its-a-loopy-chupi-thing-blog

[its-a-loopy-chupi-thing-blog]

It’s like this, all the time.

I’m always procrastinating at something.  Lately, it’s been this.  Trying to find the time to focus on typing this has been more difficult than I expected.  I am here finally though, so Woo hoo for that.

It’s been about a week since I made the mittens, so most of my frustration over them is now a distant memory.  I’ll try and recall it all as best I can though.  

I guess we can start by talking about patterns.  

I tried writing my own pattern once.  It was annoying, and very time consuming.  Every row I wrote down, I had to also crochet at the same time...because I’m quite OCD when it comes to wanting things to be perfect.  Things never are, and I’m much better at just letting things go when that happens compared to years ago, but this pattern had to be perfect.  It was a scarf pattern, it’s a funny looking scarf pattern actually.  Every single stitch in the pattern was accounted for though.  There was no confusion, 

whatsoever.

So the mitten pattern I talked about in my previous post, the one a lovely customer gave me, we’re going to talk about that one now.  That pattern started out nicely.  You begin making the mitten by the cuff, simple Half Double Crochets (HDC is the abbreviation for future reference) going through the back loop only was the only “complex” thing that needed to be done.  I’ve used the stitch numerous times now, so it wasn’t anything that made me freeze and freak out.  Having to Whip Stitch the two ends together, that was a bit of a challenge, but I managed to do it.  So that leads us to making the bottom half of the mitten.  Now mind you, the pattern started by making the bottom of the mitten, so you’re working your way up to the tip where your fingers go.  So, it gave me the first row...had simple enough instructions to just HDC so many stitches.  

AND THEN...

that’s when everything went to shit, and the frustration set in full force.  I know that there are many people out there who can probably do that pattern with ease, but not everyone can.  So that’s why I’m bitching, because I fall into that category.  Don’t give me a step that says work up for 2 more inches and then do so and so.  I’ve created many things so far in my Crochet life, and I’ve followed many different patterns before, but not one of those patterns ever gave me that kind step.  I NEVER measure my work, it all just happens to come out exactly how it’s suppose to, because I follow specific step by step instructions.  

I tried not once, not twice but THREE times...

to figure out exactly what the pattern was trying to get me to do.  Let me tell you, I spent THREE hours trying to make it work.  

I FAILED, MISERABLY.  

I didn’t want to give up, because I thought that I had enough experience now to be able to do something a little more complex then what I’m used to.  After some thinking though, I determined that I am skilled enough to do it.  I KNOW I have all the necessary stitches needed down to a T.  I could’ve easily made those mittens.

I determined that it was the pattern with the problem, not me.

Naturally, I vented my frustrations at the time on Facebook.  I’m glad that I have a little crochet community and friends on there.  They give encouraging words, advice and are just pretty friendly.  One of the ladies I talked with shared a different mitten pattern with me.  So I tried that, and wouldn’t you know it...

I MADE MITTENS IN NO TIME!

This pattern had me working from the top to bottom of the mittens.  Every step had every stitch accounted for, no wondering or worrying at all.  

So why couldn’t the other pattern do that?

That’s a simple answer, because Life Isn’t Always Fair.  Not everyone writes or thinks the same.  Something I have learned, and learned well mind you, before you start working on a pattern,

READ IT ALL.

 If you don’t understand something, find someone who may be able to help.  If that doesn’t work, then just cut your losses and find a different pattern.  All I wanted to do was make a nice pair of wool mittens for myself.  In the end I did, but I could’ve done without all that frustration in between it all.  

I’ll try to put some pictures of the mittens up another time, once I figure out how to get them on my computer.  I know how to, it’s just way too complex and is a bit irritating to deal with.  

My failed attempt on the first pattern turned into a cup cozy, which I wanted one anyways so it’s just a little funny that something I failed at turned into something useful.  You can always find a use for something if you really want to, I guess.  

Well, I guess that’s about all.  I’m currently working on a baby blanket for once of my best friends.  I can’t wait to talk about it all, but that’s going to be my next post.

SO STAY TUNED FOLKS.

Have a nice evening!

                                                                                5:40pm    2/10/16

[its-a-loopy-chupi-thing-blog]

You have to start somewhere, right?

Soooo...hello there.  I’m Chupi.  I finally have a blog now.  Mainly, I’m just letting out the endless thoughts in my brain...most of which are about my endeavors over crocheting.  That’s my intent, anyways.

I want to Share and Inspire Others to Crochet.

Don’t be shocked if you read about my life outside of crocheting, because lets be honest...it’ll happen.  You can either like it, or leave my blog now and 

f o r g e t

it even exists.  Right here is example Numero Uno of rambling.  Like implied earlier, get used to it.

I’ve been crocheting for a little over 2 years now, and after tossing many thoughts all over my brain, I’ve decided it was time I just started writing a blog.

So here I am...........

I guess I should start talking about crochet now!...

Yesterday, I was at work 

(Retail FTW...*let the shudder and gasp of horror commence*)

waiting on a lady, and noticed her mittens.  Yes, you read that correctly. 

Mittens.

2 years ago I tried making a pair...and I couldn’t even get through making one of them because of how intimidating the pattern looked.<--(Key words here)

With much more KNOWLEDGE under my belt, because we all know that Knowledge is Power, I had planned on trying to make one today...which leads me back to my previous thought,

The Lady At Work.

She had on a nice pair of mittens...with a cute matching scarf.  Lots of blues, the kind that made you think of winter.

I’ve been working on many different aspects of my life for a while now, and the one I’m usually focusing on is my communication skills.  It just so happens my job is the best place to start, since I deal with multiple different people the whole time I’m there.  

So I guess I’ll have to give you a tad bit of back story about me.  

Growing up, I was pretty shy.  SERIOUSLY.   Horrible self esteem, a broken family, and many other things I don’t quite care to remember.  You’ll understand in time that I’m much more open and social than you may think, but that came from YEARS of sitting in silence and watching others be social. 

Something else you should know, I’m Gay.

Oh my god, wow, that’s crazy....yeah, no...not really.  If you were to ask anyone I knew growing up, they’d instantly tell you I was without hesitating a split second.  Took a long time to for me to accept it, then took a short time for word to get out that I finally admitted it (At the age of 17, mind you...fun story there but no time for that right now), and ever since 2008 I’ve truly been Living Life.  It’s been crazy, fun, unforgettable and very, VERY interesting.

Definitely 

DON’T

have any regrets about coming out,

and definitely don’t

have time for any 

Homophobia.  So if that’s you, I’m ignoring you...Bye Felicia!

That’s all the Back Story I feel like sharing right now.  LOL

So yeah, back to MITTENS... I used to be afraid of commenting about other peoples clothing, but I’ve faced my fears and am happily much more engaging when it comes to anything I see that’s been crocheted.  So I asked her about the mittens, I think I asked if they were hard to make.  After a bit of chit chat, she promises to bring me the pattern to make the same mittens she had.  All I asked was if I could Google it, but she was pretty happy to make a point to bring me the pattern.

So today...as promised, she DID!

It’s crazy that a kind gesture like this happened to me.  It made my day.  And that, in turn, made me want to start my blog.  I’ve been talking about doing it for the past month, but never got around to it....so I decided to finally make the time to.  I plan on sharing a lot of random moments with you, just to warn you.  

But anyways, I can’t wait to see her again someday...with my mittens all whipped up and looking FANTASTIC.  

Sooooo yeah, my original idea for my first blog was to just crochet the mittens and type as I do it, but I really like this all much better.  Although I’ve been working on this, and trying to figure out the many annoyances of how Apple works in the process, for at least that past 3 hours.  I didn’t think blogging would be so time consuming right from the get go...but it turns out to be pretty intense.  WHOOPS.  I won’t be attempting to make them tonight now...oh well. There’s always tomorrow to look forward to.

So I guess I’ll leave you with this...

I’m just a 20 something year old guy (trapped in an 80 year old grandmas body) who feels like someone may enjoy falling in love with something I’ve crocheted into this crazy, beautiful reality we call Life.

Follow me on my journey if you dare.