Journal a journey, ANY journey.
I have seen many a happy hooker out there working on weather temperature afghans, which got me thinking about a crochet journals.In a group on Facebook, Mary Allison took the step and created a *Weight Loss Journal* afghan, where she is tracking her daily losses. Her method to document her weight loss journey. Her base and foundation row is in one yarn color indicating the starting weight. She is now documenting the pounds she lost on each row by stitching in the "loss" color, and finishing the row out in a base/neutral color. Her plan is to change the "loss" color after every 10 pounds lost.
There is only sssssoooo many afghans I can fit in my small place... so I have decided to make this journal of a journey into a snake. I'm calling him J.J. for sssssssshort.
It will be your adventure to journal your journey in the body of the snake. You will need Worsted Weight Yarn in a base color that will not be used to chart anything in your body, it may be used to make "stopping point" marker rings to mark the end of a month, to mark a milestone, to mark a "break" in your journey. I opted for a mossy green to get my sssssssssstart.
J.J. the Journey Journal Snake
- Worsted Weight Yarn (4-Medium)
- Base color (B)
- White/Yellow (W)
- Black/Dark Color (D)
- Journal colors (Mix)
- Crochet Hook Size G/6 or 4.25MM
- Yarn Needle
- Locking stitch markers
- A chart for Identifying when you are using what color in your journal (optional)
Abbreviations
CH- Chain
DC - Double Crochet
HDC - Half Double Crochet
R- Round
Rpt- Repeat
SC- Single Crochet
ST(s) - Stitch(s)
*- Stitch Marker / move stitch marker to next round
Note: I use US Crochet terms, and the Rounds are worked in a spiral, and stitch markers will be important to help indicate the end of a round.
Eye Instructions
Using yarn WCH 8.
In the second ST from hook, HDC, DC in next 2 STs, HDC in next ST, SC in next ST, Chain 2.
turn Work on opposite side of foundation chain. in the first ST HDC, HDC in the next ST, DC in the next 2 STs, HDC in next 2 ST. In the original 2 stitches skipped on the foundation chain place 3 SC to turn and SC across to the other side fasten off leaving a long tale.
The top of the Eye is the side with SC across the top.
Make 2.
Head Instructions
Using Yarn B.CH 2.
Round 1: SC 6 times into the furthest chain from hook.
R2: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next ST, Rpt 6 times (18)
R3: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 2 ST, Rpt 3 times (24)
R4: SC in each ST (24)
*stitch maker, so you know where a round should end
R5: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 3 ST, Rpt to *
R6: SC in each ST *
R7: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 4 ST, Rpt to *
R8: SC in each ST *
R9: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 5 ST, Rpt to *
R10: SC in each ST *
R11: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 6 ST, Rpt to *
R12: SC in each ST *
R13: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 7 ST, Rpt to *
R14: SC in each ST *
R15: 2 SC in next ST, SC in next 8 ST, Rpt to *
R16-23: SC in each ST *
R24: SC2tog, SC in next 8 ST, Rpt to *
R25: SC2tog, SC in next 7 ST, Rpt to *
R26: SC2tog, SC in next 6 ST, Rpt to *
R27: SC2tog, SC in next 5 ST, Rpt to * (36)
R28-30: HDC in 18 STs, SC in 18 STs (36)
Attaching the eyes, is very much a personal opinion. I attached my eyes to just below the SC2tog stitches on the side if the head... attaching the pointed corner around row twenty, making sure the top of the eye moved out in a "straight" line. Using the D yarn I found the "center" top and made a big loop stitch to the bottom of the eye one stitch to the left, and repeated twice, then repeated the process going one stitch to the right of center. This created /\ shaped iris.
Stuff the head before you continue on with the BODY, which will be your journal.
BODY Instructions
One round per day or item being documented. For a straight snake pick a stitch and complete all the rounds in one stitch I recommend HDC. I'm opting for a curvy snake so each round is HDC in 18 STs and SC in 18 STs. For easy stuffing do so about every 6 inches, but leave enough for you to work with comfortably.Plan out your last 30 journal entries, to start the body's decrease to match up with your Tail Tip (TT).
Round TT-30: SC2tog, SC in next 4 ST, Rpt to *(30)
R TT-29 to TT-22: HDC in 15 STs, SC in 15 STs (30) -Straight snake: HDC in all STs
R TT-21: SC2tog, SC in next 3 ST, Rpt 6 times (24)
R TT-20 to TT-13: HDC in 12 STs, SC in 12 STs (24) -Straight snake: HDC in all STs
R TT-12: SC2tog, SC in next 2 ST, Rpt 6 times (18)
R TT-11 to TT-7: HDC in 9 STs, SC in 9 STs (18) -Straight snake: HDC in all STs
R TT-6: SC2tog, SC in next ST, Rpt 6 times(12)
R TT-5 to -1: HDC in 9 STs, SC in 9 STs (12) -Straight snake: HDC in all STs
Fasten Off.
Tail Tip Instructions
Using Yarn B.CH 2.
Round TT1: SC 6 in the first CH ST, furthest from hook. (6)
R TT2-TT4: SC in each ST (6)
R TT5: SC2 in next ST, SC in next ST, Rpt 3 times. (9)
R TT6-8: SC in each ST. (9)
R TT9: SC2 in next ST, SC in next 2 STs, Rpt 3 times. (12)
R TT10: SC in each ST. (12).
Fasten Off, leave a long tail.
Stuff Tail Tip an attach to the main body Round TT-1.
I am just starting, I will try posting some updates on JJ.Please take the time to comment with photo's of your Journey Journal Snakes, what you plan to document, and what name have you given your snake (if not JJ).
