With Each Stitch

It's been about a year since I started attempting to teach myself how to crochet. It's been four months since I learned how to actually do it correctly. It's also been three months since I learned how to knit. I know I'm doing it right because this time I have two excellent teachers! With each stitch I have learned a few things.

1. I now know how to do about the same amount of things for both knitting and crocheting. I actually find myself in the mood for one craft or the other sometimes. I didn't think they were this different.

2. Early on, I wasn't certain how to know what craft to do for which project. I am finding that naturally works itself out. Example, I crocheted Fall, December, January, February, Spring, and Snow hats for myself. But, crochet leads to more very small holes in the project. It still will keep me warm, but I worried about the frigid days. I am making a hat with heavier yarn. I decided to knit this one because knitting doesn't have tiny holes in stitches. It's also an opportunity to learn how to make the pompon.

3. Once I start you almost have to pry the hook or needles out of my hands. It helps that I work on multiple projects in a day (see 5)! Luckily, most of them I can do while talking to someone or watching TV. These are the mindless projects.

4. These projects have become sources of comfort for me. Having a project with me helps. Even if it's just in my backpack at my feet. I need that. On the most stressful days, time for these projects makes a difference!

5. OCD makes this interesting. I have 3 crochet projects and 2 knit projects going. I keep thinking of what to do next to avoid a break between projects. Then I can't stop myself from starting them.

Crochet:

A. Travel project: Blanket for Josh, sewn together squares in a Granny Style but no accents inside which is typical of granny squares.

B. Ripple lapghan for me: I started this project to practice a ripple. I will be making myself a full ripple blanket soon. I wanted to get the stitch right. I work on it a little but mostly stopped it when I started Zach's blanket.

C. Zach's stripe blanket: 40" out of 70" is complete. It's a stripe pattern with tassels. It's a great opportunity to learn how to make tassels.

Knit:

A. Squares for a checkerboard blanket: I'd like to give this to my parents. But they don't want me to make them things. So this is another blanket for us. It's grape and navy with a soft yarn. Maybe they'll change their minds when it's done!

B. The Bulky Hat: The yarn I made the other hats with is an average weight for hats. But, as I think of those bone chill single digit days I wanted something heavier. It requires more then just a row of the same stitch used in the blanket squares. I'm enjoying the challenge.

I get something out of each stitch. I'm a long way from completing all of these projects. But the challenges they all bring make me happy. Busy hands calm me. It's why I love cooking too.