A Simple Adaption of a Favorite Free Pattern

I have an infinite gratitude for all the bloggers out there who take the time to sift through the millions of free patterns available on the internet and gather them into a clean and tidy bundle of related patterns that have a description and usually a photo. I have little to no patience these days to hope for the best with a Google search. This is probably also because I’ve gotten into the habit of creating something new for each request and only go in search of patterns when I’m trying out a new yarn and it’s too expensive to waste in testing swatches. Such was the case when I finally jumped into trying Lion Brand Homespun and my first projects with that type of yarn was the brand’s Ruffle Scarf pattern and it looked awesome! The set I made used Edwardian and it was the perfect blend of heather coloring, soft texture, and feminine yet not “girly” shape. Perfect for the recipient, perfect first project with a new yarn, and plenty of inspiration for future projects. Eventually, I found myself handed two skeins of Homespun in two different new colors: Fiesta and Painted Dessert. I started with the Fiesta and found, much to my dismay, that the Ruffle Scarf simply didn’t do the color pattern justice, so it was put aside while other projects came into view.

Enter Moogly Blog.

While scanning a collection of free patterns titled “Last Minute Crochet Gifts: 30 Fast and Free Patterns to Make Now!” (http://www.mooglyblog.com/last-minute-crochet-gifts-30-free-patterns/ ), the Artfully Simple Infinity Scarf really popped out at me. Reading the little description “Perfect for thick and thin yarns, as well as yarns with long color changes” made a light bulb go off over my head; why not try adapting this for the Fiesta color?!

Of course, it can never be that simple. I was still struggling to get past my injured elbow from Christmas orders and when I went looking for the still partially intact ruffle scarf/skein (I didn’t want to frog it and then not have a way to contain the loose pile of yarn) I couldn’t find it anywhere! It truly appeared as if Christmas had eaten the darn thing and it wasn’t until the hunt was on for something else over a week later that I found it, which was also AFTER I had gone to the store and bought a replacement.

Once I’d gotten life a little more settled and family was heading home and my hook arm healed enough to properly grasp a hook I managed to start this thing. The original (found here: http://www.mooglyblog.com/artfully-simple-infinity-scarf/ ) called for a starting chain of 210. However, even though there is a given number it also states that you can create it to any circumference just by making sure to use a multiple of seven and any width by reducing/increasing rounds, so I decided I’d tweak things to meet my tastes. Below are the changes I made to get a comfortable length and thickness with Homespun.

Changes from RH Boutique Unforgettable to LB Homespun

1) Base chain is shortened from 210 to 140.
2) Total number of rounds is shortened from 20 to 10.

It truly was that simple! Not every pattern is so easily altered, but the simple openwork repeating pattern made this a perfect quick project with a real wow factor finish. If given to a beginner I would recommend using a more traditional yarn to make it easier to identify the chains in the first round of the project and there are far cheaper yarns than the Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable that would still look nice. If someone had successfully completed a few projects then the Homespun could be a great lesson in not stressing over perfection (something I am regularly guilty of myself) because you really don’t notice if something wasn’t exactly right.

There was a considerable amount of yarn left over even after making the additional tie (the instructions given for that worked for me but might need to be altered depending on personal tension). If I find out I can get two cowl/scarves out of a single skein I’ll update this.

In closing, I have one important tip: Check the buttonhole size and make sure you can get your yarn through it or get a bead reamer/diamond engraving bit to widen the hole! This is something I forgot to check when buying buttons for potential options and discovered the one that fit best was a giant pain in the butt tiny hole just as I was ready to make the tie. Don’t make my mistake; plan ahead!

Okay, not the world's greatest photos, but I'm limited to set up at the moment.

First Free Pattern Friday!!!

I think a good place to start this series with something fairly simple, so we’ll only use a chain, single crochet, and a half double crochet to complete this project.

Simple Stitch Silver Skies (Style No: 2013-10)

Finished Size: 6 1/4” x 4’ 4 1/2”

 

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in Heather Grey

Hook: US J/10 – 6.00MM
Yarn Needle
Yarn Needle Threader (optional)

Abbreviations Used:

Stitch = st

Chain = ch

Single Crochet = sc

Half Double Crochet = hdc

Gauge: 10 Rows x 13 Stitches = 4”x4” Square

Notes:

·         Leave at least 6” of tail to weave in at beginning and end of piece.

·         First row of stitches are worked in the back bar of the starting chain instead of the top loop. The back bar can be determined by looking at the side of the chain that looks like a knit stitch and turning it around. This creates a nice finished edge without going back and stitching into the bottom loop of the starting chain.

·         Turning chain at beginning of row does NOT count as a stitch.

·         Bind off by pulling yarn through last loop on hook at end of Row 135.

Ch 21.

Row 1: Sc in back bar of second ch from hook and across.

Rows 2 through 134: Ch 2, turn, hdc in each st across.

Row 135: Ch, turn, sc in each st across.

Bind off and weave in tails.

 

Distractions, Fatigue, and That Evil Inner Idiot

The two greatest obstacles I would identify publicly as my reason for falling short in the past would be that I am often easily distracted and struggle with almost constant fatigue, at times to the point of completely blanking and finding that I’ve lost significant amounts of time as if I had fallen asleep standing, eyes open. Other than frequent naps, I’ve found no means of coping with these problems and recently have found myself existing in a zombie like state that cannot truly be called living. If I were to be completely honest though, my biggest battle is with myself. I have tried time and again to “get my life together” but have always managed to self-sabotage just when there was a genuine chance of getting whatever it is I’m claiming to be aiming for at the moment.

Having spent time reading the trials of others and going through a myriad of emotions in both relating and feeling completely detached from those tales of hardship, the one common thread that truly seems to hold us all together is the element of self-doubt. Perhaps it’s simply that when a body is not fatigued to the point of nearly falling down dead and fear of survival is no longer imminent that the mind has the energy to wander within and search for some greater understanding of existence and if given enough time to wander the mind will eventually question its own place and worth in the universe. Heavy thoughts for a Thursday, but I’m heading somewhere and if you’re still with me than you might get something from this.

For all my years of struggling against myself emotionally and blaming it all on the mere physical challenges I have faced, for the recent years of wondering if the sharp increase in my body crumbling from within, there has been one thing that has managed to hold on to a corner of my heart and fought to remain in my daily life: crochet. Yep, all that lead in to a single word. Why? Well it’s partially because I’m a generally long winded person, but it’s also to prove a point. If through so much struggle, there has been one thing (other than family) that has been a constant source of relief from the ugliness of life and a muzzle for my “Inner Idiot” then it’s more than just a word or a hobby; it’s a key to survival.

When I was a little girl my mother taught me to chain endless ropes of yarn and at one point managed to teach me a basic Granny Square which I promptly forgot, because I preferred the simple finger chaining as it was fast and my stuffed animal zoo and dolls liked them well enough. Loom knitting has come and gone, sewing has had its place, woodworking has grown in my heart and glass will always fascinate and lure me like moth to flame. Crochet on the other hand has its own special place as it grown with me in so many ways. When I was twelve I begged for a “proper” lesson at a local arts and crafts store and found I left with not much more information than I entered with and that the instructor didn’t really seem to care either way. But, I didn’t leave the store without hunting down a book I hoped could offer me a REAL lesson. It was the right book at the right time and before long I was making full projects beyond dollhouse accessories and chained bracelets. By fifteen I was thoroughly frustrated/bored with merely following someone else’s patterns and began to make my own. Truthfully, the only period when crochet hasn’t had a place in my regular week was during the darkest, hardest days and I can’t help but wonder now if letting go of crochet during that time contributed to the spiral. It was if the first two decades of my life crochet was a subtle score in the background hinting at the glorious beauty of finding joy in ordinary life. Then one uncoordinated fall and two surgeries on my dominant/hook hand later it was like the absence of the formerly treasured simple days were being drowned out by the stereotypical ominous clanging of “something truly awful is about to destroy everything you love, why aren’t you running?!” that everyone in Western culture knows so well.

Alright, that last part was a bit dramatic, but it’s a fairly justified description given the past few years.

I never recognized before the past year just how much crochet was and can be a release of all the crap that builds up. The whole “mindfulness” of counting stitches then frogging when you lose your focus doesn’t really do it for me, but making full projects again changed my life. To suddenly be reminded that while I may not be the fastest hooker or the most fashion forward designer, I am still pretty darn good and maybe if I stop beating myself up for everything I don’t magically know from birth I might turn out to be decent at other things as well.

 

I guess this is probably the biggest the point of this blog exercise: focusing on the good and working to silence the inner negativity. Hopefully this will be the worst of my rambling and I’ll find a way to limit the long and tedious random posts.

What's next? Turn the page.

2014 has FINALLY arrived and not a moment too soon. 2013 was a bad year for people the world around, and the past 24 hours have made me count my blessings to the point of tears because for all that went wrong, a lot went right.

It seems fitting to use today to start a new blogging project plan, and hopefully turn an important corner in my life both personally or professionally. Daily blogging, a stressful task in the past, is something I intend to approach as more of a commitment to self care and growth in hopes of preventing it from becoming another burdensome obligation. Writing and sharing my original artwork is also something I am hoping will be a positive choice. This will be brief but I feel the need to lay the foundation now.

Snowflake Sunday (First Sunday of the Month): I love crocheted snowflakes! I intend to both share pictures of snowflakes I've made from patterns that others have created (and are free online patterns) that I absolutely love and start trying to create my own. It's a little intimidating because I've never attempted making my own, but if I dedicate myself to it I think this could be a great outlet for all those tiny details that float around in my head.

Maker Monday (Last Monday of the Month): Generally speaking, I focus my art on three areas (hence the studio name): Fiber, Wood, and Glass. I love those materials, but I also love a wide array of other materials and techniques that simply aren't conducive to even getting my materials investment back, let alone turning any form of a profit. This means there have been, and likely will be again, random projects that I create for the sake of getting the idea out of my head. I'm not even going to guess what all will come out when these posts come up, but it should be interesting.

Throwback Thursday (Last Thursday of the Month): Features an older project that has not yet had the chance to be shared.

Free Pattern Friday (First Friday of the Month will feature my work, the rest of the month will be a collection of free patterns by other artists): Aimed at the current or upcoming season, usually a smaller project that is intended to be an easy weekend project that requires little materials or recycled materials.

There it is, four dedicated days a month to do specialty posts, so hopefully this will provide some structure to my progress and something to look forward to if I start getting stuck or feel dry for ideas. If my fiction writing gets any ground I might share a sneak peek of that as well, but I'm not making any promises. Oh, and don't be surprised to see food and recipes at some point because while I have a love/hate relationship with food, I still love making full, pretty meals for others.