Friday, October 9, 2015

A Project for Me (!) and a Winter Link Party

For several years now I've been making projects for gifts, projects for magazines, and projects for the blog - but seldom a project just for me, just because I want to. I have ideas and materials aplenty, but what I lack are organisational skills, self-discipline, and follow-through. (Which is a roundabout way of saying I can be pretty lazy when there's no outside pressure to get things done.)

But now, thanks to Jennifer at Thistlebear, I've found the perfect excuse, and the proper motivation, to start and complete a project for myself. Jennifer is kindly hosting a Winter Project Link Party, with the laudable purpose of helping participants stay enthusiastic and excited about projects that might otherwise lose momentum as winter progresses.

More than 20 bloggers have signed on already. Many of them seem to be making blankets, but I will be the first to admit I haven't the stamina for anything that large. (Why do you think I design mainly accessories? Two words: Instant. Gratification.)

Instead, my ambition is much humbler: to crochet a top for myself.

I have the yarn (Planet Penny Cotton in the delicious new Ice Cream Colour Selection, to be supplemented with a soft taupe rayon-blend from from my stash):

Planet Penny Cotton Club Yarn

I have a design (sketched on a crumpled piece of scratch paper - see what I mean about a lack of organisation?) - a simple cap-sleeved shell with colourwork center front panel and solid (or possibly finely striped) side panels and back; to be worn by itself in warmer weather, or over a tee in cooler weather:

I'll probably make the one on the right....

I even have a swatch, which may or may not represent the final stitch pattern of the center panel (too many ideas, but now that I'm publicly committed I'll have to settle on one soon):


With all these, plus the accountability and motivation provided by Jennifer, even I should be able to finish my custom crochet shell by the end of winter. And who knows? A top this winter, a blanket the next? Perhaps this will be the step that finally sets me on the road to Afghan....

Thanks, Jennifer! :)

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Click here to see all the Thistlebear Winter Project Party links.

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16 comments:

  1. Oh I don't know, making a crochet garment is much more ambitious than a blanket. I find crochet garments fascinating and can't quite get my head around how they are produced (I am a natural knitter). I am looking forward to seeing your progress. x

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  2. I think a blanket is far less daunting than a garment, there's no shaping involved for a start. I've joined Jennifer's link party too, I'm sure it will keep us all motivated.

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  3. I will follow your adventure in the same time living mine at the winter project party.
    I am looking forward to see your project growing. I love the colours your use for that.
    Have a great week end.
    Miss

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  4. I'm so glad you've joined all of us over at Jennifer's party. Your sweater colors are beautiful and I'm looking forward to watching it come to life off of paper. :-). I'm not talented enough to design my own projects. How nice that must be...see a vision in your head and then make it.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  5. Oh this is awesome. I am so looking forward to seeing this come alive. Love the colors you choose, too. : )

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  6. Hi Sue! Thank you so much for joining my link party. I'm really glad to have you. I love the colors you've chosen and I think your top is going to be beautiful! The stitch pattern is so pretty. I'm really looking forward to seeing your progress this winter! Hope you have a good weekend.

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  7. You go, Sue! I'm in awe of talented, crafty people! Those muted colors are lovely!

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  8. I'm looking forward to seeing the top when it's finished.

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  9. I just may join too. Your top will be lovely.

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  10. I know, without a doubt, that it will be lovely. How fun to do something like that. I am trash at knowing how to join link parties. I look forward to seeing everyone's progress and lovely creations.

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  11. Yea! I'm so glad you have joined the celebration, too, Sue! The colors you are stitching with are lovely and your sketches of your ideas promise a pretty design. I have never made a top or sweater, so I admire your daring :) Happy Weekend! xx

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  12. The yarn colors are heavenly! You'll probably beat my flowery snowflake vest!!! Good for you for taking time to make something for you. Nothing better than a warm sweater in winter!

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  13. Oh.. I bet you'll make a gorgeous sweater! And I hope you do an afghan as you would love having it. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  14. Lovely colours Sue and you deserve something especially for you, I'm looking forward to seeing it's progress. :) xx

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  15. You are amazing, I have to have the pattern all set out in front of me and frankly written by someone else and here you go again just creating something beautiful. I look forward to seeing it all made up and of course I am hoping there is a pattern written up after you are done!
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  16. So pleased you're going to make something for yourself. The colours are lovely and I'll look forward to seeing it finished! Juliex

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