When I decide to do something, I do not do it half way...It's more like one and a half! My son has the same obsessive tendencies...alas! But at least I usually direct my passions toward constructive things like writing, drawing, or crocheting instead of something more self-destructive.
Crocheting is very relaxing for me, meditative, kind of like coloring. You CAN think about other things, but mostly you can just get lost in it and forget about everything else. That's important sometimes.
Here's the first one I made during this latest episode of stitchery, a star-shaped baby blanket for my very own baby - who is due in 5 days (I'm not getting impatient at all ;-) Sorry for the distracting background, did I mention I'm 39.5 weeks and can't be bothered?
Anyway, I've been MIA from steemit for awhile, partly due to a massive burst of creative stitching energy. Even though my house is bursting at the seams with handmade baby blankets that belong mostly to my son, I wanted the new baby to have at least one of their own, made specifically for them. Check.
Next, I just came across an instructional video for a 12 point star-shaped blanket and decided to give it a try with some leftovers from my yarn stash. It turned out very well and I was pretty impressed with myself for being able to follow the instructions to get started. That's always the trickiest part. I'm not gifted in the spatial orientation department, don't know left from right, etc.
Step 1: I'd never attempted anything this intricate, but I did it, so now I'm thinking, "Hey, if I can do this, I bet I could crochet little animals or Star Wars characters or the Eiffel Tower!" We'll see about that...
Step 2: Establishing the pattern. Now it's mostly just a question of not dropping or adding stitches on accident.
Step 3: Not really a step, just a picture of progress.
Step 4: The final product. Not at all distracting to look at with stripes and paisley-esque curtains in the background. You're welcome.
Another star - this one is for our new baby niece, Soline, who was born in France a few days ago.
![crochet multicolor star.JPG] (
Finally, I still have the crochet bug, and while I wait for my little stow away to get the hint that it's time to vacate the premises, I started making this - a chevron patterned baby blanket that I plan to give to a local hospital NICU.
I asked around and it turns out there are a lot of places that love to get baby hats, blankets, lap blankets, scarves, etc. so I know my stitching for stress relief, relaxation, fun & creativity can do some good, too - and that's pretty cool!
What are your favorite things to crochet?
crochet is so much fun. Like you, I could not understand knitting to save my neck even though I had a very patient teacher. For me, it was just to fragile.
Then I learned how to tat until my second one came. Then I really had to be able to let go at a second's notice and tatting doesn't let go of the fingers in a graceful manner. It's kind of like being tangled in a spider's web.
I think I could pick up a crochet needle and start right back in. The 12 point star is very intriguing as in the little zig zag one.
I have a knitting loom ... somewhere ... it's not been unpacked in em er 6 years! I should fix that! I thought of it because I've noticed a lot of Pintrest pins of women who make little NICU hats using the knitting loom. They are also easy to use and put down to chase children. They use a round loom.
Praying for just the right people to be with you during your delivery :-)
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I've never heard of tatting - I'll have to look that up!
thanks for the good wishes - We've done our best to arrange things just the way we want, so hopefully it will work out for the best :-)
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Wow girl! You’ve been busy.
I was just asking about you on @steemitmamas discord yesterday.
I’m glad you are going well.
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I've been out of everything - I forgot to say I was also editing a newsletter for a few weeks and had to get it done before baby. I hate being away - you feel like you miss everything! Oh well...
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Those turned out great!
Ive seen people make oversized star blankets and turn them into babywearing covers!
I bet your so ready for baby to come 💞
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totally ready!
what do you mean baby wearing covers? like to cover the baby in the sling or to decorate the carrier?
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Like this
http://tagitfor.me/baby-carrier-blankets-cover/baby-carrier-blankets-cover-crocheted-star-blanket-with-button-perfect-for-baby-carrier-blanket-cover/
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Oooh! I love that! Thank you for showing me that! So cool. I can totally do that :-)
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#SteemitMamas sent me.
These are awesome. Crocheting was always a skill I wanted to develop. There's just so much out there I want to learn. And then there's this:
This is me! I have a couple of things I'm in deep with right now. Steemit is one of them.
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There are some really helpful video tutorials out there - I even saw some posts on steemit about how to crochet! It's all just repetition once you get the basics down. mindnumbingly wonderful :-)
Yeah, obsession, infatuation, single focus - that's often me...
Just how I am I guess...
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Yep. I've done some crocheting and knitting. It can be meditative. I did find that it's more fun to learn from someone in person who can give me feedback in real time.
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Ooohhh they are lovely!!! You're really good at this @orangina, I'm sure baby would love mama's handmade love! 😍
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Good to see you back here @orangina!! :)
It's a shame I never try crocheting before because your works look amazing, especially the star. Sounds like delivery is drawing nearer. Praying for a smooth one and also a good timing for you :) Good to know crocheting is taking you off the focus of waiting.
#steemitmamas
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Thanks! Still no baby, but as my doula said, everyday that passes just ups the odds that it will be soon! ha ha ha...
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Hahaha that's a sign of crocheting on, perhaps? Bless you @orangina with lots of joy in the waiting(and crocheting)!
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Wow, when you go on a binge, you really go on a binge! These look fantastic!! Good work! ♥
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Thank you! It's very satisfying to make stuff...sometimes I forget that when I get busy with other things...
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Yes! Me too!
When I take time to sit down and create something, it is really a nice, satisfying feeling! ♥
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Love the stars! Wish you a smooth delivery... 🌟🌟🌟 💞💞💞
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Thank you! Smooth is what I've been meditating on :-)
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@orangina ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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wow these crocheted blankets are soooo awesome!! I love them! I wish I could say crocheting was a relaxing thing for me.. I tried my hand in it and I got frustrated and stressed when I couldn't get it to work hahaha..
I tried.. maybe too hard.
but glad it works for you!!! Hope it helps you in your wait!
Also you could make some money if you want to sell them online! since you have so many.
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Thanks! I learned a very long time ago and only recently started doing more complicated stuff - it does take a minute to get the hang of it, so there is hope for you if you ever want to try again!
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I do like those stars. And for baby blankies it’s perfect. I especially like the colourful one.
Wishing you a safe delivery @orangina 💗
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thank you! I appreciate it :-)
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wow these are beautiful well done @orangina, wishing for you and your baby a peaceful birth, lots of love xxx
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Thank you! I'll let you all know when there's something to tell - soon I hope!
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Oh I know what you’re going through, I was just there thinking “when is this baby coming?” Hang in there, you’ll be holding your new sweet bundle in no time! I’m wishing you a safe and smooth delivery and for a healthy mom and baby!!!
Yay another crocheter!! You’ll have to join us for #NeedleWorkMonday!! There’s so many crafters here on Steemit and we all have a great time sharing our work while inspiring one another! Your crocheting is very neat and pretty and I love the blankets that you’ve displayed here! Looking forward to seeing more of your creations! 😃
Hang in here Mama!! 💕
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Ooh, yes, I am interested in needle work monday - I saw you have a crochet hook in your signature picture at the end of your posts - what a coincidence. do you just use that tag to show what you've been working on?
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Yay awesome!! Yes I had that logo made for me since it’s mainly what I post about here on Steemit and crocheting is my favorite thing to do!
Yes so every Monday a group of us get together and just post about what we’re working on or what we have finished. We encourage everyone to not wait to post until an item is finished but instead share the process with us. It’s always fun seeing a project come to life. We share patterns, tips, shortcuts etc. and inspire one another to keep crafting! Anyone who does a craft with a needle is welcome~ 😊
When you post make sure to use the #needleworkmomday tag so we can find your post!
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I used to knit all the time, but I haven't done it in forever. I kinda miss it!
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It's so calming - although I've never really understood the physics of knitting. I'll have to give it a more serious try because you can make such beautiful things with knitting!
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I just had to watch people for a while. Also I'm left handed, so there's extra learning curve. I've never gotten too deep into it, but the repetition is very therapeutic.
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So do you hold your hook in the left hand and just go backwards to all the instructions or did you have to learn to do it with your right hand? I never thought about doing that as a lefty, but come to think of it, my mom is a lefty...I don't know which way she does it. We right handers are privileged in that way I guess...
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Well, I've never crocheted, but I do knit backwards, in that I am doing opposite things with my hands as a righty would It's easy enough to find lefty videos, but when I started there was none of that. I had lefty instructions in my books, but learning to knit from a book is crazy hard. I had to combine the books with watching the right handers I knew.
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Very nice! I love all your color combinations.
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Thank you!
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Wow!This is beautiful.
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Thank you!
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