Yarn along December

I am participating in the December 2020 Yarn along, so join me as I share what is on my hook and bedside table. 2020 has quite possibly been the wierdest year that I have ever lived through. I am an essential worker and have had to continue working throught the hard lockdown imposed on us to prevent the spread of COVID. Driving down deserted highways and seeing the wildlife flourish was quite eery, far to reminiscent of the apocolyptic movies I have always enjoyed.This year those have been shelved, as a pandemic brought the world to a halt and fiction came far to close to reality for entertainment.

 I have managed to keep my sanity through COVID lockdown, a new job and a move to a new house at the height of the lockdown by crocheting and reading. My progress has been slow as there have been days when my crojo has vanished complety or when the lure of Lily's Garden  , a Google app game, calls and my tired mind can only focus on zapping little flowers and bursting bubbles.

It has returned long enough for me to have participated  in two CAL's this year. I say participated, as I am a long way from completing wither CAL. The first one was the  VVCAL 2020 hosted by Rachele at Cypress Textiles. Lockdown restrictions on any imports and  as well as  finances meant that I had to make do with what I had in my yarn stash to complete the CAL. I loved doing it and while it is still a WIP ( all those borders to crochet!!) I am very proud of myself for completing all the squares. I have  learnt so many new techniques and Racheles's instructions were easy to follow. I have a very bright and colourful blanket to show off and it will remind we of a year that was chaotic but also heartwarming, as communites across the world supported each other as best they could during lockdown.

VVCAL 2020- a work in progress

My second CAL that I am still busy with in December is the Scheepjes 2020 CAL. I could not obtain Scheepjes yarn, so substitued it with a local yarn called Eco- Cotton by Nurturing Fibres. I love the yarn, it works easily and the natural colours suite the pattern of the CAL perfectly It is hugely challenging and I am literally following the video instructions stitch for stitch on Youtube. The CAL is also a read-along, as the creator of the CAL,Christina Hadderingh from  A spoonful of Yarn , was inspired by All the light we cannot see , a novel written by Anthony Doerr. I devoured the book before the CAL began, such are my delayed gratification skills when it comes to new books. I highly recommend both the book and the CAL. Although the CAL is finished it is still availalbe for free so go to A spoonful of yarn if you are interested.

Scheepjes 2020 CAL worked in Eco- Cotton from Nurturing Fibres

I am frantically trying to finish both CAL's as well as two Christmas Gnomes from the Bramble and Clover Etsy shop. Are they not too sweet.

I have little hope of finishing them but will persevere none the less.

In between the crocheting and game playing, I am reading Elinor Oliphant is completely fine by Gail Honeyman, a book that has been recommended repeatedly on my Facebook reading group. It is quote heartwrenching and one can only have compassion for Elinor, as she struggles to find her place in a world that does not seem to have space for her. I am only a third of the way through the book but it is beautifully written and I can reccomend it if you are looking for a new holiday read. I have also recently bought a copy of 3D granny squares, which I cannot wait to try out.

As the weather gets warmer, the wild and cooling South- easter outside reminds me that the year is ending, slowly, gently. Christmas is around the corner and with the announcement of a vaccine for COVID19, the next year looks a little brighter and more colourful. Here's to a new year filled with yarn, crochet hooks and gorgeous patterns just waiting to be discovered