I've Been on a Crocheting Binge

When I decide to do something, I do not do it half way...It's more like one and a half! My son has the same obsessive tendencies...alas! But at least I usually direct my passions toward constructive things like writing, drawing, or crocheting instead of something more self-destructive.

Crocheting is very relaxing for me, meditative, kind of like coloring. You CAN think about other things, but mostly you can just get lost in it and forget about everything else. That's important sometimes.

Here's the first one I made during this latest episode of stitchery, a star-shaped baby blanket for my very own baby - who is due in 5 days (I'm not getting impatient at all ;-) Sorry for the distracting background, did I mention I'm 39.5 weeks and can't be bothered?

Anyway, I've been MIA from steemit for awhile, partly due to a massive burst of creative stitching energy. Even though my house is bursting at the seams with handmade baby blankets that belong mostly to my son, I wanted the new baby to have at least one of their own, made specifically for them. Check.

Next, I just came across an instructional video for a 12 point star-shaped blanket and decided to give it a try with some leftovers from my yarn stash. It turned out very well and I was pretty impressed with myself for being able to follow the instructions to get started. That's always the trickiest part. I'm not gifted in the spatial orientation department, don't know left from right, etc.

Step 1: I'd never attempted anything this intricate, but I did it, so now I'm thinking, "Hey, if I can do this, I bet I could crochet little animals or Star Wars characters or the Eiffel Tower!" We'll see about that...

Step 2: Establishing the pattern. Now it's mostly just a question of not dropping or adding stitches on accident.

Step 3: Not really a step, just a picture of progress.

Step 4: The final product. Not at all distracting to look at with stripes and paisley-esque curtains in the background. You're welcome.

Another star - this one is for our new baby niece, Soline, who was born in France a few days ago.
![crochet multicolor star.JPG] (

Finally, I still have the crochet bug, and while I wait for my little stow away to get the hint that it's time to vacate the premises, I started making this - a chevron patterned baby blanket that I plan to give to a local hospital NICU.

I asked around and it turns out there are a lot of places that love to get baby hats, blankets, lap blankets, scarves, etc. so I know my stitching for stress relief, relaxation, fun & creativity can do some good, too - and that's pretty cool!

What are your favorite things to crochet?