You Get What You Pay For

 I've been planning what to take on my crafty retreat tomorrow. We're responsible for our own breakfasts and lunches and divvied up items to share for dinner. I popped into the $1.25 store for a couple of things and saw this cute little amigurumi kit in the craft area.

I figured it could easily be adapted to make a donkey. I checked inside the box to make sure everything was there - including the instructions - as the instructions weren't mentioned in the contents list on the box.

Once I got it home, I removed the contents: white and black yarn, stuffing, eyes, darning needle, crochet hook, and instructions.

The 3.5mm crochet hook looks a bit sketchy but everything else checked out.

The directions are going to take some doing to interpret. I highlighted the first, and very important line:

OK, so the white yarn is in back font, but do you see any red font for the black yarn? 

Not you either?

So I guess I'm going to have to really look at the accompanying photos and count rounds to make the correct colour changes.

The instructions for making the magic loop are with white yarn but the nose of the zebra (where the pattern starts) uses black yarn which should be in a red font. I'll definitely be looking on Ravelry for a legible pattern.

This is a partial list of what I'm taking to work on at the retreat:

• amigurumi zebra kit
• Mystical Lanterns project (I did 5 of the lanterns last night)**
• light interfacing for drawing 2.5" grid for more checkerboard project bags
• knitting - helix sock, more little bears
• The Light of Winter cross-stitch project
• my 'stealth' small for the guild's competition in June
• my birthday start project (I may start it early)
• 2 wool felt appliqué projects to cut out (probably not do any sewing)
• Smitten cross-stitch project

I'll probably throw more stuff in at the last minute. I'm taking my sewing machine in case I get far enough to quilt the checkerboard project bags. Must remember to take the necessary sewing accessories.

I had a nice visit with Skip's niece, Michelle, today. Among Skip's things I found 4 old, gold rings that I assumed had belonged to his mother. I gave Michelle first 'dibs' as she is the eldest granddaughter and she was pleased to receive them. She even recognized one of them as being her grandma's. So nice for her to have something else of her grandma's now.

We got enough wet, heavy snow yesterday to warrant the snow clearing service to make an appearance. And even got a little more overnight. The 2h drive tomorrow shouldn't be treacherous as I'll mostly be sticking to major highways. The Len's Mill pop up store at the St. Jacob's market is en route so I will make a stop there before arriving at the retreat location.