Too much of a good thing

Yarns, Stories, Tales/Tails, Accounts, Musings.

Here’s the thing, this story is not really about yarn, it is about my inability to put down the hook. What I’m about to share is an observation, an accounting, a recurring ticker tape running through my brain (like those songs you hate but know all the words to and can’t stop hearing play). I feel I must wipe it out and am hoping if I vent for a few minutes by writing this post, I can stop the nonsense.

Understand that I am laughing at myself for this behavior but can’t make myself stop it. Please do not judge.

But before I continue with that, here are some pics of what I’ve been working on the last couple of months. And from my table where I am typing this post, I can see six WIPS (Works in Progress for those who don’t know): 2 sweaters, 2 blankets, a t-shirt and a scarf.

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It might be possible that I need an intervention. I know I’ve said it (at least to myself) and may have written it in a post but I am finding I can’t crochet fast enough. There are soooo many truly awesome patterns to try, ideas in my head that I want to explore and yarns to touch. I do have other things to do that do not involve this passion; there just aren’t enough hours in the day or stamina in my hands.

I am super happy when I have a hook in my hand. Well, unless there’s a giant yarn snarl or I find out that I screwed something up 3 rows ago or pick up a project I started months ago, only to realize I have no idea what size hook I was using or – and here’s the real problem – my hand goes numb.

Yep, I’m mostly in denial but it’s very probable that a carpal tunnel procedure is in my future. It’s not too bad yet, my hand is a wee bit swollen; no one else would notice because I have skinny hands/fingers but I notice because it’s not as easy to bend my fingers and rings don’t fit.

So, what to do (except go have that aforementioned procedure). It has been suggested I not crochet for awhile. Ok, so, what else should I do with that time?

Amongst the many other things to do, I can garden, I can work on my torch, I can workout more, and I can read. I have been doing those but let’s be honest, all but the reading part are just as tough on my dominant hand/wrist. Why is it that almost everything I want to do involves my right hand?

The intervention is in the offing though, if I can make it to the airport without a project stashed in my carry-on. I’ll be in California for a few days attempting to sort through my sister’s belongings. My niece is going and my nephew (both of whom are my brother’s offspring) who lives out there is helping so that part will be nice. The sorting, not so much.

That’s the back story. Here’s the part I need to expunge.

During the last few days I have spent way too much time looking at my stash and sorting through my queue to decide what to take with me to work on while traveling. I mean, I have 3.5 hours each way in the plane! Of course I’ll crochet!

And then my brain says “Stop. No crochet for you on this trip. Take and read a book or two.”

“Ok,” I say to myself, “that’s a good idea. I’ll do that.”

Now, can I tell you just how many times I’ve had that conversation with myself during the last week after being distracted by some lovely yarn or a pattern from a newsletter? No I cannot. Had it again this morning with my first two cups of coffee. I’d be having it now except I’m writing about it instead. Does that count?

There is a yarn store close to where we are staying…my brain hasn’t tried to talk me out of going there…. What size hook should I take to use on the yarn I’ll buy?! And which project will it be for?

There, I’ve written it down, got it off my brain. Think I’ll go take some Motrin and finish my t-shirt.