Another Cardi-Shrug

I don't like knitting the same thing twice.

Okay, technically, that is a lie because I've made the same toys and dishcloths more than once, but I don't like making the same bigger projects more than once. You know, like shrugs and blankets and so on.

Well there is always an exception. For instance, I made the Cardi-Shrug last summer when I needed it for a wedding. The shrug was perfect. It was the style I was looking for, it looked great with the dress, and it was easy (granted it does become rather boring at times). I mean, really, it was a win-win situation and let's be honest, I love win-win situations.

Well, a few years ago I bought a dressier tank top, but it just sat in my closet because I had nothing to wear with it, but when I was looking through my stash one day and found the perfect yarn to match it and I decided to make a shrug. I looked at several patterns, but nothing seemed to jump out at me. So, after a little bit of thought, I decided I would make The Cardi-Shrug again.

And here it is:


Once again, you can find the pattern at The Knit Monster.

I'm going to learn...

...to crochet.

My crocheting skills are very basic. I learned a few simple stitches at school when we made Warming Up America Blankets, but it didn't stick at all. I couldn't get into it and the lady who taught me wasn't exactly the friendliest teacher either.

Now, a few posts ago, I talked about the fact that my amazing great-grandmother (Mimi) passed away. Well, in the post, I didn't mention that my Mimi was a crocheter.

Granted, she was a self - taught crocheter and her skills were very limited, but she did a fantastic job. She was the person I turned to three years ago when I had to crochet three squares and I had no clue what to do.

Well, last summer, it was nearly two years since I had ever picked up a crochet hook, but I had a sudden urge to learn again because I wanted to make the awesome potholders that my Mimi made.


Like this.

So, I called up my Mimi and told her I wanted to learn to make the potholders that she made. She told me she'd be glad to teach me and I went right over. It wasn't a complete disaster, but I think it would have been better if I had a crocheting mojo or something. She taught me how to do the trim on the potholder, but my rectangles still looked like crap. She kept wanting for me to keep practicing, but I kept "forgetting". I regret that now...a lot since she isn't here to help me anymore. It almost feels as if I disappointed her.

When we were cleaning out her apartment after she passed away, my Nana found my Miimi's little yarn stash with her learn to crochet book and her hooks. My Nana gave them to me and told me that Mimi would want me to have them. That was the moment I promised my self I was going to learn to crochet (...actually crochet rectangles that look nice) once and for all.



And in the bottom of the bag I found these unfinished potholders. I think since all I will have to do is crochet them together and add the trim (I can actually do that pretty well!) they will be the first "project" I am going to tackle.



Wish me luck?