Creative Juices

(Above: Chloe, kitty #2. You can tell by the look on her face that I have disturbed her from her slumber.)

Every once in a while I get the urge to learn something new.

When I was in elementary school, it was musical instruments. Every year I switched to a new instrument- I probably drove my band director crazy! Then it was subjects in school, English, History, Cooking Class, Art Class, and the list goes on.

Then in college I taught myself to knit. I knitted a few scarves, and I have a halfway knitted hat that is still in my knitting bag. I also taught myself to cook. I spent the Christmas break of my senior year watching food network, and knitting. One of my roommates noted upon our return:

"You came back and can cook good!!"

Of course, she was on the receiving end of my new abilities. Thank you Emeril, Rachel Ray, Giada, Sandra, and Barefoot Contessa. :-)

Well today while at work, I had the urge to come home and knit all night long. It must be the cooler temperatures make me want to curl up on the sofa with a ball of yarn. Except I didn't want to knit, especially not that half finished hat in my closet. All I could think of was these "Grandma square" afghans, of which I have inherited one, and bought a 'lap blanket' one at an antique store. Hubs and I love these blankets, as do the kitties. So I decided to try to learn how to crochet a Granny Square.

I had inherited a slew of knitting and crochet supplies as well as yarn, so why not! I searched the internet to find good instructions on how to crochet this pattern. I'm not savvy on the pattern abbreviations, so I decided on this video from youtube. Thanks Mike, wherever you are.

The thing about knitting and crochet is that it takes a while to learn how to do it, especially if you are figuring it out on your own (which is so fun!). Then once you get the hang of it you just whip out these fabulous cuddly creations.

This grandma square (below) only took me 2 hours (plus web surfing time). Ugh. But now I know how, and will be speedy with the next one. I think I will now commit to a whole blanket, the quickness of creating a square is so satisfying. You should defiantly try it. I think I will use the blue and purple yarn, and get some yellow, green, and use navy for the background, what do you think? Maybe some gray too?


(Below: Toby, Kitty #3. Displaying his love for my inherited afghan, and my new creation!!)