Category: Crochet

Where has the time gone? Already saying a hasty farewell to April vacation, I can hardly believe I even had a full week during which I could do as I pleased, although it’s even harder to believe that now I’m expected to return to school again. Call it senoritis if you wish, but it’s just so difficult to get motivated when I look down at my full binder, literally bursting at the seams in order to carry its burden of loose-leaf, hand-outs, and assignments. We’ve all been there, I’m sure, so I really must commend any of those studious types out there who so diligently attend every class, and even do the unthinkable – Actually study for tests. Really, I kid you not; Those people do exist!

Although it would seem that this rare breed is becoming endangered and their numbers rapidly dwindle as one climbs higher up the ladder of education, I was comforted to see my favorite bookworm had made it through the break with just as much desire to learn as before. Observing him wait patiently at his bus stop as per usual, it was a clear sign that class was truly back in session.

Backpack loaded down with books and strapped snugly over his shoulders, I was embarrassed to look at my own load that now seemed as inconsequential as a single sheet of paper by comparison. His dedication is quite astounding; Only two months away from graduation and he still acts as though every grade counts.

You know… Maybe I don’t envy his blind obedience towards such a rigid, uncompromising system. That glazed over look in his eyes… I know it’s not due to his ambivalence about giving up the freedom of vacation, but instead the residual effect of endless stress and worry over getting straight A’s. Sure, I would love to get grades like he does… But not so much that I would place all of my self-worth on some ultimately meaningless letter, no more special than any of the other 25 in the alphabet. Call it senioritis, perhaps… But I think that I’m just looking forward to the future instead of getting stuck in the present.

Turning the corner to continue on my way to the train station, I gave a silent greeting to my most studious acquaintance. Hopefully he too will be able to relax in the coming days… Grades aren’t everything, after all.

Holidays are always fun occasions to do something different – Even the most minimal and obscure ones are reasons to celebrate in my book. Although it’s not even officially commemorated in my calendar, today happens to be Earth Day, and if there was ever something to pay homage to, I would definitely have to give the award to our planet. As so much of the world continues to pollute and destroy it with reckless abandon, it needs us more than ever; It wasn’t created to become our personal trash heap, but now we’re the only ones who can dig ourselves out of this mess. Big words coming from the girl who could probably have her own landfill full of food wrappers and yarn scraps, but the thought is still there…! Wanting to show my appreciation in more than just acknowledging the passing of this date, I decided to do at least some very small act to connect to the land to which we owe so much. Shovel in hand, I strode jauntily onto my sun-drenched lawn the other day, prepared to get down and dirty to plant some sweet little sprouts. Not the biggest commitment on my part, I’ll admit, but it’s the thought that counts!

Taking in a deep breath of fresh air, I couldn’t believe what a gorgeous day I had the good fortune to enjoy. Finally, it feels like a kind and generous sun has returned to fill the sky with bountiful sunlight, warming my surroundings as though such thing as “winter” had never existed. Admiring the beauty of nature, I suppose I was a bit distracted as I moved the earth aside with my tiny trowel because I could have sworn that I felt the dirt itself pushing back. A weird sensation to say the least, but I paid little mind – It was probably just due to the strenuous force required to extricate some of the bigger stones in my path, I reasoned. Continuing to the best of my ability, I soon found it was impossible to deny that there was definitely something preventing my shovel from descending any further. Setting my tools aside to take a peek into my fresh hole, I leapt nearly a foot in the air when some creature emerged at the surface!

What on Earth have I done! Frantically replacing the mound of soil to where I found it, I apologized profusely to the frightened little mole. All I had wanted was to aid the life of an innocent plant, and in the process I nearly destroyed the home of an innocent animal! What a cruel irony! Luckily, the mole was uninjured; It was just his home that was a casualty.

Thoroughly embarrassed by my blunder, I quickly offered to rebuild the complicated network of tunnels that previously made up his dwelling, but while he appreciated the gesture, he doubted that my fumbling hands would be capable of creating such a complicated design. Glancing sadly back at the wrecked mess that was once his shelter, he paced about, considering the tool that he tried in vain to hold off.

No, no, if I was to help out this shovel would not do. Instead, trying to stay in the spirit of the holiday and not only complete the task at hand, but also salvage this strained new relationship, I struck up a proposal with the melancholy mole. Why not stay in my comfortable home while he took his time in rebuilding the damaged areas of his? In return, I figured it was only fair if he let my wee little sprouts grow in peace above his head, where I had originally intended them to thrive. After a moment of consideration, a small smile grew to replace his worried frown, and a friendship was made, despite how it began in rocky ground.

Sorry to say, this highly anticipated spring has been something of a downer thus far. Stepping off the plane from Tokyo, the blast of cold air that greeted me came as quite a shock, as I had thought that New England was experiencing very similar weather during my absence. Sure, 60 – 70 degrees over in Tokyo is nothing to write home about, but compared to the 30 – 40 degree rains over here, it seems like a tropical paradise! Periodically raining, shining, and then raining again, the rivers have swollen to impressive proportions, fed by brief but massive downpours. Wanting to capture some of the rapidly moving water passing through a nearby stream, I wandered down into town a bit, camera in tow, snapping pictures every few feet. Although I had fully expected to find some interesting and photogenic sights along the river bank, I nearly dropped my camera in the water when I saw a pair of eyes staring back that seemed to find me just as interesting a subject!

From the distance between us, I couldn’t be entirely sure of the accuracy of my vision; Certainly a baby alligator would never turn up in such a remote area, especially without a parent in sight! And yet as I moved closer for a better look, I could hardly question my first assessment. Still small and cute, he bore no resemblance to the fearsome killers I had seen tearing other animals and even humans to shreds on tv, so I quickly dropped my guard and forgot my fears. Still being cautious to look for his guardians, I snapped numerous pictures of this incredible find – Who would have believed otherwise?

Slyly grinning from his perch on a sunny rock, he appeared quite content and self-assured, especially for a young tyke of his age. Perhaps he knew he had quite a reputation in these parts, where the most fearsome wild animals we have are probably tame enough to be considered as pets. Although it was clear that he posed no real danger, I still didn’t want to stick around for too long, in case some enraged mother with teeth of steel showed up, wondering what a vegan might taste like. After reviewing the display on my camera that proved my eyes did not deceive me, I headed for home, excited to show this peculiar critter to anyone who crossed my path.

Cute as he was, I just hope that he doesn’t plan to spend too long in the area… Though small and adorable now, just give him some time to hit a growth spurt and become a true terror. Paired with that confident attitude, I don’t think that any inhabitants of that stream would have a fighting chance! If you’d like to tempt fate and try raising your own baby alligator nonetheless, I wouldn’t ever want to dissuade anyone passionate enough, so here’s the pattern!

Upper Jaw

With green worsted weight yarn and a size F hook, ch4, sc into second stitch from hook, sc 2, sc2 more into last stitch, sc1 into the back of each stitch, sc 2 more into last stitch. (10)
Continuing around in the same direction, sc3, sc2 into next two stitches each, sc3, sc2 into each of the next two stitches. (14)
Sc5, sc2 into next stitch, sc6, sc 2 into next stitch, sc1 (16)
Sc around for 9 rounds
Break yarn and secure.

Lower Jaw

Ch3, sc into second st from hook, sc 4 into next stitch (moving around to the back), sc3 into back of last stitch. (8)
Continuing in a circle, sc2, sc2 into each of the next two sts, sc2, sc2 into each of the next 2 sts. (12)
Sc4, sc2 into next st, sc5, sc2 into next st, sc1. (14)
Sc around for 9 rounds
Do not break yarn.

Body

Lining up the upper jaw next to your current work, sc into first 8 sts of upper jaw, sc into outer 7 st of lower jaw, leaving the inner sts of each piece unworked. (15)
Continuing around the outside, Sc2 into each of the next 2 sts, sc4, sc 2 into each of the next 3 sts, sc5, sc2 into next st (21)
Sc around for 11 rounds
Sc1, sc2 tog* around (14)
Sc5, sc2 tog* twice (12)
Sc around for 7 rounds
Sc2 tog around (6)
Sc2 tog around (3)

Tongue

With red yarn, ch4, sc2 into second st from hook, sc1, sc2 into final st (5)
Ch1, sc2 into second st from hook, sc3, sc2 into final st (7)
Ch1, sc across for 10 rows

Eyes [Make 2]

With white yarn, sc5 into a circle
Sc2 into each st (10)
Sc around
Sc2 tog (5)

Legs [Make 4]

Sc4 into a circle
Sc2 into each st (8)
Sc around for 4 rounds

To Assemble: Through opening between jaws, firmly stuff body. Lightly stuff jaws. Sew tongue to lower jaw along raw back edges. Sew the opening in back with a length of green yarn. Cut triangles out of white felt for the teeth and glue into desired positions. Stuff the eyes, gather together the open end and secure, and attach to top of the head. Glue on half-round beads, buttons, or circles of black felt for the pupils. Stuff all legs and sew onto the body as indicated by the pictures.

Take care of your new baby, but keep an eye on any other small pets when your gator is loose!

As another grueling school day comes to a close, I take a deep breath of relief, knowing that this tiring routine will only last for a few more weeks before summer vacation comes to the rescue. Right when it feels as though one more science project will set you off on a murderous rampage, this merciful break affords you the time to rest, relax, and slowly come to grips with the fact that the whole cycle will begin yet again in a short matter of time. Such a devious trickster summer vacation can be! This time, however, I’m not sure how to think about it. Approaching the end of my senior year, should I simply expect things to be the same, that college is no better than the deadening repetition and busy work I faced all of these previous years? In this time of transition, it’s hard to be sure of anything really… In fact, I still wasn’t sure where I might even be attending college at this point…

Staring listlessly out the window, contemplating the intimidating “bigger picture” that some people refer to as the future, I noticed some unusual activity outside. Apparently the mail was being delivered, but it certainly was much earlier than normal! And who was the mail man there? I couldn’t get a good look at his face, but I was positive that he was no one I had ever seen before…

Sitting squarely on top of the mailbox itself, this new mail carrier had hoisted himself all the way up there just to open the stubborn receptacle. What determination! Observing from behind for fear of offending him with my curious gaze, I wondered how he got here in the first place. With no truck or associates in sight, he seemed perfectly confident and capable of accomplishing his job nonetheless. Judging by the fact that he could scale a vertical pole without a hassle, I suppose I shouldn’t have doubted his aptitude.

Eyes closed serenely, satisfied by a job well done, he didn’t seem like such a strange creature after all, albeit conspicuous. Gathering up my courage, I approached and introduced myself, knowing that it never hurts to make friends with those who could potentially read your private letters, or dispose of important packages should you upset them. Instantly jumping to attention at hearing me pronounce my name, he handed over an official-looking envelope bearing that very title. Seeing as I rarely get any mail in the first place, I was now even more confused than when I first spotted this guy meandering towards the property! Job accomplished, my new mail carrier hopped down from the box and continued on his way, leaving me to puzzle over my parcel.

Well, it only took a second before I figured out it was a letter from my first-choice college – Let’s just call it Farnard University. Excitedly slashing through the thin seal, I retrieved the single sheet of paper resting inside. Unfolding as fast as I could, I had to read it over and over until I finally was able to comprehend… That I had been rejected. FU had essentially told me, “F.U.”

Such disappointment and shame I felt, I could hardly summon the energy to drag myself back through the front door, and yet somehow I still could have easily chased after that mail man, formerly a potential ally, and throttle him on the spot. I know it wasn’t his fault in the least… But I was at such a loss at that moment, no action I took would have felt right. Yes, life happens, and clearly this wasn’t the place for me if they didn’t even want me there… But that doesn’t make this bitter pill any easier to swallow.

For some reason, no matter their origins or current residence, I would have to say that every person I’ve ever encountered had some degree of fear or intolerance towards bugs, myself included. Is it because of their destructive habits of eating the food we arbitrarily claim as “ours,” or the way they are demonized in modern households as invaders, nothing but a potentially disease-ridden nuisance to exterminate? Does it have anything to do with the fact that as a population, none of them seems to have exactly happened upon the luck of looking attractive? Many such explanations could be employed by the fearful human trying to cover their sorry asses, but if that’s all there was to it, then why don’t we try to poison or stomp all over the irritating house guests who have long overstayed their welcome? I couldn’t even begin to explain my own reactions, but at the very least, my formerly exaggerated negative response has become much more tame over the years.

Still pink in the cheeks and entering the new world of elementary school, I was terrified by bees. Spiders came in at #2 on my list of phobias, and then absolutely everything else that crawled around in the dirt (Besides those appalling little 1st grade children) followed in no particular order. It really didn’t matter if it had wings, more legs than I felt necessary, extra eyes, or not; Every tiny terror was equally petrifying. If the aforementioned creatures ever had the misfortune of crossing paths with me, I’m sure they would have been many times more scared than I. Screaming, bawling, going through various stages of histrionics, it was not a pretty sight. Even to this day I find myself unable to explain such extreme behavior, as phobias by definition are almost always completely irrational.

Without understanding exactly why, it would seem as though we as a nation are collectively phobic of this same portion of the animal kingdom to a certain degree. Absurd as I’m sure I looked, flailing my limbs as though my whole body had been doused in gasoline and set afire, no one considered this to be so unusual. The blind leading the blind this way, I still have a few qualms with uninvited vistors of the arthropod-variety. Truth be told, the mere appearance of lady bugs used to be enough to send me into panic attacks even well into my middle school years.

Thankfully, I’ve gained enough insight to see how entirely harmless most of these formerly threatening insects truly are. Lady bugs are especially benevolent in my eyes, ever since I learned that in some cultures they are actually considered a sign of good luck. Who could chase a bearer of luck out onto the porch, much less greet them with a cold boot in the face? Considering all the unbelievably fortunate events happening in my life, I hardly feel as though I deserved a visit from this little lady, but was happy to leave the window for her free passage all the same.

The first bug to be found indoors this season thus far, I can only hope that this is a positive indication of things to come. The days will only grow warmer, inviting different creepy-crawlies to come out of hiding and perhaps investigate new areas, such as the curious buildings and houses that seem to be found just about everywhere, so I certainly am grateful that this kind beetle was the opening act. Easing into spring and summer makes it much easier to calmly see the scarier creatures on their way later on – But really, they don’t even need help most of the time. Left to their own devices, most continue on their way in little time to make the most of their short lives. Why would they want to stick around and torment you when they only have so many days to go through adolescence, marriage, middle age, and retirement all in a flash?

Wait a moment, what did you say? I must have misheard you, because I could have sworn that you said something about March having already ended… Oh, it’s no misunderstanding? This March truly did go out like a lamb then, because in all of the hustle and bustle going about in the kitchen, I probably could have gone on for days without noticing its absence!

My wooly friend here is living the good life, with tons of vibrant young grass to munch on, and the occasional treat of new sprouts just barely peeking their heads above the soil. Days grow longer and he grows fuzzier, getting ready to shed his winter coat for the year. I warned him not to get too ahead of himself though, as cooperation from the weather is not yet a guarantee – In fact, some crazy forecasts still insist that snow is due in our area next Monday!

Alas, were my little lamb half-way across the world in Japan, snow would be the furthest thing from his mind. Just as March came to a close, Hanami season has begun, as gorgeous pink sakura blossoms go through their brief but intense life cycles all over the country. Who wouldn’t love to experience that, and for this guy in particular, taste that too? Even for us humans, sakura mochi and other sweet treats that utilize this brilliant flower are a definite draw.

Well, can you believe it, I will actually get a chance to see the sakura in person this year! A brief, last-minute trip, I’ll be leaving for Japan on the 7th and returning late on the 11th. No snow for me this time around! Not wanting anyone to worry, I thought it would only be fair to explain my absence in advance, although I still plan on blogging up until my departure. Any suggestions for activities or sights to see? This will be my third time in Tokyo, but my first opportunity to wander the streets alone at my leisure.

Perhaps I should bring the lamb with me so he can taste the sakura for himself!