Motivation

Sometimes I find it hard to stay motivated on a project. I suppose this is not an uncommon dilemma. I did make 2 stuffed bears that are awaiting a trip to Minnesota and then on to Africa via the Mother Bear Project. I will admit that it was fun letting my imagination go in creating these wonderful bears. I hope that their new parents love them as much as I do.

Part of my motivation issues started with the disappointment that I experienced when the March patterns were released for the Crochet Club 2011. The individual motif or expansion of a working motif was not the problem. The design just didn't seem to flow because of the placement of the individual motifs. I also realized that the stated sizes for each finished motif creates issues for the overall design.

The March patterns introduced two motifs that are to be placed on the outside of two of the corner blocks. The center is bridged by the long wave / beaded section. So the new outer motifs have a finished height of 17 cm. The corner motifs are supposed to be 19 cm and finally the longwave motif is supposed to be 17 cm. I am in such a quandry. My corners were working up smaller than the gauge stated so I went up a hook size (from D (US) to E) to make gauge. Now I am thinking that this was a poor call and I should have just stuck with the original hook. I haven't worked with cotton yarns and so I am not sure how the finished pieces will maintain their shapes after blocking.

I was not the only one having problems with the design. April has brought new patterns and these are much better. I am beginning to decide that I may omit certain parts of the design or at lease modify them so that I will be happy and finish the project.