Saturday, July 31, 2010

Pattern Writing

I have decided to spend the day (or the free hour I'll get during nap times) writing up three patterns I've been playing with. There are two crocheted block patterns (both for the block exchange I mentioned in my last post) and one crocheted hat. The hat is made with sock yarn and is for a baby, but could be for an adult as well. The hat will become a submission, once it's ready, that is....

Writing the patterns is not the hard part, the testing is. Once these are written, I'll have to make a couple to test myself. Then, once I'm happy with them, I'll find someone willing to try them out as well. A free crochet pattern isn't worth anything if you can't read it.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Not Your Ordinary Block Exchange

Ravelry has some really great groups. This particular one is an afghan block swap. Each member makes a 12 inch block for every other person in the group. There are 10-12 people in each group, giving you enough blocks for a 3x4 foot blanket to assemble by the end.
The group is using Comfort Worsted and we've selected a strawberries and cream color theme. I've completed 4 blocks so far. Here they are:

Spring Fling by April Moreland, done in two different color combinations. This one is my favorite so far!
New Year's Eve by Sherry Welch, made in a single color. This one feels a little floppier, but is very pretty. It seems like it was designed to be reversible, as it has some front-post and back-post crochets on both sides.And finally, one of my own. I have to call it a prototype as it's a little wonky in places, but I like it all the same. I'll be writing up the pattern at some point...


I've been toying with the idea of putting together a series of block patterns.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Rediscovery

In an effort to continue to use my stash, I've starting thinking about my stash of pattern books and magazines. According to what I've listed in Ravelry, I have 32 books, 65 magazines, and 7 booklets.

Of the books, I've used 9.

Of the magazines, I've used 7.

Of the booklets, I've used none.

It's time to rediscover the stash of patterns that I've accumulated.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

2010 Goals

I've committed to three stash-down goals for 2010.

First, I have gone "Cold Sheep", which my friends over on Ravelry know means no yarn purchases. The only exception I am allowing is yarn needed to finish a project already in progress. To date, I've been successful and have not purchased any yarn this year! So far, that's over three months with no new yarn purchases!

Second, I will knit/crochet up 10 miles of my stash this year. That's a little less than 1,500 yards each month. So far, I used 3,897 as of the end of March, which is a little behind pace. I hope to make up for it this month with a few larger FOs.

Third, I am trying to use up 100 balls of yarn this year. Now, the goal is to get rid of balls of yarn. They don't have to start out as full balls, but they have to be completely gone in order to count. I am at 21 balls as of right now, but am focusing on partial balls to up my count.

Pictures of some cute things to come, but for now, off to knit!

Saturday, January 16, 2010

How Big is your Stash?

This is for my peeps over in the Stash Knit Down Group in Ravelry

How many YARDS of yard do you have in your stash?
pollcode.com free polls

Friday, January 1, 2010

2009 Stash in Summary

I have knit/crocheted up 13,289 yards of yarn (FOs only).

I started the year at 43,954 yards,
I purchased 19,277 yards,
I knit up 13,289 yards,
I destashed 7,242 yards
Leaving me with 42,853 yards.

So, I am down from the beginning of the year, but only 1,101 yards. At this pace I’ll be done in just under 39 years.

Next year, I am going "cold sheep", as my fellow ravelers call it. No yarn purchases all year, unless I need a small amount to finish a specific project. Free yarn is okay, swapping is okay, as long as I'm not spending money and as long as my total is going down.