minor setbacks, vocabulary, and reading to keep me busy

The search for a perfect match for my Leaf Green yarn has been utterly & regrettably futile. For the time being I've been forced to put Project no. 1 into "hibernation". Yesterday I made a jump on Project no. 2, single stitch scarf, and finished it before going to bed. The inspiration and endurance for it collided in all the best ways. Now I'm speedily working my way through Project no. 3. Photos on all 3 will be posted shortly, even though the first scarf is still unfinished. My state of progress needs to be seen! It's sort of impressive. Impressive for me, anyway.

When I popped into those crochet stores earlier today, I came across the magazine crochet today! and picked up a copy. There's a special Attn: Newbies section, which I appreciate. I've filled out the card to subscribe to the magazine and have dropped it in the mail. On top of everything I've been working out a Christmas list for my circle of friends. That is, things to crochet for them. I figure if I start in July I'll have an inkling of a chance at finishing on time.

As well I received my Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting (illustrated!) two days ago — a whole day early from the earliest projected delivery date. I was quite pleased. GR8LakesBooks, you're faboo (and deserving of frivolous promotion, apparently). So I've been learning vocabulary and new patterns. Things like:

sc = single crochet stitch
hdc = half-double crochet stitches
dc = double crochet stitch
tr = triple crochet stitch
sl = slip stitch

yo= yarn over

& so on. Whether I can execute those different stitching styles is a whole other question. Though I have to admit: reading patterns is much easier and more clear when the abbreviations make sense. In terms of practice, I've got sc and dc down, working on hdc. After I can hold my own with the various forms of stitches I'll start crocheting circles and other shapes. With my Idiot's Guide & YouTube tutorials, I can do anything.

I forgot to mention: when I was out craft store hopping today I picked up a pair of knitting needles. Somehow for some reason I felt like I was crossing enemy lines.

xx

must find replacement yarn. stat.

Yarn dilemma. I'm mid-project and just discovered that I don't have enough of the Leaf Green color to finish my duotone Awkward Beginner's Scarf AKA Project no. 1. There is plenty of the other color, Taupe, which saves me the hassle of having to hunt down two yarn replacements, at least. This wouldn't be an issue if I hadn't made my original purchase at a thrift store, and if Ravelry hadn't informed me that Softball Cotton has been discontinued. So, here I am with a 2/3 finished scarf made of discontinued yarn from 1979. Fantastic.

If someone comes across 154 yds of no. 037 Leaf Green 100% combed cotton yarn, brand name Softball Cotton of the Conshohocken Cotton Company in Conschohocken, PA that would be amazing. I don't ask for much! Ridiculously specific and hard to find, but not much!

I'll be making a trip to the craftstores this weekend with high hopes that an employee will be able to match the endangered yarn.

In the meantime I'm scrolling through Ravelry's collection of free crochet patterns. Will post some of the projects I have queued up soon.

xx

ravelry.com & the idiot's guide

The other day Nick, a friend from high school, pointed me in the direction of Ravelry.com. For those not in the know it's a website dedicated to knitting, crocheting, & weaving. All he had to mention was Ravelry's selection of free patterns — sign me up! Now I can be found poking around the website for pro knitters, crocheters, & weavers, trying my best to lay low because fitting in is not an option. If you're a Ravelry user (Raveler?) you can find me here.

I've also made a trip over to Amazon and purchased The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting. It seemed the sensible thing to do, plus it's "illustrated"! Early morning executive decisions from yours truly, the Clumsy Crocheter, felt quite clever making this purchase — and what a deal! $.50 for a book? Yes, please! Now I'll spend the delightfully vague 4-14 day arrival window (26 July - 16 August, respectively) waiting by the mailbox for The Book.

Back to the hook & yarn with me. Escaping to something as quaint and simple as crocheting is a lovely pursuit I only wish I had discovered sooner. Awkward Beginner's Scarf, ahoy!

introductory post

I'll be the first to admit that I lack any crochet skills. In fact, I only just learned how to crochet earlier this month, late one night after 4th of July festivities ended. The reason behind me picking up the craft was so that I'd have something to do while I was recovering from an operation (shoulder surgery, ouch). Anyway, my lovely friend Marissa taught me to crochet. She showed me how to do a simple scarf, one that I've since dubbed the Awkward Beginner's Scarf. She shared with me that she picked up crocheting to help herself quit smoking. After I got a hang of it she proclaimed to me, "now you have something to do with your hands, so now you'll never smoke!"

& so my motivation behind creating this blog...

This blog will record my journey through picking up and (hopefully) mastering the craft of crocheting. It started when my friend and film enthusiast Floyd (go read his film reviews, they're quite interesting) recommended I create a BlogSpot account. I immediately informed him that I would have nothing to write about. I already have a photo & writing portfolio in the works, and those are the only things I know. He offered, "make a blog about crocheting!" knowing all too well about my recent adventures with yarn & needle, more specifically my struggles with the Awkward Beginner's Scarf. One thing led to another, and here we are.

what to expect here...
Aside from the aforementioned purposes of recording my development, I would also like to use this space to share patterns & tips I find. Ideally this blog won't be a complete and total snore. Who knows, maybe the information compiled here will help keep other kids' hands busy and away from nicotine.

wish me luck! xx