Monday 4 April 2016

Packed Away

I had every intention of putting in lots of work on my Spice Of Life Crochet Along blanket this month but the cross stitch bug has taken a firm hold and crochet is playing second fiddle to it. I've decided to pack it away for a while until the mood takes me again.


Here you can see it in my work basket with my Granny Stripe blanket which I started in January 2015. I didn't get very far with that one before I started on other things so that's two blankets waiting to be completed. They'll get done eventually.


I'm joining in with Jennifer's Winter Project Link Party over on her Thistlebear blog. This is the last instalment of the link party, now that we've entered spring. Thank you for hosting it, Jennifer, I've enjoyed visiting the other participants over winter to see what they've been working on and I've made some new blogging buddies too.

42 comments:

  1. No doubt the crochet bug will be back once the weather turns and it starts being more autumnal. I look forward to seeing your cross stitch work.

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    1. I'm not sure when the crochet bug will strike again but I'm ready with some good projects when it does. I'm really enjoying cross stitch, I've never been a sewer so it's taken me a bit by surprise. I wonder how long it will last.

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  2. I don't think there is anything wrong with having a blanket or two on the go in the background - I have to say that as I have one going on that has been waiting a long time for some attention! But I really do think it is OK you can pick up and put down as and when. Enjoy your cross stitch in the meantime! xx

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    1. I agree, I used to be a one project at once type of girl but I quite like having some long term projects in the background these days. I'm loving the cross stitch, I didn't realise how relaxing it is, until you go wrong with it that is.

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  3. That looks a nice blanket with the different stitches.

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    1. I'm enjoying learning lots of new stitches when crocheting this blanket, it's a good project for those of us who are quite new at crochet and want to learn a bit more.

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  4. I'm knitting a chunky hoodie but it's taking me far longer than usual because I'm trying to crochet eight inch squares at the same time! Never mind, we'll both get there I'm sure x

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    1. That's the problem when you're working on more than one thing at a time, they end up taking much longer than if you were devoting your whole time to one thing. I'm not sure when my Spice of Life blanket will be picked up again but there's no rush, I'd much rather it be enjoyable than a race to the finish.

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  5. I've also put my crochet on the back burner and started cross stitching again. I'd forgotten how much I enjoy it!

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    1. I think woolen crafts are more appropriate in winter, especially blankets, they keep you nice and warm whilst working on them. Lighter projects like cross stitch seem easier to work on when the weather warms up and the lighter nights are here.

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  6. You will find the time to complete it one day. I have a granny square one that needs finishing. I hope you have fun with your new projects xx

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    1. I'm sure I will. It's a lovely blanket, I'm just a little tired of crochet at the moment and trying new things is always fun.

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  7. You'll probably pick up the blankies again in the autumn when it's pleasurable to be sitting under them keeping cosy as you do them. They do look lovely in your basket! :o)

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    1. I think you're right. They're great projects to work on when the weather turns cold and I think cross stitch is more a summer hobby.

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  8. Come winter, I'll bet they get finished. Both are lovely by the way and make a lovely splash of colour in the basket. Take care.

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    1. I don't think there's that much left to work on the Spice of Life blanket, I'm over half way. There's no rush though, I'd rather enjoy stitching it up than make it a chore to get it finished.

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  9. When it comes to crafts surely it's best to go with your feeling and do what you enjoy most ...

    I got caught out in a very heavy shower today - oh well it is April I suppose !

    Have a great week.

    All the best Jan

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    1. I agree with that way of crafting entirely, it's supposed to be a pleasurable activity so it's best to go with what you fancy doing at the time. We had a thunder storm yesterday, it was a day of mixed weather.

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  10. I am sure come next Winter you will appreciate both those projects! Enjoy your cross stitching.

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    1. I think I will, they'll keep me nice and cosy whilst I work on them. I'm loving the cross stitch, I'm not a sewer at all so I didn't think I'd enjoy it as much as I am.

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  11. Why not enjoy a change, you will come back to the blakets with a fresh interest in them. Glad you are enjoying the cross stitch, im enjoying it more this year too, last year it took a backseat, sometimes thats the way it goes, as long as you are enjoying what you are doing, thats the main thing :-)

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    1. I definitely think it's best to go with what you're enjoying at the time rather than work on something just to get it finished, it ends up a chore then. I'm really enjoying the cross stitch but I'm very slow at it, like I am with most things, I still haven't finished January's Joyful World but I've made a bit of progress so I'm pleased with that.

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  12. I agree with your last comment Jo, wool work seems like winter work, like stews and soups, they are warming things.

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    1. They are. There's nothing nicer than working on a blanket when the weather turns cold, it keeps you warm as it drapes over you.

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  13. I always have multiple projects on the go. The slow ones (or slow"er" one as I too tend to take a good amount of time completing most things) - like working on a blanket are normally treated as ongoing. I work on them for a while, then move on to something else, then come back to them after a month or two when my interest is once again renewed.

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    1. I used to work on one project at a time but I now think it's good to have a few things on the go so that I can work on what I fancy. There hasn't been anything yet that I've given up on completely, having a change and working on something different for a while gives me a renewed enthusiasm for an old project and I end up finding it really enjoyable when I return to it. I'm glad I'm not the only one who works this way.

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  14. Ooh, I know the feeling with the cross stitch bug, sometimes you just have to itch it and go with it lol. I´m sure you will catch up on the crochet when the fancy takes you. I too have passed over the wool related projects, it just gets too warm to be comfortable here now, so I am doing beading instead. xcx

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    1. I used to be a knitter but I'm loving all the new hobbies I've discovered over the last few years, I'm spoilt for choice now. Beading is something I haven't had a go at yet, but I've still got other things waiting in the wings, if only there were more hours in the day.

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  15. I haven't knitted for a while. I used to make childrens arans and every so often would look for a craft fair to stand a stall. These days I just don't have enough time. I like to crochet in the evening if I have something to watch but if not then I am either reading or cross stitching. Although by the time I get in from work my eyes are usually are a bit too tired to do much stitching that tends to be my weekend pass time.

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    1. The last thing I knit was a scarf to go in a Christmas swap, there's just so many other things I want to do and with time at a premium I just don't have chance to do everything. I find it too dark to cross stitch on an evening, even with a lamp which attaches to a magnifier, so I try to fit that in where I can during daylight hours.

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  16. Life and illness sure get int he way of our knitting! Your blankets are going to be so beautiful when you get them done. For now let them have a nice rarest, you too!
    Meredith

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    1. Life does tend to get in the way of crafting sometimes, doesn't it, I wouldn't have it any other way though, family is important. The blankets will still be there when I've got time for them.

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  17. The blankets can wait, can they? The good thing about having a few projects on the go is that you can pick and choose the one you fancy. xx

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    1. I'm in no rush to use the blankets so they can get finished when they get finished, no rush at all. I used to have one project on the go at once but as you say, it's good to have more than one in progress so that you can work on the one you fancy.

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  18. I think it is a good idea to put things away if you have lost enthusiasm for them ...... much better than struggling on and not enjoying it.

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    1. You're right. I know I will find the enthusiasm for crochet again, it's just that cross stitch is calling right now. I'd much rather enjoy the projects I'm working on rather than find them a chore.

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  19. Hi Jo, thank you for linking up. I completely understand the cross-stitch bug. I haven't crocheted anything in almost a month! That's not like me at all. It's just been stitch, stitch, stitch around here. I did take out yarn to play with yesterday, thinking about my next blanket and what colors I want to use. There's yarn all over the floor of our office/workroom right now. I need to get it into a basket before someone (my husband) trips and breaks his neck (or so he keeps saying, haha). Hope you're having a good week. :)

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    1. I think I'm enjoying cross stitch so much because it's new to me, that and the fact that I love the design I'm stitching. It's fascinating seeing it all come together as more stitches are put in. I don't think that it will be the end of my yarny adventure though, like you, I've had yarn out today. I know I need more to finish off the Spice of Life blanket so I've just ordered that. Once it comes it might put me in the mood to get on with a bit more of it.

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  20. You have to follow your passion....I'm sure you'll come back to them refreshed. They do look lovely.xxx

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    1. I think you're right, they do say a change is as good as a rest.

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  21. Better to set it aside and work on them when the mood grabs you otherwise you just end up getting fed up and not enjoying the process and that would be such a shame as they are both lovely.
    Lisa x

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    1. That's true. I've ordered the extra yarn I need for the Spice of Life blanket so I'm all ready to go with it again when the mood takes me.

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