TEMPATURE BLANKETS
Each year, I create a temperature blanket—a project where you assign specific colors to different temperature ranges and add a row to the blanket each day using the color that matches that day’s temperature. So for 365 days, you crochet a row a day; ending up with 365 rows (which is a lot). I’m on my third year creating this blanket.
For reference, I’m holding these blankets above my head; I’m 5’9, and the blanket still drags on the floor.
2024 Temp Blanket
This blanket’s color palette was built around a bright red because I love red.
What I learned during this project:
45 minute breakdown videos of trash early 2000s horror movies are good background noise.
Since I’m using the same hook every day, it’s extra fun to have one that’s cute. My 5mm hook has a clay handle decorated with white and blue flowers.
Trust the process. This blanket always looks ugly until about September.
2022 Temp Blanket
This blanket’s color palette was inspired by the 1970s.
What I learned during this project:
Texas summers are hotter than I expected. I need the most colors in the hottest range.
I need to gut check my colors. If someone else was making this blanket, would I think it’s cool?
The enjoyment of creativity comes from the process, not the end result. When a project takes a year to finish, joy can’t only come from completing it - it has to come from enjoying the act of creating.
Baby Temp Blanket
This blanket was made for my niece, Mallory, and covers the time frame of my sister’s pregnancy: April 2023 - January 2024.
What I learned during this project:
It’s hard to know how randomized colors in a color palette will look next to each other. One of these colors are beige but look light yellow when paired next to its random colors.
Having side projects for myself give me more energy back than the energy I put into them.
Apparently I like orange. I’m somehow always having a color palette with orange in it.
CROCHETED CLOTHING
When I first started crocheting, my ultimate goal was to get good enough to make my own clothes. Back when I was transferring to UT Austin, I even considered majoring in clothing design—until I realized it required taking chemistry. So, I chose to stick to advertising instead.
What I learned during these projects:
Crochet is never perfect. So if I want perfection, I chose the wrong hobby.
Working in different locations gives me the excitement to keep on working on a project.
It’s satisfying to work on a skill and perfect it. When you fail 100 times, you always learn something from every attempt. When you finally nail that one attempt, it gives you the momentum to try 100 more times.
