Wednesday, December 23, 2020

No chance for any sewing today. I called the “machine guy” and he said to bring my machines in right away as he was home. I didn’t even have time to clean them. I was in a bit of a panic as I couldn’t find the cover for either of the machines. When I changed my room around I really tucked them away. Fortunately, after I located them, it didn’t require moving anything too much to get them out.

I worked a ball of yarn into my afghan last night and realized it was going to be pretty small if I didn’t change my plan in some way. I only had four balls of the yarn I was using but I found more yarn in a colour that I thought would work with it. I did a few rows and I think it looks like I planned the pattern that way all along. Hopefully with the extra yarn it will make up into a decent-sized lap afghan.

I was reminded again on Facebook about that cute little snowbird Christy posted to my timeline. I found some yarn and gave it a try; so far, so good. I don’t have the exact colours called for but I have enough colours that will work.

I’ll be baking and cooking most of the day tomorrow – Tourtiere for supper (along with a spinach salad). For Christmas day I planned on Mum’s chocolate angel food but I’m going to make it tomorrow and we’ll have it on Christmas Eve and Christmas – and probably Boxing Day and beyond.

Maybe I’ll even do a bit of cleaning as well.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

I don’t think I could take another sewing stitch – not even on a new and exciting project. Yesterday I finished another row on That Fairy Tale Quilt and today I finished the top for the Guild mystery.

I think I’ll clean my sewing room tomorrow, clean and oil both of my sewing machines, and call to make an appointment to have both machines professionally cleaned and serviced. I don’t have any plans for any more sewing until the New Year – unless of course I find a new and exciting project!

I’ve never had a cleaning person but my understanding is that you always clean your house before they arrive. I assuming the same probably holds true for sewing machines.

Monday, December 21, 2020

I’ve spent the last several evenings trying to get started on a crocheted afghan. I found a pattern I liked but there were seven rows involved and there was no way I could concentrate on whatever show we were watching and keep track of where I was.

So I switched to a knitted afghan pattern, but I didn’t like the way it looked after several rows. I found another crochet pattern but I wasn’t able to figure out the stitches; personally I think there was an error in the pattern as I tried and ripped at least three times and never ended up with the right number of stitches at the end of the row.

So then I thought I could make up a pattern of my own. That did not work out well at all.

So yesterday I found my basic shell stitch pattern and that is what I’m using. The instructions told you what multiple of stitches I needed (6 + 1 was the magic number). I have several rows done and it looks fine. The same pattern maker also has a Wave stitch afghan that I will try next. I really want a knitted ripple stitch afghan (and I know I have a pattern somewhere) and when I find it I’ll have another option.

Saturday, December 19, 2020

I didn’t plan a whole lot for the day but what was planned (an Alias Grace block) was finished before I stopped for lunch. I did a bit of tidying up but it is still early afternoon.

We have a couple of online concerts this afternoon but the first one doesn’t start for over an hour. I think I’ll read my book under the lights of the Christmas tree until it is time to move to the basement and work on my afghan.