The Scarf v 2.0

Remind me why I agreed to making my brother in law a scarf? Oh yeah, because I can't say no.

Also I'm sure part of it was because how much he gushed he loved Brian's scarf and as you know, flattery gets you everywhere!

The first attempt was just that... an attempt. It was going okay until I sat back and looked at it. The constant yarn changes made it look like it had tassels on one side and I think because of that, I forgot the first rule in crocheting: count your stitches.

Every row seemed to have more and more stitches. Finally, I noticed that my scarf was getting wider and wider.... but since I had been cutting and knotting the yarn every 2 rows, there was no way I could rip it out and start over easily.

It will make a nice washcloth. Lol.

I know there were three things I did wrong with it before.

1) I forgot to count my stitches. This means EVERY row. It's not the first row that is the issue, it's the row that is somewhere in the middle. I started with 32 stitches at the bottom. At the top? I ended up with 41. That means somewhere along the lines, I added 9 additional stitches, causing it to get wider at the top.

2) I didn't use stitch markers for the specialty stitches. This isn't really required for every crocheter. Just the ones like me who have trouble visualizing where things go. This one sort of goes hand in hand with the counting stitches; it's to make sure I am not adding any additional stitches, special or not. It's a little hard to see, but you can tell the pattern isn't straight down in a line.

3) I made it too complicated. The color changes are something I am not so good at, so of course I was clumsy and over-thinking the solution. The color change happens every two rows and only on the left hand side (right hand side if you are a righty). I was cutting the yarn and weaving in ends every 5 minutes. I was clumsy and butterfingers trying to hold on to the cut yarn and the new yarn at the same time.

My only option at this point was to start completely over. I couldn't even unravel the yarn, so it's pretty much wasted. Bummer-rama. No point in crying over spilled milk, so I got started on the second attempt. Version 2.0 I have been calling it.

Here's how I am fixing my mistakes:

1.) I read the pattern and counted out 19 completed stitches per row. So each row, as I crochet, I count the completed stitches. When I make it to the end of the row, I count the stitches again. If there is any number other than 19, the row gets ripped out and started over again until there is 19 stitches. Usually, I end up skipping a stitch or putting 2 stitches in one hole.

2.) I got out my fancy stitch markers and I counted out how many stitches down the row it took to get to the first specialty stitch. Then I placed a marker for each one. Each time I complete the specialty row, I move the markers up. It doesn't matter that I know what stitch they are on, it helps me look at a glance that I am keeping everything in line. Which is essential for a pattern.

3.) To keep my yarn changes as simple as possible, I went on YouTube and various crocheting resources and looked up how to "carry" yarn. Carrying yarn is where you don't cut it off after you've used it, that way it keeps the number of loose ends to a minimum. I am leaving both balls of yarn attached and switching every two rows. It takes a little bit of practice and looks a bit odd... but it's so much easier.

The pattern is a lot easier to see and also straight!

I also decided that I should probably know how wide my scarf is and how long I plan on making it. I measured its width and came up with 6 inches. The length is about 17 inches. I have 17 stripes, or 34 rows. It takes me approximately 5 minutes to do 2 rows. Each 2 rows equals about an inch.

Since this sort of falls into the category of "skinny" scarf, it also has to be a little long. Brian's brother gets annoyed when his scarves are too long. He claims he ends up tucking them under his armpit haha! So Brian will be my test subject...once again. Poor Brian. I think it needs to be about 4 feet long, or 48 inches. Most scarves are anywhere from 60-72 inches in length. It should take me an additional 3 hours to get the required length. Give or take.

I think I found my hobby. I find myself reading and browsing patterns all the time. I love looking at crochet books and trying new techniques. I like Googling resources to figure out my crochet conundrums. I really enjoy all aspects of it. I'm even reading a murder mystery series about crochet. I don't even really like murder mysteries. Yet, I can so relate to the main character. About not feeling like I've got the hang of crochet, but I don't really care because I am so addicted to it. That I have waaaay to much yarn for as little projects as I have completed. The feeling of immense self satisfaction at finishing ANYTHING.

Anyway, I only took a break from crocheting so I could remember to upload the pictures I had taken and get this blog published. Now it's time for a quick bite to eat and back to the grindstone. I really want to get this completed before I have the baby. Hurry hurry...

Spent

My knee hurts worse than when I wrenched it at Zumba. It must be because I am carrying an extra 35 pounds on it and am pregnant. 

Or the fact that when you're pregnant everything is amplified pain wise. Today's agenda: Alternating heat and ice therapy and a shit ton of Excedrin. 

I woke up every half hour last night because I kept having the most realistic dreams my water broke. I mean, they were freaky! Probably because I couldn't ever properly fall asleep, it was so vivid. Of course I was wearing my same pajamas I actually wore to bed- I hadn't forgotten what they looked like yet, since I was still half-awake. 

I remember the bed being wet. My thighs wet.... water running down my calves. I remember getting up to go to the bathroom to towel off and a little gush of water coming out. I remember waking up Brian and telling him we needed to get the hospital bag around and he was freaking out, simultaneously excited that the baby was coming and worried about missing work. Hahaha. I kept saying over and over "the baby will be here in 24 hours!" because after your water breaks, they deliver the baby within 24 hours, since it no longer has the protection of the amniotic fluid. 

Fyi.

So glad it was all a dream. Or the same dream, several times over again. I'm still packing the hospital bag today. 

My Kindle sold for $65 in an hour. I'd like to think it's partly my witty ad writing and partly because I tweeted it/blogged it. Or maybe some crack head was up at 3 am on eBay waiting for some nutcase like me to post a Kindle for $65. Either way, I'm so happy it sold and I shipped it out first thing today. 

I'm finally past the half way mark with Brian's scarf. I should get a pic update for you all. It's really a pain in the ass. I promise- if you come across any patterns that tell you to popcorn stitch- just pass it up. Even if it's an "easy" stitch, doing it over and over again is a bitch in and of itself. I finally started the second ball of yarn a few days ago and have done 6 rows so far. It's now long enough to touch end to end around your neck, almost like a cowl. So progress is being made. He thinks it looks awesome and promised me its his most favorite scarf ever, even if I hate it by the time it's done with. Things I wish I had done differently: Pick a different pattern or use a bigger hook. Oh well, live and learn. 

I'm kicking it up old school today- 

Breakfast was a bowl of Marshmallow Mateys (generic Lucky Charms but with waaaay more marshmallows) 

Lunch was a turkey sandwich with American cheese and mayo on WHITE bread with a handful of Lay's chips and an ice-cold Dr Pepper.

I'm thinking dinner will be enchiladas! My favorite, and Brian's too. I'm pretty sure I'm going to put all the chicken in the crock pot and crank it up with some onion and green bell pepper, a little sauce and just let it become fall apart in your mouth delicious so I don't have to shred the chicken by hand. Then I can just plop it in the tortilla with some cheese and roll, baby, roll. 

So that's my game plan for the day. Crochet and ice/heat my knee, pack for the hospital, and make dinner for Brian. Oh, and work a little too. Hurray! Productive. 

Get it Done

I need to get this scarf done. I was a lot further than I am now, but realized I had made a few mistakes and had to basically rip out all of my stitches and start over :(

Not to mention I still have a baby blanket I need to start (and finish) so I really need to focus and buckle down on these things. I doubt I'll have much time to crochet once the baby gets here, because I will be too focused on sleeping when I can haha

So order of business for the next few days is Operation: Popcorn Scarf to get that done. My goal is to finish it by Thursday, Nov 3rd. I probably have about 5-7 inches of it completed, and it is supposed to measure 50" long when it is finished, so quite a ways to go yet.

Then I gotta work on the baby blanket. I'm hoping to do a ripple pattern and work 2 yarns together at the same time on a larger hook, so it works up quicker & also looks cooler. Hopefully. Or maybe I'll just do scallops. I have no idea, really. Sigh.

I'm going to limit my time in front of computers to just working and a little bit of gaming with Brian after he's off work at night. It should be.... interesting.

Normally I spend all day on the computer for work and then also goofing off so it seems like I never get anything done around the house. I'm wondering if this is going to be a productive week!

I dunno, but I'm signing off for now.