Blocks and Bowling

Crochet blocks, that is.  Between traveling to Ohio for grandpa's birthday, and traveling to a bowling tournament this past weekend, I've had a little bit of time to work on my CIPs. 

A few weeks ago, Dad and I bowled in the Central Shenandoah Valley USBC Hall of Fame Tournament and didn't do too badly.  We placed 7th in Doubles, I placed 7th in Women's Singles, and I placed 6th in All Events (which takes your scores from Doubles, Singles, and Team and adds them all together)! I don't know exactly how many doubles/singles there were since the results haven't been posted to the website yet, but I'm still quite pleased.  Now the Virginia State Mixed Tournament in Richmond Saturday and Sunday was a completely different experience. Double/Singles weren't too bad, but Team was a nightmare! The lanes were not very forgiving, we couldn't get anything to carry, and we bowled lousy - about 300 pins BELOW our team average for the day. It's impossible to win anything that way. The tournament goes through the end of the month, so we won't have any results before the middle to end of March, I'm sure. At the end of the day we were still laughing and smiling so I guess it wasn't so bad. Plus, we went to Dairy Queen afterward, and ice cream makes everything better!


I did make some progress on the Red Heart Checkerboard Textures Throw while traveling. Woohoo! I'm using Lion Brand Pound of Love yarn in Antique White #099. The squares are so soft, and measure roughly 12x12 10x10. They're close enough that I think once it's pieced together it'll be ok. The next textured square doesn't come out until next week. Boo!
 

Cross-Stitch Square

 

Granny Square

I made a decision about the other crochet alongs...after looking at the Moogly crochet along more closely, I realized that the squares were much more intricate than at first glance, so I decided to only join the 2014 Block-A-Month Crochet Along. I am really enjoying the squares, and they make quick work. I've gone with Red Heart Super Saver in Buff #0334, Soft Navy #0387, Aran #0313 and Cafe Latte #0360.

There is one main square a month, one filler square, and one 6" square, so the choices really are endless. I've decided on the Lemony Lime Citrus Square, the Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square, and the Flower Tile Afghan Square so far. I've learned something, too. Squares aren't so bad afterall.



Lemony Lime Citrus Square

Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square




I love the texture of this square! It makes you just want to run your hands across it, doesn't it? So ruffley and soft! I'm really liking the the colors, too, and I just happened to have them on hand so I didn't have to make any special trips to the store before starting. That makes me and my pocketbook happy!

Frostbloom 12" Afghan Square

 

Flower Tile Afghan Square
 

The downside to these two crochet alongs is that the afghans won't be completed until December! AAAHH! Waiting is so hard! I may have to add some 6" squares to fill in the time. Or, um, I could just work on the CIPs that are anxiously awaiting my crochet hook...