Shrugmania

So, there you have it!
For the first time I'm crocheting a bigger wearable that's not something like a shawl. It's a shrug!

Lately I find myself browsing Ravelry a lot in search of nice shrug patterns. The one I'm trying now shouldn't be too hard for someone who has never made a real wearable before, but should give me some understanding of how these wearables are made. As I'm a real plus size with still no understanding of how to make a wearable that fits me there's a good chance the shrug won't fit, but I don't mind that much. It's about the joy of crocheting and the learning experience more than it's about the end result and I'll probably find someone who will enjoy the piece to give it away anyway.

I did make shawls before last year and still having a lot of health trouble you probably can't imagine what is was like for me to create a base chain with the right amount of stitches. I had to keep recounting over and over again, starting anew several times and seemed to lack a lot of concentration yet. Going back to my old job in other circumstances than before helped me in refinding concentration again. My memory works a lot better, I don't have to write things down all the time and my comprehension of new stuff is also a lot better and quicker. Now here's the victory:
Making a base chain of 141 stitched in one attempt only, succeeding to recount it just to be sure in one attempt as well!
It may not seem like a lot, but it almost made me cry from happiness. It also made me realize how far away I've been because of several health issues. Now finally there's is significant progress and I'm so happy about that! I also realize there may still be periods during which really crocheting anything big isn't possible, but we'll see about that in the future, because this may also be part of a total recovery that's just coming very slowly in the last couple of years and of course I hope for the latter!

Back to the shrug: the Magic Shrug from Lisa Gentry.
I'm still working on the body and will probably need the rest of the week to come to finish that and then onto the collar! In the meantime I still browse Ravelry on the lookout for other shrugs to try. The shrug has hypnotized me, for sure!
Me and my obsessions... I'm probably mad enough to watch Alice In Wonderland and not raise an eyebrow at all!