It's the Little Things

Life is still unsettled, and concentration needed for larger, more complex projects still eludes me. Instead of feeling guilty for not getting more done I've decided to just go with the flow -- can't pull it together for larger things? -- then smaller projects it is. 

I've been crocheting for a few years now, and working with beads almost as long, but one thing I haven't done is combine the two. So, why not now? I've long admired the work of Ann Benson (Leopardskin Pillbox hat anyone?) so when I found myself on her Etsy site I decided to give bead crochet a try. This bracelet, in fact: 

I didn't have any steel crochet hooks small enough for the project, so had to wait a bit for my order to come in.  I'm a bit worried about my ability to manipulate such small hooks (the pattern recommends 1.15mm or 1mm sizes) but the real test will probably be whether or not I can thread the beads on the working thread in the correct order. Stay tuned.  Here's a peek at the tiny (to my eyes) hooks: 

At least the handles are padded!

The Hitchhiker scarf mentioned previously is now off the needles, and I am still loving the rich red color.  Taking it's place on the needles is a cowl - Every Bit Cowl, which seems to be a nice combination of cowl/shawlette. I'm using some deep stash Fleece Artist SeaWool (now discontinued) in an unknown colorway.  The pinks and greens are giving me a springtime vibe, and that's just what's needed at the moment.  This pic shows progress almost to the point where the work is joined and worked in the round:

It's been a fun knit so far, with just enough pattern changing to keep it interesting, but still simple enough for TV knitting -- perfect!

Knitting for the Long Haul

It's a topsy-turvy world we're living in right now, and I am finding that it helps to have a long-term project to work on each day as a temporary replacement for the usual schedule of my retirement era life.  Something other than sewing face masks, or constantly updating grocery lists in search of that elusive delivery slot, or other activities that are necessary, but are also an ever present reminder of the mess we're in.

For me that project is a knitted cardigan -- Simple Yoke Cardigan, by Purl Soho. It's a fairly plain, easy knit, but it becomes a long-term project due to yarn weight and needle size. I'm using Dream in Color Smooshy with cashmere in color Brilliant and size 1 US needles (2.5mm).

Not much to look at so far, as it's pretty scrunched up on the needle, but I am happy to be cruising along with only 300+ stitches instead of the 500+ I had before putting the sleeve stitches on holders to work later. I'm only a little over an inch beyond the sleeve divide -- at this rate it may turn out to be a lifetime project instead of a pandemic one. 

To mix things up a bit I also have a backup -- also thin yarn, but much smaller.

The Hitchhiker Scarf by Martina Behm. This one is being worked in Rohrspatz & Wollmeise "Fluffy" in color Rosenrot (which I think translates to Rose Red). The color is so rich and vibrant that it makes me smile every time I pick it up. 

I don't have too much more to knit on this one, although the rows do get longer with each set of repeats.  I'll miss it when it's completed and put away for cooler weather.

Other than face masks, sewing has been on hold for a while. I suspect that warmer weather will find me wishing I had done a little garment sewing, but I'm finding it hard to concentrate on that these days.  I've made various mask styles -- most with ties or cords as my thin elastic has all been used -- and family seem to prefer the shaped masks to the pleated versions that most hospitals are asking for.  I never expected that my first Marfy would be a face mask, but there you go.  I've also tried the pattern from Craft Passion as pictured below.

 It uses a long tie (or in this case a shoe string) that loops around the back of the head, through the sides and then is tied in the back.  I found it slightly trickier to get a tight fit on my first try, but was able to adjust it to suit eventually.  It will be interesting to see how various family members rate the wearability of the different styles.  So far only the Marfy version has been road tested.

Stay healthy, keep busy, and stay indoors everyone!