Project ADHD!

Too many projects going on right now. Some are sitting, waiting.  Others are getting a little work done here and there.  Here is a quick update on all things crochet happening right now!

Mood Blanket 2014

The mood blanket continues to grow. Still an interesting process. Really working hard to let the moods dictate the colors and not manipulate the choices.

Curtains

I've worked a little on connecting the squares that will eventually be curtains in my bedroom window.  Need to focus more attention on this very soon!  All the squares are ready to go.

Circles to Squares

I'm actually much farther than these pictures show, just haven't taken new pictures for a long time. I have a shoebox filled with the smaller circles, already squared with white yarn.  Most of the large circles are done, too.

I have no update on my shawl pattern yet. Ran out of yarn - so until I place an order, that project is going nowhere. Not a problem - I started a NEW project anyway!

Owl Obsession

This is a pattern I've wanted to make for a very long time, but didn't have a reason.  A dear family friend is having her first baby in the fall.  I now have the perfect reason to make this adorable blanket.

The pattern is well written, with excellent pictures, easy to follow.  Highly recommend to anyone who has thought about making this one! (The title is a link, but if you google Owl Obsession, you will find it. This is a very popular pattern.)

A few early pictures... I have more work to do!  Using Stylecraft Merry-Go-Round in rainbow for the motifs, my blanket is turning out considerably smaller than it would be if I were using the recommended yarn, Chroma Worsted.  I'm going to remedy this simply by making two extra rows both horizontally and vertically.  It will be fine. I am not using button eyes, as this will be for a baby.  The pupils are stitched in a little black yarn. I'm attaching the octagons and squares as I go, but I'm using a needle and the long tails of white yarn to whip stitch the seams.  It's coming together fairly quickly.

Moodiness

I'm seeing trends in my mood blanket!

This is a lousy picture. Sorry about that.  I need a sunny day and an opportunity to get out in natural lighting! When I do, I'll replace this with a better photo.  In the meantime - take a look. 

Updated pictures!  Bad photos removed!

102  98 days completed.  Each row across represents 14 days. The little plastic markers indicate the end of a month.  They are just there to help me keep track of what day it is. If I'm not sure where I stopped, I simply count from the last stitch marker.

• Bright pink = 21 days of migraine. Maybe it's time for preventative medication?
• Blues represent sadness. 
• Purple means I was thinking of my dear friend, Donna. 
• Various shades of red show anger or frustration.  Clearly, someone has been getting on my nerves recently. 
• Orange days were high activity and hopefully productivity. 
• The palest hexagons are peach or light pink.  Peach = neutral, while pink is neutral to the happy side.
• Shades of pink that do not represent a migraine indicate various levels of happiness. This includes fiesta pink, which is actually brighter than the shade named "bright pink."

All the hexis really are the same size. It's amazing how different they look without being blocked or stretched into place by a new row. 

I haven't felt yellow or green yet.  I'm not sure what emotions will come with those colors! Something tells me they may end up being connected to summer - growing things in the garden - warmth of a beautiful sunny day... but who knows?   I have successfully resisted the urge to dictate the colors by what I think will look good, sticking with mood determination.  Not easy to do! 

Crochet Mood Blanket 2014

Everybody's doing it!  This is definitely all the rage.  Stacey Wentford-Hall aka "Frofunky" on Instagram started this, having no idea what kind of response it would get.  Visit Stacey's blog for more information.

But here is the basic idea:  you crochet a block a day, or a block a week, based on your mood.  I've seen people take that idea and morph it into lots of different things.  People are making giant granny squares and all kinds of striped blankets - chevrons, granny stripes, mixed stripes.... lots of choices.

Having recently finished two big blankets, I decided to go small.  That's definitely a new concept for me. Besides, I have other plans in mind, and don't want to feel overwhelmed or burdened by this project.  I want to keep it fun.

So, this is what I have so far: mini-hexagons - using colors that reflect my mood at the time. I am using my existing stash of Stylecraft DK - and only working with what I have on hand.

My color choices and moods have been greatly influenced by the death of one of my dearest friends on December 3. She was diagnosed with advanced, metastatic colon cancer in August, and died peacefully at home just four months later.  Donna's favorite color was purple. Blue ribbons represent colon cancer awareness.  Right now, "feeling blue" is something I understand and experience often.  My hexagons mainly reflect my memories of Donna, missing her every day, and a visual representation of my grief. The shades of purple and blue vary in intensity based on which color speaks to me that day.

There are some colors with a different meaning. Red hexies are days that I was angry or frustrated.  Bright pink means I had a migraine.  (There are two of those in the top row, left).  And fiesta pink, which is actually brighter than "bright pink," reflects happiness and excitement (bottom right).

As I move through the year, I suspect some colors may change their meaning.  I'm okay with that.  I will be flexible and try to really let the colors speak for me.

This picture was taken just about 2 weeks before she died.  Donna received an award from our local Girl Scout Council.   At this point, she had been bedridden for months.  Hospice worked a miracle getting her into a wheelchair and escorting her to the award ceremony.  They were amazing!

Donna worked as Marketing Director for our Girl Scout Council many years ago, and that is where I first met her. We met again 7 years ago when we were both running local homeless shelters. She become one of my absolute dearest friends. She was an amazing woman, and the world is definitely a better place because she was here. I will miss her forever.

Donna Perras, 9/15/1954 - 12/3/2013