Trying to break through some mental inertia over crafting, I decided this week to crochet something small. After last week's post I felt like reintroducing myself to the book, 99 Little Doilies and I picked a simple-looking one to make. Being nearly half way through this month, I decided to finally embrace Christmas in July and went digging through my threads to see if I had anything Christmassy. It's as simple as this... My size 10 threads were in a box that would have required removing boxes from on top of it. My size 3 threads were easily accessible, so I did what required the least amount of energy. I reached in, grabbed me some red size 3 thread, found the right sized hook, and I was off.
It didn't take long to finish this little number - literally, it's called 85 in the book:
I've taken it upon myself to rename these doilies, as I think if one goes to the trouble of making something, it surely deserves a respectable name. So, I'm calling this one Little Red Motivator.
Honestly, it didn't really fix my waning crojo, but the name is hopeful.
Tomorrow's supposed to be a beautiful day in the middle of lots of miserably hot (and/or humid) days on either side. A couple of friends are coming over and the plan is to sit outside and craft a bit while we visit. I'm so looking forward to it.
My job today is to pick out a project (maybe get started on it) that I can easily take outside and work on. Something that doesn't require a lot of concentration or looking back and forth between project and pattern. That probably eliminates a doily. And something that won't make me hot. So no blanket.
I'll give it some thought and hopefully next week I'll have made some progress on something else! 😉
Sounds like a lovely day for you. The #85 is very pretty. A dishcloth would be a perfect non-thinking, cool project. Surely you have a bit of cotton yarn (wink wink) How is hubby doing?
ReplyDeleteI completely forgot to mention that Hubs is doing well. Still has pain - that usually shows up at night and can make sleeping difficult, but otherwise... pretty well. He has a good bend in his knee (better than expected at this stage), but the knee needs to straighten more. Hoping he doesn't need manipulation of it later, but I also want it to be straight so his walking isn't compromised in any way - not after all this. Thanks for asking, Marsha!
DeleteI can tell you this...I love Little Red Motivator. The color is magnificent and I could definitely see this sitting out at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sandy. :)
DeleteThat little doily is so pretty. I like the name you chose. What fun to have friends over for crafting! How about a dishcloth? Glad to hear hubby is doing well and I hope he continues to heal and get mobility.
ReplyDeleteIt's the first time (or at least the first time in a long time) I've invited someone over for the purpose of crafting. It's a good friend and her mother (who's grown into a friend herself). It was my idea the last time we were together to do this, when I found out my friend's mother is a knitter. I have no idea what my friend is going to do as I don't think she's into knitting or crocheting, but she was game for the time together, and that's all that really matters... :)
DeleteAs one who is also suffering from a bit of lost crojo, I feel your pain. But what a cute dolly, Motivation is a great name but it almost seems like it could be a poinsettia with that coloring and following in the Christmas in July theme. I do hope you enjoy your friends and crafting outside, that sounds like a very lovely idea. I look forward to your next project.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I wish I had thought of Poinsettia. I may just have to change the name! :)
DeleteNow I've done one crochet pattern I am ready to try to learn more stitches, a doily looks like something quite advanced. They are so pretty and the red is a perfect colour for this one with the flower look in the middle. I agree dish cloths is perhaps ideal whilst you are thinking. I need to start some for christmas presents. I'm glad to read in the comments your husband is doing well.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part of crocheting a doily is making sense of the instructions, but honestly... After I finished my first one (and nearly howled the whole way through it), I was actually amazed at how simple doilies (in general are). Each round has it's own different pattern, and getting that pattern down quickly is key to it not seeming difficult. I didn't understand this the first time I made one and every stitch seemed like a challenge. Picturing the round's stitch pattern makes it easy, though. While I've never made a doily from a diagram, I think that would be a great way to go.
DeleteThat's very nice work. I can see it might not be social crochet though. Maybe a granny square? Are you already in a project using granny squares? Might work. Amd maybe the daughter friend is just up for a chat while the other people craft. Sounds good to me. Way too hot for me to be outside just now, and I'm looking forward to cooler weather to get out on the deck. Enjoy your time!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz. Yes, it's been in the 90's and humid for nearly two weeks now and will return to the 90's later this week, so getting in this outside social time tomorrow is going to be so nice.
DeleteYour doily is beautiful. Maybe some social crochet will help get your crojo back? I know when I get to knit/crochet with friends I always get some great ideas from them.
ReplyDeleteYeah Jen... I was thinking that very thing. And visiting everyone's blogs this afternoon and seeing what you all up to was motivating as well! :)
DeleteThe doily is perfect and I love the bold colour. I hope it helps you get your crojo back. Hard to find the mojo when it's hot and humid. Will you give it as a gift, or do you have beautiful doilies all around your house under exquisite vases?
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary-Anne. No, I don't have doilies all around the house, and I don't own any exquisite vases. ;^) I use doilies as an addition to a little arrangement of objects (vignettes). When I think about it, I change them out according to the seasons. They're just little accent items I sometimes decorate with.
DeleteSounds like so much fun, a time with friends to craft. Hot and humid here ... ugh. I try not to complain, but I just don't enjoy that sort of weather.
ReplyDeleteThe red doily is gorgeous!!
Oh, I don't enjoy the heat and humidity one bit. The older I get, the less interested I am in summer. I guess I'm glad that for the majority of the year it's actually more comfortable for me than not. For some reason, I tend to forget that during the hot and hazy days of summer.
DeleteI love to sit outside and shuck/shell peanuts. But I also love to do that when I'm watching baking shows inside. Sounds like fun though, to find something outside. I often write outside. Yesterday I was out there writing at 6AM and lemme tell you. Nature was LOUD. They were having some sort of meeting the tree squirrels and the birds. Anyway, excited to hear what you work on next. Happy Monday.
ReplyDeletelol. Ivy, you always make me laugh. It has been too hot here for a while (until today) to sit outside for any length of time, so a bit of a reprieve in the weather is very welcome.
DeleteGlad you got a reprieve!
DeleteNumber 85 is beautiful, but naming it is good too! I don't like the heat but out in the shade is good - crafting with friends sounds better. I hope you find the right project and I'm glad hubby is improving.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lucy!
DeleteSo lovely, simple yet eligant!
ReplyDeleteAww... thank you, Ellie.
Deletethat n85 does look lovely - and I've got to say, Christmas in July does not feel that unseasonal here in Scotland, LOL :-)
ReplyDeleteI think I would love Scotland weather. ;^)
DeleteYou are a prolific hooker!
ReplyDeleteHoping I become more prolific. I've been so disinterested about crocheting lately, I've had moments of contemplating getting rid of masses of yarn. Pretty sure this is a passing thing though, so I'm not doing anything drastic. ;^)
DeleteThat's a lovely doily. Are you going to put the photos of the various doilies together in a little gallery once you've completed some more of that book? I guess it would be so interesting to see how they turn out.
ReplyDeleteIt was my original intention to make them all, then take a picture of them all together (seeing someone else's picture like that is what inspired the idea to make them all in the first place). But I've already given one away, and I'm clearly going to be slow at finishing all of them (if I do), so I'm not really thinking it's likely I'll get any kind of picture of them all together. And making a collage of 99 doilies would be a bigger task than I think I want to do - and more effort than it's likely worth. So... never say never, but we'll see, I guess. ;^)
DeletePretty doily. Glad to see you're getting back to creating things and from that I assume that your DH is doing better. At least I hope that's the case.
ReplyDeleteHubs is doing really well. While I don't really have anything impressive to show for my efforts, I've definitely gotten back into crocheting and knitting this week. It's progress! :)
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