This will be my first crocheted tapestry piece, and I couldn’t think of a better tap than the Grateful Dead logo. :) (Jan 15, 2013)

Well, I have been at it a few days now. Having never really learned how to manage multiple colors at once, this has been a bit of a chore, but I think I have it down now. I gotta say, I am fully in love with the possibilities of this type of crocheting. I wish I had chosen to use a bigger gauge than ‘I’, because the stitches are quite tight and the curling is hard to control, but alas, this is my first tunisian colorwork, and learning is what this piece is all about. The tight stitches are also a bit hard on the grip, and my left hand cramps up after 3-4 rows of working back toward the right side.

Stealie’s teeth are all there now, though! It’s starting to shape up and that is giving me momentum. (Jan 18, 2013)

Being that this is about learning what I’m doing, I have had a minor mishap with this. I had been running my yarn in the back so as to not have to cut and weave a million ends. Some of those threads got pulled too tight and was causing the panel to pucker. I had to stop, cut and tie off a lot of them so the shape would go back to square. I still have a LOT to do, but now I am trying to be careful not to pull those back threads tight. I’d like to avoid having to cut and tie off anymore if possible. Otherwise, stealie’s face is complete and I have started working on his “brain” part. The more I do, the more I want it finished! (Jan. 23, 2013)

Wow is this project taking forever! Even with all the practice I have had with it and juggling colors, I am still lucky to complete little more than 2 rows an hour. It’s been pretty cool to see it progress, and I have had to take several days off on a few occasions due to family matters, otherwise It would be done by now. I have also had a hard time keeping the running yarn in back long enough not to pucker up the panel, so I have had to cut and tie them off, which fixes it. Until now, I hadn’t really decided what I was going to do with it, but I think I will make it a backpack and sew in a lining I plan to tie dye. Stay tuned. I guess I still have a long way to go. (Feb. 15, 2013)

So, the color work panel is finally finished. I never thought I would see the end of it and it sat in hibernation for a few months staring at me from across the room till I finally just finished it. Yay me! Now onto part two… (June 18, 2013)