train trip accomplishments

Ok, so I made these in November on my train trip to San Francisco.  I even took the photos then.  But now I'm cleaning up my desktop, so voila!

A giant cowl, with giant yard.  Kind of odd looking, especially as it ends right at the fullest part of my breasts, but it's warm.

My new favorite hat.  It's really soft.

A mobius wrap.  It's how nerds stay warm.  If anyone can explain to me why Blogger sometimes doesn't give a crap how I want my photos turned, I'd love to hear it.  This was rotated and saved six months ago, but apparently Blogger is too good for that.

A small grocery bag. 

All of this was the perfect level of brainless knitting/crocheting for staring out the window at the incredible scenery.

Ugly but Functional Craft

Here are the boot rugs I made for our side door, which is where we come in in the winter with all our stuff on, but is just landing on the stairs. I crocheted them out of strips of fleece, which I cut in a way that I learned from Claire's Big Hooks book. You cut a strip down one side, but stop about an inch before the edge of the fabric. Then you start the next strip from the edge, but don't go all the way to the edge at the end. It makes one long strip with no sewing or knotting. Sure, there are corners sticking out in places, but I like to just shove them back in.

They aint pretty, but they catch all the melting snow and sand and salt, and are machine washable. They feel lovely to stand on, and Deirdre has suggested a big rug for in front of the sink, to fully enjoy the squishy.