Jinxed Myself

"Oooo, look, I can THINK of something and then MAKE it!" she says.
"Oooo, you think so?" her brain, hands, and coordination responds.

Ugh. Just yesterday I was so excited about things jumping off my hook the way they looked in my head. Naturally, today was the day nothing went right. Oh, I'm so very glad to see the butt-end of the week. Maybe next week will be a little more settled because this one was wonky all the way through.

I'll show you my progress, though. I've told you that sometimes adapting patterns is a giant pain. Today was a giant pain.

I actually own this book. It's been hijacked and posted to Pinterest through various links, but I owned it before I ever knew of Pinterest. I haven't the slightest idea why the kids thought it looked like something to write on.

You're not meant to see the binding, are you?

No.

No, you are not.

First task today was making my book usable again. I had folded the book in half at one point in order to keep it on the page I needed. The pages quickly zzzzzipped right out. For months I've just tucked them back into the other pages and gone on with life, but I got paranoid about them getting scattered. I spent two hours using a three hold punch, those little page enforcer stickers, and a three ring binder to set it in order.

On a side note, I totally recommend these books. They're very clear. The front has a primer on the basics of how to crochet and then they start in on the stitches. Every single pattern has a diagram, written directions, and special notes if needed. Every single page has a key to the diagrams for typical stitches like single, double, chain, and space. Each stitch explanation is compact and concise, flowing easily into the diagram so you can go back and forth if needed. These books (I have another) are how I learned how to read and use diagrams. I'm to the point now where I'd almost rather have a diagram than a written pattern. I definitely appreciate having both.

One of my favorite, favorite, favorite things about this book is that none of the stitches are rated. There is no "easy" or "simple" or "advanced" guide. I know for myself I sometimes read a pattern that rates itself as Difficult and will breeze on by it, not even taking the time to read through it. Then again, I'll find a pattern rated Beginner and it kicks my butt. These books have none of that, which is rather freeing in my opinion. I honestly have moments when I just grab a hook and some yarn, find a pattern that looks crazy difficult and give a try. Between the words and the diagram, I can usually figure it out.

Back on point. I was having such success with these shirts that I thought myself just groovy at them. When I named my last one "Wave on Wave" I started thinking of other songs that would make cool pattern names and "Free Fallin'" came to mind immediately. And it was PERFECT. I have this Sashay with a red/orange/brownish colorway that would work just PERFECTLY for that title. Yes. Awesome. Bring it on.

No.

I had my colors and my book, ready to go.

I wound up with a headband.

Also, my glasses are crazy crooked.

My first problem? I did the pattern incorrectly. The "wiggles" or post stitches were supposed to be lined up and mine were offset. Then (and maybe this is technically the first problem but it was the second one I noticed) I didn't have enough orange to continue in this manner. I should've done a stretch of maroon first and then made the bottom half or two-thirds in a "fancy" way. When I tried to make it work, I got more and more frustrated, so I pulled it back to the sixth row and called it done.

I tried twice more. I now have two more headbands and still no "fall" shirt.

I moved on.

Meant to be "Wave on Wave, Version 3 (the shells)"

Looks much better in these pictures than it did in my hand.

Where I quit for the day.

See the teal by my thumb? Go up one row and just to the right.

See how that shell is RIGHT ON TOP of the other one instead of offset like the rest?

I SEE IT!

I DIDN'T CARE enough to fix it.

This was meant to be another shirt, but I really don't know. I might finish it and sew the bottom together to make a bag. I just really don't know yet. It irks me, so all I really want to do is toss it aside and hope the Yarn Goblin takes it away. It's SO SLOW GOING it drives me nuts. It looks scattered and a mess and ugh. Yes. Little Miss Articulate is going with "ugh" and sticking to it. (Another problem is that I really have no idea how to start/end each row. Seriously, you should see the back of this thing...)

How are your projects going? Better than mine, I hope.

Thanks for checking out my failures with me!