Cotton or wool?
Granny square or stripe?
Order online or hope to find something locally?
Now, that's a yarn in its own right. My overwhelming aim is to use up the stash. Until it's more economically viable - circa 2016 - finding 'something locally' is it. And 'something locally' means unearthing whatever fibre I need in the cupboards, the bags and the assorted containers that have always seemed to - somehow - fill up without me even knowing it.
The last stash enhancing order (necessary for blanket in progress) went in this morning, after doing many financial permutations to see how the next year and a bit will shape up. With study and the unknown on the horizon, it's all about being economical. Fortunately, I crochet fast, I crochet even, and I crochet often. You want a ripple blanket? Stand still for a minute (or a week). Medallion bunting? Done!
I started crocheting back when all acrylic squeaked, and the idea of Ravelry or Deramores was like believing in the Tooth Fairy. Let's just say it was the late 1970s. I was an eccentric little tacker (nothing changes), and my late great aunt spent quality time teaching me chains, trebles and granny squares. I have been thanking her for it ever since. Somewhere out there is a flamboyant shell stitch scarf that I made for my father. There's also a chunky royal blue baby jacket that I made for my younger brother, and he hasn't let me make anything for him since that scarring moment. I even made granny square blankets galore up through early high school....and never realised I had to weave the ends in! Ah, those were the days....
So, the challenges are:
- don't buy, use (exempting extreme cases of specific requests, or vouchers to LYS being given as presents by kind relatives)
- make something for my brother that he will use....Coaster?
- start an Etsy shop if the projects shape up
- enter competitions for tea cosies, scarves and a Roses and Daisies blanket
- make a few more bits and pieces for my future niece (due in April)
- add finished projects to Ravelry more regularly.
I think that's enough to go on with, and I look forward to sharing my successes - and attempts - with you along the way.
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| Detail of a larger project from 2013 - Summer Garden Granny Square blanket |
