The funk

How can the one thing I’m completely obsessed with not bring me joy? It’s the question that I think all knitters and crocheters have asked themselves at one time or another. It usually happens when a week (or more) has gone by and we realize we haven’t picked up our needles or hooks at all.

Of course, there can be many reasons for this lull/hiatus. One is life. Life sometimes (most of the time?) finds itself getting in the way of the fun stuff. Another hurdle can be the loss of interest in current projects (this plagues me more than I care to admit). Or maybe we put down our hooks and needles because of lack of inspiration. There just aren’t any patterns out there “calling” to us. Or maybe there are other hobbies or interests filling up our free time.

Or maybe, like in my case, it’s all of the above.

I’ll admit that after my last post (has it really been 3 1/2 months?) I found myself in my own funk. I found myself doing a lot more reading and a lot less knitting. And I finally got myself an iPad, and, boy, is that thing a big time-sucker. It has games to play! Books to read! Movies to watch! I’m not really sure I even put it down at all that first week.

But, thankfully, babies continue to be born, and that’s always a kick in the butt to put down everything else and return to my yarn. And, without fail, when I do return, I remember just how much joy it brings me, and the love affair is rekindled.

So I do have two finished projects to show that I recently gifted to some expecting and new parents.

This is the Vintage Crocheted Blanket that I made for some friends who are expecting their first baby VERY soon! We don’t know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl so I decided on this gender-neutral, brightly colored blanket, and I love it! And they do, too! Project specs and more photos of the blanket are here.

I also finished a sweater for Geoff’s boss who has a new baby girl at home. Project specs and more photos are here.

We are slowly adjusting to summer down here, and the oppressive heat definitely tends to dictate what projects I work on (for some reason, finishing a 100% wool sweater when it’s 100 degrees outside just doesn’t sound appealing to me). So of my current works in progress (WIPs), I find myself working mostly on the Sunny Spread. Crocheting blanket squares is definitely doable in this heat. And who knows, maybe I’ll have it finished in time for cooler weather (barring any more funks).

What are you working on this summer?