Getting There Is Half The Fun

We've heard that expression probably all our lives. Some of us can identify with it saying "the trip is ALL the fun'! Other's might say the whole object is the destination itself. Relative to crafting, some of us enjoy the process while others enjoy the product. I'm a process person. I'll happily rip out twenty five rows of crochet just because I've spotted a stitch a ways back that I think is a little too loose. Identifying whether we are a process or product person can actually be a guiding force in our lives, helping us decide what makes us happiest.

Learning New Stuff

Today I was on a crochet site reading how much the addition of diagrams has helped those who crochet and have dyslexia. Dyslexia is defined as a learning disability. This first got me thinking about how lucky those with dyslexia are to have the addition of diagrams to work from. Then, I started to think about if crochet was first presented in ONLY diagrams. I would not be a crocheter! I don't get diagrams, I get the printed pattern. From my understanding, diagrams look to me how the printed word looks to those with dyslexia. So, is my understanding of the printed pattern right and the addition of the stitch diagram, which appears to be added as an after thought, wrong? Actually, I think right and wrong depends on which foot the shoe is on. Or which way we first experience things in life. Maybe the old adage "if at first you don't succeed, try try again" has more meaning than on the surface. If at first we don't succeed, try try another method. Diagrams, maybe...

Christmas In July

While we are smack dab in the center of a strong heat wave, it is hard to think of the cooler (cold?) weather that comes with Christmas. Many of us entertain ourselves with the sales, decorations and fun of Christmas in July, though! The one sure thing, just like death and taxes, is that the earth will keep spinning with it's axis leaning further and further away from the sun bringing us (eventually) cooler weather. Christmas brings a more charitable nature upon us humans and a reason to do good. Here's a guy named Ernie with cause. He was able to put himself in the emotional shoes of the homeless in Grand Rapids, Michigan with some hats. With tags with various messages on them like 'take me, I'm free' Ernie had one simple goal...to help someone keep warm no matter who they are. What a reasonable expectation.

This hot July (and August, September, Oct....) I'm working on some hats and scarves. I'm going to take the train to downtown Charlotte, North Carolina and without fanfare or expectations...and hopefully without arrest...I'm going to put them in very reachable places. Without political bias, without religious overtones, and with just the reason being that I can, I'm going to try to take myself out of the center of my own universe, join with others doing the same thing, and show some compassion by helping someone keep warm. 

New Colors Rock!

I received my new order of yarn colors yesterday. I'm going bold this coming season with deep violets, bright sunny citrine gemstone yellows and pretty blues. Pictured here are the only 'neutrals' I had ordered. It's the beginnings of a 'going to market' bag. These taupe and lace colors are very pretty indeed and a delight to work with. I've discovered a new brand of yarn that is super soft and works up beautifully.