Going through yarn deprival

I have spent the past year using up my stash and not buying any yarn other than an occasional skein of wool as that stash is very small. My normal ww yarns are getting so much smaller. I have knit so many hats lately and needed to do something else so I knit a sweater and booties for a coworkers new grand daughter. White yoke and purple body with purple booties. The purple yarn is some red heart jewel tones I had stashed away.

I have some deep red I want to use next.

Website Fixed!

I finally have my website fixed (Linda's Lists). Yahoo Geocities apparently did not like the ads from JoAnn's that I had on my site for several years and said that the ads violated their policy? Give me a break. At least my site is back up and going wtih all my patterns.

Yahoo/Geocities Problems

If you have noticed that my lindaslists website on geocities is down you are not the only one. I am trying to fix the problems but geocities is having issues too. I will post here when the problems are fixed and my site is back up. If the issues continue I may just decide to move my website somewhere else and will post if that happens too. Sorry for the lack of access to the patterns at this time. I may just go ahead and post them to my blog but will keep everyone up to date.

Mitten and hat set

This is one set of hat and mittens I knitted this year for Christmas using the self patterning yarns. I did another set that used red, white, pink and bits of black to make a set for my youngest granddaughter, Pandora. This set went to her cousin, Damien(both 4 years old). These colors are more like a set of crayons. Brody, Pandora's older brother (7 years old), asked if he can have a hat and mittens. I asked what colors he wanted and waited for the response of wanting blue and red spider webs (big Spider man fan). He said he wanted red mittens and a blue hat. I was so happy to have such a simple request that I already have the hat on the needles and will cast on for the mittens tomorrow. Don't you just love it when they ask you to make something for them and know it is because they want the item(s) instead of making something and wondering if they have ever wore it? Mariah got a set of hat and mittens too but I think my daughter misplaced them so I gave Mariah 4 pair of gloves with her Christmas gifts so she will always have a pair, even if they don't match. After seeing Pandora's socks today I know that kids tend to just pick out what fits and not what goes together. White sock with red hearts and a yellow sock with a bunny on it.

Crochet Christmas Star

Just sat down this morning and wanted to crochet another ornament but wanted something different. I started wanting a poinsettia flower. I tried a few things, frogged a bit and came up with this star that would look pretty in any window or on any tree or as a coaster.

Materials:

Scraps of Worsted weight yarn - I used a red Christmas yarn with a silver thread in it
G crochet hook. A smaller hook will make a smaller star, a larger hook will make a larger star for a potholder
The G hook makes it about 4 1/2 inches across.

Ch 6, join to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 4, 19 tc in ring, join in top of ch 4.

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in joining, skip 1 st, *5 dc in next st, skip next st, sc in next st, skip next st* repeat around ending with a sl st in top of 1st sc.

Round 3: Sl st in next st, ch 1, sc in same st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, 1 tc, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip 1 st (located between points), *sc in next st, hdc in next st, (2 dc, 1 tc, 2 dc) in next st, hdc in next st, sc in next st, skip 1 st (located between points), repeat around for a total of 5 points.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Simple Ball Ornaments in Knit and Crochet

These ball ornaments are very simple but can be snazzier up by using the pretty Christmas yarns or adding some lace or dried flowers. Fixed the knitted ball as it refered to repeating rows 2 and 3 but is repeat rows 1 and 2.

Crocheted Ornament

Materials:
Worsted weight Christmas yarn
Small amount of polyester fiber-fil
E crochet hook

Chain 22 leaving a 12" tail, sc in 2nd chain from hook and in each ch across. Turn.
Row 2 - 21: ch 1, sc in each stitch across.
Fasten off leaving another 12" tail.

Use this tail to sew side seam and gather bottom. Fasten off and weave in end. Turn piece inside out (seam inside).

Lightly stuff ball and gather top with other tail. Use remaining tail after top is gathered to crochet a loop for hanging.



Knit Ornament

Materials:
Worsted weight Christmas yarn
Small amount polyester fiber-fil
Size 5 or 6 knitting needles
Small crochet hook or yarn needle

Cast on 21 sts and turn.
Row 1: Knit across. Turn.
Row 2: Purl across, Turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 for a total of 17 rows. Do not bind off.
Cut your yarn leaving a 12 - 16" tail.

Using the crochet hook or yarn needle weave the tail through the stitches on the needle and pull tight. Then sew the seam along the side making sure to have the knit side facing itself.

Turn right side out and lightly stuff with fiber-fil.

Gather top and sew tight. Now use crochet hook and remaining tail to crochet a loop for hanging and fasten off. Weave in end.

Sparkling Snowflake

This is a simple yet pretty snowflake that can be used as an ornament, package tie or even a coaster. I love the Christmas yarns so used that for this snowflake.

Materials:
Worsted Weight Yarn. I used the white with a silver thread.
G crochet hook

Notes:
dc cluster - Keeping last loop of each dc on hook, 2 dc in space or
stitch indicated; yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Ch 4; join to form a ring.
Rnd 1: (right side) Ch 2 dc in ring; ch 3; * dc cluster in ring; ch 3; repeat from * 4 more times; ch 3; join in first dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in same space as joining; in dc just made work a picot (ch 3, slip stitch in top of dc)3 times; * ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 3, dc cluster in next dc cluster; in dc cluster just made work (ch 3, sc) 3 times; repeat from * 4 more times; ch 3, sc in next ch 3 space, ch 3; join in first dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Steven's Comfy Toes 2007 Donations so far

Yahoo! I totalled the donations we have received for this year so far. Drum roll please x x x x x x x x x x x:
130 pair of slippers/socks/booties
44 hats
19 pair of mittens/gloves
5 scarves
4 hat/bootee sets

I have a few pair of mittens almost finished. I also have several hats on my needles and hooks that are almost finished. Might get some scarves started as we only have 5 so far. Scarves are nice to put with the hats.

Steven's Comfy Toes has been going since 1999. The first few years we only donated to the Head Start Program. We then realized that there are children in need that are not in the Head Start Program so we branched out into the community and gave ourselves a name. If you go to my website you can read the story of the name and my younger brother, whom this charity in named after. We collect these donations year round and give them out in December, just when it begins to get cold here. It's sad to see a child waiting at a bus stop with just a coat on and no hat or mittens, or to know that a child has a cold because they have no slippers to keep their feet warm when it gets cold at home. If you or your group wants to know more or wants to help here is the URL for our website:

http://www.geocities.com/lindaslists/steve4nscomfytoes.htm

Christmas Yarn

I was in an organizing/cleaning mood today and went through several rooms. In the room my grandkids call the toy room I found 2 bags of yarn, opened them and there was my Christmas Yarn from last year. Some of it used to belong to my daughter-in-law before she passed away last year. Look at this festive yarn. There are some with gold threads and some with silver threads. Some are red, some are green, some are red and green. Some are an off white. One is black with a silver thread that looks like new years. The circle is a piece Aurora made so I don't have a pattern to make more. I am so happy to find this yarn. Now to knit and crochet away. YAHOO!!!!
I'm going to try making some knitted ornaments. I plan on knitting them in the round with double pointed needles but they can also be done with singles going back and forth. I plan on knitting a rectangle (if using single pointed needles) or a wide tube with double pointed. Then gather the bottom, stuff and gather the top. If they look pretty enough I might make a bunch. I can even get some gathered lace and put on the top for a ruffle and put a small tassel on the bottom. Hmmmm.......
Just for reference I will be using size 6 needles. When I have a few done I will post a few pics.

If anyone knows the pattern for the poinsettia circle shown in the photo I would be incredibly happy if you can point the way.

Just waiting

I have a dr appt (bone cracker for my neck) in about 2 hours and decided to get on and post. Saw this and had to give my list since I love Movies:


The Inevitable Movies Meme
My turn!
AFI's top 100 movies.
Bold the ones you have seen.
Strike out the ones you couldn't finish.
* the ones you have seen more than once.
1. Citizen Kane (1941)
2. The Godfather *
3. Casablanca (1942)
4. Raging Bull (1980)
5. Singin’ in the Rain (1952) *
6. Gone with the Wind (1939) *
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
8. Schindler’s List (1993)*
9. Vertigo (1958)*
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) *
11. City Lights (1931)
12. The Searchers (1956)
13. Star Wars (1977) *
14. Psycho (1960) *
15. Sunset Blvd. (1950)
16. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)*
17. The Graduate (1967)
18. The General (1927)
19. On the Waterfront (1954)
20. It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) * - My favorite film. I watch it year round.
21. Chinatown (1974)
22. Some Like It Hot (1959)
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) *
24. E.T. The Extraterrestrial (1982)* Now my grandkids watch it.
25. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
27. High Noon (1952)
28. All About Eve (1950)
29. Double Indemnity (1944)
30. Apocalypse Now (1979) *
31. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
32. The Godfather Part II (1974)*
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)*
35. Annie Hall (1977)
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
39. Dr. Strangelove (1964)*
40. The Sound of Music (1965) *
41. King Kong (1933)*
42. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)*
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969)
44. The Philadelphia Story (1940)*
45. Shane (1953)
46. It Happened One Night (1934)
47.A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
48. Rear Window (1954)*
49. Intolerance (1916)
50. Lord of the Rings : The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)*
51. West Side Story (1961)
52. Taxi Driver (1976)
53. Deer Hunter, The (1978)
54. M*A*S*H (1970)*
55. North by Northwest (1959)
56. Jaws (1975) *
57. Rocky (1976)*
58. The Gold Rush (1925)
59. Nashville (1975)
60. Duck Soup (1933)
61. Sullivan’s Travels (1941)
62. American Graffiti (1973)
63. Cabaret (1972)
64. Network (1976)
65. The African Queen (1951)
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) *
67. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
68. Unforgiven (1992)
69. Tootsie (1982)*
70. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998)*
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) *
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)*
74. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) *
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967)
76. Forrest Gump (1994)*
77. All the President’s Men (1976)
78. Modern Times (1936)
79. The Wild Bunch (1969)
80. The Apartment (1960)
81. Spartacus (1960)*
82. Sunrise (1927)
83. Titanic (1997) *
84. Easy Rider (1969)
85. A Night at the Opera (1935)
86. Platoon (1986)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957)
88. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999)* – Love his stuff
90. Swing Time (1936)
91. Sophie’s Choice (1982)
92. Goodfellas (1990)
93. The French Connection (1971)
94. Pulp Fiction (1994)
95. The Last Picture Show (1971)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989)
97. Blade Runner (1982)*
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
99. Toy Story (1995)*
100. Ben-Hur (1959)*

As you can see I didn’t strike any. I have the compulsion to finish any movie I begin. Who knows, it might get better and I would miss it. Then it may not come back on again for another yea. I can tend to kick myself in the pants for a VERY LONG TIME! Besides, movies make great knitting background sounds.

New Me!

This will be me by Christmas!!



Now to get the body to go with the clothes.

Almost half way there!

Well I weighed in yesterday and I am down to 232 pounds. Can't get enough vegetables, water, and exercise. I love vegetable soup but it can be a challenge to cook for one or two. I was using the 3 sweating with the oldies tapes (Richard Simmons) but wore #3 out. Had to splice it back together which is just not the same so I started using a set of DVD's and weights called "The Firm". The Billy Blanks group that does Tae Bo does these. They are fun already and my granddaughter loves to just sit and watch them. (She relates everyone to a character in the Bratz movie).

I am in a size 20 now which is a big change from a size 28.

Well this bears fan is happy today. We won the first pre-season game yesterday. These games are more like watching a group of boys playing football during PE. If they win OK, if they lose OK. It was nice to see them win, even if it doesn't count.

I have finally finished and felted my knitted potholder, crocheted potholder, and crocheted Christmas stocking. They turned out great. Now to get the pattern typed up and the final pics taken. I did remember to take a before picture too so you can see the before measurements compared to the after.

I have a pattern for a felted bowler and a beautiful variegated/ombre hand dyed yarn to use. Can't wait to get started.

Weight Changes for the better

On my birthday this year (March 17, 2007) I weighed myself and saw that I was 285 pounds and needed to jump from my current pant size (26) to the next (28). That along with a photo I took of myself that showed a big body and a tiny head looked like a bad mirror reflection at a carnival side show. I then decided that changes HAD to be made. I started by changing my eatting habits and only eatting until I began to feel full and not beyond that. Eatting was something I was very good at. I started eatting more protien and less carbs (pasta and bread). This helped me to jump start the change, but was hard to sustain. I then decided to join Weight Watcher's online and exercise.
My exercise started to be 2 laps around the parking lot at work each day M - F. Then it changed to walking 3 miles every lunch hour which took the entire lunch hour and had to be changed when I ended up with blood blisters on my feet one day. Probably too much for my feet with this weight on them. I tried Tae Bo but the instructor was a little too fast for me at this stage. I ended up breaking out my set of old Richard Simmon's Sweating to the Oldies tapes 1 - 3. I now workout with them 1 hour every morning M-F and mow the lawn for one of the weekend days (big yard). I might go back to walking after it cools down and I have lost a little more weight.

My eatting had changed. With weight watchers I can eat a variety of foods and see where I stand for the day or even the week. I log in my weight every Saturday morning and can check my progress.

I weighed in yesterday and now weigh 243 pounds and falling. I have gone down 1 pant size to a 24 and have bought a few pair of jeans for when I reach size 22 as my 24's are beginning to feel too confortable-LOL. I have lost inches everywhere too. Two areas I am trying to focus on right now are my abs as I feel that I have an apron there with the hang. I also am working on my triceps to reduce the drag with my set of Grandma wings (grandkids named them). The crunches and curls are helping though.

As I continue on this voyage I will post my results, set backs and challenges. I might even post a few recipes. Now on to mow the lawn ~=o}

Graduation

Boy, go away from your blog for 6 months and everything changes. I had to reset everything to post. Guess I'd better be more regular. I wonder if corectol would help-LOL. I graduated with my BSBA degree on 7-7-07 in HOT phoenix Arizona. 120 degrees helps you to make me appreciate our 90 degree weather. I now have 6 months to decide if I want to continue to my MSBA degree since it will only take about a year to complete with the classes I have already taken. Maybe I want to have Doctor in front of my name too??? You never know. I'll post some of my pics after they have been developed. Graduation took place in the University of Phoenix Stadium where the Super Bowl will be played next year(2008) with the Bears winning!!!! Boy is it big.

Crochet Felted Basket with Handles

This is a cute basket for those that crochet and want to felt a basket without having to knit. The first 2 photos are after felting and the last 2 are before felting (the colors in the felted one are correct since my flash decided to work then).

Materials:

100% wool yarn. I used Wool of the Andes from Knit Pics. Variegated would be nice too.

Size K crochet hook

Measurements: before felting 5” x 8”, after felting 4” x 6” (H x W)

Note: always join the end of a round to the beginning of a round by sl st in ch 1. Then ch 1 to begin next rnd. Sc 2 sts tog: draw up loop in next 2 sts, yo and draw through all lps on hook.

Ch 2.

Rnd 1: work 7 sc in 2^nd chain from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st around.

Rnd 3: *sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, rep * around.

Rnd 4: *sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around.

Rnd 5: *sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, rep from * around.

Rnd 6: Sc I next 2 sts, (2 sc in next st, sc in next 4 sts) 6 times, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts.

Rnd 7: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 5 sts, rep from * around.

Rnd 8: Sc in next 3 sts, (2 sc in next st, sc in next 6 sts) around, sc in remaining 4 sc.

Rnd 9: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 10: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 16 sts, rep from * around.

Rnd 11: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 12: Sc in next 8 sts, *2 sc in next st, sc in next 17 sts, rep from * once, 2 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts.

Rnd 13 - 21: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 22: Sc next 2 sts tog,

Rnd 23: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 24: Sc in next 8 sts, *sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 16 sts, repeat from * once, sc next 2 sts tog, sc in next 8 sts.

Rnd 25: Sc in each st around.

Rnd 26: *sc in next 4 sts, sc next 2 sts tog, repeat from * around, sc in last 3 sts.

Rnd 27: Sc in each st around.

Handles:

Rnd 28: Ch 12, sk 7 sts, of row 27, sc in next 15 sc, ch 12, sk 7 sts, sc in remaining sts around.

Rnd 29: Sc in each st around. Join and fasten off. Weave in ends well.

Now you will felt your piece. I use the smallest fill cycle and hot water with a cold rinse; before the first hot cycle is done I start it again with a tea kettle or boiling water to reheat the water. Then allow it to finish wit the cold rinse. You can stretch it over a bowl if desired to dry. I liked the shape from the washer so sat tit to dry the way it was. The pic is of it still wet from the washer.

To make a larger basket you can do the same pattern but use 2 strands and an N hook, or 3 strands and a Q hook. If I did this I would do a few extra rounds between rnd 14 and 21 to give it a little height to help with the additional size.

Pandora's Mittens

Pandora's Two Needle Mittens

Pandora is my youngest granddaughter, and the recipient of this pair of mittens. They are incredibly easy to knit and seam.
This pattern fits a child age 3 - 5 years old. To make them to fit a child age 6 - 8, just add more rows of ribbing for the cuff, the stockinette rows after the cuff, and extra rows after the thumb. If the thumb needs to be longer, you can add more rows for the thumb.

Materials: Small amount of worsted weight yarn
Size 4 knitting needles
Yarn needle

*St st: Stockinette stitch - Knit 1 row, purl 1 row.
*Inc. - Knit in the front and back of the same stitch before slipping it off the needle)

Cast on 30 sts loosely.
Row 1 - 8: K1, P1.
Row 9 - 12: Stockinette stitch (K 1 row, P 1 row) ending with a purl row.

Beginning of thumb row. This will look a bit funny for a while but it will work.
Thumb Row 1: P 6, turn. (You will be working on these sts for the thumb. DO NOT FASTEN OFF)
Thumb Rows 2 - 9: St st, turn. (Ending with a purl row)
Thumb Row 10: K 2 tog across. Turn
Thumb Row 11: Purl across. Turn.
Thumb Row 12: Inc in each st across. Turn.
Thumb Rows 13 - 19: St st across. As you go across the last row in knit do not fasten off but continue across the row knitting the unworked stitches that were left when beginning the thumb.

<>Row 20: Knit across the stitches for the mitten and thumb you knitted in the last row and then also knit the stitches for the other side of the mitten. The mitten stitches are now all on one needle.
Rows 21 - 30: St st across each row. Turn.
This next set of rows will decrease the top stitches.
Row 31: K 2 tog, K 12, K 2 tog, K 12, K 2 tog. Turn.
Row 32: P2 tog, P11, P2 tog, P10, P2 tog. Turn.
Row 33: K 2 tog, K 9, K 2 tog, K 9, K 2 tog. Turn
Row 34: P2 tog, P8, P2 tog, P7, P2 tog. Turn.
Row 35: K 2 tog, K 6, K 2 tog, K 6, K 2 tog. Turn
Row 36: P2 tog, P5, P2 tog, P7, P4 tog.

Leaving the stitches on the needle, cut the yarn leaving a tail about 12" - 16" long. Thread the yarn in a yarn needle and weave it through the sts on the knitting needle. Pull the knitting needle out and pull the yarn tight. Now start seaming the side of the mitten with this yarn. When done, fasten off. Cut another piece of yarn and attach to the bottom of the thumb and seam one side, weave the yarn through the top of the thumb and seam down the other side. Fasten off and weave in ends. Now you can turn the mitten right side out and enjoy your creation.

I got the idea for the thumb from a pattern sent to me for a Dulaan mitten but wanted to make them on 2 needles instead of 4 and wanted the thumb to not be quite so wide.

Crochet Felted Bowl/Pot

I love felting with knit so decided to use some scrap wool yarn to crochet a felted bowl. Here are the pics before and after along with the pattern.

Materials:
Scraps of 100% wool yarn
K crochet hook
Jar to stretch it over when done for shaping

Note: The first sc done at the beginning of each row is done in the joining sc.

Ch 3 and join in the first ch to form a ring. Ch 1.
Rnd 1: Do 10 sc in ring. Join in first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 2: Sc in each sc around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 3: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 4: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 2sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 5: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 3sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 6: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 4sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 7: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 5sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Rnd 8: 2 sc in sc, 1 sc in next 6sc, repeat around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.

Note: To make the base wider, continue around in the manner shown above just by increasing the number of stitches in between the 2 sc in each round.

First Side Round: Sc in the back loop of each sc around(done only on this round) Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
SR2: Sc in each sc around. Join in the first sc. Ch 1.
Repeat SR2 until you have the desired number of round needed for the desired height. I did 10 rnds for the one shown (not counting the first round).

Now you can edge your bowl. I used a shell stitch across the top. A reverse sc edge would be nice too or a picot edge. Whatever suits your fancy. The shell edge was worked with sc in 1 sc, sk 1 sc, 4 dc in next sc, sk 1 sc. Repeat around and fudge a little if needed as it will not show in the felting.

I threw it into the washer on the smallest load setting with hot water and a few old dark towels and a small amount of soap. Ran it the full cycle with the rinse being on cold. When done I stretch it over the shape needed. It fit over a drinking glass. Let air dry and your creation is finished. Make a little smaller and you can have a can cozy, a little larger and it will fit a 2 liter bottle. I plan on using this at work to hold wrapped hard candies on my desk.

The colors I used are an olive green and orange (all I had). The colors look dark in the photo but turned out to be rather nice. Boy do I need more wool yarn.

Green Cable Scarf

I finally finished the cable scarf I was knitting. I used light celery by Red Heart to knit it. There are times that you have just got to love doing cables as simple as these. One great big cable up the center. This one is long enough to reach my waist after looping around my neck once.
Addition (11-21-07): I finally found the pattern again for this scarf and plan on making one with a peach yarn. Here is the link.

Cable Scarf Pattern

Olympic Gold

I have won Olympic Gold and created a medal since I haven't sen one yet. If anyone else finished the Knitting or Crochet Olympics before the last day and earned Olympic gold, feel free to post a copy of this medal on your site (no need to give me credit). You earned it. My reward was being able to start a new project and finish another. I added a few more rows to a poncho I made earlier and needed a little more length in the back. I also started knitting a vest. I have a few ideas for dishcloths but we will see what happens with that. I also edited a pattern for a baby sweater on my site. Needed to sit with a calculator and sketch pad to fix it. Now onto writing more papers for my class (yuck).

Olympic Scarf Finished !!!

I finally finished my multidirectional scarf on Wednesday but my IE was giving me problems until now. I did 10 triangles with 6" of yarn left at the end. After the first 3 triangles the pattern was no longer the challenge. The challenge changed from the pattern to working on this project and ONLY on this project for two weeks. I always have a minimum of 4 - 5 projects going on at one time and work on all of them almost every night. It was difficult to work on this project alone. By the end I was glad to have it done and didn't enjoy it as much as if I had time to work on it and other projects at the same time. Right now I have socks on the needles, an afghan on the circular and planning on working on a baggy sweater just posted to Lion Brand Yarn website in crochet. I have a mint green yarn I want to use and need to see if I have enough.