Week 18 – Never Ending Scarf & a Cassette

It looks like Winter is on the way… I’m writing this blog while I listen to the rain falling on our iron deck roof. The temp has dropped to 16C, and my feet are freezing!

Luckily, the MCAS flare I’ve been going through the last few weeks is almost over. The chronic pain has subsided back to my normal 2 or 3 out of 10 rather than 6 or more. It feels nice to be able to sit without excruciating nerve pain in my thighs.

There’s been some fiery discourse this week in the fibre-craft community – all about the yarn company, Hobbii. Because their marketing team are total idiots, they posted a slop image on LinkedIn with a post about how they are planning to incorporate more generative AI.

I don’t need to tell any crocheters here that more AI slop in our feeds is not what the community wants. In fact, the majority of creators I know are anti-AI. We understand the harm LLMs are doing to our community (and the world), and so would Hobbii if they knew anything about their customers.

If you’re interested in a breakdown of the drama, Stitched by Emma has made a video about it. 

Week 9 of the stupidest war of the century.

I’ve been thinking today about how numb we are to everything that is happening around the world. Every day, it’s something new, and it’s impossible to keep track of the chaos. We are being bombarded – and that’s the whole point. They want us to stop feeling and stop paying attention to what’s happening.

Don’t look away. Take a break if you need it, but don’t give up. 

Other shit from this week:

• The price of plastic is already going up in Australia (and resulting in an increase in food costs for packaging)

• The US DOJ is planning to bring back firing squads for executions.

• UAE left the oil cartel, OPEC
• Former FBI head, James Comey, was indicted (again), but this time for an Instagram post with seashells spelling out: 86 47

• The US is running out of precision munitions (Will Russia or China take advantage of this weakness?)

• The US is withdrawing 5000 troops from Germany because Trump is mad at Europe and NATO

• Trump’s approval rating is tanking – currently at 34%

• Gas (petrol) prices are at record highs in the USA (average $4.40 USD per gallon, which is 3.87 litres)
• Trump’s Supreme Court continue to roll back civil rights by gutting the Voting Rights Act 

For some good news, our seedlings are breaking through the soil! We now have tiny spinach, spring onion, basil, and coriander! We’re waiting for lettuce and parsley to pop. We also got the potatoes and peas into the soil – now we just need the chicken mesh for them to climb up.

This week, I have still been working on the never-ending shawl pattern by TL Yarn Crafts with a Scheepjes Whirl. Man… why did I think this would be a good idea?! I know my MIL is going to love it, so it will be worth all the hours and aching fingers. I also thought Mother’s Day was the 3rd Sunday of the month, but it’s NEXT weekend, so that’s fun! Now I have 1 week less to finish than I thought I had. I’m not crying… you’re crying.

After making Dora Does’ pattern, My Brother’s Beanie, a couple of times, I couldn’t stop thinking about the technique. To the left is a design that I’m calling The Rind Beanie. I’ve made a couple of prototypes, and I’ve got it down now. I think I’ll make the final one in a new pink colourway (or, at least, new to me) of Lion Brand Colour Theory.

We are still watching Star Trek: The Next Generation – we haven’t finished Season 1 yet. I’m waiting for the episode where Picard is wearing his sexy pyjamas.

House is… ongoing. What else can I say? I think I’m up to Season 5 now, so there can’t be that many left, right? Right?!

I am right at the end of Holy Sister – I should finish tonight. I’ve enjoyed the trilogy, and I would read them again down the line. I think I’ll start the 4th Amari and the Night Brothers next. It’s been a while since I’ve read any YA, and it’s good for when I’m feeling a bit stressed. There’s also another MurderBot book coming out this month, so I’ll be busy. 

I bought a bag from Dangerfield, and it came with one of the jean tassels missing. So, I thought… “I guess I’ll have to make something 80 ‘s-themed,” and this is what I came up with! 

The Cassette Tape Keychain is made from 2 tiny tapestries, crocheted together with a small piece of plastic canvas in between. The tapestries use so little yarn that they didn’t even register on my kitchen scale. The pattern includes written instructions, a chart, and a Stitch Fiddle link. 

I honestly don’t know any Gen X or elder Millennials who wouldn’t love one of these babies! 

This month’s FREE PATTERN is a doozy – The Easy Fidget Bead Gloves! My niece gave these gloves a 5/5 rating. She said that the beads are in the perfect place for fidgeting. You heard it here, folks! PERFECT. 

To get the free pattern:

1. Log in to your Ravelry account.

2. Add the pattern to your cart.

3. IT’S FREE AT CHECKOUT! 

Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to touch the Apocalypse Poncho this week. I’ve basically been alternating between an amigurumi that will be a gift and the scarf. My hands can’t wait to use a bigger hook for a change. 

I didn’t have time to do another pattern roundup this week, but I’ve been thinking about a theme. Maybe I’ll do an amigurumi one? Lovey? Snuggler? I make a lot of them.