Miscellaneous Design Studio

The Hatchery: a blog about my adventures in bird watching

Productivity with American Gods

While sewing, I have been listening to audiobooks on Hoopla. I used to think I couldn’t do audiobooks, I was wrong. Good thing too, I like to read while I craft. Reading a book with text is not something I can do while I sew! I’ve tried, and failed spectacularly at both tasks. Last week…

August 31, 2020
Year Of Projects: Week 2

It’s been a bit busy around here. Both kids are going back to school, virtually, this week. There is a lot of prep, but luckily, few shopping trips. Early elementary requires few supplies we didn’t already have. I haven’t written a blog post since last week, which was not part of my initial plan! This…

August 30, 2020
Year of Projects Week 1

A Year of Projects: Blog-A-Long I stumbled upon a Ravelry group, A Year of Projects, via another blog: Backstage Knits. Most members’ year runs from the first Sunday in July until the last Sunday in June; they are on week 8. As you can see, I’m a bit late, but that won’t stop me from…

August 23, 2020
Free Pattern: 2-Row Granny Triangle Bunting

Have you been trying to figure out what to do with all your short (3-5 yard) leftover fingering weight yarn bits? Look no further! This 2-Row Crochet Granny Triangle only needs a few yards PER triangle! You can make your bunting any length and use as many (or as few) colors as you want. Inspiration:…

August 22, 2020
Scrap Development

I have this hoarder tendency when it comes it scrap yarn. Not reasonable amounts, little bits that are 3-4 yards (meters). I have weird guilt about chucking it into the trash. I frequently use these little bit to hold sleeve stitches when dividing the sleeves and body in top down projects. Useful, yes. But still…

August 18, 2020
Granny Square Day 2020

I love granny squares. Honestly, I find them easier to work than a back and forth crochet project. My crafty and artsy girlfriends have always been my most important influences! Keeping true to their muse status, its exactly how I was inspired to try granny squares for the first time way back in the aughts.…

August 15, 2020
Free Pattern: Currents Scarf

Grab your favorite worsted and knit this striking but simple unisex scarf! The easy 2-row repeat can worked in a duo of high contrast colors (as shown) or lower contrast colors for equally beautiful results. Dimensions: approximately 7” x 64” Yarn: MC: Stonehedge Fiber MillShepard’s Wool Worsted (100% Merino, 250 yards) in Harvest Wheat CC:…

August 12, 2020
New Radio

Just Kidding, just new media (for me). I’m wrapping up my Currents Scarf. I literally have the bind-off left to do: tomorrow. Moving forward, I want to have companion videos for techniques used in my patterns. I have a tripod that holds my phone (which takes surprisingly good quality videos) and a white background for…

August 11, 2020
Shoddy Seamstress Adventures

I frequently jest about my ineptitude with a sewing machine. Today brings it to a new level of foolishness. Once again reminding me why I generally stick with knit and crochet. Ever since middle-school I’ve had machinations of becoming an amazing sewist and designing my own clothes. AND LOOKING SO CUTE AND STYLISH AND ENVIED…

August 9, 2020
Yarn Cake

Honestly, I want some real cake instead. A chocolate one, with just a bit of icing (I’m not really into icing). I could have spend my day making a cake instead…. But yarn cakes will have to suffice today. Ah. Chalk it up to missed opportunities. My kids are 15 minutes away, RV camping with…

August 6, 2020