Project update and news to share
It’s only March, but do you, like me feel that it seems like a whole year has passed already. January was a busy month and then February just passed by before I knew it, and every time I finished something, it seemed like there were 10 more items requiring my attention, but it’s always better to be busy, so I must not complain.
I had said in a previous post that I am going to take some time out and then I saw a call for a test knit for a colourwork cardigan pattern by Kirsten-Michele and I couldn’t resist signing up for it. I will have to get my act together if I want to meet the deadline for completion. The pattern calls for DK weight yarn and Miensie from Knotty Habit dyed the most beautiful shades for me. I have posted some progress pics on Instagram, but I am currently on sleeve island, and you all know how that goes. But, it must be done before the end of March and that’s almost upon us.
I finally pulled out my Lattice and Loops crochet blanket that I started more than a year ago and decided it was time to finish, well a little coaxing from Kim has helped. Of course, because it had been so long, I couldn’t quite figure out why and how I made certain stitch combinations, so to get into the groove, I decided to start over.
A few times, I sat back and thought, that’s actually pretty good. Far too often we put ourselves last or do not appreciate the things we do and can do. Its always that I’m not good enough, others can do it better etc. I definitely fall into this category, but a lesson for me is to actually give myself a little credit sometimes. My message for you – You can achieve anything you set your mind to!
Whenever I feel a bit overwhelmed or have too much to do (will tell you why just now), I generally start a new project, maybe it’s just me avoiding dealing with the task at hand. I suddenly had it in my head that I needed to learn how to Tunisian crochet. It always seemed so complicated, and as I hold my hook ‘pen-style’, I wasn’t quite sure how I would hold a longer hook than I am used to. So, after ripping out a few times, I think I finally got the hang of it – there are some mistakes, but I decided to leave it as is, because that is what will make it uniquely mine.
This is the Lamia Wrap and there is also a really good instructional video on YouTube. It helped doing something a little challenging, as it’s helped me get my focus back and I’ve started making progress with some of my work. I am using a Chiaogoo interchangeable bamboo hook (from the Little Yarn Croft) that I screwed onto my knitting cable. I just need an end stop for when the wrap gets bigger, so none of my stitches fall off and I will be good to go. The yarn I am using is from my Knotty Habit Yarn Klub box last year in the Kalahari colour theme. It’s a fade set and is a single fingering (90% merino and 10% tweed). I do love the tweedy bits that pop through.
So why am I feeling overwhelmed? Well amidst all my deliverables for work, I was also accepted to attend a course on “Green Growth, Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability” in Denmark for a month. I had applied in 2019 and with COVID I didn’t hear anything and assumed it was cancelled. So, imagine my surprise to hear from the organisation that the course is taking place in April this year. I leave on 17 April. There is a total of 19 participants on the course from six different countries. I am excited to be attending this course with a friend from work, and whilst I am looking forward to it, I am also a little anxious about being away from home for a month, being in a new country amidst COVID, and being away from home…did I say that already? It’s a long time away from my family, considering the most I’ve been away was just 4 nights. There’s lots of preparatory work to do and lots to wrap up before I leave, so of course what better time to learn something new. Just wondering if any of you out there are like me.
Anyway, I am hoping to visit some local yarn stores whilst there and will of course take along a project or two. I am also hoping to be able to share some of the sights, etc. with you. Will see how many photos I can take of my knitting/crochet project in a foreign country. It’s a pretty intensive course, however, if time allows, I will be able to blog about it with lots of photos of course.
Well that’s me for now, it’s almost long weekend, so until next time, Create, Craft and Inspire!
Best wishes
Kogi