As I mentioned on on the Craftmas post, Team #renbecwen will be working our way through Attic24's Moorland Blanket over the coming few months (look at me being optimistic, as if my chronic slowness won't see me lagging behind the others).

We've all been long-standing fans of Attic24. She was one of the first craft bloggers we all fell in craft-love with, and quickly because a regular topic of discussion - "Have you seen what Attic24's been making?" "Did you read about that lovely market Attic24 went to?" "Oh, that is SO Attic 24!"

In 2010 we undertook what my memory is telling me was our first concurrent project, the Granny Stripe. Even to this day it's one of my favourite craft projects, not only for the end result, which is draping the back of my lounge as I type this, but for the fun we had comparing our respective blankets.

It was Attic24 who taught us join-as-you-go granny squares which was a complete game changer, especially as it came when we were doing our so-many-squared mood blankets.

photo by Renae

Way back at the start of 2014, Wendy and Renae tried to talk me into joining in on the #moodblanketchallenge2014. I was pretty adamantly against it, thinking that the last thing I needed was a visual representation of what was still, at that point, a pretty tight-holding depression. Having that right there in front of me seemed like a TERRIBLE idea. I caved, because that's what you do when good friends ask you to do something (and, come on, it was a pretty cool craft project), but I was pretty sure I would hate it.

Oh how I hate to be proven wrong.

Not only did I not hate it, I actually found it helpful in the exact way they wanted it to be. On my worst days it was hard to crochet those squares, but at the same time I had, securely in my hands, direct proof that those bad days WEREN'T all my days. I could point to all the good days and run my fingers over them, remembering how I had felt then. While I started the year in a terrible streak of greys and blues, it soon got to the point where I was counting good streaks, and that was wonderful.

It was lovely to crochet my squares alongside Wendy and Renae, but even better than that was all the people around me who, even though they weren't actively participating, became involved all the same. We had a streak of weddings in a short period of time so they brides picked out their squares (the two tone ones). Luke and Nicole would ask me what my colour would be for the day. Ash instituted a whole new mood category ('epic' was required as something higher than merely 'happy'). And best of all was Kira wishing me "yellow days" or messaging me after a particularly good day with all of us together and just matter-of-factly stating that it had been a yellow day for all. It was beautiful to have my friends support me in such a meaningful way without them probably realising how great it was. 

I managed to finish the blanket on time (okay so I just scraped through) and thought I'd share a little bit of it's journey...

I wouldn't be me doing a project like this if I didn't offer up some stats, so here you go, have a little pie chart.

There was a bit of hesitation on all our parts as to whether or not we'd be doing another blanket in 2015 - funnily enough, I was the first to sign up! I think having the opportunity to shop for more (and this year prettier) wool was definitely a large part of the decision making process.

I splurged (but not really, thank you massive sale!) and bought nice wool this year as I was discouraged using the acrylic last year. I selected the Morris & Sons Estate yarn in a huge array of beautiful colours, double the amount of last year. But the best part is the wonderful colour names,..

Mood         Colour

Happy        Nasturtium

Grey           Clay

Creative     Limelight

Loved        Tomato Sauce

Excited       Petunia

Sad             Clear Sky

When the new TMNT movie came out this year, Ash insisted that we go. He planned the night, issued the invitations and ensured that everyone displayed the appropriate amount of enthusiasm (even those amongst us who weren't as turtle excited as he was). This isn't the first time we've indulged a friend's childhood passions returning to the big screen - when the last Muppet movie came out a few years ago we all traipsed to the cinema and though Kim was less excitable than Ash, it was no less adorable.

A few weeks prior to this movie date, I had spent a Friday night over at Ash and Kira's house and this meant that I was there for Saturday morning cartoons. I do remember watching Saturday morning cartoons as a kid, though I have never enjoyed them more as when I've watched them with Ash. I like that he bounds down the stairs like the big kid that he is and happily makes me a cup of tea. I like imagining that he tries to wake Kira up to watch them with him most weeks but she, smart girl that she is, whacks him with a pillow and goes back to sleep. I like seeing him enjoy Scooby Doo repeats and echoing lines about "pesky kids". It's great fun and a wonderful example of the occasional endearingly child-like antics that now fill my 'grown-up' life.

While watching cartoons this particular morning, I commented to Ash that I didn't really know a lot about TMNT. He looked at me askance. In fact, I had said, I couldn't remember ever really having watched it. He gaped. No, I was pretty sure I'd never seen it. That was it. He jumped up and pushed a pile of DVDs in my hands and I had my homework before me. I can't say that I watched the entire pile, but I did give it a go, and managed to work in a direct quotation a few days later which made him rather happy, so I suppose my homework was sufficiently attended to.

All of this is by way of explaining that when Ash's birthday came about recently, I was already pretty sure of what I was going to make him.

Pattern: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle by Nichole's Nerdy Knots

Materials: 4 Seasons Stallions; 100% Acrylic

Amount: stash amounts in green, tan, orange, and yellow

Hook: F/3.75mm

Start Date: 2 October 2014

Finish Date: 4 October 2014

 

I always enjoy when craft night comes around again - not because I enjoy the crafting (I do!) or because it means seeing my friends (of course I do, this goes without saying!) but because I get to refer to it as my 'rager night'. It's the night that I stay out past midnight and get up to all kinds of shenanigans with my friends. Crocheting and consuming tea counts as 'shenanigans', right?

We aim to have our craft night, our Block of the Month or BotM night (cue many giggles around the world 'bottom' every time), once a month. Unfortunately the last time we managed any degree of consistency in this regard was around the time all three of us turned up with our assigned blocks in hand - so... some time ago. It was sad for us to learn that our last craft night was a whopping 18 weeks ago (thank you instagram for providing the timeline). That life has become too busy for our crochet nights just means that we need them all the more.

This month yielded no BotM squares, save a few paltry unblocked offerings from myself (I think I've lost my blocking pins an a subconscious attempt to allay my guilt over my non existence blocking ability). Despite this, however,the night was far from unproductive. We had birthday celebrations and gift giving, lessons in Ravelry (I think my attempt to convert them needs a little more work), good conversation, and, yes, even a little crafting.

Wendy worked on her mood blanket (reminding me that I am still woefully behind) and showed off the beautiful scarf she's crocheting out of Noro Sekku.

I think Renae surprised herself a little with the rate at which she flew through a knitting scarf, knitted up on size 15 needs. She has now finished it and looks very pleased with herself!

I was the least productive of the group, working away on the second incarnation of a shawl, only to rip that back also (my rage over this to appear in a post of it's very own). Throw in a thorough spoiling by Matt in his providing of watermelon sorbet (yum!) and I just know you'd agree that we had a wonderful craft evening.

You know that feeling you get when you finish two projects in quick succession? The one where you feel like you're on the biggest of all rolls - watch out craft pile, I am conquering you! It's such a good feeling. Unfortunately, at least in my case, it's usually a misleading one. It's a false sense of success that, when looked at more closely, is revealed to be a complete lie.

While still enjoying this short-lived high I decided to lay out all my projects - I mean, if I'm going to fly through projects so quickly, I should capitalise on this and finish up everything in my cupboard, right? Right? With every incomplete project I piled up I felt that feeling of accomplishment drop away a little more, until all I was left with was a very unbalanced finished/wip ratio and a sad feeling.

But still, there is a part of me that really wants to reclaim that victorious feeling, and so I am going to own my crafting shame, list every incomplete item and vow to finish them!* On the plus side, they're all already under way so they should go past pretty quick right? Right?

Noro Striped Scarf

I'm starting off easy with something that is only newly started and so the guilt level is pretty low! I'm working on this one for Christmas, so there's no up close photo today, but it is sitting next to be right now and is my current take-everywhere knitting due to it's simplicity. I am very nearly 50% done.

No-Fuss Shade-Loving Shawl

I'm at the awkward part of this project where I'm still loving the beautiful colour changes and dreading the part where the stripes will get thinner. It's at this part of any project that I remember why I secretly hate using variegated yarn. I have three balls of Noro for this scarf, and I'm about 3/4 of the way through the first ball.

Geek Blanket-a-long

I had some ambition for this project. I loved it (still do) so much and foolishly thought I would get it done by Christmas. And then I learnt that I hate, hate, HATE double knitting. So much. Which is why I'm only half way through a single square. Ellen has suggested that I ditch the double knitting entirely and just line it with some fabric, and I'm thinking she's right.

Vivace Socks

As is the way with all socks, I completed one whole sock before the project languished away in the drawer. This should be a relatively quick finish, so I'm hopeful for this one.

2014 Mood Blanket

I almost didn't list this one here as it's ongoing for the remainder of the year, but I'm a little behind in my squares (thankfully I've kept a chart!) so it's here to prod me along.

Naturally Yarns Cardigan and Hat K611

Of all the projects on this list, this one is probably the oldest (I say 'probably' because that air of uncertainty makes me feel better than knowing it's been sitting there for nearly two years). I put it away because I got stuck on the finishing and put it away in frustration. I pulled it out again last night (right before I had dinner with the now toddler I initially cast it on for. Ouch.) and was annoyed to see that the finishing was actually quite easy and it's now nearly done.

Mysterious Lace Reversible Scarf

Okay, maybe this one has been in the drawer for the longest. I'm not really sure why this one was abandoned. I remember it being a relatively easy project. Unfortunately, I haven't done much on this one, so it's not much of a head start.

February Lady Sweater

This one is just a massive pile of garter stitch at this point - more interesting photos as I progress.

*Note that I sidestepped the whole 'by a certain date' part of that vow.