Tuesday, March 12, 2013

the circle game

I left that bleak last post up a long time, didn't I? How about some color? 052_GaleZucker0313FV
I've had potholder envy, ever since photos like this one, and this one  from Potholder Swaps  Adrian/Hello Yarn and Maryse masterminded. I declared I'd jump in this year (you should! Still time!). I figured it'd use up some blue cotton yarn leftovers, from Craft Activism projects. I hate to let leftover skeins hang around unloved. 041_GaleZucker0313FVBut as soon as I started crocheting, I felt I needed more colors to make it work...and crochet gobbles yarn like nobody's business, surely I would run out before completing 3 double-sided potholders? Two skeins of Seedling later, I was good to go. 045_GaleZucker0313FVExcept you know what? I forgot what I don't like: crocheting cotton. crafting deadlines. making things you can't wear. I don't know why but that is the truth. Another truth? I need to enjoy the process, no matter how much I want that product. So you might say, I wasn't a happy hooker.
063_GaleZucker0313FV I was forcing myself to stay on task when (dingdingding) I was alerted to a knitting urgency: Zoe needs a new sweater! She's traveling to Peru to meet her other side of the family for the first time. It'll be Fall there and..ohmygod how will anyone know we love her if she doesn't have a brand new handknit sweater on her back???
zoe knit blanket
the blanket and Zoe a few months back
I'd been saving the leftover yarn from the Zoe baby blanket. Have I mentioned that I hate to let leftover skeins bits go unloved? My plan was to make a striped hoodie to go with the blanket.057_GaleZucker0313FV A plan that would have been perfect had I followed it when she wore a size 12 mos sweater...but now? Now I quickly realized I am running out of leftovers, just a few stripes in. 061_GaleZucker0313FV You guessed it, I bought 2 more skeins to round out the stripes. I started with the leftover & discontinued Cleckheaton and needed more superwash-. My LYS came to the rescue with Dalegarn Falk that matches up  and is also 100%wool and washing machine friendly. End score: 1 potholder almost done, most likely staying here.Striped sweater underway, likely to fly way south next week, on this cutie.DSC_5008. Some leftovers used up. 4 new skeins here, destined to have leftovers. Circle of life.

8 comments:

maryse said...

OMG! Don't give up on your potholders! It looks great so far.

Zoe will charm the pants off her Peruvian family.

Ellen Mason said...

I am sure I would do exactly as you in this situation. I am totally willing to purchase crocheted items for this reason. Love the photos and links!

Lori ann said...

so much color, beautiful! zoe is going to look so darling in her new sweater, and sure to feel loved.

Lee said...

Crochet hurts my hands. Maybe cause I'm self-taught and do it wrongly. :) Love the colors, though. And the Zoe sweater is just as yummy as she is!

gayle said...

My using-up-the-leftovers projects invariably cause me to buy more yarn to finish them. The best I can hope for is a small net loss...

kelli ann & lorie said...

Oh, SO not a baby any more! Beautiful Zoe. Thanks for the splash of summer juicy colour!

Marla McLean, Atelierista said...

Used to be that people matched their gloves or scarf or shoes to go with their sweater. Who knew the new trend is matching your hoodie to go with your blanket! Time to hop on the bandwagon, matching hoodies and blankets for all!
I love the colors and the stripes, and I think those potholders are pretty special too!

twinsetellen said...

I am cracking up at the circle of yarn life. Yes, the cycle is unbroken...