#first world problems

At some point in 2016, I decided to crochet (more) blankets for my kids. It was partly because I had discovered that having a simple project on hand - like an uncomplicated straight across double crochet blanket - was a great way to blow off steam and decompress after work.

I used Red Heart Super Saver yarn (I don’t remember specific color names, sorry!) for both projects. Although that brand can feel horribly scratchy, the level of discomfort varies depending on which color was/is chosen. (That’s true for all yarns, btw.) So I went to JoAnn Fabrics (😭😭) and happily fondled the Red Heart yarns until I had what I deemed decent color combinations that the kids would also like, in less scratchy fiber.

My son has always preferred green:

At the time, I wasn’t completely happy with how the light green blended (or not) with the variegated camouflage - but it turned out fine.

My daughter likes purple the best:

That (as you can see) was a much easier task.

I don’t remember how long it took me to finish them. I do remember that each blanket has exactly the same number of rows, and stitches across. (By that time I had been a Mom for a quarter of a century.) I didn’t use a pattern, just wrote down everything I did on the green blanket, and repeated it exactly for the purple one.

Several years ago, Ann Budd wrote a couple of little “yarn yardage” guides for both knitting and crocheting projects, from baby socks to big blankies. (She has her own website where they can be purchased; look it up, if your Local Yarn Store doesn’t carry them.) I definitely used the crochet one for a guide. Still, there was so much leftover yarn that I could knit the kids identical (ish) bonus hats for the next Christmas!

They still wear these, years later. Just a simple skullcap pattern from Ann Budd’s The Knitter’s Handy Book of Patterns (indispensable IMO) - I really liked how the green/brown one turned out. I don’t remember why he didn’t get a pom pom - maybe I didn’t think it was very manly??

I’d never knit a cabled hat before. These were pretty easy. The pattern was free on the yarnspirations dot com website, but when I tried to track it down a couple of days ago I couldn’t find it.

XOXO

A WIP that I can't decide if I like or really, really hate.

This is a weirdly common state of my mind while I build things. I think the issue this time is that I wanted it to be a dark brown with stone accents outside and then carry a grey/brown/cream color scheme inside, but I just couldn't seem to get a good shade a brown that was neither too light nor too dark and also not too yellow/orange AND that looked good with any of the many roof patterns I have. So, it became a desaturated cranberry color, and I still don't really love it but...

Good morning my friends, and it seems I've been neglecting my reblog duties, This morning I had to take my car to the dealer for some relatively minor tweaking. Mission accomplished. Now it's time to take care of my daily labor of love which is of course reblogging our talented friends. Love to all, Mike 🩵

I’m trying to create a staging area for photographing things (books and merchandise, if you’re curious), and I think I’ve found an affordable solution that would also increase our storage space in the living room. (an ongoing struggle in this house)

The problem is, it's the only space where we can put our Christmas tree, and if I were to invest in this item or furniture, there is nowhere else it could be moved to in the house to make room for the tree.

So now my brain is like, well, maybe Home Depot still makes the holo glitter tree. Maybe you could get a smaller version and fit it next to the window...

Except then what do I do with the old tree?

And honestly, I don't like that we can’t see our Christmas tree from the couch because the couch faces the opposite direction (our living room and dining room are one room, the tree frames the dining table in the back while the TV faces the opposite wall where the tv is because it's the only blank wall without a window/built-in in the room) so maybe we should just redo the layout of the entire room???

The TV in that room is somewhat old and freezes up a lot. Maybe if we got a smaller one, it’d fit on the wall with the built-in shelves, and I could move the couch and make space for the Christmas tree...

This is the part where if I was still able bodied I’d start playing furniture Tetris until I figured this out, but alas, I am a sick bitch reliant on the help of others and Mothman’s the type of neurodivergent that hates change in his environment without thorough planning and negotiation.

We’re the epitome of immovable object meets unstoppable force.

Or we would be if I was still physically capable of the gremlin energy my brain puts out.