Projects that Drag

I always think it's a good idea to tackle a large project until I get into it. I've been working on a new saddle blanket design to be felted. While I think it will turn out quite nice, it sure seems to be dragging on. Because it's all single crochet and multi-colours, it takes a while and then there's always the battle with the intertwined yarn from working with multiple colours.

The saddle blanket is almost done. It would probably be finished today except, I am one ball short of the dark brown. And guess what - we're in the middle of a snow storm, so I can't even get off the farm to go get that last ball. How depressing. I guess, I'll just have to start another project until the snow storm clears. As you can see above, the saddle blanket is quite colourful. I can't wait to see what happens once it's felted. I only hope I calculated the shrinkage properly -- or I could end up with a small rug instead of a saddle blanket. I'll have to wait and see.

So my next projects will be made with scrap yarn. I have a room full. I can barely get into the room, there's so many balls of yarn lying around. Plus, I have people waiting for special request designs. I hope to get to them soon. So many things to do. Sometimes I wish I had 4 hands, then I could be working on two projects at once. I usually like to finish something I've started before I move on to something else. Otherwise, the project never seems to get finished. I have several like that now - a life-size horse head pillow, shipping boots, a bathing suit cover up and a halter top. Mind you the halter top is actually complete. All I really have to do is attach the clasps and find someone to model it. You really don't want to see me in it. But you never know, I might braven up or take the photo on a manikin or something. I guess I should get a manikin first.

And now, I'm off to the barn to do the stalls in the snow storm, then in to build a fire and cuddle up to crochet for the day. What a life!

It Worked - I'm Amazed

Well, here it is. My first attempt at felting. I'm amazed, it actually worked. I couldn't believe how ugly this purse was before felting it - and the size difference - Wow!

As you can tell, I've never felted anything before. And given that all the felting instructions I read, said not to use a front loading washing machine as the agitation process is not the same as in a top loading one. Plus, the front loading machines don't let you stop to check the progress of the piece. Even with all that, it worked. Mind you, I did have to wash the piece twice to get the desired effect. But I was quite pleased.

So now I'm on a felting kick. My next project already in the works is a saddle blanket for the horses. I've been trying to figure out how to make a saddle pad that was sturdy and didn't loose it's shape. Now I've got it. So I'm busily working on that project.

There are so many projects I want to do, but yet having the farm, I feel guilty sitting and crocheting all day. In the evening it's easy - it's dark and cold out, nothing much to do outside with the horses at that time of day. During the day is a different story however. Right now, I don't feel so guilty however. I've had an extremely bad cold for the past week and a half - so crocheting is easier than doing nothing and giving in to the cold. I still feel like I'm accomplishing something. The toughest part is turning the finished pieces into saleable patterns for you to make. What I think is simple, doesn't always translate out that way when I try to write the pattern out. Even though I keep detailed notes while designing. It's not always the easiest to figure out what I've done. So let me know if you don't understand something I've written - I'll try and answer your questions for you.

So off I go for another day to clean the house and crochet that saddle blanket - I'm aiming to get it done this week to use it in the Christmas Parade I'm riding in on Saturday. We'll see.

Crochet Away!
Debi K.

Another Holiday Pattern

In my last blog I mentioned never having been able to get to this Christmas Tree design I've been thinking about for years. Well finally, I got off my duff and did it. It took a little over a week to make and it's beautiful - if I do say so myself. It is currently on display at the yarn store I work for. It crochets up quick and is made by buildng layers. I've even added lights to it in the store. Watch for the pattern on my website. It will be available this week sometime I hope. The pattern comes complete with the skirt, tree, star and tinsel instructions. You'll have fun making it and even more fun decorating it after.

I have so many patterns on the go right now, it's not funny. I just did a list of patterns this morning and realized I have 8 unfinished projects on the go and I just started another pattern yesterday. I think I better finish some of those unfinished ones - what do you think?

This week I've added the "Winter White Hand Muff", the "Doggy Tummy Tube" and a "Pummel Pad" pattern to the site. Still to come are the "Rib on Rib" scarf patterns and of course this Christmas Tree Pattern. I better get to work. The first week of the month is hectic as I have 3 newsletters to get out. One for crochetdodads, one for our stables and of course for my graphic design business as well. Plus adding the new patterns and updating all the websites, facebook groups, discussion group, etc. etc. There's never a dull moment around here.

So watch for your newsletter arriving maybe even yet today. And, if you're not receiving our newsletter, fill out the form on the website to subscribe.

So crochet away!

Debi K.