I did forget to bring a spindle when I went on my trip north. Horrifying, I know. I rallied by finding a smooth stick and screwed in a cup hook at the end.
Using a stick with a hook is actually my preferred method to teach people spinning. It slows down the twist, making it easier to see and control.
Shockingly I have started a new project. I wanted something small and modular to travel with, and found a crochet book about making lace squares. Granny Square Flair by Shelley Husband includes patterns for 50 different crocheted squares, and if you use the same hook and yarn, she designed them all to block to the same size. My plan is to make them all. Not only will I learn about how lace squares are constructed, I will use gifted alpaca yarn to make myself… something. It depends on how many squares I can make with the amount of yarn I have.
It is an exciting project, but not a great one for travel or distraction. The patterns are given both in text and chart form, which I love, but I have to pay close attention to each round, which is not conducive to chatting or watching scenery. I was only able to make four on my week long trip.
The photos of these squares are all taken fresh off the hook, before blocking, so they aren’t yet square. Also, teal is a difficult color to photograph, so none of the photos are true to actual color. Hm.
We have a couple of raccoon buddies hanging out in the woods. Rather than the opossums, who arrive individually and leave separately, the raccoons show up and head out together.
It might be easier to secure the elements of my Spring crochet wreath if I had a solid foundation to sew to, so I crocheted a cover onto a wire wreath frame. I started with a single crochet all along the outer edge.
I added rows of double crochet around the frame, using decreases every fifth or sixth stitch to adjust the fit. To finish, I did another row of single crochet to the inside wire. Here is a video short demonstrating the technique.
Now I will have more options when securing my botanical elements to the frame.
A raccoon decided to have bath time in front of the trail cam.
Critters and Craft 