Holy Crochet, Batman!

I’m cold. My camp room is cold. It’s cold outside and sometimes cold at work. Tonight I’ll probably have to sleep in long underwear to keep warm. Because of this madness, I’ve decided to crochet a blanket. Did I ever mention that I also crochet? Well, I do, and I actually find it more relaxing than knitting. I did find a nice blanket pattern and to continue with my New Year’s resolutions, I found some some other pretty crochet patterns to make. Enjoy!



I love cherry blossoms. I look forward to Spring every year just for the cherry blossoms. Unfortunately, there aren’t any cherry trees at camp. I found these to Spring scarves that remind me of all the pretty cherry blossoms I’ll be missing this year. 1.2 Mini Muffler by Keiko Okamoto (project and photo by Muu) and 27-545-1 Scarf by Pierrot Yarn.



A lovely scarf by Andrea Sanchez that’s a change of pace from knitting. Also, a crochet bookmark from crochetroo that has some Steampunk potential.

The Tiramsu blanket by Alicia Paulson. This blanket is perfect and I even love the colours. It will look really nice with the bedding I picked out for my room. I also like this throw by Marianne Forrestal. I would make it bigger until it’s the perfect size for burrowing under while I read or watch hockey.

A perfect hat by Sophia Kissinger that I’m going to give a little Steampunk love. I’ve actually had this pattern for perhaps over a year but haven’t gotten around to making it up. A scarf to go with! This one is called the Taffy Pull Scarf by Coats and Clark.

A vintage pattern for floral pot holders. I believe this pattern is from 1946! On the right, the infamous Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick. I’m not sure when I’m going to try and tackle this white whale. It could be soon but perhaps not even this year. I’m sure it will be when the mood and opportunity strike me. I do know that when I do make it that it won’t be in those colours…

Two purses that are definitely going to get a Steampunk makeover. Both are really pretty and just absolutely perfect. I’m going to try to work on these during the Summer so they’ll be ready for Autumn. The Rings and Roses Irish Crochet Purse by Kathryn White is on the left. The ruffled purse on the right is by Lisa Gentry.



I would like this bag in grey or black. I would like that very much. I’m using the word perfect a lot in this post but I can’t help it. The Jackie Bag by Che is the perfect casual purse and I want to have it ASAP (which means sometime during the summer. I’m realistic). Also, a crochet pattern by Stephanie Dosen of Tiny Owl Knits. Rose wrist warmers; for reading and drinking tea, maybe even rose petal tea of which I have a recipe.

GeekNA

It’s late and I’m listening to This American Life. Being a geek, I’ve naturally been drawn to Episode 178, “Superpowers”. The first act is presented by John Hodgman and it’s thoughtful. If you don’t know who John Hodgman is, you’re either not a geek or just don’t pay enough attention. You don’t have to pay attention of course. I usually don’t but I’m predisposed by my GeekNA to be attracted to such nerd-bait.


(image © Nicole Verville)

I’ve spent much of the day reading and practicing my hooking skills. Sounds provocative, I know, but I really mean I’ve been crocheting. I’m about to embark on creating my first wearable piece of crochet; the Cthulhu Beard Hat by Nicole Verville. It satisfies my geek cravings and my gothic underpinnings. If I find Fortune’s favour and get back to work soon then the hat will be warm and practical during those cold Alberta winters.

small miracles

I am worried a bit that I can’t fit into the knitting or arts and crafts community. I don’t really ever fit in anywhere (but to me that’s a good thing). I don’t game enough to be called a gamer. I no longer build or tweak computers and software so my geekry has suffered. I have zero female friends as I’m not on the fast-track for a husband and 2.5 kids. I work in oil and I read dead philosophers; what are we going to talk about?

It’s comforting though, that there are a few souls that share my aesthetics and philosophy when it comes to everything DIY. I knit, cook, sew, bake and dabble in photography and visual art. I do other stuff, like read too much, but those are my main hobbies. I am not into fussy, embellished, ornate, gilded, bright or colourful. I am into pure, simple, minimal, industrial, natural, elemental, structured, hard and soft, dark and light. It’s nice to know I’m not alone.

As for the knitting in queue (which I talk a lot about because after reading and going to the gym, it’s the only thing I can do up at camp):

1. Architect Scarf - Moe - Orange, Blue & White (50% complete)
2. Architect Scarf - Me - Atlantic Blue, Sky Blue, Muted Seafoam Green, White. Inspired by this picture I took in Newfoundland
3. Architect Scarf - Daire - Black, Dark Grey, Grey, Purple
4. Montego Bay Scarf - Lori - Moss Colourway (?) Handmaiden SeaSilk
5. Montego Bay Scarf - Me - Ocean Colourway (?) Handmaiden SeaSilk
6. fishnet scarf - Me - Topaz Colourway (?) Handmaiden SeaSilk
7. 1 x 1 rib scarf - Grey and Atlantic Blue - Alpacha yarn
8. scarf from Custom Knits - navy blue Debbie Bliss 100% Pure Silk
9. 2 x 2 rib scarf - black - Debbie Bliss cashmerino (25% complete)
10. cable scarf - navy blue - Angora / Merino wool
11. cable tuque - navy blue - Angora / Merino wool

yup, that’s a lot of scarves but they will all be well used and well loved this winter. After the scarves are finished, I will be knitting a tuque, a pair of mermaid fingerless gloves and a pair of socks. Once finished my focus will be on knitting pillowcases and blankets for my camp room and new apartment. I don’t have a lot of opportunity to sew because I’m at camp mostly, but perhaps during my 1 month vacation at Yule. I still have that skull and crossbones fabric I want to make an Amy Butler apron and pot holders out of.