Building Habits (good ones)

I’m at the beginning of a few projects so this is a quick roundup while I continue to make notes on various crochet pieces for longer project specific posts. For the moment, I want to build a good habit of sitting down and writing whether it’s a full craft piece or a selection of moments.

There were more dry moments this week than last so we made the most of the outdoors. We discovered new trails around the house partially because we’re still without the car and it’s easier to develop the habit of getting out when the weather is good so hopefully it still happens when the weather isn’t so pleasant. Also,there are many footpaths in the Milton Keynes area. It’s funny, when most people hear Milton Keynes they automatically say concrete cows. While much of Central Milton Keynes contains concrete in the form of car parks, office blocks and shopping centres; there’s a surprising amount of green spaces within walking distance of the centre.

The toddler got more wheel time this week and I rolled out for the first time in nearly a year. It was amazing to be back out on the road with the wind in my face and all the lovely scenery. I’m not sure because the toddler doesn’t have a lot of words yet but I think he loves his bike as much as I love mine.

Path to the pub.	Grazing sheep.	Footpath leading from Wolverton Mill to Galley Hill.
Field with house near Wolverton Mill balancing lake	The toddler explores on his bike.	Field near Wolverton Mill balancing lake

Now that my stash is organized and the demand to unpack is dwindling, I revived a cowl pattern I started to write last year. I hit a block that seemed unfixable but with a bit of distance and fresh eyes the niggling bits sorted themselves out quickly. Hopefully it will go up fast and I’ll have a cozy cowl before it gets proper cold. Saying that, it’s meant to go up to 18c today and tomorrow. It is October right?

A crochet cable phase is in full swing here. I’m working on a hat for myself with Katia Basic Merino in a rich berry hue that I originally purchased to crochet a short sleeved cardigan. After trying on a similar piece, I realized the cut of the garment didn’t suit my style. Good thing the project was only at swatching stage.

I’ve been looking on and off for an embroidery book and I stumbled across an old one in the local charity shop where we also found this retro looking wall clock and a cocktail cabinet that matches our sideboard and dining table.

The book was first published in 1938 but I think this is a later edition. I picked it up because the stitch illustrations looked clear. When I got home and had a proper look, there are sweet little illustrations throughout the text. It’s such a little treasure and so nice to find something that will be used often.

All the threads are hidden on the hat made last weekend and it’s ready for posting.  However, I’m toying with the idea of doing a bit of embroidery on the band, maybe a little flower or something from the new to me embroidery book.

Finally I found my scary movies in the last box in the sun room so I’m looking forward to working on my projects a little faster this week.  I wonder if many other people crochet, knit or sew faster to scary movies too. Although it’s midterm at play school and we’ve no parties to go to, we picked up a scary hoodie for the toddler. It’s bound to make playing dinosaurs more fun for weeks after Halloween.

The goal this week is to sort the office / guest room as we have visitors arriving at the weekend. It would be nice to get my proper camera gear unpacked because I’m slightly embarrassed about posting phone photos. Although at the end of the day it’s not about the camera it’s the moment itself. Or as Ansel Adams said, “The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.”