Awkward

 

Crafting has been a bit awkward since I sliced my finger the other day. I decided to attempt crochet first, figuring that working with a thicker fiber would be easier. Luckily, I only had a couple of rounds left to do on the top cowl. I found that if I moved the yarn closer to my hand, I was able to crochet. It took a bit of time to figure out how to adjust my tension, but I did it!

I supped Tuesday and Wednesday, so I worked on these two cowls and managed to finish them both.

This morning I decided it was time to test out tatting, and I think I did pretty well. It did take more time to finish a pattern repeat, but I wasn't deterred by how long it took. I'm actually quite pleased!

It seems that typing is my biggest challenge right now. I'm a touch typist, and I find that I'm making tons of mistakes. It's driving me a little crazy!

 

Round 8 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 is coming along nicely. I'm really glad I chose blue for this round.

I may be out of commission for a few days. I used a new bread knife while preparing dinner tonight. I can verify that it is the sharpest knife I've ever owned. Typing this post is a challenge, so I'm guessing that crafting will be even more challenging. I guess I'll see what tomorrow brings!

Losing track of time

Well, I did it again. I lost track of time and missed our Tollway Tatters meeting. I simply forgot that this week was the last Saturday of the month. I'll try to do better next month.

I'm still working with the Drapey Cowl pattern. I'm sure I'll lose interest as the weather gets warmer, but for now I'm still going strong.

I have to pay close attention to round 8 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I finished one pattern repeat yesterday and one today. This is not a round that is easy for me to remember!

Starting round 8

 

I finished the first pattern repeat of round 8, Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. For this round, I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #704 Sky Blue Med. 

I really don't know how long it took to tat one repeat. I started in the morning, worked a little more in the early afternoon, and finished in the late afternoon. I'm not sure I want to know how long it took!

Back in the swing of things

 

It did me a world of good to take a break from crafting. I'm no back to doing the things I enjoy, but at a much slower pace. I started a new cowl several days ago. I've been very careful to not work for too long.

I finished round 7 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I really like the way the colors are coming together.

Most of my time has been spent embellishing costumes for the upcoming high school musical, Crazy for You. Daughter Carol bought the dresses and boas. I attached the boas to the dresses after adjusting the straps to fit each of the girls. Working on costumes is not my favorite thing to do, but I am happy to help where I can when it comes to the Drama Club!

Another tree

 

Yesterday, daughter Carol and I shopped for supplies to embellish dresses for the play. Shopping isn't hard, but it sure wears me out!

This afternoon I worked on another bejeweled tree. I haven't decided for sure yet, but I think I'll be donating this one for the raffle as well. I may even make a third one!

Bejeweled

 

As expected, I had no time for crafting yesterday. Lucky me, today I did! There was a half day of school for students, and since there was no lunch served I had the day off.

The high school musical, Crazy for You, is in three weeks. There will be a raffle to benefit a sophomore boy who is being treated for abdominal sarcoma. I've chosen to donate a bejeweled tree to the raffle, and since it's almost Spring, I decided to go with a Spring theme.

Weather permitting, I'll be helping daughter Carol with costume alterations tomorrow. Tonight, I think I'll just relax!

Starting round 7

 

We had an e-learning day for school today, which meant no work for me. So, I spent a good portion of the day tatting. #677 Lime Green Med was my choice for round 7, and I really like the look.

I'll be back at school tomorrow, and I have a doctor's appointment in the morning. I really don't expect to have much time for crafting. It's a good thing I had time today!

Round 6

 

Tatting doesn't bother my sore right hand, so I spent my free time working on round 6 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I used size 20 Lizbeth #712 Kelley Green Med. In think I'll just stick with tatting for a few days and avoid crocheting!

Round 5

 

I took my time with round 5 because of my sore hand, and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed tatting this round in size 20 Lizbeth #622 Pink Med.

My right hand is still very sore, so I'll probably take things slowly for the rest of the week. There's no sense in rushing things. I'll just enjoy my slow progress!

Just one

Well, I did it. I overworked my hands, and my right hand is really sore today. I'm pretty sure crocheting was my downfall. I wasn't successful trying to crochet a few stitches today, but I was able to do one pattern repeat on Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I was very careful to not do too much today. I did quite a few hand exercises throughout the day, and my hand feels so much better than it did this morning. I'm not going to push it. I plan on taking it easy through the weekend. You'd think I'd know by now to not overdo it!

Starting round 5

 

At lunchtime today, I realized that I am more than half finished with my latest cowl. About a half hour a day of crocheting really pays off.

My scrappy afghan is now 29 inches long. I really like the way it's looking.

I also started round 5 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #622 Pink Med. Each pattern repeat takes me about an hour, so I know I have a couple of days left to work on this round.

I think I'm done for the day. My hands are a little sore from all I've been doing. It's better to take a break now than to have to take several days off later. 

Round 4

 

Round 4 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025 was quick and easy. I chose to go back to #712 Kelly Green Med. It just seemed to frame the center perfectly.

I've already chosen the color for round 5, and my shuttles are wound. I think I've done enough tatting for today. Round 5 looks a little more complicated, so I think I'll just study the pattern for a bit before getting started. Time to relax!

Round 3

 

Today I worked on and finished round 3 of Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. For this round I used size 20 Lizbeth #187 Green Ice. I love the way this doily looks so far!

Focus on tatting

 

After spending time with Linda yesterday, I decided to focus on tatting today. First thing this morning, I worked on my latest bookmark, "Wildflowers" from Four Dozen Tatted Bookmarks by Robin Perfetti. I'm using size 20 Lizbeth #112 Carousel.

The rest of the day I worked on Renulek's Spring Doily 2025. Round 2 is in size 20 Lizbeth #677 Lime Green Med. I haven't decided which color I want to use for round 3. I have colors chosen for the doily, but I think I might look at my threads again and choose something different from what I have set aside. I think I may have too many choices!

A new tatting friend

 

Linda recently joined our Tollway Tatters group on Facebook and asked if anyone was interested in getting together to tat. Yes! We met today at Culver's in New Lenox, and spent about three hours together. A man stopped by and asked if we could make him some socks, which made us laugh. He was then kind enough to take our picture. We're both hoping we can get together again soon.

My scrappy afghan is now 24" long. I haven't measured the width yet, but I'm guessing that I will make it about 60" long.

I finished another Drapey Cowl before leaving to meet Linda. Yes, I have already started another!