Ce n'est pas un chapeau de cowboy

This is a hat.



This is a fine hat.

This is a hat that I will wear comfortably to keep the sun away.

This is not, however, a cowboy hat, even though I followed the pattern pretty closely. (I probably could add wire, but I'd have to do something about the brim).

That is all.

More Utter Failures

I think I need to admit to failure.

I've been trying to crochet a cowboy hat for my Hometown Swap, but it just looks wrong. A sun hat, yes. A cowboy hat, no. Even with floral wire, it's just not shaping up to what I want it to be. I'll finish up the pattern, but I think it's not good enough to put in the box.

I've got another idea that I think will be cool enough and certainly not stereotypical. There's always the dishcloth fallback, which I may include anyhow.

Discouragement reigns.

Stop the Madness!

I cannot believe that I have actually signed up for three swaps, all pretty much due at the same time! Granted, I have some stuff ready to be felted and assembled, but really, Darce! (Add to that the fact that I've broken my left pinky finger ... shouldn't stop me but will slow me down!)

It's so hard not to get involved when you receive packages like this one from my toy swap!

Shawl Update and Frustration

Lunchtime, I looked at my Bloudewedd shawl in progress and loathed it. I could see mistakes, and I knew no matter what, I would never wear the thing. So I ripped everything up, and started the pattern I had originally intended for it. Got four rows in, felt pretty confident.

Took a break and wanted to continue. A colleague, however, got really chatty. Despite my best efforts, I lost count, couldn't figure out what was going on, and had to start over completely.

I'm trying not to cry. I really want to do this.

But here's a hint: if I'm not making eye contact, smiling, and my only responses between numbers is curt nods, STOP TALKING TO ME.

I'm going to have to find a lace-making hidey hole for breaks cuz Heaven knows I'm not going to get that at home either.

Shawls, Swaps, and Other Whatnot

Received my color swap last night ... major swoonage!



The red yarn couldn't be more perfect--so deep, so soft! I'm going to use the bulky for a fox hat I've had in my queue forever. All the purple is cotton, and I'm thinking some of it will become a sun hat.

The bag will be perfect for my Easter outfit, and the dishcloth ... well, let's just say I am near-fetish about using them to do dishes.

And let's not forget the fox stitch markers! All in all a good haul.

In the meantime, I'm continuing on the Bloudewedd-inspired shawl. Although the process is relaxing, I'm not sure I'm entirely thrilled about the results. I'm afraid it's all coming out pretty "old lady" with the feather-and-fan pattern and muted colors. Ultimately, I think it's going to be the kind of thing I throw across my shoulders to read in bed rather than an out on the town garment. Good thing I'm all about process rather than results.

But I could really get into the whole shawl thing, which makes sense in this climate. I think I would love to do this bat shawl in an evocative fiber like Evil Stepmother or Wicked Witch.

Another for the Someday pile ...

No Doubt, I Must Be Stopped

Current Projects: Gnome swap and Bloudewedd KAL



I'm trying to be patient about receiving my current swaps. The stuffed toy one is no biggie, since I've been in contact with my partner and I know what's going on; I'm excited but contained. But the color swap was secret--I'm trying not to bother my husband too much about the mail ... but ....

I'm prepping for another swap with a Hometown theme. So many ideas!

Must. To finish. Current. Swaps.

But in the meantime, another finished toy:



I gave this to my daughter, who looked at it a little askance. Then she hugged it and said, "I lub oo." Immediately she handed it back, "All done!" Good thing I only really make toys for the process rather than the result!

No Fingers Are Idle

I haven't posted in a while, but my fingers have been busy!

Last week I was very sick--100+ fever and all. Thankfully, I was feeling better enough to complete a couple of little fox projects that grace my desk at work:



Also continuing to make slow but sure progress on my Sampler Turtle. I had hoped to score a bunch more mini-skeins in the February Phat Fiber box, but my trigger finger was too slow. (I still can't talk about it.)

Even though I have plenty of clothes for my daughter and scarves on needles, as the weather turns, I am in full-on toy-making mode.

Two swaps mailed out last week, and I just received my partner for a gnome swap. Somebody please stop me!