Pay it Forward: Anne's Slouchy Hat

Part I in the Pay it Forward 2011 Craft-O-Rama...

For some reason, I knew my friend Anne needed one of those slouchy hats that are trending right now. I knew it needed to be green and bulky, and I knew it needed a button (All pictures are my own).

So during the first day back at school, I formulated this hat for her. Here's the pattern in plain language...not that fancy crochet language I can't seem to wrap my head around:

You need 1 skein of super bulky yarn and a size N crochet hook. I used Lyon's Brand Hometown USA in Green Bay.

Row 1: Chain the circumference of your (or whomever's) head plus about 2 inches.
Row 2: Single crochet the whole row, turn the piece, chain 1 stitch.
Row 3: Single crochet on other side of row 1 (Row 1 is in the middle...you're kind of making an elongated spiral, here...it makes for a neat effect on the band.). Overlap those two extra inches you chained and weave them together until they're secure (it doesn't take much). Now start rounding.
Rows 4 - 9: Double crochet in the back loop
Rows 10: Decrease one stitch, double crochet one stitch.
Row 11 - ?!: I got excited and stopped counting rows...sorry. But from here on out, you fall into a pattern of decreasing two stitches and double crocheting one. The front loop in each stitch will be pushed up, and it ends up making a neat little spiral.

After all the loose ends are tucked away, you can sew any number of decorative things onto the overlapping area. I chose a button.

And it's as simple as that!

Pay it Forward 2011

Let me not be the first to say it: Crafts. Are. Awesome.
Seriously. I would be someone else entirely if it were not for my distinct love of making stuff.
Hats, scarves, jewelry, foods, decorations, paper products--
Oh, I could go on.

But by the third hat of the season, things start to get a little excessive.
That's why I jumped on the facebook bandwagon when I saw this post come across my newsfeed:

"Pay it Forward in 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 5 people who leave a comment here. They must in turn post this and send something they make to the first 5 people who comment on their status. "The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 5 people sometime in 2011. EEE!!! CRAFTS!!!"

And now I have six (I bent the rules a little...shh...) things to make for some very dear friends.

I'll post an entry with pictures and a how-to for each of these gifts. The first was sent off earlier this week and should be arriving to her soon...

Yoga the First!

One of the things I've spent far too long wondering about regarding my upcoming recommitment to yoga practice is how the first class will be. I imagine this is only natural--hey, firsts are hard! Fortunately, I have someone in my life who has allayed my concerns. And since firsts are so hard, it's only nice to share her words with others who may be delving likewise.

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My first experience with TL was as her student at my Alma Matter (I'm not sure how much detail she's comfortable having blabbed to the entire internet, so I'll leave it at that.). And let me tell you, this lady was meant to teach! So approachable, so competent, so inspiring. I emailed her recently to ask for helpful hints regarding silly little things that had been giving me pause. It's worth noting that every class is going to be a little different, depending on its instructor and specific purpose and the needs of the people in it, but...

"Most classes will begin with some 'centering' to turn the attention inward, some pranayama (breathwork), gentle warm up, sun salutations (really warm up), standing postures, supine and seated postures, and savasana (deep relaxation). Within that sequence, most teachers will strive to find a balance so that the whole body is challenged in both strength, flexibility, and balance. Many will include back bends and inversions toward the end."

I expressed concerns about the temperature as the majority of my classes will take place in the winter, and they're held in the basement multi-purpose room at a community college (there really aren't super fancy yoga studios in the area, and it's not like I could justify the expense if there were, ya know?). Potential for "brrr!" TL says, "...most places[where we live] are moderate to cool, usually catering to the weight-pumping crowed. My classes are pretty vigorous, so we work up a sweat even if the room temp is around 70 degrees. Some of my clients are very cold-natured, and they just wear a long-sleeved T-shirt or sweatshirt, peeling it off when too warm and putting it on again before final relaxation in savasana (corpse pose)."

Above all things, a familiar face is always helpful, n'est-ce pas? So, not that it's helpful to anyone else, the ultimately beneficial thing I did to prepare was to take a class with TL. It was my very own clean, well-lighted place in the face of a new experience...and it kicked my out-of-shape butt (in a good way) but left me feeling relaxed and like I can handle what gets thrown at me. Ah, baby steps... 


Bring it on, semester. I am ready!

Home Sweet Yoga

I can hardly believe it, but at this time next week I'll be trying to wind down and be well-rested for the start of my final semester of nursing school. I will undoubtedly fail at being well-rested, though, because one of the things I'm allowing myself for this, the light at the end the tunnel of Scholastic Hell, is a yoga class. And I'm so far past excited...it shouldn't be allowed.

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Now, I've had an on again/off again relationship with yoga for about eight years, but lately, it's been off again...again. In fact, the only time I've practiced in the past year was inspired by Justin telling me that yoga isn't hard. And while I'm all about friendly competition, I can't help but feel that it's...I don't know...exactly what yoga isn't about. To me--and perhaps only me (and that's okay!)--yoga is about challenging myself to stay still and calm and to find comfort where it seems not to occur. It's about realizing that, while nothing is perfect in practice, there are perfect ideas/ideals and it is important to always strive for them. It is about discipline and ritual and being allowed to be a part of something bigger than cultures, religions, generations and every other comfort.

Above all else, I'm way off-balance lately (re: school burnout, imminent adulthood, etc.). What better time to work on that than now? ...exactly!

Oh, and I anticipate writing about this a lot. 

Hilarious!

Happy New Year and all that stuff.

...mooooooving on!

I just found something new for Justin to think I'm silly for enjoying! It's called "Very Mary-Kate," and it's produced by someone who's friends with College Humor. It's silly and inappropriately light-hearted and makes me second-guess wearing hats like that. Here's the first one!