I have been in a crocheting mood lately, but I wanted to make something different than my usual of scarves, hats, ear warmers, cup cozies, and boot cuffs. I love making those things for my customers and think of each person in every stitch of their order (check out my page HERE!), but I wanted to work on something different for a few days between orders. I took to Pinterest to find a new pattern to try. If you're anything like me, you have something somewhat specific in mind when looking for a crochet pattern because, let's be honest, most wearable crochet items are... scary. I found myself thinking, "Someone actually made that?? For someone to wear??? Whhyyyy????" And it wasn't just once or twice that I thought that. YOU know what I'm talking about. After not finding anything I liked in Pinterest, I went to all the free crochet sites and came up with the same. Jack squat. Then I thought about a sweater that I have in my closet. One that I have had since sometime in high school. One that I couldn't even tell you where I got it because it's been that long. One that I still love because it's so perfectly cozy and autumn-y. This is the one I'm talking about: I just love this sweater more and more as the years pass. It fit me well back then, and as I've been shrinking my size over the years, it has grown a bit on me, literally, and I have to say that I love it even more now that it's a bit baggy. It's perfect to wear over long sleeves, skinny jeans, and boots. So I pulled that sweater out of my closet and laid it out so I could see the shape. It's a surprisingly simple shape, and I thought, "Pshhhh... I can totally do that!" So, using nothing but this old sweater to go by, I started working on my new project. Before we get to the pattern, let me start by reminding you that I made this up as I was going. I tried my best to write everything down clearly as I was going, but sometimes something I wrote may not make sense to you. I sincerely apologize for that. Feel free to tweak the pattern to your liking - if you make any changes to the pattern, please leave a comment with what you did so others can see it too!! I'd also love to see your finished item!! I do not have any size adjustments to give you with the pattern. I will tell you, though, that it has a great deal of stretch and looks good on a wide range of sizes. I'm 7 months pregnant and it fits over my belly just fine, but I also can't wait to wear it when my pregnancy is over and it's a little more baggy! Keeping that in mind, here it is! Click on the link below! Thanks to my sweet husband for taking the pictures of the finished sweater! He really is the best :) I couldn't resist getting a few more shots in while we were out and all dressed in photo-worthy clothes! If you like my pattern, please share it on Pinterest!! And comment or send me pictures of your finished projects - I'd love to see them!! Also check out my Facebook page for other items I've made!! Thanks for stopping by and happy crocheting!
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There is currently a "Fun Size" Snickers bar in the back of our pantry. Hidden. Hidden because I hid it from myself. Out of sight, out of mind, right? It has been there for a while now, maybe a month or two, and my plan was working - I had completely forgotten about it. This week, in an effort to eat better and make better choices, husband and I decided to take all the candy out of the house. All of it! I took the candy bowl we had on our kitchen counter and dumped that baby right into the trash. Without any remorse!! I filled the bowl with apples and bananas and was relieved to have that temptation removed from my daily sightline. We have also been working on being more active. Being pregnant, I have a strong tendency to sit around and do nothing (except running around chasing my wild child, K). Because that is more comfortable. More convenient. But that is no more. Last year, Jordan and I set out to lose weight and get healthy - to be around and set a good example for our kids. Various injuries and health conditions and pregnancy and moving across the country set us back a bit. But we are back in full force! Jordan has his weight goal and is heading right toward it, already down almost 10 pounds! I, on the other hand, have my after-pregnancy goal, but until then, I am working on staying properly hydrated and not looking like a cow by the time this pregnancy is over. Being active now will only make the post-baby goal that much easier. So back to the candy. I dumped out the candy bowl, feeling empowered, having completely forgotten about the "Fun Size" Snickers lurking in the pantry. But then it hit me when I was foraging around the kitchen for something to eat yesterday afternoon. I remembered that tiny candy bar. It would have been only too easy to scarf that down like a bowl of hot mac'n'cheese. But I didn't. I ate an apple. While I was crunching on my delicious honeycrisp apple, I couldn't help but think about that Snickers bar. Not that I wanted it, but that I really didn't. But mostly what I was thinking about was "Why did I hid it in the first place?" If I had really cared about myself and making a change, I would have just thrown it away. Why did I leave it there, as an option, just in case? Was it to make myself stronger, knowing that I was resisting the temptation? If so, why on earth would I do that to myself?? But I know better now. Throwing away the temptation is not taking the easy way out. Throwing away the temptation IS overcoming it. So I get on that treadmill (because AS IF I'm going to walk outside with a baby in a stroller in January in Iowa), and I drink that water (because pregnant women don't already have to pee every 10 minutes *insert eye roll*), and I eat that fruit. And I throw away the candy. ALL of it. Because I am worth more than a Snickers bar. And so are you! xoxo Casey P.S. I can always count on my sweet K to have my back - she made me breakfast this morning! 😂 Stay strong, friends! You are worth more than your temptation! |
AuthorMy name is Casey, I am a wife and mother, and I think you should always believe that something wonderful is about to happen. Archives
April 2017
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