Nothing Like A Challenging Design To Help Me Recover!

I've been working on my new Four Leaf Clover Doily for over two weeks now! That seems a long time for a design for me... I went through and discarded three "rough drafts" before I started crocheting the final design. It just wasn't "singing to me." I was after two different objectives. First off, I had done an individual shamrock design last year for St. Patrick's Day. On the pattern's web page, I asked in a poll whether my readers wanted to see a doily made incorporating the shamrocks... yes. they did. So that was one important factor. Secondly, I wanted the shamrocks to be realistic. Real shamrock plants bloom! Different varieties of shamrock plants have different colored blooms ranging everywhere from white to red.  So I had to design a realistic looking shamrock flower and incorporate that in the design too. So that's what all took me so long to figure out!

But I'm happy with my design, and I'm busily crocheting the very last round right now! (That is, after I finish cooking and eating dinner - kinda hungry!)

Anyway, here is a sneak peek at my WIP of the Four Leaf Clover Doily, which will be published later on this week in SoCrafty Magazine.

We had a bit of a surprise snowstorm yesterday and I had quite a lovely day going through my crochet chest. It's where I keep all of my "special" crochet things. Prized hooks, thread, unfinished WIPs, you name it. I ended up getting it all pretty organized, and it kept my mind occupied through an otherwise kind of rough knee day. It was fun watching all the snow fall, especially since they had only called for an inch or so. We ended up with over 8" in our part of town. My poor husband was out at 10 pm clearing the walks and driveway so he could get out this morning.  Here is a picture of my crochet hook collection, all sorted in order! (Wow, like that will ever happen again!) And just for fun, a picture of the snowstorm view I enjoyed out my window.

The metal and acrylics will all be for sale, leave me a note if you're interested! Can you tell I love Clover Soft Touch?

Hope you have an evening of enjoyable crocheting ahead! – Sheila

What Would I Do Without Crochet?

I've asked myself that question more than once over the years. Right now, having had knee replacement surgery two weeks ago, learning to use a brand-new knee and dealing with lot of pain, I ask that question again! What, indeed, would I do? Well, it's hard to imagine. I've never found any other hobby that makes me so content or relaxes me more. I love to draw and make jewelry, but there's something about the feel of the thread or yarn I'm working with that contributes to my crochet-love, I think.  Whatever it is about crochet that makes me love it, I am again grateful for it. It's been a rough couple of weeks. Countless times the pain's been bad and I've reached for my crocheting to get through the next hour (or minute!).

On a positive note, I'm making good progress. I started working on a new design almost the minute I got home from the hospital. My leg is getting stronger every single day. It will be no time until this is all way back in the rear-view mirror, and honestly I'll be glad to see that!

I plan to spend the next few weeks hibernating while our weather is cold and snowy anyway, recuperating and doing my crocheting. Then by the time Spring gets here, I will be ready to go outside and enjoy it!

Right now I'm working on a Four Leaf Clover Mini Doily/Motif, which will be published next week. Watch for an article about it in SoCrafty magazine!  Meanwhile, did you see my little Shamrock pin/pendant from last year? You can still get that free pattern here.

My St. Patrick's Day Shamrock Design From 2012