stretch to fit up to 20 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24+).
Yarn: A: StyleCraft Special Chunky (100% Acrylic, 157 yards/144m) in Lipstick B: Malabrigo Twist (100% Merino Wool. 150 Yards) in Cookie C: Premier Serenity Chunky Prints (100% Acrylic, 109 yards) in Majesty CColorblock: 2 strands of gray worsted held together (mystery acrylic)
Total Yardage: 75 (100, 125, 150, 175, 200)
Needles: Size 9/5.5 mm circular (16”length) and size 9/5.5 mm DPN for the crown.
Notions: 1 stitch marker.Yarn needle for weaving in ends, Pom-pom if desired.
Gauge: See Dimensions above.
Abbreviations:
BOR: Beginning of round
C/O: Cast-on
K: Knit
P: Purl
K2Tog: Knit 2 stitches together
P2Tog: Purl 2 stitches together
Pattern Instructions:
Cast-on 56 (56, 64, 72, 80, 88)
Place BOR marker and join in the round.
Hat Body: *K2, P2* for every round until the hat measures 7 (9, 11, 12, 13, 14)” from the cast-on, slipping BOR marker at the start of every round.
Solid Version: Work with the same yarn for the entire hat. Color Block/Stripe Version: Work until hat measures approximately 1/3-1/2 total desired length, work contrasting color block section for 1/3 of desired length, work remaining length with original color. OR, work color sections until you run out of yarn, work with any number of colors until you reach your desired length.
NOTES: the above measurement will give you a fold-over brim of 3-5” when worn with the crown of the hat meeting the crown of the head. This measurement will vary somewhat between individuals, as head size and shape is unique. If you wish to have a longer (or shorter) brim: adjust your total length.
Don’t Panic! If you are running low on yarn (or don’t want a huge fold up brim) you can shorten the body before the decreases. Because of the stretch, the hat will still need to be a little long. Here are some minimums to work with: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9)”.
Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap Crown Decreases
Crown Shaping Section Basic Gathered Decreases: switch to DPN when needed.
Cut a tail: 10”. Pull through the remaining live stitches. Fasten on the inside.
Weave in ends. Lightly block. If desired: attach pom-pom like a BOSS.
MYOM (Make Your Own Marl)Version
MYOM. Left: Sample D shown in Adult Medium. Right: Sample E show in Adult Large with short length.
Sizes: Newborn/Baby, (Toddler/Kid, Tween/Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, Adult X-Large). Will stretch to fit up to 20 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24+).
Dimensions: Flat/Unstretched, unfolded: 5 (5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7)” will stretch to fit up to 20 (20, 21, 22, 23, 24+).
Yarn: D: Red Heart Amore (100% Polyester, 198 yards) in Latte and Peaceful E: Red Heart With Love (100% Acrylic, 370 yards) in Boysenberry and Random Stash Yarn (100% Acrylic, 100 yards used) in Orange Notes: When choosing a yarn, you can make your Marl contrast as high or low as you want. I decided to make my MYOM high contrast. You could even hold the same color double if you want (but it won’t be a marl). You can change one color out at a time to make a fade. There are no rules. This is YOUR project.
Yardage: Yarn Held Double: Yardage for each strand:75 (100, 125, 150, 175, 200) Total Yardage: 150 (200, 250, 300, 350, 400)
Needles: Size10/6 mm circular (16”length) and size 10/6 mm DPN for the crown.
Notions: 1 stitch marker.Yarn needle for weaving in ends, Pom-pom if desired.
Pattern Instructions:
With two strands of worsted yarn held together, cast-on 56 (56, 64, 72, 80, 88)
Place BOR marker and join in the round.
Hat Body: *K2, P2* for every round until the hat measures 7 (9, 11, 12, 13, 14)” from the cast-on, slipping BOR marker at the start of every round.
NOTES: the above measurement will give you a fold-over brim of 3-4” when worn with the crown of the hat meeting the crown of the head. This measurement will vary somewhat between individuals, as head size and shape is unique. If you wish to have a longer (or shorter) brim: adjust your total length. Don’t Panic! If you are running low on yarn (or don’t want a huge fold up brim) you can shorten the body before the decreases. Because of the stretch, the hat will still need to be a little long. Here are some minimums to work with: 5 (6, 6, 7, 8, 9)”.
MYOM Watch Cap Crown Decreases
Crown Shaping Section Basic Gathered Decreases: switch to DPN when needed.
Cut a tail: 10”. Pull through the remaining live stitches. Fasten on the inside.
Weave in ends. Lightly block. If desired: attach pom-pom like a BOSS.
Cinna’s Notes: I know a 2×2 rib hat isn’t a NEW idea. People have been knitting ribbed hats for eternity, there are hundreds of patterns similar to this one. But this is MY version. Its extra, extra long, its chunky weight, it has an easy slightly gathered top that stretches right along with the body of the hat. The hat folds up to give you a wide brim and keeps your head, and ears, SUPER warm in windy weather. Even the sizes are somewhat flexible; the Little Kid size fits my Medium Adult head VERY SNUGLY. Its almost like magic, that a hat measuring 5 inches across will fit and be wearable on a head 4x its unstretched size.
Child Small
Adult Medium
Adult Large
Pom pom or plain, it is a fun hat to make: to keep or to share. My inspiration for this hat was actually a crochet hat I made for a friend’s baby, also in red. The crochet hat was too small, it didn’t have enough stretch to it! I loved how adorable the red ribbed hat looked, like a part of costuming from the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou! I recreated the long ribbed hat in knit, becoming the Magic Sea Captain Watch Cap! Since the Toddler/Kid version fits ME, I KNOW it will fit my friend’s one year old. (Hats still need to be mailed at time of publication)
In all the years I’ve been knitting, this is my first advent box. These boxes of surprise colorway mini skeins are frequently seen during the December holiday season. I have been curious to try one, but usually miss the order cut-off in the fall. When my absolute favorite indie dyer, Terri from AT Haynes House Yarns, announced they were doing a Unity Advent in January, I was super excited. But it sold out. Like FAST. I was bummed. I really wanted to get in on one of their boxes! When the Love Lines Box was announced, I SET A REMINDER on my phone so I wouldn’t miss the launch! I was able to get one before they sold out!! It was a huge challenge not peaking into all the envelopes when I got it. Self Control for the WIN!!
I chronicled the envelope opening on Instagram (feel free to follow me!). Since not everyone has (or likes) Instagram, I don’t want you to miss out on all the pretty colors!! Enjoy over a dozen lines of love!
Day One
Mr. Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
“You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.”
Honestly, I was a little surprised by brown. It is a REALLY beautiful brown, with light tan spots and a bit of a purple cast in areas. I would make a whole sweater out of this colorway. Understated.
Day Two
Katniss Everdeen, The Hunger Games
“I volunteer as a tribute.”
Yes, love is not just romantic!! I appreciated the nod to filial love. The colors reminded me of vibrant autumn leaves.
Day Three
Joe Fox, You’ve Got Mail
“Don’t cry, shopgirl.”
Since this one is similar to the Katniss colorway, I decided not to add it to my scarf project. No fear, I already have plans for it in a different capacity.
Fun Fact: I’ve never seen You’ve Got Mail.
Similar, but not the same.
Day Four
Dracula, Dracula
“I’ve crossed oceans of time to find you.”
A beautiful balance of bright and muted red.
Day Five
Han Solo, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back
“I know.”
I didn’t color correct this photo, its a cool tinged skein (my monitor makes it look quite warm).
Star Wars is one of my favorite franchises, so I appreciated the nod.
Day Six
Sydney Carton, Tale of Two Cities
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
I’ve read some Dickins, but not a Tale of Two Cities.
Whoa, this colorway!! It is RIGHT IN MY WHEELHOUSE.
Day Seven
Captain Wentworth, Persuasion
“I am half hope, half agony.”
I’m am in agony because I can’t wait to knit this colorway into my project!
Day Eight
Lilo, Lilo and Stitch
“Ohana means family.”
I gasped at this colorway. Maybe it’s my favorite? I also really love Lilo and Stitch. Next time I go to Kauai, I want to head out to the village that inspired the setting of the movie.
A different angle of the colorway
Day Nine
Steve Trevor, Wonder Woman
“I wish we had more time.”
This is such a crisp, beautiful blue. Like the sky on a cloudless summer day. The ones that make you wonder if anything could be more brilliant, and if the universe is using a filter.
Day Ten
Eliza Schuyler, Hamilton
“Helpless.”
I’ve been singing the WHOLE soundtrack in my head on repeat since February 10th. I do not mind this, because Hamilton is the only musical I will admit to LOVING.
Day Eleven
Wesley, The Princess Bride
“As you wish.”
THIS GREEN!!! It’s so vibrant and magical.
Also, I think my kids are old enough to watch the Princess Bride.
Day Twelve
Arwen, Lord of the Rings: Two Towers
“I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.”
This is one of the most understated colors in the box, and I really love it. Soft and beautiful, reminiscent of a spring day after a sunshower.
Day Thirteen
Tony Stark, Avengers: Endgame
“I love you, 3000.”
THIS is the quintessential valentine’s colorway! A very different red than day four’s Dracula colorway. I love how vibrant this skein is!
Day Fourteen
Terri & Brian Haynes, AT Haynes House Yarns
“Today I marry my best friend, the one I laugh with, live for, love.”
The MOST romantic of the bunch!! Terri and Brian saved the BEST quote and maybe the best colorway for last.
Final Thoughts
This box was SOOO fun! I loved the colors and have already started the project to use much of each skein. I have planned a smaller project to use up the remaining yardage. The minis are 93 yards each, not too much, but all together makes for a LOT of yarn! I’m so happy I was able to get in on this box. There was a project bag option that I did not select. Now I’m wishing I had gone for it!
(You Spin Me) Right Round
This is what I have on my advent project so far. I was going to do 40 row blocks, but figured the center colorways would get lost. I didn’t want to rip back, so I will incorporate this into my design as a FEATURE. I’m going to do day 14 as a 40 row end block. All the “center” blocks will be fewer rows, but repeated twice! Because I want to see all those beautiful colors. My intent is do work the days in order (minus Day Three because I have other plans for that color). The pattern will have options for a scarf or a cowl!
My Yarn Love Story.
I’ve been an aspiring fiber crafter since the 3rd or 4th grade when a friend of my showed me how to make a finger crochet chain. I would ALWAYS go visit the yarn at big box stores. Sometimes I would buy yarn for other creative craft projects, but never for knit or crochet. Unfortunately, I didn’t know ANYONE who knit or crocheted. So my love for yarn was somewhat unrequited for YEAR. In high school, my boyfriend’s mom was a crocheter, and a darn good one. She was an awful teacher unfortunately. She forgot to tell me about the turning chain! My yarn desire was again shelved. It wasn’t until my 3rd year of college, early 2002, when I actually learned to knit. You haven’t been able to pry the needles from my hands since. I’ve since picked up crochet. I am committed to using the beautiful yarns I’ve accumulated, in a multi-year stash busting attempt. I want to show love to my yarn and the wonderful individuals who worked to create it but making beautiful and usable items.
