Question of the week: Are you still busy with crafts in this weather?

Dear users, dear authors,
how are things going with you? How are your UFOs, PIAs, WIPs, etc. coming along? Is the yarn holding up well? Are your crochet hooks and knitting needles still in good shape?
Have you already started on your Christmas decorations, or are you still waiting for the first gingerbread cookies to hit the supermarket shelves? It shouldn’t be long now.
Let me know how it’s going. :-)
Have fun, everyone.

I just finished a pair of socks—I was almost done anyway. But that was hard work! Now I’ve grabbed some cotton yarn and a crochet hook to see what comes of it.

Well, up here in the north, it’s nice and relaxing to crochet :) The temperatures are absolutely pleasant. I’m trying to finish my UFOs, but unfortunately, new ideas keep popping up. I already have a few ideas for Christmas in mind, but unfortunately, I only have two hands :(

Well, I have to say that with temperatures around 36°C right now, I’m finding it really hard to pick up my crochet supplies. That’s why the current pattern (which is actually about Christmas) feels like it’s dragging on forever—especially since my to-do list is so long. :-/

Here, the evenings are just the right temperature for crafting. I’ve got a hat on my needles, and since it’s a new pattern, it’s fun to work on a winter project even in the summer. But I’m not thinking about Christmas just yet.

I’m doing okay with the temperatures too. My plan is actually to revise some older patterns, but a new idea keeps getting in the way :-D .... I already have some ideas for Christmas, but no time yet.
Yarn... I’ve really bought a lot of it lately, and now it’s waiting to be used :-P 

With this heat, I didn’t even go outside.

I set one of my UFOs aside. Instead, I started a new project this morning. In the meantime, I’ve been thinking about what my petanque mascot should look like.

I’ve been crocheting it—it’s almost done; just the arms are missing.

It’s still too early for Christmas, so I’m going to give myself a little more time.

It’s been raining on and off since this afternoon, so gardening is off the table.

That means I’ll be back to my UFOs tomorrow—and writing patterns :-/

Here in Lower Saxony, the temperatures aren’t that high either—every now and then we get torrential rain, followed by some sun, which is more like April weather.
That gave me plenty of time to work on a few UFOs; one even made it to completion, and if I’m still in the mood, I’ll post my new door wreath for fall as well.
Next up, I’m going to get a Christmas UFO ready for completion.

Best wishes, Petra

Even with this weather, I’m still busy with my needles. It just takes longer to write—it’s too warm down here in the south.

Good morning. I'm keeping busy too. 
I sewed a baby nest for the bedside crib.

My music box, a crocheted car, is in the final stretch. It will probably be finished this evening. 

My father has been retired since Monday, and the big celebration is on Friday, so I still need to make a collage for that.

So, things are moving along.  I'm not thinking about Christmas at all yet.
It will probably be skipped anyway, since we're moving in mid-December. 

Slowly but surely, I’ve finished the first part of a bag made with Tunisian crochet.

I really don’t feel like crocheting at all—it’s way too waaaarm… and I’m desperately waiting for the sewing fairy! Two frog egg cozies and three sea lions need to be sewn together, and I just can’t bring myself to do it. Why do I always have to design patterns with so many little pieces that need to be sewn together… baaaah

To put it simply:

36 degrees and Advent, Advent—the needle’s on fire, my fingers are glowing....

Since my daughter and grandchildren were with me, I’m behind schedule, and now I also have to replace a few things for the market because, silly me, I showed my mom everything. So, back to crocheting... as always, I got robbed.

I know that problem of everyone snatching things up, too. I’m curious to see if there’ll be anything left for the market this year—the one my aunt always visits. But I’m afraid summer flowers won’t work at the Christmas market.

I’m slowly getting used to the heat; last night I even sat for half an hour with thick yarn and a size 10 crochet hook, working on the cover for my husband. Today I’d like to at least get half of it finished. Thanks to the thick yarn, it goes in a flash.

Sewing the little pieces together, on the other hand, just isn’t working out. The sewing needle keeps slipping out of my hand, and my patience isn’t exactly at its best when that happens. So I’ll just put it aside for now and work on something simple.

I just can’t bring myself to do anything right now—it’s way too hot! I really should finish crocheting two door wreaths; my grandson has “ordered” a cuddly dinosaur (sewn—phew!) from me, and his little sister wants a unicorn... Plus, I have so many new ideas for fall and winter... I can already tell that once it gets cooler, I’m guaranteed to get stressed out...

To Frohsein-Haekelfein: Sewing the pieces together is still doable, but sewing on the parts (arms, legs, ears, etc.)…
I should be putting the finishing touches on my baby sneakers, but it’s too hot during the day, and doing that kind of detailed work in front of the TV at night just isn’t possible.
What’s feasible given the current temperatures: crocheting dishcloths with cotton yarn!
There isn’t much time for crocheting anyway—I’ve got a ton of office work to do!

Well, the UFOs are sending their regards… it’s because something else always comes up, like bookkeeping, household chores, and battling swarms of flies, cooling off in the heat, new ideas = new UFOs, crochet nights for our environmental project, unraveling again if I don’t like something, etc., etc.

For me, this year’s summer is perfect. It’s not too hot for crafting, and I can even start working with slightly warmer yarn. After all, the winter collection has to be prepared in time ;-) 

Right now in the summer, I especially enjoy crocheting. That’s how these little gnomes came to be—I crocheted them here and there during coffee breaks or while watching movies.

Now I’ve also ventured back into my knitting projects and ordered some new yarn so I’ll always have enough on hand (though I usually don’t…). Many designs are finished, but help… I don’t have enough hands!! Do you feel the same way?

My UFOs are screaming to be finished, and that way I’ll also make room for new yarn… yay.
It’s supposed to get cooler, which is good for the needles, the yarn, and us, too. :-)

Happy knitting, crocheting, crafting, and sewing to you all,
Monika

Right now, I’m working on my new Halloween decorations and waiting for my models to have time for a photo shoot so I can publish the patterns for my hats and my first fall sweater.