Friday 1 May 2009

What on Earth Possessed Me?

I’ve started lots of things I’ve never got around to finishing. Sometimes I’m not sure why. Procrastination strikes again! Maybe the project wasn’t turning out as well as I expected or something else came along I needed to do. Possibly I just got bored with it.

However when I look at this crochet runner pattern, how long did I think it would take me? I couldn't have finished it in a month of Sundays! Just look at it! What the devil possessed me to even think about it? All those little circles, dozens and dozens of them. It must have been a mental abberation! And I'm usually quite a practical person.

Another thing the cotton was thin, very thin and the crochet hook I had to use was so thin it was like a needle. Into the bargain I was working full time so when on earth was I going to have time to do it? Well I didn’t!

It has lain in the cupboard for over five years and I came across it when I was going through the stuff in the black hole (cupboard under the stairs) this week. Trying to get a bit of tidying done. Well that's what I was telling myself. To be honest nearly all of it just got shoved back in again.

I think I remember what put me off finishing this was I couldn’t grasp how the bits were fastened together. Normally when you crochet, you link the pieces as you go. I had managed to put some bits together but there were lots of loose pieces.

What I found in the black hole!

As part of my current attempt to do things I’ve put off for years and finish things I’ve started, I decided to have another go at this. I had another look at the pattern to try to figure out how the pieces linked. I’ve done a bit of Irish crochet in the past and had no problems with it. However it was no good, I still couldn’t understand it. I decided to just stitch the bits together and see what it looked like. If it was rubbish I’d scrap the whole thing.

Well here it is and it looks OK after a good pressing. However its sods law that I've hit a couple of problems!

Current State of Play

First, I’ve only completed four crosses and fillings. The pattern has twelve crosses and zillions of little circle fillings! Think I’ll be realistic and just go for eight crosses. Which means I'm halfway there.

Second, for some reason best known to the crochet fairy, the next cross I made was a lot smaller than the others. *?@&** I'm using the same crochet hook and the same thread so what the heck is going on I don't know. I'll have to try another and see what that turns out like. If it's as small as the last one it won't fit the four I've already done. I'll have to settle for a small square with four crosses. That would mean I've already finished!

If I ever finish the eight crosses, I’ll show you. One thing I know is, I’ll never again attempt anything like this.

25 comments:

  1. Well, I love this Winifred. I think it is great that you went to the black hole and found it and what you have done is beautiful. This will be an heirloom for your children and grandchildren! Isn't this the reason you bought it, so that one day when you retired, you could finish it? I tell myself that when I find these things around my home.

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  2. Hi Winifred,

    It is gorgeous and you could leave it as it is, it would perfect on a side table..

    I have blog hopped to you and have loved reading your blog, we must be of the same generation I thought, as we like the same films. I watched 'Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe,' again the other evening as it was on film 4 and I loved it all over again.
    What else can I say but.....Cabunga!!!

    Chris

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  3. It is lovely. I have no idea how to crochet but good on you for giving it a go. It looks very fiddly and you have done well to get this far. Well done!

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  4. It looks lovely. I'd just leave it as a doily.

    ~hippo hugs~

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  5. I think it looks lovely as it is. As someone else suggested, why not just use it on an end-table? I crochet, but I would never try anything with thin thread and small needle. My eyesight won't let me, even if I wanted to.

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  6. Winifred,

    I agree with the others, your piece looks lovely as it is. I think we have all at one time or another started something that was just too mind boggling to finish. I know I did. But you have gone much farther than I ever did with my project and have a beautiful piece you can be proud of.

    Happy May Day!

    Hugs,

    Renie

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  7. I have been trying to learn to crochet. I am not doing to good. Your work is just beautiful.
    About the cats and birds, they only get the babys in the spring sometimes but we don't have many cats that live out side here. And no wild cats.LOL
    Patsy

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  8. Hi Again Winifred,

    I forgot to say we were in Sydney last month as went to Australia for a holiday and for me to meet some Australian relatives. Our hotel over looked the harbour and the opera house.. it is wonderful place although if I had to chose my favourite, it was Melbourne. I could live there quite happily if I didn't have family here!
    Bests for that quilting/ patchwork project too, have you looked at the blog of Happy Zombie, she has some amazing quilting ideas and work
    Chris

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  9. I found your blog through hopping from Chris's and it made me think of when I sorted my craft bits out a few months ago. I still have my crochet hooks and some cotton from when I made lots of those pineapple doilies that were all the fashion at one time, I wonder what I did with them all.

    Sue

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  10. My inclination would be to go to a flea market or an antique store and buy one of these. Put a note with it that you made it and let your family pass it down as an heirloom. LOL Okay, I wouldn't really do that but I have so many of these incomplete projects I'm tempted to put them in the incinerator. Yours does look great though so maybe you should finish it.

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  11. You probably were more uptight and was holding the thread tighter then you did before. Myself, I almost always have to use a larger hook then what the pattern calls for. I also hate working with the thread type material. I've made several doily like pieces, but didn't enjoy it. My Mother made a bedspread using the thinner material. Not me, I like yarn to crochet with. Good luck getting it completed.

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  12. This is so pretty and delicate. I love crocheted work, but never learned how myself.

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  13. Someone suggested I crochet or knit to rehab my arm after surgery. I considered it, thought about making a winter scarf. That's how ambitious I am! Never even attempted it so I am very impressed with the part you've gotten done. Carmon

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  14. Oh BRAVO! for what you have achieved so far-- i am very impressed that you even started clearing out the black hole - how daunting! We all have one of those- after moving from my last Chateau I have two rooms full!!! Your crochet work is perfection! I have trouble threading a needle!

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  15. Thanks for all your supportive comments. I think I'll take it on holiday with me. Maybe that lovely weather and beautiful sea views will motivate me.

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  16. I've always been impressed by people who can crochet - I think yours looks good so far!

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  17. Winnifred, the last time I checked, there were no timelines on hobbies. Don't be so hard on yourself. Maybe what you could do is find other women in your community who share this past time and make it a gathering. Perhaps the addition of others will give you the incentive you are looking for. And just think of the gossip!

    Anyways, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your thoughts on my blog earlier today. I have no doubt Casper took a bit from everybody she touched. I was the one who spoiled her the most so I know what part of me she took. She was a Gem and I will miss her.

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  18. It's pretty! I have lots of those projects that I then wonder about. I hope this works out for you and you can get your 8 crosses!
    Kris

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  19. I'm the same way - always buying things and thinking I'll get round to them, or starting them and leaving them to rot. Sounds like we could both do with a visit from Anthea Turner!

    Kat

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  20. Winifred, its a really lovely project, keep it up, take your time with it, you wont regret it!
    hugs
    Michelle

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  21. This is beautiful in all its stages. At one point, the unconnected pieces appear to be dancing! My grandmother used to crochet like a fiend. I still treasure her pieces.

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  22. It is beautiful Winifred - you clever girl. I can't even crochet and it is one thing I would love to do. (memo to self) A x

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  23. Winnifred, you may not have done much but this is beautiful beyond words. It would have been more than I couldeven have thought about attempting. Even if you don't get to finish it as a runner it would be beautiful as a small mat of some kind.

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  24. Winifred, Your crochet project is beautiful. I would have gone blind after doing one piece:) Or mad trying.

    I have had quilt blocks come out different sizes even though I cut every piece exactly the same size. I can't figure out what went wrong either.

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  25. I think it looks great Winifred! Very nice! 8-)

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