• crafting - Crochet - crochet motivation

    It’s October – new goal?

    October 2, 2026 - By 

    My goal for 2026 was to make 85 sets for donation and work on a few other things. I made myself a sweater, have another in mind, and only have a few more rows of color to complete on my color block throw. Since extended my goal to 100, I have 95 completed sets with a few more months to go for the year. I could possibly extend the goal again this time to 115.

    It’s not like I don’t have enough yarn. Fall is here, so there is more time to crochet – during pre-concert lectures/talks, while watching the Bears and movies. If I don’t meet my new goal, no one will be hurt and while the calendar just turned to October, I will have extended MY goal twice! Twenty sets in about 3 months is definitely possible. Considering that I have a three or so sets in progress as well, I’m going to set the new goal as 115 and see what happens.

    I made a couple of gauge swatches for another sweater, then after working on it for a bit, I decided that I didn’t like it. I haven’t unraveled it, yet but I will. I’m glad that I figured it out before I got too far in. Though I did become better at back loop only single crochet and have incorporated that stitch into a few hats so it’s not like I have lost anything.

    Anything is possible…

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Odd balls

    Colors & Revising the goals

    August 28, 2026 - By 

    What I miss about making afghans is that I would use more colors because the blankets are meant to brighten a space in addition to giving warmth. Some people don’t want to wear as many bright colors. There are ways to make something colorful without being garish. Using a dark and light yarn together or two yarns can create houndstooth or stripes or a block pattern. I’ve been looking at old posts from several years ago and the afghans were so colorful. I still use color but in a different way. Depending on the group or age of the clients of certain organizations that receive donations, would be comfortable wearing something super bright. That doesn’t mean that colors are relegated to neutrals only. It’s still possible to use darker or even neutral colors to give some style and patterns. The neutral color or a solid dark with a color block adds flair without making someone look like they are a walking billboard.

    The colors and patterns can speak for themselves whether it’s a light and dark color or two complimentary patterns. Colorful doesn’t mean looking like a bioluminescent creature in a sea of darkness. Colors can be blended to create something subtle and lush. Two complimentary patterns or stripes of different shades, hues or tones with a solid primary yarn puts pigment center stage.

    Set #85 for 2026

    Revising my goal

    Since I have already completed 85 sets for the year and it’s not quite September and I have three sets in varying states of completion, I have decided to make 100 for the year which still give me a chance to work on a couple of other things that I want to make for myself and maybe a gift or two. In previous years when I set goals, I have mentioned that I want to crochet faster, especially get faster with colorwork. Now is the time to practice that since there are four months left in the year. Even if I made some sets with one multicolored or self striping yarn in familiar patterns, I feel that making 15 additional sets is doable.

    Happy Crocheting!

  • Crochet

    Gliding into 2023

    January 2, 2023 - By 

    Before we get too far into the New Year, I need to share my totals for 2022:

          • 115 hat and scarf sets
          • 12 red scarves
          • 36 hats

    plus… a few things made for family and friends.!

     

     

     

    My crochet goals for the 2022 were 25 hats, 100 hat and scarf sets, and 12 red scarves. It may seem like I’m bragging but I’m proud of myself for what I made in 2022.

    Maybe my 2023 crochet goals will remain the same?

    • 12 Red scarves
    • 100 sets
    • 25 hats

    There are a few other non-crocheting projects that I want to work on, so to give me some breathing room… And a chance to live, experiment and play, I’m keeping my goals the same.

    Unfinished: 

    I still didn’t finish the scrapghan that I made the yarn balls for, and I’ve been stashing leftover Puzzle yarn and Mandala Ombre to make a couple of fun throws or lap robes.

    For Christmas I got a lot of Puzzle yarn and I know I’ll have some leftover from sets so throws may be on the docket for this year.

    All I know for sure is that I crochet practically every day, some more days than others and I find it enjoyable. That’s the sentiment I want to carry throughout this new year!

    Happy crocheting!

    Happy 2023!

  • Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals - red scarves

    Ahead and behind

    September 3, 2022 - By 

    I am a little behind on the goals I’ve set for myself.

    I crochet fast. It’s not a race, just years of practicing my craft.

    It’s the beginning of September, and I have 90 sets completed, 5 red scarves (goal 12) and 18 hats (goal 30). For sets I’m well ahead but haven’t made as much progress on the other categories. There’s still time. Like I said, not boasting but factually I crochet fast.

    It’ll all sort itself out. I’ll go on a tear and just get a few solo scarves and hats done in a short time.

    Though the numbers for my three goals aren’t equal, I’m happy with what I’ve finished so far!

    A few of the most recent sets are shown here. Eight months of the year have passed and 90 completed sets –  that’s an accomplishment! Wow! My uncle likes to joke that I am running a sweatshop…maybe he’s right.

    Don’t compare yourself. Crochet at your own pace, not mine.

    Does it really matter? Don’t worry about my goals, make your own!

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals

    Crochet Goals 2022!

    January 5, 2022 - By 

    I’ve finally made an complete (read: accurate) tally of what I made last year and set a goal for this year.

    Last year the goal was initially 60 sets, that was extended a few times and I almost doubled the original goal.

    2021’s total of donated items was:

      • 118 hat and scarf sets
      • 12 red scarves
      • 5 infinity scarves
      • 3 pair of mittens

    For 2022 I’m setting a goal of 100 hat and scarf sets, 25 hats and 12 red scarves.

    There are a few “passion” projects that I’d like to work on, which makes this goal seem reasonable. So far, I have one hat made and the accompanying scarf is in process so I’m off to a good start and we haven’t even had a full week in the year. [The photo of the hat and scarf in progress just looks like a fuzzy blob but in real life, the set is nice and soft and should be very warm for the recipient.]

    Plus, this goal allows me to add make items for other groups or any projects that pop up later in the year. Infinity scarves and mittens weren’t on the official list but I made 5 infinity scarves and 3 pair of mittens – who knows what projects will fall into my lap.

    Happy Crocheting!

  • Crochet - New Yarn

    Seventy five minutes

    March 10, 2021 - By 

    The new yarn that I ordered was tempting me. I went to bed early the night the box arrived and didn’t play with any of the new yarn but the next day however, that was a different story. I selected a new yarn that I was unfamiliar with and started a hat. Within roughly 75 minutes of uninterrupted crocheting from the starting magic loop to weaving in the ends, I had a finished hat. The pattern is simple top down basket weave with two rows of single crochet for the brim.

    First of all the yarn, Universal Yarn Classic Shades is a pleasure to use. It’s a 70% acrylic and 30% wool blend and I will likely buy more. Last year, I was using up the yarn I have, this yearn I’m buying yarn and using it. That’s not much of a challenge since I have been purchasing amounts in smaller quantities, just enough of a particular colorway for a hat and scarf set. When the yarn is easy to work with the project goes by quickly. I haven’t decided on a pattern for the scarf yet.

    For my past few projects I have made coordinating hats and scarves, instead of matching ones. The hats and scarves use the same yarn but not the same stitch pattern; which makes it more freeing and fun. Instead of avoiding postwork, I’ve embraced it and use different combinations as shown in a scarf that I used alternating front and back posts in groupings of two to four, made a center section of five front posts and then decreased the number of posts in the same groupings. The odd numbered groups are in the front for one row and in the back for another.

    Then the posts are alternated frontpost and backpost double crochet in the subsequent rows. I like the look but this works best with a lighter weight yarn so the scarf isn’t so wide. In the green scarf that I made in the two to five post groupings, the yarn was a little thicker than the multicolor. The green scarf wasn’t too wide – about 8 inches across compared to the 6 inches with the lighter yarn. For the sets I’m also concerned with warmth for an item that will block the air, so I avoid open- and lacework unless it’s a thicker yarn.

    Happy Crocheting!

  • Crochet - Hats and scarves

    Where did August go?

    September 1, 2020 - By 

    Time flies when you are crocheting…

    The mini goal of 10 scarves was completed with a few bonus items. I used up more yarn from the stash, dyed some yarn and made another set.  Eleven scarves completed in August as well as a set that started as a scarf and two scarves in progress as of August 31.

    August’s mini goal also gave me a chance to take a break from working on afghans. The almost immediacy of completing a project is fun especially now when most of the things that I like to do in the warmer months like movies and concerts in the park have been cancelled. Many previous posts from the summer show me posting what I worked on during the outdoor events. Sheltering in place will definitely boost the number of items that are added to the donation bags. Some yarns, I combine such as a dk and sock weight to make a colorful combination or if I don’t like them at all I will just add those yarns to the donation bag. Someone might like them and it’s contributing to the stashdown.

    September makes me think of school starting and whether it’s remote, hybrid or in person regardless of the venue some things never change. In the Midwest, September means that fall is not far behind. I saw a Facebook promotion for Foster Care to Success with a student promoting the organization’s Red Scarf Project. I keep this organization in mind during the year and will just take out a few of the red/burgundy scarves to send to them. This is something that is constant – or at least has been for the past few years.

    The only thing that appeared to be normal during the sheltering in place has been crocheting. I’ve gotten into a routine with reading which was automatically built into my day when I commuted to work. Now I will read a bit after work while listening to music or for a few minutes before falling asleep. When I worked closer to home I was able to walk, now I devote a portion of my day to getting some activity in – either walking or some other exercise so I’m not just sitting at the computer all day.

    Crocheting always fit into my day – a few minutes before bed or during lunch or during an intermission or pre-concert talk. That was in the before time. Now it’s crocheting while watching a movie or the baseball game. There’s more time to crochet since there’s more time at home. More time to crochet, means more time to make things to donate, and more opportunities to help those in need.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Hats and scarves - red hats

    Setting new goals

    August 11, 2019 - By 

    Ten adult sized hat and scarf sets. That is part of the new goal.

    Since I have completed 57 little red hats and 50 scarves, I need a new challenge. The new red hat goal will be 75;  10 hat and scarf sets. Two sets are already complete and I’m working on more little red hats.  This doesn’t seem like a big enough goal.

    A big goal would be 60 scarves and 10 hat and scarf sets.

    It is possible. I want possible, yet challenging.

    New goal:
    75 scarves
    10 hat and scarf sets
    75 little red hats

    In 2019, I have experimented with color and yarns. There are some yarns that I prefer to others and some yarns are more suited to wearing than snuggling (i.e. a blanket or afghan). Though they fit and I have tried on a few of the adult hats that I’ve made, I still think that adult hats seem gigantic compared to baby sized ones. The most recent hat I started, had to be ripped out because I forgot about the stretchiness of the starting chain. Some people have large heads, but not that large. This sabbatical year has allowed me to work on different techniques and increase my speed a bit. I’ve also sampled some new yarns that weren’t exactly to my liking and then others that I fell in love with, but other people weren’t as infatuated with those yarns from reading their reviews. There’s a yarn out there for everyone. When I like a particular yarn or project, I tend to work faster, because it’s not a chore.

    Summer time is the best time to work on small projects, a hat doesn’t have to be on your lap like an afghan does and you can move a scarf around as it gets longs so you don’t get too warm. A relatively cool evening, outside listening to music or watching a movie is the perfect time to work on a small project.

    I need to get going and complete some of the projects that I have started.

    Since I’ve met my goal, I challenge my crafty readers to make at least one item and donate it to a charity of their choice (or a person in need) by year’s end. What are you waiting for?

    Happy crocheting!
  • crafting - Crochet - Vacation crocheting

    The right amount of yarn

    July 7, 2019 - By 

    KODAK Digital Still Camera

    Costa Rica was great! I had a relaxing time and saw monkeys, iguanas, colorful magpies, lizards, raccoons, pelicans, vultures and more. We stayed at a resort near the forest and Pacific ocean which I considered glamping because we were so far away from a town and I’m definitely a city girl.

    KODAK Digital Still Camera

    There was a lot of time to relax. I preferred sitting in the shade near the ocean where there were boats, birds, crabs, monkeys and other sights to occupy my time as I crocheted. For those who have been following I was wondering how much yarn to take on my trip. I took enough. I had a couple of skeins that I didn’t use for hats, but I did make six hats and seven scarves on the trip. The last row and a half I finished at home, because I don’t crochet on planes, not enough space to move about. I either read or sleep. There was some yarn left over and I will incorporate it into other projects but now I know how much to bring with me for a relaxing trip. There was a lot of time sitting around, though I did participate in a wine tasting, nature hikes, chatted with some other people at the beach, evening entertainment at the disco, plus other activities. I didn’t feel as though I missed out on anything and leisurely worked on my projects.

    On this trip, crocheting at the beach became “my thing.” People who saw me would come over and start a conversation about my work. A few people even said they didn’t think of bringing anything. I said “I can crochet and look at the scenery, so I brought crocheting, because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the view by reading.” They agreed. I don’t always get to have several days with large blocks of time where I can just sit and crochet. Now I have a better idea of how much yarn to bring with me I feel like I am truly a seasoned traveler. Plus, I have learned something new that I can use when I am ready for my next trip – how to plan the amount of yarn to bring. The right amount of yarn is the amount that you will use and not be a social hermit or miss out on anything.

    Happy crocheting!