Strange Development and CONTEST!!!

Perhaps not so strange at all, considering I seem to display the occasional spurt of O.C.D. This behavior usually coincides with elevated stress levels, and that's when things start 'changing' around here. Stuff gets tossed, and I mean HUGE amounts of stuff; leads me to wonder how, and why, I seem to always re-accumulate things. - And they're just that: things. I mean, you can't take it with you, right? So, what's the point in hanging on to something that's been sitting in boxes for 5+ years? - Or, I'll go on a total creative tangent, where I'll just make, make, make. And if I don't feed the creative urge somehow, I get really, really cranky. Does this ever happen to you? I know it happens to others, I've witnessed it first hand.

Anyway, all this to say that my latest spurt involves crocheting. Lots of it.
I. Can't. Stop. O.o

It's embarrassing really. Here, here's an excerpt of a phone** conversation I had with Maria last night:
M: "So how's the Krro' CHe Ting?
Moi: "Not bad, I made my first BEANIE!"
M: "To match your long scarf?"
Moi: " Yes. And now that I know I can do it, I started another one for my red set..."
M: " You're starting a second one?"
Moi: " Yeah, it's about halfway done."
M: "LOL!"

So, yeah, it's taking over. Mimi had a playdate yesterday, her little friend Kit came over for a few hours. Awesome kid that Kitty. Cute as a button! Anyway, being in each other's company in a context other than class is much more fun. Especially when there are crafts involved. Lots of glitter glue and google eyes for these girls. And so, the kids entertaining each other allowed me plenty of working time, and I started on a beanie to match this scarf:

I love this piece. By far, the most enterprising hooking (that one's for You Phosie!) =) project I've ever endeavored. I used 3 different types of yarn and two stitches - Single and Double Crochet. The light green (Dill) row is chunky Bamboo - incredibly soft, the dark row is Lion Brand Incredible in 'Accents on Black', and the center row is called Twister, in some kind of variegated gray/khaki blend called Sage Twist.

As the story goes with this project, I found that as I worked further along, my tension seemed to relax. This caused two things.
1. My rows get looser the further along I go, creating this strange 'curling' effect, which actually looks pretty neat.
B. Since my tension relaxed, each stitch requiring more yarn, I ran out of the ribbon yarn, banking on the fact that I'd only used a single ball on the first section. I was quite a few inches off of finishing my very last row with it, and couldn't find it anywhere. I mean, not even Michael's had it! I was distraught. But then, Kirsten came came through for me. I knew she'd bought some at the same time. But when I asked, she told me she'd used it in a scarf, but, it hadn't turned out the way she wanted, so if I was willing to take it apart, I could use it.

Ta-Da! Kirsten to the rescue!!!

It's quite long. The longest scarf I've ever seen actually. It's weighty, and feels luxurious. I wasn't sure about the different textures at first. I liked the way it looked, but after working with the bamboo and switching to the ribbon, it felt so different.

You know what? I feel inspired! I feel like having a little contest. Just a little something to chase away the doldrums. It's been cold, most of us have been sick, and I'm starting to see quite a few of my loved ones afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder in some form or other. So, who wants to play? Jewels is in a playful mood.

Here's the contest: How long is Jewel's super long scarf?

The first person to guess will be the recipient of a cute little handmade something made by Moi. The winner will get to choose between a beanie or fingerless gloves (the ones you slip your thumb through), or a thin scarf; the color shall be determined by what I have at hand. (No worries if a fella wins, I have 'non girly' colors.) Oh, and I will ship it anywhere in the world. One guess per person, and the contest ends Friday, February 1st, 8:00 pm, E.S.T. (LOL, how 'official')
So, ready?


Go!

Oh, a tip: I measure 5 feet, 5 inches tall.

Another Oh: Sorry Maria, but you have to skip this one. Oh, and to those of you who know Maria? Don't you even think about asking her! ;)
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** Before hanging up, I told Maria I'd call her when my beanie was done. She replied "Ok, talk to you in 10 minutes..." ... Funny gal...
Two hours later... I was done. I called Maria, as promised, and when I told her I was done, she laughed. She laughed at me.... :) LOL! Of course she said no, she wasn't laughing at me. She was just very impressed. More laughter, then "I'm impressed, and you're obsessed..." LOL!

*******************************Finally got a shot of chapeau #1
Perfect match to the scarf

Also a cute shot of my red beanie, to match the shell stitch scarf and wrist warmers.

Have I told you how much I love crochet yet?