Crochet | Knittymuggins

It’s been a while….cough. I’ve been busy. How have you been?

Reappearing here at the blog after an absence always feels a bit like running into an ex on the street or that friend you’ve been “meaning to call”, but haven’t. Aw-k-waaarrrd. What do I say? Do you feel awkward too? Are you mad at me for leaving without explanation?

Ha Ha! Just kidding! I know there’s only maybe 4 people who read my nonsense anyway so I think it’s all good. I have lots of stuff to talk about, but I’ve been so busy doin’ it all that I haven’t had time to sit down and write.

So I guess I’ll just jump in here since it’s the most recent project that I’ve finished and actually photographed.

Yes, that’s right. I CROCHETED A DEATH STAR! I’ll wait while the fanboys and girls calm down. And…. wait for it…..I finished it on May the 4th!

As soon as I posted this on Facebook for friends and family to see, I received a desperate request from a high school friend who just HAD to have one for herself. I love making dreams come true!

PATTERN: Death Star by Patricia Castillo

YARN: Big Twist Yarns Value Solids in Medium Gray & Valley Yarns Stockbridge in Light Gray

YARDAGE: 174.4 yds for main sphere & 13.1 yds for contrast details

CROCHETING DURATION: April 8, 2016 – May 4, 2016

RECIPIENT: A gift for a friend’s son

DODGY BITS: Had to rework the Superlaser portion on my own, not because the pattern was badly written, just because I’m a barely competent crocheter & I couldn’t figure out how to follow the directions as they were written. I think it turned out fine the way I did it and with the contrasting details it wasn’t even obvious that I’d changed it.

BLISS FACTOR: 8

This pattern was well written and interesting to crochet. Bliss factor of 8 because, well, it’s acrylic (not that I’m a snob or anything, it’s just not my favorite) and it’s huge so it felt like I was going around and around and not making any progress. Anything with details added after, at the creator’s discretion, drives me batty. Just tell me where to put the lines already! Don’t ask me to figure it out myself! Hope the Star Wars fanboy who’s going to receive this will love it ♥

Tidbit

Leafy Newborn Beanie

Seventh

From Left to Right: Tidbit, Leafy Newborn Beanie & Seventh

I’ve been busy. There’s some serious knitting mojo goin’ on up in here. Plus, I’ve been bustin’ me some stash! It’s all good at Chez Funkytown.

These little hats are for my friend at Knitting Up North. Every spring she knits baby hats for a contest her local Optimist Club holds. I always like to donate a few. It’s for a worthy cause, I get to help out a knitting pal, and it’s pretty much instant gratification. I’ve actually made 6 already, but have only photographed the 3 above. I mean, these fingers are too busy knittin’ to stop and take photos people! The deadline is April 15th – hint hint. Not only should you check out her blog for some awesome inspiration, I’m sure she’d love to receive a few extra hats to add to her total ;) Just sayin’. Oh and she’s also hosting a knit along beginning March 20th for the Jujika Cowl. I’m in! If you’re on Ravelry (and you totally should be!) come join us at her group here.

I decided early on this year that I was going to try to keep myself to a strict set of rules for my knitting in 2016. Well, it’s really not a set of rules, more like one big rule. I have a penchant for getting totally obsessed with any new pattern that comes across my radar, to the complete detriment of whatever else I may be working on. I have sweaters that have taken me years to complete (if they’ve been completed at all) not because they were difficult, but because I lost momentum and then lost interest in going back to figure out where I’d left off. I gots me some serious start-itis folks.

This year I plan to end my wayward habits by instituting “The Rule of Two.” The Rule of Two states that I may only have 2 significant projects on the needles at one time: a UFO/WIP that needs finishing and one new project. This rule will remain in place until I have finished all said UFOs/WIPs in which case I will cast on with complete abandon. Or something like that. Anyway, The Rule of Two has served me well so far this year. I finished an afghan I’ve had in the works for a year, finished Los Monos Locos socks (picture to come later), am nearly finished with a sweater for Uptown, and finished the Frisson I mentioned last time (pictures later of course). Now if only I could be this successful in reducing my winter’s worth of insulation that has been accumulating underneath all those warm bulky sweaters I’m not knitting/finishing!

Ribbon Afghan

PATTERN: Ribbon Afghan by Olivia Rainsford

YARN: Acrylic in Black (Caron One Pound), White (Lion Brand Pound of Love) & Olive (Vintage Bernat)

YARDAGE: 1004 yds

CROCHETING DURATION: May 16, 2015 – February 15, 2016

PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED: Briefly, here.

RECIPIENT: Donation to Warmth for Warriors (Ravelry group here)

DODGY BITS: None

BLISS FACTOR: 8

This pattern was well written and fun to knit. Definitely pretty mindless & a great stashbuster. Love that it’s only meant to be lap sized for veterans in wheelchairs to use. I could see myself making another for sure! Bliss factor of 8 because, well, it’s acrylic (not that I’m a snob or anything, I just don’t love the stuff).