Waffle Baby Afghan

This Waffle Baby Afghan is something I adapted to fit what yarn I had in my stash.  The yarn is Bernat Softee Baby in "Prettiest Pink" and "Princess Pebbbles", which my mom picked up on clearance for only $1.49 a skein.  Of course, because it was on clearance, there were only two skeins of each color, which was a little less than I needed, but adapt and overcome!

My Waffle Baby Afghan is based on the Weekend Waffle Blanket Kit available from Herrschners.  If you've never looked through a Herrschners catalog or the website before, I suggest you lock up your credit card before you do, but that's a whole different matter :)  

Herrschners kit options

My mom originally purchased this kit in the yellow/blue/green variegated yarn.  I modified the pattern slightly - the pattern only calls for one color yarn, but I alternated between my pink solid and pink/gray/white variegated.  I changed yarns every ten rows in this example, although the first section had to be eleven rows because of the foundation row.

This waffle pattern, like the Basketweave I wrote about a couple of weeks ago, has a great texture that comes from a combination of stitching in the loop and stitching around the front post.

Lately it seems like my favorite crochet projects are the ones that come with texture and depth.  If you have a favorite textured pattern, leave me a comment!

"Bones" Season 9, Episode 13

SPOILERS

Oh, Bones.  As soon as they started questioning Wendell's broken arm last night, I got a bad bad feeling about poor Wendell.  Wendell is probably my favorite intern in the entire series, so last night's episode was just heartbreaking, as it was meant to be.

I truly applaud the writers for last night's episode.  So often in TV and books, writers try to play "Gotcha!" with twists and surprises and reversals, and frankly, it gets a bit old.  Wendell's diagnosis wasn't that way, but it also wasn't canned or predictable.  It felt the same way I imagine cancer would feel in the real world - a shocking stun, but something that you know unfortunately happens.

The writers also worked their magic on Wendell's character.  His decision to stay and fight the cancer, understanding better than most people exactly what was involved, surprised me.  When he started talking about taking off, ticking off his bucket list, living every second without the haze of treatment, I thought that would be the end.

And I wouldn't have blamed him.

I have been very blessed in my life that cancer hasn't touched me very closely, at least not while I was old enough to remember and understand.  But about a month ago, I lost a family friend to liver cancer.  She had fought for three years, through chemo that caused her to lose her hearing and take up residence in a nursing home.  She was lucky to survive those extra three years, even getting a chance to meet her first grandchild shortly before her death, but at what cost?  Unable to hear, to care for herself, to get out of bed by herself, she suffered, and still the cancer claimed her.  It's a difficult choice, with seemingly no right answer.

Bones, the writers, and the actors all portrayed that beautifully.

Bravo.

Things I Don't Know

I'll be the first to admit, I'm not a genius.

That said, I wouldn't consider myself a schmuck either.  I went to a liberal arts college, I've read Moliere and Joseph Conrad and Eve Ensler, and I took physics as an elective.

But over the past few years, I've realized there are things I absolutely don't know, and the kicker is, they're all simple things.  The kinds of things that are so commonplace people actually don't talk about them.  The kinds of things four-year-olds ask you about in the car.  And, whether I'm just forgetful or the least inquisitive child that ever existed, I don't them.  Things like:

1. How does a landline phone work - and why does it still work when the power goes out?
2. How are animal eggs fertilized? (Yes, I live on a farm and no, I really don't know how this works - no one ever said I learned much in biology.)
3. What is the actual purpose of a water tower?

To me, it's sad.  I should know these things, right?  But I know it's not just me.  The thing about landlines and power outages came up in class one day my senior year, and no one knew the answer.  It's just a thing we all take for granted.  

Where is curiosity?  Is this part of growing up - or is this just me?

Basketweave Afghan

I have done so much crafting that I haven't blogged about!

With the start of 2014, I'm trying to recommit myself to keeping up with my blogging, so what better way than to look back on the projects that have kept me busy throughout the summer and fall of 2013?

With that said, I'm going to start with my Basketweave Afghan.

This pattern comes from the book Crocheted Afghans by Carol Cook Hagood.  The book I used belongs to my mother, and was published in the late 1980s, but you can still find it on Etsy and Ebay.  The Basketweave is actually the second afghan I've done from this book; the first one was a lap afghan about five years ago.

The pattern calls for fringe, which I omitted.

I love the Basketweave pattern, and it really is simple.  As long as you are familiar with the basic crochet stitches (single through double-triple), you can succeed at this pattern.

The pattern only uses two stitches, double and double-triple.

The texture of this pattern comes from working select stitches around the front post of the rows below it, rather than in the loop.

A great pattern, and so simple!  What do you think?  What's your current project?  Leave me a comment or some pictures.

New Year, New Chances - Giving with Goals

New Year's Resolutions get such a bad rap.  I mean, you can't really blame them, with how quickly they fall by the wayside.  I personally don't like the word "resolution."  I prefer goals.

There are some secrets to the art of goal-making and goal-keeping.  When it comes to goal-making, keep in mind that it isn't just a year in broad terms.  What do you want to accomplish this week?  This month?  What about today?  A combination of short-term and long-term goals keeps you from becoming overwhelmed.  Don't just think about how you want your life to be different at this time next year, think about what you need to change now to improve your life and your attitude.

Goal-keeping.  It's cliche, but write them down, and put the list somewhere you will see it (posting it on a shelf in the linen closet isn't going to cut it).  If you have a love of Pinterest like I do, create a Vision Board and pin pictures that represent your goals.  Move the board to the top of your profile page, and you'll see it every time you look for a pin.  And if you do have some long-term goals, break them down into smaller chunks.  If you want to save $500 for a new gadget by the end of the year, remind yourself how much you have to save by the end of each month and you'll be more likely to succeed without pulling your hair out or living on Ramen from October on.

But don't just think about yourself.

This time of goals and renewals is the perfect time to move out of the self-absorbed shells we all seem to carry around these days.  Make a commitment to yourself to do something better, to give back for your blessings (and if you have a computer to read this, I know you are blessed).  Is there a charity that tugs at your heart?  Make a goal to give to them in some way, whether it is with money or your time or something else entirely.  Are there people in your life you could use friendship and support?  Set your heart on taking time out to bless them with your presence, digital or in-person (put an emphasis on in-person).

My 2014 Goal #1 is to donate blood more frequently.  Giving blood is so easy.  If you've never done it, I really suggest you try it at least once.  It's not as scary as you might think, and it doesn't take long at all.  It takes no money, and it saves lives.  It doesn't get much better than that.  Start here to find out more.

Give of yourself.  You'll feel better about yourself, and that we keep you on track with your goals.