In the works.

About a month ago, my dad passed away. It was both expected and unexpected. We have a large family, and a couple of times, I escaped to my dad's bedroom for a few minutes of quiet. I've always been like my dad that way.

While in there, I examined a crocheted blanket my sister Jennifer had made him. I didn't even know she crocheted. It was lovely and thick and warm and reminded me how I had planned on making him a knitted blanket and even started on one once. But then I ran out of yarn...went through a divorce...moved a dozen times...you know how it happens.

Life gets in the way.

One of the topics that had been broached was people getting items of my dad's to remember him by. I was hesitant to take anything from that room. I felt it would be taking something away from Mom. But it occurred to me that if I had made him a blanket, I don't think I would have felt as bad taking it back. And, somehow, having an item that I had made my dad and my dad had used seemed very comforting.

But it's too late for that.

While we were up there, my sister-in-law Alice kept putting on this big, scarf thing over her head. I mean REALLY wide. My mother and sister Diana loved it, kept saying that they loved how it could go over her head too. They both wanted something like that and asked if I could do it.

Which, obviously, I can. And I realized that I have a second chance with Mom, to make her something useful and warm and that she could love. Something that she could put on and remember that I had made for her because I love her SO much. Something I wish I had done for my dad.

So I started looking for patterns. Alice's huge scarf was beautiful and appeared to be an uncomplicated pattern--it looked like a lot of Vs--but it seemed to me that the main draw for both Mom and Diana was that it was a scarf that could be used over the head as well. So I decided to start working on this hooded scarf. I don't have pictures of my work so far because I've no idea where my camera is, so here's a screen print from the pattern:

It's by Yolanda Munoz Designs.

Since I found out my mom's favorite color is blue, I'm working on this in a yarn with the color name of "Ocean." Even the name sounds comforting. Well, I guess unless you're scared of the ocean!

Anyway, so far, I'm almost done with the scarf part, which has been simple enough. I guess I'll move on to the head piece next. That is probably the only thing I'm not going to like about this: The scarf has three components that have to be sewn together. And, like most crocheters/knitters, I hate seaming. It's why I haven't made nearly as many amigurumi dolls as you'd think I would have and why my second Infinitely scarf sits in a basket completely done but unjoined.

But it's my mom, so...seaming is kind of worth it, don't you think? :)

FO: Boo the Bee

While I have more technical knowledge than the average person--I have an Associate degree in computer programming--I am unlucky when it comes to getting wireless routers working properly. So last summer, when my husband Jim and I bought our computer, Jim's best friend Phil and I worked out a deal: Phil would set up our wireless network, and I would crochet him an amigurumi bee to give his baby nephew, who was due in September.

Incidentally, one of Phil's hobbies is beekeeping, which is why he wanted to give a bee-related gift to his nephew. I mention this not because it's really relevant; it's just a cool hobby to have. For real, how many beekeepers do you know?

Anyway, I browsed patterns on Ravelry. Jim, Phil, and I decided that the Boo the Bee pattern was definitely the cutest. I modified the eyes to be more baby-friendly, as I was paranoid about the eyes coming off and becoming a choking hazard. Honestly, I was leaning towards not doing the bendable antennae either, but Jim and Phil won that round. I just made sure to tell Phil to let the parents know what was in the antennae--and I stitched those things on all mad-crazy tight.

Did I mention I'm paranoid?

At any rate, I did finish Boo in time. The pattern isn't too bad, but I got all tangled up making those eyes. To be fair, stitching/sewing isn't my thing.

You know what also isn't my thing? That stupid jog when you have stripes and you're trying to crochet in a spiral. I ended up using the invisible join to "level" the stripes out a bit. Check out this video on how to do it:

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It's more time-consuming, but the point is for it to look nice, not be finished in the quickest manner possible. And I have to say, it was worth the extra effort.

 

 

Without further ado, here's some (bad) pictures of the final product:

 

One day, I'll learn to take better pictures with this camera. Oh, well. At least I'm happy with the way the bee came out!