A Night with Crochet

Future me again. Since I finished the no longer mysterious 6 day star blanket (more on that in the future) I needed something new to work on -- all that pink and red in my face left me a bit frazzled -- and I thought it would be interested to document my process of how and why I decide on a new project. Disclaimer: I also need to practice using my new camera. :)

I had no preconceieved notions, so I started with yarn by going to my stash and pulling some skeins with restful-to-me colors in worsted weight. Instead of going for my usual November beach colors I went more toward forest palette. I also have other colors that would go well with these.

I wanted to try something new but decided against doing anything ambitious, as I've already made two throws this month. I'm also trying to finish my February crazy quilted tote for my calendar project. That meant getting on the computer and looking through patterns to find something simple.

I found three new throw patterns I haven't yet tried: a double crochet cluster alternating with single crochet, straight rows of granny stitch, and a double crochet ripple (yes, the only ripple blanket I've made was that granny stitch last year.)

First I read all the patterns to see what I'd have to do. The alternating stitch pattern would require some attention, as would the ripple. They're also a bit dense.

Straight rows of granny stitch I can do in my sleep, so I went with that.

I then went back to my stash and pulled a few more colors to give the palette more depth -- like adding shadows to the forest.

Here's what I settled on, although I may add another color once I've worked a row in all these shades. I keep waffling about whether it needs a spot of a calm blue for sky. Then I think, eh, browns and greens and grays are enough.

While pulling the skeins I found another crochet hook some maker who owned the yarn before me left stuck in the center of that TLC yarn. Like a little treasure! Ha.

I settled in to work on the first row while rewatching one of my favorite dystopian k-dramas "Happiness."

Here's how much I got done before I went to bed. Very relaxing.