Saturday, May 18, 2013

Crafting on Vacation

I'm addicted to crafting. I freely admit it. So, whenever we take off on a trip, it's guaranteed that I have some crafting project stashed somewhere in my carry on bag or in my.

How we travel does make a difference for me. I'm more apt to take along a jewelry making project if we're driving than if we're flying. Flying usually means a small crocheting or knitting project is stashed in my checked baggage. Driving usually means multiple crafting projects, one for the drive to and from and usually one for the evenings after we return to where we're staying.

A few weeks ago, we drove to Cape Cod and back. We took two days to drive up and two days to drive back, and were on the cape for a week. I took several projects: a pair of socks (car), supplies to make hair scrunchies (car) and a chain maille bracelet project (evenings). We were so busy, that I made very little progress on any of the projects I took with me.

What are your favorite travel craft projects?

Friday, April 5, 2013

Finishing the Never Ending Shawl

It feels like I've been knitting on this shawl forever, as in eternity forever. It's not because I don't like the pattern. It's my pattern and I'm very happy with it. It's the yarn, so I won't mention the manufacturer or the line. But this yarn sucks, and I don't say that very often! It's rough and bumpy, which would be fine if that were what it was advertised as, but it's advertised as soft and smooth. And OK, it's very cheap yarn, donated to our prayer shawl ministry, so really, complaining about it isn't very nice of me. But it is oh so human of me.

Since it is a prayer shawl, destined for a gentleman who is either very ill or who has just lost a very close loved one, I pray while I'm knitting for this unknown gentleman's intentions.

My travails with this yarn are finally over. I put the last stitch in the shawl and wove in the last yarn end. Now I need to block it, photograph it, polish the pattern instructions and share it with you. I'll put the link to the free pattern on Ravelry.

I'd love to hear from others who've had this same problem. I can't be the only one, can I?