Dead. Dead. Dead. Oh, Pretty!

This pattern is dead to me.




I paid for a lesson in crochet to do this pattern. Upon getting about 3% into the pattern, I thought I was going to lose my mind. It was all written out in long-hand. No chart.
I can't believe I paid for a complex pattern without inquring if it was charted.

I conferred with people who know these sorts of things, and basically it was agreed upon that it was written like an Algebraic word problem.

I loathe Algebra.

Done. Dead. Gone.

I've gone on to Plan B with my crochet tutor. I believe it will *not* end in tears.

Meanwhile, I bought yarn to cheer me up - from Knit & Knot:




It's going to be a crocheted and knitted rectangle shawl for me. I love the Plymouth Baby Alpaca, as always, soft and lush. What surprised me was being stupid with yarn lust over the bling Tiara yarn (colorway: Iris Blue).








So. Pretty.








Also, I found this at Knit & Knot. Cool, no?

Abandon All Hope

It arrived.







I always get so silly-happy to see the Royal Mail stamp!




What this does *not* say is "crochet pattern of doom for a knitter - turn back now!"




So nicely and neatly packaged and on beautiful paper stock:






And there are *five* pages and *no* charts. I'm pretty sure in there are the shorthand phrases for "weep uncontrollably at your knitter's I-want-to-learn-to-crochet-the-most-difficult-pattern-right-out-of-the-gate enthusiasm," followed by "take sewing needle and poke out own eyes for your idiocy." This is what I imagine the pattern will look like after I'm done weeping and gnashing my teeth (also? It's copyrighted material, no looksies):




The yarn is wound, the project bag is stocked.

I'm going in...

Companionship

Iris the Gourmet Monster is going with me on the trip out West to our new home this fall. Iris is in need of a traveling companion because, quite honestly, Sumo Sheep tends to be distracted too easily by shiny stuff.

Enter the next project on the needles: Zombie Monkey









While Iris approves:





Tank snores on...

It's Just About Cold Enough

The mitts I began in February are finally finished!





* * *

Needles: US 5 - 3.75 mm

Yarn: GGH Cashmere

How much? 3 skeins = 192 yards

Time To Learn Something

It's been 3 months since I finished my master's degree program.

In addition to brushing up on my Spanish language skills (mis habilidades son pobres), I've decided to increase my knowledge of crocheting.

I can do the basics of crochet. Nothing elaborate, just some trim on knitting projects or a very simple crocheted wrap or scarf.

Now, I want to do this bad boy. I know. I'm practically a basket of crazy snakes for jumping into a complicated pattern immediately.

It's going to take some patience, swearing, and hand holding by an expert to get me through this project.

I bought the supplies:












I couldn't resist a new project bag:

Out And About

So, I came home from my long weekend in April out West. Two weeks later, I was flying back out with the Child O' Mine for my graduation celebration and her belated birthday gift of a trip to L.A.

There was custom boozy bundt cake:





Breakfast at the West Hollywood Farmers Market:




There was hat shopping:






Walks in rose gardens:




Taking in the sights:






There was bonding with nature and wild life:




And stunning vistas:




Visits to various beaches:








Rides ridden:




Some graduating:




And loads of pool time:




All in all, it was a fabulous time with some of my favorite people!