So proud of you continuing the stash busting project even when the going is really tough - your videos leave me feeling like it's valid to make progress on your own schedule, rather than feeling like a failure for not meeting unreasonable expectations ❤
I love when the craft fairies come through. Years ago I was quilting what has turned out to be my greatest quilt. It was mostly white and I quilted it with lavender thread. I ran out and couldn’t find more anywhere. I posted an alert on a quilter forum and someone came through all the way across country. It’s just an amazing thing when that happens.
Congrats on the finished blanket! I'm so excited to see your daisy project coming along and I'm impressed you can work on such a fiddly project consistently. I have been trying to work through inherited (cheap) stash from Grandma's for decades, so I understand being exhausted from constant stash busting, and not loving all the projects. I think physical and mental health is foremost, and if that means you need to take a break from tight deadlines or allow yourself a new project/yarn, then there should be no shame in doing so.
I really enjoyed following your thinking process as you were considering what to do with the daisy blouse. You would have been able to have a cute top from any of the options you discussed, but I cheered when you were able to get another matching ball! I'm so glad you can finish the blouse to your original vision!
I've been following your stashbusting journey and as a viewer it's still very satisfying to see the number 138. It felt like for a very long time you were stuck at 150+. Even though the number stayed the same this month, sharing the joy of finding the much needed yarn was excellent video content 😍
In my experience, it’s hard to have much of a mindset at all in the midst of a migraine, because it’s hard to function even to the level of clear thought. I’m *amazed* she opened the window, even for the sake of a video.
You make me so happy. So like the rest of us: struggling through, one day at a time -- many days just taking a breather, for your sanity and your physical well-being. So like me. Sending hugs of admiration for you. And your accomplishments! Wow! And your sharing -- remarkable.
I follow your channel because it reflects my ability to do the projects I want to do. I've been working on cutting out a pattern for at least a month. Once it's cut out then I'll start cutting fabric... it's a simple modern dress that the pattern says takes a few hours... I have chronic migraines and a lot of days there just isn't anything left after making sure daily needs are met. Being in constant pain is exhausting. I understand and emphasize. I'm sending you careful hugs and support.
I am so glad that you found more yarn for the daisy blouse! I'm also really proud that you are continuing the stash busting project, it reminded me that even when things get really difficult it is okay to keep going at your own pace. I wish that I had the spoons this last few months to finish some of my projects, but sometimes you have to take a break for reasons out of your control.
Thank you for sharing your progress. I can relate to your frustrations of a straight forward project getting complicated and slowing you down which affects your longer term goal. We will conquer this one stitch at a time! And yes, migraines suck! Headaches suck! Feeling poorly absolutely sucks!
Aw, Claude! So happy your difficult month is over. I hope your migraine is too. Your stash busters are the best videos on the internet although I don't expect you to do them forever if they drive you insane. ❤
I think perhaps you need to portion out the Stash busting. Like 1 month on, one off, or 3 on 3 off. Or every other/ every third project. Hobbies shouldn't feel like chores. It's a worthy goal, but not at the expense of your joy. Fall back on your good better best plan. Every project being a buster might be best, but even 4 busting projects a year would still be good. Hope that migraine has gone, because they are EVIL.
It is thankfully better. It turned out I'd done something to my neck which was why it wasn't clearing up 😭 and I like this plan. A sort of one in two out system. I'm thinking of rebranding the whole thing for 2024, mostly because I want to keep making these videos and obviously I only have so much in my stash 😂
@@RetroClaude Ouch, yeah, I also tend to get migraines from neck cricks... sleeping in a bad position (like too large pillows), backpacks... migraine next day almost guaranteed. 🫤
I’m so pleased you decided to buy another ball to finish the Daisy blouse as you had envisioned it, AND that you were able to find the right one! So very happy for you. Thanks for your honesty and for not just posting the wins and the glossy facade. It makes a big difference.
I'm really glad you didn't give up on making it look the way you wanted it, especially with everything feeling bad. I hope the pain gives you a respite, and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished blouse! (And may ableist people step on lego)
I'm trying to stash bust this year too. Finished my hexi-puff lap blanket in September, I didn't stuff mine as much as you but used snippets of yarn I knew I'd never use as stuffing. It's been on the go since Jan 1st this year and I completed one puff per day, total weight 1.3 kilos
I'm so impressed with you! And the daisy blouse will be awesome, I'm quite happy you didn't decide to mix in other colours 😊 The blue and white will be so pretty. Not to mention that you will match your blanket very nicely!
Love the blanket, looks good!! Sorry your August was rubbish, just come out of a migraine attack myself, so know how you feel!! Just take it one step at a time, hope ypu have a better October!!xx
Good luck with it all. The daisy blouse will be beautiful however you decide to finish it. It's amazing how sometimes projects flow smoothly to completion, but so often have frustrating hiccups. I'm a mixed media artist with autoimmune diseases, & the amount of time I spend lying on the couch internally screaming because I can't remember where I last saw a key component is so irritating, in inverse proportion to the joy when I randomly find something long desired! Best wishes from Czechia.
@m.maclellan7147 That's a great idea! I often use text in my work, or write an accompanying fairy tale style of story, so your suggestion would fit in perfectly; thankyou! 🙏🏽
I hope you're feeling at least a little bit better now. Blanket looks really nice and I think the blouse will look cool when you'll finish the daisies. And the hexipuffs (am I even remotely close with the spelling?) look so fun! There are months that are just shit, I could sew for grand 3 days last month, my back and head are killing me, left hand is going numb and tingly, all that good stuff. But I still made 3/4ths of a blouse, so I think that's kinda good? Even tiny bit of progress is better than none, no matter how annoying not being able to do stuff you enjoy would be.
Honestly, I know that you’re frustrated and struggling with your projects but I love watching how you problem solve with what you have! It’s inspired me to start picking away at my own stash and try to put things together in different ways than I previously would have thought of. I look forward to your stash busting videos each month so thank you for persisting and sharing! 😊
Feeling for you!! Migraines are awful. I’m so glad you could find the extra ball. I’ve been stash busting for over a year too, and for the last 3 months, I saved up to order a sweaters quantity of new yarn. It feels so refreshing. I did end up changing my gauge and need to order a bit more yarn, but even so, it’s amazing to have something new and has motivated me to keep working my stash down so I can only have this feeling in the future.
I get monthly migraines and you definitely have my sympathy. The Sophie scarf (Petite knits) might be a good stashbuster. Nice little project to use up about 92m (small) or 129m (large) of DK; or twice that of fingering/lace held together. Nice little autumn neck warmer!
Glad you got the yarn to finish the daisy blouse! If that didn't work out i think i would have been tempted to see if the maths worked out if i made the rib cuffs longer - up to the elbows for eg - and made the puff of the sleeves shorter.
I'm not sure if you've said what you stuff the hexipuffs with but perhaps you could stuff them with leftover yarn that you cannot imagine using. You could cut it up into 2 in/5 cm bits. It would be a perfectly valid way to use stash that you truly do not want to use and get a few more grams out of your supply!
I have considered this but I also have a lot of leftover polyester toy stuffing from an old job that is taking up space! If I run out I'm definitely onto the yarn scraps though!
Thanks so much for keeping it real! I’m so happy that you were able to find the yarn you needed for the daisy blouse. I really wanted to see that one finished. It’s so lovely!
lmao @retroclaude i love watching your videos cause you give us gems like "oooo aesthetic" i laughed more than i should have but im going to use that line for everything now.
I thought that was funny, too ! Especially when it WAS "aesthetic" !!!! That pale lilac looked PERFECT with the yarn from the hex 'thingies' !!! Can someone explain what the hex thingies are for ?! Maybe to put a teapot on ?!
They get sewn together into a quilt! I've been making mine into little flower 'blocks' that I will eventually sew together in a pleasing pattern but I'll probably need several hundred more of the little hexagons to get there 😅
I started to knit one sweather, now, two years ago. It got tangled in the process because I knitted from the yarn how it was sold to me :D Oh well, I am gathering curage to continue with it and get it untangled, and you are great inspiration how to "power through" even when it seems dire. Love your stash busting videos. Looking forward to the September one :)
Good luck with the untangling! Perseverance (or some might say stubbornness ha!) has been the gift I've been most grateful for since becoming ill. 💪 We can do it! 💪
I’m so looking forward to seeing the daisy blouse in it’s finished design. I’ve had to shelf my current project, I’ve got two cracked bones in my hand. I don’t know what to do with myself.
This is so nice to watch 😭❤ I'm in day who-knows-what of continual migraines amongst chronic migraines, ever wanting to knit but having to also be kind to the body that isn't kind to me. It can be really disheartening to watch all these knitting channels with people who race through projects and life, but your channel is always so comforting because you GET IT!!! 😭❤ I'm literally weeping. Your presence here means so much. Here's to the small wins ✨
The blanket looks wonderful! And I do hope you're feeling better by now. When making something, be it sewing or knitting or anything else, I keep the question "Will I wear it?" in mind. Compromises made in order to finish something aren't necessarily bad, but if I won't wear the finished project, then I view it as a failure. In the case of the daisy blouse, I would have bought more yarn, too. My mom had one of those daisy makers but I never used it; I am genuinely very excited to see your finished sweater! Blouse? Garment. It's finally cooled down a little in my area and I've been able to get my yarn back out and work on decreasing my own stash. Then someone gave me a bag of yarn (1970's yarn - very interesting,) and I found a lot of very nice stuff at a local thrift store, so things have actually gone backwards. On the plus side, I am knitting a very soft silk/merino hat, and someone on Ravelry purchased some Noro from my stash that I didn't know what to do with!
Oh I love a 1970s yarn! Lots of interesting textures. Glad you've done a little curating to let go of some you won't use. That's still progress in my book! 💚
It would’ve been an excellent joke to set up your hexipuffs in various places in your garden, but on the other hand that would presumably be a lot of extra work. Anyway, I think we will all understand if you need a break from stashbusting. You’re right - it’s really hard fitting projects to the yarn you already have instead of choosing yarn for a project you have in mind. I’m dealing with that myself right now with my Yarn I Hate mission. Whether you want to do some projects with new yarn, or take a break from knitting altogether, or take some time to make gifts and donation items (maybe using the heavier weight stash yarns that you mentioned you personally don’t prefer to wear), I don’t think any of us would blame you for taking a break!
I think I'm reaching that point. With gift giving season around the corner I have a chance to make some things that aren't 'me' from my stash and get some stuff out quickly and I'd like to treat myself to a knit along that might be happening that is a pattern I've fallen in love with. If my personal stash projects take a back seat I'm okay with that for a bit 💚
I'm so sorry your August sucked so much. Sometimes you just need a straightforward goddamned monkeyfighting win, and it sounds like you deserved one. I'm playing catch-up after Life™-induced absence so I'm binging my way through your videos, but I just had to pause to leave you a little love here 💜
Please don't open the blinds for me. I get severe migraines, with my longest lasting 2 week; so I know what you're going through. I am so light sensitive that we have a blanket over the entryway to our living room, and most of my time is spent in there. Thank you for keeping me company while I'm making a bunch of mini waffles to freeze. Decided to get some quick food made while I'm feeling pretty good. Grabbed a chair and only standing to pur and pull out the delicious waffles. 😊
Thank you! Next time we'll have a moody, dimly lit hang out. And good for you adapting a task to make it more manageable. The bar stools in my kitchen have been the most incredibly aid 💚
I've had migraines for over 50 years. I got my daith pierced on my left ear, (because my migraines are on my left side). I haven't had a migraine in a whole year! Sweet relief! I highly recommend that you give it a try! 50/50 odds that it works. Nothing to lose!
Hi, So not a great August, hm. Yeah I know. Not here either. September was slightly better. We had great weather most of the month here where I live, and my specific "not great" is very weather/climate induced, so not so much pain in September compared to August. It also ended with a visit with a visit with our grandson (DH and I never had kids but our God daughter and husband has named us grandparents of their son). Even if I my not great have me having to stay resting at the hotel daytime, I can still have the evenings and that's worth so much. Now it's October and my particular pain is getting to the age of 28 years old, but it's not getting any cake. Never any cake. I still think you did well, even if you didn't get your stash busted as much as you wanted. You got most of that fabulous daisy top almost done. Take care of yourself. Yours, Ann
I get migraines all the time, although until the last 2 weeks they haven't been so consistently, persistently horrible. I wouldn't have opened the curtains for anyone's benefit if the light bothered my migraine-challenged eyes! I really like your beautiful blue and white afghan. Stash busting is a great goal, most crafters in yarn or fabric need to do that frequently, or at least, keep our stash(es) in mind when preparing for new projects. Reality, as you know, is that you frequently have to buy more to complete projects. Because you filmed this in August and we saw it Oct 4, you may have already finished, but for what it's worth, I think making daisies with your remaining blue yarn, which will use up a lot of it, and perhaps adding them closer to the collar area and a row all around or anywhere near the blue ribbing, would not appear cobbled together, but an extension of the color used for ribs, etc., in the body of the finished product. So, if the yarn you received isn't enough....Good luck! Hope things get better.
I love the daisy sweater. If stash busting has become a problem, the earth will not stop if you quite. This is supposed to be enjoyable not nerve racking. I love watching your videos. I have CFS with Fibromyalgia, I understand your struggle.
I absolutely can not wait to see the Daisy Blouse done, (no pressure, well maybe a little). It definitely got my vote, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. A labour of love as they say. Are you going to block the ribbing separately? I only ask that as I have just finished a jumper in a dark rust colour with cream colourwork and the b@sty%&d yarn rust colour ran when I washed and blocked it. The cream looks a bit muddier now and I'd hate for the daisy's to go a blue!
Just popping in to say I will watch literally whatever video you make, whether there's a big reveal or not. Definitely understand feeling disappointed to have not made progress BUT I just wanted to extend my whole hearted support of ANY sort of Retro Claude content
I've not seen all your videos yet (slowly working back through them) but I've never heard you swear so much. I can relate to your beginning rant, though I sew rather than knit etc... but just nothing lining up right, bad other bs happening killing motivation or mobility. Hopefully future months are better!
Ahh, well done keeping going when life is a bit shit, though. Migraines are awful - I had one last 6 days once and I thought I'd had enough of everything, can't imagine 11 days. You're inspiring me to try knitting through my stash, I was looking at it last night thinking it had got a bit out of hand now. I love these videos, even when you don't feel you've managed very much - it's realistic, life happens, and migraines are the worst. Don't worry about that!
I love this series for the videos like this. Progress isn't always a straight line and that's not even counting all the wandering circles chronic illness takes us on. Seeing you worth through that and also make progress on your stash (because even if it doesn't show in your totals, you ARE using that stash yarn!) has been really inspiring and has me "shopping" in my yarn+fabric stash first when I'm thinking about new projects. Keep up the great work!
I'm impressed that you're even trying to speak! Be kind to yourself. Maybe release yourself from your stashbusting when you're in a really bad place? We appreciate your desire and goals and willingness to get something here for us to watch but your wellbeing comes first.
Migraines are the absolute fucking worst. This is such an interesting series to follow - reminds me of the time I tried to sew through my whole fabric stash! Maybe it’s time for a quick break to work on something that will give you a boost? That thing could totally be “fuck it, I’m resting” too! ❤
I would’ve bought the yarn too. The primary reason I personally make is because I like to use the things that are the outcome of my labour. While I love a challenge and working within a set of limits can make me much more creative, I always end up kicking myself later if I allow my self-imposed limits to significantly hamper my enjoyment of the end product. I think there is an art to knowing when to bend or break the rules, and when it’s worth sticking by them, and I think you’ve walked that line pretty expertly here
Great classified gain. Getting more to be able to finish is all good. The summer hasn't been all bad, June was nice (such memories). I've started knitting 🥳, slow as hell though but I'm sure I will get better the more I do.
Yay! Welcome to knitting! Slow and steady is the only way to get faster. I have been knitting on and off since age 10 so have nearly 20 years of practice. I hope it brings you as much joy as it does me 💚 although it also has its frustrations 🤣
Don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes life just happens. I have been having the same sort of thing this month. So much going on so I couldn't really be where I wanted to be by this point in some projects. I'm glad you can continue the blouse now though! And buying yarn to be able to destash is completely ok if it's for finishing a project. Sometimes it's really hard to know if you have enough or not so at least it's towards doing something that brings you joy!
I hate migraines! Mine are caused by dark lighting and noise. I take some meds to help when it flares up. I would go to the hospital for my migraines because they were awful and I was a single parent with a large family. You know what's best for your situation. I would go with the second sweater but that is just me. Glad you got another skein of yarn. Enjoy your finished sweater😊.
Something I really love about your videos is your honesty when talking about your reality, opinions and thoughts, this is one of the features that captured me since the first video I've watched from this channel. Don't feel sad for thinking you have little to show us this month, because life gets in the way and you are making good progress. You being loyal to the Stash Busting is a great thing, very inspiring to me so it brings value to every stitch and minute you put on these projects. I love your channel, cheers from Brazil💖
I love you, Claude. You are my favorite and the top YT result for disability knitting. I appreciate you, your sassiness, your persistence to finding ways to joy and adapting around the limitations of an energy-limiting condition. I’m down with a migraine myself right now. I cannot fathom how much energy and dedication and additional skill learning it took to be able to film and then edit and create a cohesive video of all of this, but it is so appreciated.
Realistic perfection is what you should go for. Make the rest of the daisies in different colours. It'll be great. As for the other stuff. Deep breath and move forward. This is not of your doing. Be kind to yourself.
Sorry you've been having a shitty time of things health wise. I have chronic neuropathic pain so I totally understand. If it helps, I think buying yarn second hand from someone else doesn't count as much to adding to your stash as buying it new. It adds to your stash, but it helps someone else reduce theirs and especially if they only had one skein left of it, it might never have been used.
I am so glad you have had the yarn to finish the daisy jumper. Make a note of how you solved the problem of running out of yarn because,if this was me,in a couple of months I would have forgotten. How do you source your patterns?If you'd rather not say don't worry ❤
I am still enjoying this series with ups and downs and all. Though I can't fathom how you managed to get as much done as you did?! I know people say not to compare yourself to others, but it seems as though I have less struggles and more time to focus on the making I want to do, but am nowhere near as productive as people like you and other disabled makers online. I ponder on this often...
thanks for sharing, sorry august was so rubbish, I hope things have evened out a bit for you now ♥ Maybe you could send off a ball of wool on ravelry for every one you get from there? Maybe some of the ones you're feeling least inspired by? I think you've said before you don't like using hand dyed stuff as much while other people love it?
I've given up on trying to use up every last centimetre of yarn. I buy the amount I will need according to the pattern, plus a bit more to be on the safe side, knit the garment up and then donate what's left over. Knitting should not only be practical, but fun too. Plus, if I were teaching a child how to knit, buying up a cheap lot of leftovers from the charity shop would be better than buying new yarn ... who knows if they'd ever be any good at it or like it, and the tension is always really uneven when you start learning to knit ... so buy cheap leftovers from the charity shop and move onto 'good' yarn when you know it will be worthwhile.
As you say you are fed up with stash busting and the niggling problems which you did not foresee it is perfectly OK to give up altogether or at the very least for the time being. Given your health problems it makes sense to find a project that excites you, that will give you pleasure not anxiety and that you can complete. You need to look after yourself!
I hope your ok, sometimes rough months happen and it sucks! Even the small things make a huge difference so glad you managed to get some crafting in! The blouse will look fabulous!
I hope you are feeling better now! Even if we don't get the best light or lengthy video, we are still happy along with you- the finished crochet blanket is great, the number of daisies is almost complete. I cannot wait to see the blouse finished- but on your own schedule of course.
I absolutely love your videos! I love that you're not pretending that you're okay and you're not pretending that your life is all butterflies and sunshine and it makes feel like I am not alone in being in pain. ❤️ Thank you.
I appreciate you posting this. I am pushing to finish a project which I hoped to finish already. Isn't that always the way? I think I have about a week and a half or more of work left.
I really love your stash busting videos even when you feel like there isn’t much to update, after all when you’ve not been well its understandable. Also it’s a cliche but it’s the journey not the destination! Hope your migraine is gone and you’re on the up. Can’t wait to see the finished daisy blouse and it’s so great to see the blanket after it took you so long!
Thank you for your updates even though you couldn't finish as much as you wanted to! I so appreciate that you take the time to make videos for us even when you're having a shit month! (Also your knitting content is my all time favourite on the whole of the internet)
I am sorry to hear about the migraine, and no need to open the curtains just for us. But I do know you need some light to film in. They are the worst. So glad you decided to buy more yarn for the daisy blouse. You will be much happier with it not being bitty and you will wear it so much more.
Do you have any yarn that is enough for a while project as is? I find i can only have one scrappy/use up yarn project on the needles at a time. Maybe try to make a dent in some of the jumper quantities you have for the variety?
It's nice to have honest videos that show the reality of knitting. Just thought I'd comment for the first time to let you know that it's reassuring to see a fantastic knitter frustrated with their progress. Definitely been there a lot and I'm only a year into the knitting bug 😅
As always I appreciate your honesty about how difficult making can be, even when it is overall something that brings a lot of joy.There's so many little frustrations that can pile up. Sometimes projects just do not go your way! I recently tried making a pair of shorts and had to restart three times because they kept ending up enormous. Even if I made a gauge swatch, EVERY. SINGLE TIME. I know you feel like you didn't get much done this month, but that you did anything at all is amazing to me - when my health acts up more than usual I just check out from knitting/crocheting (and really most of reality) completely lol. I've been pretty consistent this year but for August and most of September I did nothing. There was a sweater that I thought I would comfortably finish a month ago that I haven't touched in months. Most of my issues are concentration/energy/mood oriented, so sometimes my brain is just so fatigued and scattered that even reading a simple pattern is impossible. And it's so frustrating when the thing I use to cope with my mental health issues becomes impeded by those very same issues. I've only just gotten back into things with a super simple scrappy granny square blanket, because it doesn't need a pattern and works up quickly with little mental effort. I'm really happy with it, and it isn't complicated at all.
If you are in the USA, there used to be an organization called "Linus' blanket" that took donated blankets & teddy bears and gave them to kids in need. Some were given to police, should they come across a traumatized child, some were given to Red Cross for Fire/Flood victims. (You'ld probably want to use polyester yarn, easier to wash !)
I have also been struggling with that this month. The thing I use to cope with pain and keep my mental health in good shape has not been available to me. As much as I try and find adaptations sometimes it's not possible and it just sucks. 💚
1. (Off Topic) Your hair looks great in this video-that is a flattering a cut/style/length on you. 2. When you popped up that package with the skein of yarn you’d been searching for, I cried out “Oh, yay!” almost like I thought you could hear me. LOL!!! Seriously very happy you found it and can achieve the chic sweater you imagined. I’ve definitely been following this daisy journey and can’t wait to see how your hard work pays off! You’re in the home stretch, congrats!
Thank you! I'm enjoying it being a bit longer. At first I was a bit sad it grew out but I haven't been well enough to keep getting it cut short so it's nice to hear that ☺️
As a fellow migraine person, I completely understand having one headache wipe out your whole month. I've had both of my last two Botox treatments pushed back due to unforseen circumstances and the last couple weeks of the three months between treatments is already rough. I'm getting my next round tomorrow and I was supposed to get it like two weeks ago. I'm dying, but surviving. So glad you got more hexipuffs done and that daisy blouse is going to absolutely slap when it's done.
From one flaring body to another its totally okay to have a grump and swear about just how shit being so ill for so long is. I spend so much time be "okay" withh situation I'm in that I feel guilty for admitting how rubbish it can be. When you have limited energy having to spend it on fighting for your rights hurts so much. The hexipuffs flower look fab and comfy. I can't wait to see the daisy top as I would have given up on that already. With all the other stuff going on in life I feel that having a project that you purchase supplies for that is in your interests and comfort zone along side the stash busting might be a good option. Just so you have a "shit day" project. I hope something in this is vaguely helpful. Thank you for the video. 🦓
Are you using any of your yarn stash to stuff the hexipuffs by chance? It would probably be a major hassle to fluff up scraps with like, a dog grooming brush, but it seems like a good way to use up yarn that doesn't spark joy and pad your stash bust totals
I haven't been doing that because I also have a massive stash of toy stuffing left over from a previous job. If I ever run out I'll start fluffing up scrap yarn!
Your snarky commentary and realistic portrayal of disability is enough to have us come back Claude! I'm sad you've had such a shit month though, I hope september has been better.
Not a good time to be making decisions... Be kind to yourself. The smaller top should work, I like it more. You could put the rest of your stash on Ravelry to finish it off? Birdy
I learned that I can get yarn through the community at Ravelry, and that is new information to me! So you very much taught me something that I'm sure is going to come in handy!
Oh yes the destash groups on Ravelry are wonderful! I've seen yarn, fibre, books, equipment... a great place to look and indeed pass on supplies to a good home 💚
So proud of you continuing the stash busting project even when the going is really tough - your videos leave me feeling like it's valid to make progress on your own schedule, rather than feeling like a failure for not meeting unreasonable expectations ❤
I'm glad you got more yarn for the Daisy blouse. Its going to look fantastic with the blue ribbing!
I'm glad I did too! It's been so much work I can't do a half hearted version ☺️
I love when the craft fairies come through. Years ago I was quilting what has turned out to be my greatest quilt. It was mostly white and I quilted it with lavender thread. I ran out and couldn’t find more anywhere. I posted an alert on a quilter forum and someone came through all the way across country. It’s just an amazing thing when that happens.
Congrats on the finished blanket! I'm so excited to see your daisy project coming along and I'm impressed you can work on such a fiddly project consistently. I have been trying to work through inherited (cheap) stash from Grandma's for decades, so I understand being exhausted from constant stash busting, and not loving all the projects. I think physical and mental health is foremost, and if that means you need to take a break from tight deadlines or allow yourself a new project/yarn, then there should be no shame in doing so.
I really enjoyed following your thinking process as you were considering what to do with the daisy blouse. You would have been able to have a cute top from any of the options you discussed, but I cheered when you were able to get another matching ball! I'm so glad you can finish the blouse to your original vision!
I've been following your stashbusting journey and as a viewer it's still very satisfying to see the number 138. It felt like for a very long time you were stuck at 150+.
Even though the number stayed the same this month, sharing the joy of finding the much needed yarn was excellent video content 😍
Migraines are among the worse. It's hard to have a positive mindset when you're in pain.
Too right. And people don’t tend to believe you have them if they go on for long because they just can’t imagine it.
In my experience, it’s hard to have much of a mindset at all in the midst of a migraine, because it’s hard to function even to the level of clear thought. I’m *amazed* she opened the window, even for the sake of a video.
@@logicisusefulAgreed. I've got sinus damage from COVID and I feel like when the migraines are raging I just can't think, fullstop
You make me so happy. So like the rest of us: struggling through, one day at a time -- many days just taking a breather, for your sanity and your physical well-being. So like me. Sending hugs of admiration for you. And your accomplishments! Wow! And your sharing -- remarkable.
Yeah, some months are only redeemable because they end. Here's to an easier October! 💜
I follow your channel because it reflects my ability to do the projects I want to do. I've been working on cutting out a pattern for at least a month. Once it's cut out then I'll start cutting fabric... it's a simple modern dress that the pattern says takes a few hours... I have chronic migraines and a lot of days there just isn't anything left after making sure daily needs are met. Being in constant pain is exhausting. I understand and emphasize. I'm sending you careful hugs and support.
I am so glad that you found more yarn for the daisy blouse! I'm also really proud that you are continuing the stash busting project, it reminded me that even when things get really difficult it is okay to keep going at your own pace. I wish that I had the spoons this last few months to finish some of my projects, but sometimes you have to take a break for reasons out of your control.
Tbh Claude even if it's not the best month it's nice that you share both the highs and the lows.
Thank you for sharing your progress. I can relate to your frustrations of a straight forward project getting complicated and slowing you down which affects your longer term goal.
We will conquer this one stitch at a time!
And yes, migraines suck! Headaches suck! Feeling poorly absolutely sucks!
I sometimes feel guilty enjoying sweary Claude content so much (because it's usually when you're annoyed/frustrated) but it is honestly charming
Aw, Claude! So happy your difficult month is over. I hope your migraine is too. Your stash busters are the best videos on the internet although I don't expect you to do them forever if they drive you insane. ❤
I think perhaps you need to portion out the Stash busting. Like 1 month on, one off, or 3 on 3 off. Or every other/ every third project. Hobbies shouldn't feel like chores. It's a worthy goal, but not at the expense of your joy. Fall back on your good better best plan. Every project being a buster might be best, but even 4 busting projects a year would still be good. Hope that migraine has gone, because they are EVIL.
It is thankfully better. It turned out I'd done something to my neck which was why it wasn't clearing up 😭 and I like this plan. A sort of one in two out system. I'm thinking of rebranding the whole thing for 2024, mostly because I want to keep making these videos and obviously I only have so much in my stash 😂
@RetroClaude I suffer chronic neck pain, and it's just awful. Glad you liked the idea. Chin up, unless that hurts
@@RetroClaude Ouch, yeah, I also tend to get migraines from neck cricks... sleeping in a bad position (like too large pillows), backpacks... migraine next day almost guaranteed. 🫤
I’m so pleased you decided to buy another ball to finish the Daisy blouse as you had envisioned it, AND that you were able to find the right one! So very happy for you.
Thanks for your honesty and for not just posting the wins and the glossy facade. It makes a big difference.
I'm really glad you didn't give up on making it look the way you wanted it, especially with everything feeling bad.
I hope the pain gives you a respite, and I'm looking forward to seeing the finished blouse!
(And may ableist people step on lego)
Hehehe the Lego comment made me chuckle ☺️☺️☺️
@@RetroClaude :D
I'm trying to stash bust this year too. Finished my hexi-puff lap blanket in September, I didn't stuff mine as much as you but used snippets of yarn I knew I'd never use as stuffing. It's been on the go since Jan 1st this year and I completed one puff per day, total weight 1.3 kilos
Congratulations 🎉 that's amazing!
I'm so impressed with you! And the daisy blouse will be awesome, I'm quite happy you didn't decide to mix in other colours 😊 The blue and white will be so pretty. Not to mention that you will match your blanket very nicely!
Oh yes! I have quite a them going at the minute 😁
Love the blanket, looks good!! Sorry your August was rubbish, just come out of a migraine attack myself, so know how you feel!! Just take it one step at a time, hope ypu have a better October!!xx
The blanket looks great, and so does your hair long, it suits you.
Good luck with it all. The daisy blouse will be beautiful however you decide to finish it. It's amazing how sometimes projects flow smoothly to completion, but so often have frustrating hiccups. I'm a mixed media artist with autoimmune diseases, & the amount of time I spend lying on the couch internally screaming because I can't remember where I last saw a key component is so irritating, in inverse proportion to the joy when I randomly find something long desired! Best wishes from Czechia.
Another wave from Czechia, with a similar problem. 😅 I'm pretty sure, though I don't have it confirmed, that in my case it's ADHD.
I wonder if you could journal/write down notes where things are and then use THAT in the final artwork ?! Might be interesting?! 😊
@m.maclellan7147 That's a great idea! I often use text in my work, or write an accompanying fairy tale style of story, so your suggestion would fit in perfectly; thankyou! 🙏🏽
As a fellow sufferer… I just want you to know, you’re right, it’s the worst how can 😅anyone expect you to people, take care of yourself.
I hope you're feeling at least a little bit better now. Blanket looks really nice and I think the blouse will look cool when you'll finish the daisies. And the hexipuffs (am I even remotely close with the spelling?) look so fun!
There are months that are just shit, I could sew for grand 3 days last month, my back and head are killing me, left hand is going numb and tingly, all that good stuff. But I still made 3/4ths of a blouse, so I think that's kinda good? Even tiny bit of progress is better than none, no matter how annoying not being able to do stuff you enjoy would be.
Sending you a Standing Ovation. 3/4 is AMAZING when you feel like sh*t. Be proud of you for keeping going !
@@m.maclellan7147 Thank you so much, it's so kind of you! It was so nice, seriously, you've made my day.
Congratulations on the 3/4ths blouse! 🎉 at the end of the day sewing for fun is not just about the finished garment it's about, well the fun! 💚
@@RetroClaude You're absolutely right! And thank you! ❤️
Honestly, I know that you’re frustrated and struggling with your projects but I love watching how you problem solve with what you have! It’s inspired me to start picking away at my own stash and try to put things together in different ways than I previously would have thought of. I look forward to your stash busting videos each month so thank you for persisting and sharing! 😊
Feeling for you!! Migraines are awful. I’m so glad you could find the extra ball. I’ve been stash busting for over a year too, and for the last 3 months, I saved up to order a sweaters quantity of new yarn. It feels so refreshing. I did end up changing my gauge and need to order a bit more yarn, but even so, it’s amazing to have something new and has motivated me to keep working my stash down so I can only have this feeling in the future.
There is a knit along coming up that I'd love to join in and I'm thinking I might let myself indulge 💚
I feel you. I had a migraine all of July.
I get monthly migraines and you definitely have my sympathy.
The Sophie scarf (Petite knits) might be a good stashbuster. Nice little project to use up about 92m (small) or 129m (large) of DK; or twice that of fingering/lace held together. Nice little autumn neck warmer!
Oh yes I've seen that about online and it looks very cute!
Glad you got the yarn to finish the daisy blouse! If that didn't work out i think i would have been tempted to see if the maths worked out if i made the rib cuffs longer - up to the elbows for eg - and made the puff of the sleeves shorter.
An excellent idea! I shall keep this in mind should I not have enough of my emergency skein! Thank you! 💚
I'm not sure if you've said what you stuff the hexipuffs with but perhaps you could stuff them with leftover yarn that you cannot imagine using. You could cut it up into 2 in/5 cm bits. It would be a perfectly valid way to use stash that you truly do not want to use and get a few more grams out of your supply!
I have considered this but I also have a lot of leftover polyester toy stuffing from an old job that is taking up space! If I run out I'm definitely onto the yarn scraps though!
Thanks so much for keeping it real! I’m so happy that you were able to find the yarn you needed for the daisy blouse. I really wanted to see that one finished. It’s so lovely!
I'm so sorry you had such a hard August, and thank you for making and posting this video anyway
lmao @retroclaude i love watching your videos cause you give us gems like "oooo aesthetic" i laughed more than i should have but im going to use that line for everything now.
I thought that was funny, too ! Especially when it WAS "aesthetic" !!!! That pale lilac looked PERFECT with the yarn from the hex 'thingies' !!!
Can someone explain what the hex thingies are for ?! Maybe to put a teapot on ?!
They get sewn together into a quilt! I've been making mine into little flower 'blocks' that I will eventually sew together in a pleasing pattern but I'll probably need several hundred more of the little hexagons to get there 😅
Thank you for keeping your videos so real and honest!
I started to knit one sweather, now, two years ago. It got tangled in the process because I knitted from the yarn how it was sold to me :D Oh well, I am gathering curage to continue with it and get it untangled, and you are great inspiration how to "power through" even when it seems dire. Love your stash busting videos. Looking forward to the September one :)
Good luck with the untangling! Perseverance (or some might say stubbornness ha!) has been the gift I've been most grateful for since becoming ill. 💪 We can do it! 💪
I’m so looking forward to seeing the daisy blouse in it’s finished design. I’ve had to shelf my current project, I’ve got two cracked bones in my hand. I don’t know what to do with myself.
Oooo, I feel for you. That is rough ! 😕 Hope you heal quickly.
All the best! Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery 💚
This is so nice to watch 😭❤ I'm in day who-knows-what of continual migraines amongst chronic migraines, ever wanting to knit but having to also be kind to the body that isn't kind to me. It can be really disheartening to watch all these knitting channels with people who race through projects and life, but your channel is always so comforting because you GET IT!!! 😭❤ I'm literally weeping. Your presence here means so much. Here's to the small wins ✨
The blanket looks wonderful! And I do hope you're feeling better by now.
When making something, be it sewing or knitting or anything else, I keep the question "Will I wear it?" in mind. Compromises made in order to finish something aren't necessarily bad, but if I won't wear the finished project, then I view it as a failure. In the case of the daisy blouse, I would have bought more yarn, too. My mom had one of those daisy makers but I never used it; I am genuinely very excited to see your finished sweater! Blouse? Garment.
It's finally cooled down a little in my area and I've been able to get my yarn back out and work on decreasing my own stash. Then someone gave me a bag of yarn (1970's yarn - very interesting,) and I found a lot of very nice stuff at a local thrift store, so things have actually gone backwards. On the plus side, I am knitting a very soft silk/merino hat, and someone on Ravelry purchased some Noro from my stash that I didn't know what to do with!
Oh I love a 1970s yarn! Lots of interesting textures. Glad you've done a little curating to let go of some you won't use. That's still progress in my book! 💚
I'm sorry you've had a rough month, but any progress is progress! I hope you are doing well. I am excited to see what you do in the future.
It would’ve been an excellent joke to set up your hexipuffs in various places in your garden, but on the other hand that would presumably be a lot of extra work.
Anyway, I think we will all understand if you need a break from stashbusting. You’re right - it’s really hard fitting projects to the yarn you already have instead of choosing yarn for a project you have in mind. I’m dealing with that myself right now with my Yarn I Hate mission. Whether you want to do some projects with new yarn, or take a break from knitting altogether, or take some time to make gifts and donation items (maybe using the heavier weight stash yarns that you mentioned you personally don’t prefer to wear), I don’t think any of us would blame you for taking a break!
I think I'm reaching that point. With gift giving season around the corner I have a chance to make some things that aren't 'me' from my stash and get some stuff out quickly and I'd like to treat myself to a knit along that might be happening that is a pattern I've fallen in love with. If my personal stash projects take a back seat I'm okay with that for a bit 💚
I'm so sorry your August sucked so much. Sometimes you just need a straightforward goddamned monkeyfighting win, and it sounds like you deserved one. I'm playing catch-up after Life™-induced absence so I'm binging my way through your videos, but I just had to pause to leave you a little love here 💜
So sorry about your migraine. Interested in your destashing…and so happy that unlike many posting destashers, NO PUPPIES OR KITTIES. What a relief!
Please don't open the blinds for me. I get severe migraines, with my longest lasting 2 week; so I know what you're going through. I am so light sensitive that we have a blanket over the entryway to our living room, and most of my time is spent in there. Thank you for keeping me company while I'm making a bunch of mini waffles to freeze. Decided to get some quick food made while I'm feeling pretty good. Grabbed a chair and only standing to pur and pull out the delicious waffles. 😊
Thank you! Next time we'll have a moody, dimly lit hang out. And good for you adapting a task to make it more manageable. The bar stools in my kitchen have been the most incredibly aid 💚
I've had migraines for over 50 years. I got my daith pierced on my left ear, (because my migraines are on my left side). I haven't had a migraine in a whole year! Sweet relief! I highly recommend that you give it a try! 50/50 odds that it works. Nothing to lose!
Oh that is really interesting! Worth a go right 😅
Hi, So not a great August, hm. Yeah I know. Not here either. September was slightly better. We had great weather most of the month here where I live, and my specific "not great" is very weather/climate induced, so not so much pain in September compared to August. It also ended with a visit with a visit with our grandson (DH and I never had kids but our God daughter and husband has named us grandparents of their son). Even if I my not great have me having to stay resting at the hotel daytime, I can still have the evenings and that's worth so much. Now it's October and my particular pain is getting to the age of 28 years old, but it's not getting any cake. Never any cake.
I still think you did well, even if you didn't get your stash busted as much as you wanted. You got most of that fabulous daisy top almost done. Take care of yourself. Yours, Ann
I get migraines all the time, although until the last 2 weeks they haven't been so consistently, persistently horrible. I wouldn't have opened the curtains for anyone's benefit if the light bothered my migraine-challenged eyes! I really like your beautiful blue and white afghan. Stash busting is a great goal, most crafters in yarn or fabric need to do that frequently, or at least, keep our stash(es) in mind when preparing for new projects. Reality, as you know, is that you frequently have to buy more to complete projects. Because you filmed this in August and we saw it Oct 4, you may have already finished, but for what it's worth, I think making daisies with your remaining blue yarn, which will use up a lot of it, and perhaps adding them closer to the collar area and a row all around or anywhere near the blue ribbing, would not appear cobbled together, but an extension of the color used for ribs, etc., in the body of the finished product. So, if the yarn you received isn't enough....Good luck! Hope things get better.
I love the daisy sweater. If stash busting has become a problem, the earth will not stop if you quite. This is supposed to be enjoyable not nerve racking. I love watching your videos. I have CFS with Fibromyalgia, I understand your struggle.
I absolutely can not wait to see the Daisy Blouse done, (no pressure, well maybe a little). It definitely got my vote, I don't think I've ever seen anything like it. A labour of love as they say.
Are you going to block the ribbing separately? I only ask that as I have just finished a jumper in a dark rust colour with cream colourwork and the b@sty%&d yarn rust colour ran when I washed and blocked it. The cream looks a bit muddier now and I'd hate for the daisy's to go a blue!
Just popping in to say I will watch literally whatever video you make, whether there's a big reveal or not. Definitely understand feeling disappointed to have not made progress BUT I just wanted to extend my whole hearted support of ANY sort of Retro Claude content
I've not seen all your videos yet (slowly working back through them) but I've never heard you swear so much. I can relate to your beginning rant, though I sew rather than knit etc... but just nothing lining up right, bad other bs happening killing motivation or mobility. Hopefully future months are better!
Ahh, well done keeping going when life is a bit shit, though. Migraines are awful - I had one last 6 days once and I thought I'd had enough of everything, can't imagine 11 days. You're inspiring me to try knitting through my stash, I was looking at it last night thinking it had got a bit out of hand now. I love these videos, even when you don't feel you've managed very much - it's realistic, life happens, and migraines are the worst. Don't worry about that!
I love this series for the videos like this. Progress isn't always a straight line and that's not even counting all the wandering circles chronic illness takes us on. Seeing you worth through that and also make progress on your stash (because even if it doesn't show in your totals, you ARE using that stash yarn!) has been really inspiring and has me "shopping" in my yarn+fabric stash first when I'm thinking about new projects. Keep up the great work!
Migraines suck. Hopefully it didn't last much longer than day 11. Hope September was at least a little better.
Thank you for the video!
I'm impressed that you're even trying to speak!
Be kind to yourself. Maybe release yourself from your stashbusting when you're in a really bad place? We appreciate your desire and goals and willingness to get something here for us to watch but your wellbeing comes first.
Migraines are the absolute fucking worst.
This is such an interesting series to follow - reminds me of the time I tried to sew through my whole fabric stash!
Maybe it’s time for a quick break to work on something that will give you a boost? That thing could totally be “fuck it, I’m resting” too! ❤
I would’ve bought the yarn too. The primary reason I personally make is because I like to use the things that are the outcome of my labour. While I love a challenge and working within a set of limits can make me much more creative, I always end up kicking myself later if I allow my self-imposed limits to significantly hamper my enjoyment of the end product. I think there is an art to knowing when to bend or break the rules, and when it’s worth sticking by them, and I think you’ve walked that line pretty expertly here
Great classified gain. Getting more to be able to finish is all good. The summer hasn't been all bad, June was nice (such memories). I've started knitting 🥳, slow as hell though but I'm sure I will get better the more I do.
Yay! Welcome to knitting! Slow and steady is the only way to get faster. I have been knitting on and off since age 10 so have nearly 20 years of practice. I hope it brings you as much joy as it does me 💚 although it also has its frustrations 🤣
Don't be so hard on yourself. Sometimes life just happens. I have been having the same sort of thing this month. So much going on so I couldn't really be where I wanted to be by this point in some projects. I'm glad you can continue the blouse now though! And buying yarn to be able to destash is completely ok if it's for finishing a project. Sometimes it's really hard to know if you have enough or not so at least it's towards doing something that brings you joy!
I hate migraines! Mine are caused by dark lighting and noise. I take some meds to help when it flares up. I would go to the hospital for my migraines because they were awful and I was a single parent with a large family. You know what's best for your situation.
I would go with the second sweater but that is just me. Glad you got another skein of yarn. Enjoy your finished sweater😊.
Something I really love about your videos is your honesty when talking about your reality, opinions and thoughts, this is one of the features that captured me since the first video I've watched from this channel.
Don't feel sad for thinking you have little to show us this month, because life gets in the way and you are making good progress. You being loyal to the Stash Busting is a great thing, very inspiring to me so it brings value to every stitch and minute you put on these projects.
I love your channel, cheers from Brazil💖
I love you, Claude. You are my favorite and the top YT result for disability knitting. I appreciate you, your sassiness, your persistence to finding ways to joy and adapting around the limitations of an energy-limiting condition. I’m down with a migraine myself right now. I cannot fathom how much energy and dedication and additional skill learning it took to be able to film and then edit and create a cohesive video of all of this, but it is so appreciated.
Realistic perfection is what you should go for. Make the rest of the daisies in different colours. It'll be great. As for the other stuff. Deep breath and move forward. This is not of your doing. Be kind to yourself.
Sorry you've been having a shitty time of things health wise. I have chronic neuropathic pain so I totally understand. If it helps, I think buying yarn second hand from someone else doesn't count as much to adding to your stash as buying it new. It adds to your stash, but it helps someone else reduce theirs and especially if they only had one skein left of it, it might never have been used.
I am so glad you have had the yarn to finish the daisy jumper. Make a note of how you solved the problem of running out of yarn because,if this was me,in a couple of months I would have forgotten. How do you source your patterns?If you'd rather not say don't worry ❤
I am still enjoying this series with ups and downs and all.
Though I can't fathom how you managed to get as much done as you did?!
I know people say not to compare yourself to others, but it seems as though I have less struggles and more time to focus on the making I want to do, but am nowhere near as productive as people like you and other disabled makers online. I ponder on this often...
thanks for sharing, sorry august was so rubbish, I hope things have evened out a bit for you now ♥
Maybe you could send off a ball of wool on ravelry for every one you get from there? Maybe some of the ones you're feeling least inspired by? I think you've said before you don't like using hand dyed stuff as much while other people love it?
I've given up on trying to use up every last centimetre of yarn. I buy the amount I will need according to the pattern, plus a bit more to be on the safe side, knit the garment up and then donate what's left over. Knitting should not only be practical, but fun too. Plus, if I were teaching a child how to knit, buying up a cheap lot of leftovers from the charity shop would be better than buying new yarn ... who knows if they'd ever be any good at it or like it, and the tension is always really uneven when you start learning to knit ... so buy cheap leftovers from the charity shop and move onto 'good' yarn when you know it will be worthwhile.
As you say you are fed up with stash busting and the niggling problems which you did not foresee it is perfectly OK to give up altogether or at the very least for the time being. Given your health problems it makes sense to find a project that excites you, that will give you pleasure not anxiety and that you can complete. You need to look after yourself!
I hope your ok, sometimes rough months happen and it sucks! Even the small things make a huge difference so glad you managed to get some crafting in! The blouse will look fabulous!
I hope you are feeling better now! Even if we don't get the best light or lengthy video, we are still happy along with you- the finished crochet blanket is great, the number of daisies is almost complete. I cannot wait to see the blouse finished- but on your own schedule of course.
I absolutely love your videos! I love that you're not pretending that you're okay and you're not pretending that your life is all butterflies and sunshine and it makes feel like I am not alone in being in pain. ❤️ Thank you.
Gotta love the Ravelry app for when you're between a rock and a tight spot for yarn! I'm glad someone came through!
I appreciate you posting this. I am pushing to finish a project which I hoped to finish already. Isn't that always the way? I think I have about a week and a half or more of work left.
I think some blue daisys over the shoulders would look awesome. Like bold shoulder padding, but in soft floral daisies. Cute!
I really love your stash busting videos even when you feel like there isn’t much to update, after all when you’ve not been well its understandable. Also it’s a cliche but it’s the journey not the destination!
Hope your migraine is gone and you’re on the up. Can’t wait to see the finished daisy blouse and it’s so great to see the blanket after it took you so long!
Thank you for your updates even though you couldn't finish as much as you wanted to! I so appreciate that you take the time to make videos for us even when you're having a shit month! (Also your knitting content is my all time favourite on the whole of the internet)
I am sorry to hear about the migraine, and no need to open the curtains just for us. But I do know you need some light to film in. They are the worst. So glad you decided to buy more yarn for the daisy blouse. You will be much happier with it not being bitty and you will wear it so much more.
Wish you get well. Greatings from Portugal !
Love your channel 😊
Do you have any yarn that is enough for a while project as is? I find i can only have one scrappy/use up yarn project on the needles at a time. Maybe try to make a dent in some of the jumper quantities you have for the variety?
I would make a blue stripe of daisies. If there's still not enough yarn, do some rainbow colors in the blue stripe.
It's nice to have honest videos that show the reality of knitting. Just thought I'd comment for the first time to let you know that it's reassuring to see a fantastic knitter frustrated with their progress. Definitely been there a lot and I'm only a year into the knitting bug 😅
Buy more white yarn. What good is knitting up the stash if you don’t like the finished project?
As always I appreciate your honesty about how difficult making can be, even when it is overall something that brings a lot of joy.There's so many little frustrations that can pile up. Sometimes projects just do not go your way! I recently tried making a pair of shorts and had to restart three times because they kept ending up enormous. Even if I made a gauge swatch, EVERY. SINGLE TIME.
I know you feel like you didn't get much done this month, but that you did anything at all is amazing to me - when my health acts up more than usual I just check out from knitting/crocheting (and really most of reality) completely lol. I've been pretty consistent this year but for August and most of September I did nothing. There was a sweater that I thought I would comfortably finish a month ago that I haven't touched in months. Most of my issues are concentration/energy/mood oriented, so sometimes my brain is just so fatigued and scattered that even reading a simple pattern is impossible. And it's so frustrating when the thing I use to cope with my mental health issues becomes impeded by those very same issues.
I've only just gotten back into things with a super simple scrappy granny square blanket, because it doesn't need a pattern and works up quickly with little mental effort. I'm really happy with it, and it isn't complicated at all.
If you are in the USA, there used to be an organization called "Linus' blanket" that took donated blankets & teddy bears and gave them to kids in need. Some were given to police, should they come across a traumatized child, some were given to Red Cross for Fire/Flood victims.
(You'ld probably want to use polyester yarn, easier to wash !)
I have also been struggling with that this month. The thing I use to cope with pain and keep my mental health in good shape has not been available to me. As much as I try and find adaptations sometimes it's not possible and it just sucks. 💚
I feel your pain. I am having a flair up this month and finding it hard to concentrate on anything. Take it easy and look after yourself.
Don't beat yourself up too much, we all have our bad months. The hexi puffs are adorable by the way, and i know the daisy sweater will turn out great❤
Excited to see this cute blouse progressing one Daisy at a time! 🎉 Sending all my yarn energy to you!!
Don't be upset about a bad month. I hope September was better and glad you sourced the CaMaRose.
1. (Off Topic) Your hair looks great in this video-that is a flattering a cut/style/length on you.
2. When you popped up that package with the skein of yarn you’d been searching for, I cried out “Oh, yay!” almost like I thought you could hear me. LOL!!! Seriously very happy you found it and can achieve the chic sweater you imagined. I’ve definitely been following this daisy journey and can’t wait to see how your hard work pays off! You’re in the home stretch, congrats!
Thank you! I'm enjoying it being a bit longer. At first I was a bit sad it grew out but I haven't been well enough to keep getting it cut short so it's nice to hear that ☺️
The hexipuffs are cute! Glad to have had an update on them. Exited to see what happens to the blouse!
Pretty impressive pronunciation you were taught! Scandinavian languages are a bit wacky (I learnt Danish when I lived there, with difficulty 😆)
Thank you! I have been well taught ☺️
As a fellow migraine person, I completely understand having one headache wipe out your whole month. I've had both of my last two Botox treatments pushed back due to unforseen circumstances and the last couple weeks of the three months between treatments is already rough. I'm getting my next round tomorrow and I was supposed to get it like two weeks ago. I'm dying, but surviving. So glad you got more hexipuffs done and that daisy blouse is going to absolutely slap when it's done.
Wishing you strength to keep going and some relief soon! 💚
Migraines are the worst. I get them too and they can last weeks. I hope you are feeling better soon.
From one flaring body to another its totally okay to have a grump and swear about just how shit being so ill for so long is. I spend so much time be "okay" withh situation I'm in that I feel guilty for admitting how rubbish it can be. When you have limited energy having to spend it on fighting for your rights hurts so much. The hexipuffs flower look fab and comfy. I can't wait to see the daisy top as I would have given up on that already. With all the other stuff going on in life I feel that having a project that you purchase supplies for that is in your interests and comfort zone along side the stash busting might be a good option. Just so you have a "shit day" project. I hope something in this is vaguely helpful. Thank you for the video. 🦓
I like the idea of a shit day project 😊
Are you using any of your yarn stash to stuff the hexipuffs by chance? It would probably be a major hassle to fluff up scraps with like, a dog grooming brush, but it seems like a good way to use up yarn that doesn't spark joy and pad your stash bust totals
I haven't been doing that because I also have a massive stash of toy stuffing left over from a previous job. If I ever run out I'll start fluffing up scrap yarn!
Your snarky commentary and realistic portrayal of disability is enough to have us come back Claude!
I'm sad you've had such a shit month though, I hope september has been better.
Thank you! Blessedly it has been better but I'm still having to take things slow 💚
Not a good time to be making decisions... Be kind to yourself. The smaller top should work, I like it more. You could put the rest of your stash on Ravelry to finish it off?
Birdy
I have listed a few bits I'm unlikely to use as trade/sell. No interest just yet but I'm hopeful 🤞
Sorry you had a rough August. I hope you're doing a bit better now.
Migraines are awful! Have you tried one of the migraine cold caps? I think it would look wonderful with blue daisy's mixed in
No I haven't but I'll look into it ☺️
I learned that I can get yarn through the community at Ravelry, and that is new information to me! So you very much taught me something that I'm sure is going to come in handy!
Oh yes the destash groups on Ravelry are wonderful! I've seen yarn, fibre, books, equipment... a great place to look and indeed pass on supplies to a good home 💚
I am 100% definitely going to check that out!@@RetroClaude