Monday, February 1, 2021

Yarn projects

 I took the latest shawl off the blocking mats. 


It is a beautiful burgundy/wine color.  It will go into the finished project drawer.   It is Lion Brand Amazing Lace Yarn part acrylic and part nylon and the yarn people call the color Cranberry Garland....fancy smancy color name.

As I was looking at my stash of yarn....I came across a skein of plain grey yarn...I recalled I said I would make my brothers some of the wasp nests that I made last summer. 


Remember these...they are crochet in the round...I think just a single crochet...they are stuffed with plastic grocery bags and I sealed them with Mod Podge.  I hung one near the front door of the sauna and one under the back deck...and we had no wasps last summer.  I declare them a winning idea...the idea is that the wasps think other wasps started a nest so they move on to someplace else...works for me as there is nothing quite as painful as a wasp sting.   I have one more place I could hang one...so I will make nests for awhile. 

I am also working on two other crochet projects.   Always something to finish! 

We got about 1/2 inch of snow...so I shoveled...easy outside work! 

Far Side


38 comments:

The Feminine Energy said...

I'm amazed that the crocheted wasp nests actually work to keep real wasps away. Yes, I can't stand those doggone things as they swarm like crazy and cause trouble when wanting to spend any time at all outside. Do you have more snow headed your way or is the half inch it? We got 6-7" on Saturday night/Sunday morning and it was the heavy stuff, to boot. Awful to shovel or blow away. ~Andrea xoxo

linda m said...

I love the wasp nest; great idea. We had about 10 inches of snow. The piles are well over 4 feet high now and snow removal is getting to be an impossible situation. Can't wait for Spring to arrive. My computer wallpaper is a Pacific Island scene.

Friko said...

It helps to keep busy, and not just now at this miserable time. I love that burgundy shawl; it’ll come in very handy for warm summer evenings outdoors. The wasp nests are a brilliant idea.

Victoria Zigler said...

Glad you got that shawl finished and put away with your other finished projects. Yes, there are always more projects waiting to be done. :)

We got a couple more inches of snow yesterday technically too, but it didn't settle and melted quickly, so I think the most we had on the ground at any given time was a little under half an inch, and that was only for a few hours. It was cold enough to snow, but too warm for it to stick around at the same time.

Dawn said...

The shawl is beautiful, and the wasp nests are genius!

DJan said...

It really does look like a wasp's nest! You are so talented and never stop being busy. :-)

Georgina said...

Oh thank you for saying that wasp stings are painful! I am so fed up with people who don’t get stung telling me they don’t hurt. It sounds like a good scheme to make some more if these funny little grey things really work. Take care with the snow shovelling.

Gemma's person said...

That shawl is THE prettiest color!!!

A Percussionist's Notebook said...

Interesting idea, I hope you follow up on it. If it really works it would be a great alternative to the sprays that you get at the local hardware store. Please keep us posted!

Far Side of Fifty said...

They work! We had no wasp nests in our yard!

Far Side of Fifty said...

1/2 inch was it for now:)

Sara said...

The wasp nest idea is so clever! Your lacy shawls have all been gorgeous. This color is so rich, and I can see it draped around someone's shoulders. Beautiful.

Maebeme said...

I love the fancy shmancy color of the shawl. :) I would never have thought that the crocheted wasps nest would keep wasps away but that's a great idea.

Not much snow here, just a skiff but today is supposed to reach a high of -2C(31F) so we'll probably have snow following it. Take care, stay well.

Terry and Linda said...

I always enjoy seeing your creative work. Well Done, Connie!

Linda W. said...

Wow - those wasp nests are a great idea!

Tired Teacher 2 said...

I had similar success with a brown lunch bag inflated and tied shut. I suspended it on the deck where wasps frequently built nests — no nests the year the bags were on the deck. Love the Cranberry Garland shawl.

Miss Merry said...

I hope I remember these wasp nests when I am in the mood to crochet! We saw some in picnic shelters in a neighboring village last summer. We got dumped on last night here in Northern Ohio. I have my school aged grandchildren, here for a "snow day" out shoveling me and the neighbors. Unfortunately we have gotten just as much as when they first shoveled so they will be back out this afternoon.

Rita said...

I think those crocheted wasp nests are absolutely brilliant!

Bonnie said...

Another beautiful shawl! You could start your own crochet-boutique! I remember you telling us about the wasp nests you made. That is very cool that something like that with no chemicals can work. I'm sure your brothers will appreciate them!

Betsy said...

Your finished shawl is beautiful. I really like the pattern too. The wasp nests are brilliant! We don't see many of them out here, our problem is yellow jackets. I know they'll be in Nebraska though. I remember them from my childhood. I may have to get pointers from you on making them!
Blessings,
Betsy

Martha said...

Your shawl is gorgeous! I've never heard of making wasp nests to chase away the wasps. That's really interesting!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

The shawl is beautiful!
love the wasp nests - so smart!

Jo-Anne's Ramblings said...

Those wasp nests are so cool

Linda Reeder said...

The snow sets off your shawl nicely.

aurora said...

Love the color of your pretty shawl, and those wasp nests...I've never heard of them! I love the concept!! We had soooo many wasps building nests last year, in soffit corners and edges on all four sides of our house. We went through multiple cans of messy stinky spray. I wonder how/if these might work for us? Some locations possibly, others would get exposed to elements and are up high. It would be worth trying them, even if it reduces the number of flying stingers. Any hanging placement tips?

Granny Marigold said...

Cranberry Garland is a lovely name for a lovely shawl!!

Far Side of Fifty said...

I put them in spots where wasps built previous nests.

MTWaggin said...

Oh baby I need that pattern for the wasp nests. I have lots of issues with those buggars here! Am getting busy here catching up on your posts. On to read some more!

Henny Penny said...

That is a beautiful shawl! I love it! Can't get over those crocheted wasp nests. If you ever set up a table at a craft bazaar, you would have a flood of customers...and probably make a fortune. You make such pretty things.

diane in northern wis said...

That cranberry shawl is so lovely....I can just picture some lucky person wearing it!!!

Far Side of Fifty said...

There is probably a pattern out there someplace. I had one but it was from the top down and I tore it apart and made my own pattern. It is crochet...chain about eight and increase slowly ...make it funnel shaped! I am sure everyone I do is a bit different. If you increase too fast you will have a fat bottom!

Leah said...

I remember reading about the wasp nests (I am happy they work). They are a cute :)

aurora said...

I think I will have to do some experimenting on placement. Last years the wasps started non-stop nests everywhere. I did a search on etsy and found a big variety of materials used, shapes and sizes. Let me know if you sell them. My sister is into knitting big time and dabbles in crochet. If she has time, she might be willing to make me one to try? I would need a bunch, at least in key areas (like entrances).

Rose said...

That shawl is so beautiful and elegant.

thecrazysheeplady said...

I might have to try one of those now that I basically know how to crochet :-D.

www.self-sufficientsam.blogspot.com said...

Your shawl is beautiful!!! I usually don't care for burgundy but that is like red wine and so pretty! It's a biggy too. As always, you did a lovely job. I made a big one of those wasp nests last year now what did I do with It? I stuffed it and then.....I have no idea! LOL! No wonder I have so many WIPs! Glad to hear they work! I made mine big but I think I will go smaller for the rest of them.

Diana said...

Your shawl is STUNNING!! Such beautiful work you do! I've heard of folks using those wasp nests and them working so well. Ah but alas, I never did get the hang of how to knit or crochet. We have an awful time with wasps and such in our area and I always have to keep watch over the littlest grandkids so they don't get stung. I've been smacked by wasps seven times in my life. Geesh those buggers hurt!!

Jacqi Stevens said...

I must have missed that earlier post about wasp nests, so it is a good thing you explained and showed a picture. I thought maybe "wasp nest" was just one of those fancy names for a type of design or fancy stitch. Shows you how much I know about crocheting and knitting! They do sound like a great idea. I don't like wasps around my door, either.