A Bad Back Won’t Keep Me From My Hooks and Needles

I finally made it back to posting after about 3 weeks spent convalescing from a back injury.  No it wasn’t that bad — a rotated vertabra that pulled on a rib according to my chiropractor — but sitting for long stretches at the computer was next to impossible.  So I mostly sat in front of the TV with an ice pack on my back and crocheted and knitted.

I have to admit, this downtime led to a bit of “I don’t feel like doing anything” ennui, but the events of yesterday seem to have lit a spark under my “you know what” and got me back to posting.  More on that later.

Purple and Yellow Freeform Crochet Purse – Felted

I can’t say I was totally unproductive during those three weeks.  I finally got around to felting the purple and yellow freeform purse I spoke about in early October.

I still have to line it and haven’t decided on a fabric.  I think I have some in my “fabric stash” so I’ll have to look at that at some point.  I think I like the unfelted version better, only because the colors seem to be a bit brighter, although it’s really hard to tell the difference from the photos.

But I crocheted it so loosely that it would never have functioned as a purse.  I think I’ll make the next one with tighter stitches and might use some kind of fabric like muslin as an inner lining.  Oh, forgot to add that I felted this by hand.  I still have several projects that need machine felting — hopefully I’ll get to those soon.

“Biffer Shrug” Makes A Cool Christmas Gift

Most of my recent efforts have been spent starting Christmas gifts.  This year’s goal is to use yarn from my stash as much as possible.  And as I was tooling around on Ravelry (log in to view), I found this cool “Biffer Shrug” that takes the place of those Swifter dust cloths that you have to keep buying.

There’s also a Biffer Duster that I plan to make.  I think they’ll go great with the dish cloths I’m making.  Both patterns are free and created by Krysten Lewellyn (aka “gherkin” on Ravelry).  Check out her Ravelry page for the patterns.

I thought her ideas were so cool, eco-friendly, and really easy to make.  The main pattern stitch is front and back post double crochet, and you can make a shrug in one evening in front of the TV.

Going to Make Barbara Walker’s Learn-to-Knit Afghan

I have also decided to try my hand at Barbara Walker’s Learn-To-Knit afghan.  I got inspired when I attended the Honolulu Academy of Arts Family Sunday a while back, and sat next to Teri whom I helped crochet the edgings around the aghan squares she’d completed.

When you finish the afghan, you’re supposed to know everything you need to know to knit well.  So I’m not in a rush to complete this project so I’ll have an afghan.  I’m going to take my time and enjoy the process of building on my knitting skills.  And since it’s gift making time, this project will probably be on my back burner for a while.  Check out my Ravelry page for photos.  My Ravelry ID is “HawaiiHooker.”

(Update: I finished the Barbara Walker Learn-to-Knit afghan in October 2010)

Hail to the Chief – President-Elect Barack Obama

Finally, I usually don’t get political on this blog, but I can’t resist saying HOORAY on the nomination of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the U.S.  Many Black people didn’t think this would happen in their lifetimes, so I’m happy that many of us are alive to see it!  My Dad would have been so proud!  If you missed the speech, check it out on YouTube.

Hopefully, it won’t take me so long to post again.