Happy Friday everyone! Casey Wyatt here.
The Winner of the candy dot scarf is – Alli-cat Sharron!! Congratulations Alli-cat! I will contact you through e-mail.
Don’t forget to visit me at my website before 2/13/12. I’m participating in a blog hop – Romancing the Valentine Giveaway hop. I’ll be giving away an e-book of Mystic Ink.
But don’t leave yet. Or you’ll miss the fun giveaway here.
I have two favorite holidays.
My first favorite is Thanksgiving. The other is Valentine’s Day. Or as I like to think of it – Chocolate Day!
Seriously, even if you don’t love chocolate, I bet you like candy of some kind. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I have crocheted a candy dot scarf. And I am giving it away to one lucky commentor (open to US residents only).
In case you’re wondering what the heck is a candy dot scarf and why would I want one, remember those little tiny dot candies? The ones on the white paper? Pink, yellow and blue?
I think candy dots are the closest I’ve ever come to intentionally eating paper. You know, in all fairness, it’s kinda hard not to eat the paper.
Anyway, back to the scarf. I crochet and knit things when I want a break from writing. Or when I’m avoiding an unpleasant chore like creating a synopsis or query letter.
But I don’t just craft to avoid writing. Sometimes I pick up knitting needles or a crochet hook to let my mind wander and think about something other than writing.
I made a candy dot scarf for myself last January and ever since I’ve had several offers to buy it.
I did not invent this pattern (nor have I ever sold my scarf). Twinkie Chan deserves all the credit. If you like this scarf, you can find the pattern and many other yummy food themed scarves in her book – Twinkie Chan’s Crochet Goodie for Fashion Foodies.
As you can tell from the book cover, many delights await you inside. Don’t send me hate mail, if you find yourself in a crochet frenzy. I’ve made several of the scarves and they’re a lot of fun.
So who wants a candy dot scarf? What is your favorite sweet confection? And what fun thing do you like to do when procrastinating or taking a break?
Reminder the drawing is open to US residents only and you must comment to be entered. And don’t forget to visit me at my website before 2/13/12 to enter for a chance to win an e-book of Mystic Ink – Romancing the Valentine Giveaway hop.
Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes 
Hi Casey! I *love* that candy dot scarf! What a great pattern. Okay, so my favorite candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, because my two favorite foods are peanut butter and chocolate. I ate my first RPBC when I was eleven years old, and I thought my tastebuds had gone to heaven. I sometimes procrastinate with yarn. Crocheting or knitting work for me, but I rarely finish a project. Although I did once finish a pair (yes a complete pair) of socks. Tada! But the most tempting thing for me to do when procrastinating is to dally in the kitchen, cooking and eating. Thanks for this fun post!
Hi Suzanne!! I love peanut butter cups too. And congratulations on the socks. It’s not always easy to escape “second sock syndrome”. I tend to nibble while procrastinating – a habit I need to stop before my waist inflates any further. Thanks for stopping by!
I absolutely love that candy dot scarf! I may have to get the book and make something for each of my three teen daughters. When not writing, I still like to keep the hands busy!!!
Hi Sherry! Teens seem really drawn to the candy dot scarf. And as far as crafting, I think it’s a win-win. You get a nice scarf or blanket (or whatever you’re doing) and you get to incubate ideas in your head at the same time.
Cool scarf, Casey…and you know I love my scarves. I also love chocolate, and if my husband forgets flowers or a sweetheart card on Valentine’s day (which he never would), he knows he’d better show up with those Godiva chocolates.
My favorite procrastination trick is housework, believe it or not. I feel less guilty about avoiding an undesirable task if I’m at least being productive and doing something equally as undesireable.
Fun post, my friend!
The closest I come to procrastination-related housework is doing dishes. I need to work on that instead of nibbling on things in the kitchen. Maybe I will leave the broom and swiffer duster nearby at all times. Thanks PJ!
My house is never cleaner than when I must write that next hard part. Luckily, that next hard part usually isn’t as tough as cleaning up after pit bulls and boys. Beautiful scarf, by the way… I love M&Ms.
M&Ms are yummy too. I was so happy when they made dark chocolate ones. I pace around when I have to write a difficult or complex scene. If anyone observed me writing they would think I had ants in my pants!
Most amazing scarf ever, Casey! 🙂 My favorite treats, hmmm. There are so many. Reeses peanut butter cups, vanilla caramels, chocolate dipped mint oreos, sugar coated orange slices…
For procrastination tricks, I second PJ’s housework. I also play piano, scrapbook, read books, or watch a good movie.
So much good candy, so little time! I seriously need to become a housework convert…
oh my! this is so cute. I cannot believe that you made this, although I know that you love to knit and crochet. I knew how to knit from when I was a child, but did not know how to crochet, so a few years ago took a course to learn. Even though I learned and like it, I have only made very simple things.
Love dark chocolate best. I went to a class on truffle making at a library – a librarian turned into chocolatier I bought the ingredients – I think this is the weekend to try making them.
Thank you for the chance to win the scarf!
Thanks Carol! Anytime you want to share those truffles, please let me know! One of the things I love about crochet is that you can make sculptural things with very basic stiches. I didn’t mention it in the post, but I love to crochet food items. One of my favorites is my hambuger. All the pieces were super simple shapes – a square for the cheese, circles for the patties, tomatoes and onions. And because it’s small, you can finish in a hour or two!
Can I borrow your twinkie chan book? Wicked cool scarf!
It’s an amazing book. Twinkie got her start selling her scarves on e-bay. The first time I heard of her was on a DYI show about crafting (the name escapes me right now!). I do remember the host was this cool Australian lady!
My all-time fave is peanut butter cups, especially the holiday ones (RPB hearts, eggs, etc.) which have a higher ratio of PB to chocolate and are therefore better … I seem to recall a recent discussion about this! Also Lindor Truffles and dark chocolate of any kind. The candy dot scarf is beeyooteeful! Whoever is our luck winner is going to love it a lot! I also love to knit and crochet, and I do find that it helps with the creative process. There’s something, especially about crochet (and I don’t know if it’s because it’s done mostly with one hand), that really puts me into a zone. I’ve not had time to do any needlework recently — might be time to start a new afghan or something since I could use some creative help right about now!
We did have that discussion recently about the PB to chocolate ratio didn’t we? Lindor truffles are divine. Except I’ve learned they are really unpleasant to eat on a hot summer day. I’m in the middle of an afghan now. It’s a giant granny square. While I’ve been stiching, I’ve been putting the final touches on the outline for Zephyr’s book.
What a great and fun scarf! Wish I could crochet and knit – every time I try it just gets hooked into a big wonkin’ wad of knotted yarn! Happy Valentines Day!
I only recently learned to knit and crochet. A million years ago, my great aunts tried to teach me to crochet and I could never get it right. That failure haunted me into adulthood, lurking in the back of my mind. One year, when I was avoiding being a writer, I went to a craft store and bought two kits – Teach Yourself to Knit and Teach Yourself to Crochet. I’m happy I listened to that voice in my head because it also led me back to writing. Thanks for stopping by Elizabeth. Happy Valentine’s Day to you too!
Omnomnom candy dot scarf~ I may have to tug your arm soon, Casey, hehe. I rather like that scarf, especially how the colors are all blended together in the tassels at the end!
When it comes to “sweet confections”, as you so aptly put it… I like almost anything chocolatey or chewy, except for cherry cordials (a peculiarity, because it’s from the texture of the cherry, nothing more). But my favorite thing, even though it’s not *quite* candy, is Pocky! Chocolate-covered biscuit sticks, originating in Japan… It’s so delicious ♥ I like more than just the standard chocolate type, too. I have some of the strawberry variety sitting in my room right now, and I’ve been keeping an eye out for Pocky with crushed almonds again. And I’m interested in trying new kinds, too (especially when I heard about a coconut type!). Pocky aside… Peanut butter cups *drool* That is all 😐 (aside from this: Susannah Hardy is sooo right. I love the Reese’s Christmas trees! So much peanut butter… so delicious…♥)
Procrastinating or biding my time… I love just surfing around the web, playing games, drawing (you know me!), reading a good article (online), or curling up with a book. Not to mention my nearly omnipresent headphones, so often pouring my music into my ears! c:
That aside… I love how passionate about knitting and crocheting you are! I know at least four people who knit and/or crochet, including you, and I’ve had offers from nearly all to help me learn as well. I swear, I’m going to get around to it sometime…!! Hopefully soon!
Hello Miss Alli-cat! I’m glad you found your way to this site. I was wondering if you or Lauren would find your way here (tell Lauren this is her chance at the scarf – unless you don’t want the competition!). You know my door is always open if you want to take the yarn plunge!
I love that scarf, but all those bobbles! I don’t know if I have the patience. 🙂 I’ll have to show you my sheep scark I had to make with them. But it’s cute, so it was worth it.
Here’s a secret – if you can create a double crochet then you can make bobbles – because that is all they are. This scarf looks way more complicated than it really is!
Hi Casey,
I love that scarf … I want that scarf … I must have that scarf!!! Sorry. I got carried away. I too remember those dot candy and I loved eating them. I remember I would eat all the yellow, then all the blue and save the pink for last. Recently I procrastinated by crocheting a baby afgan for my cousin, who is having a baby in May. I’m not talented enough to attempt the dot candy scarf, though. I don’t know how to knit, but would like to learn. I also set aside some time each day to check out my favorite blogs 😉
Gosh – then I better not wear mine to a meeting anytime soon! And see my comment above to Katy. If you can make and afghan, you can make this scarf! It’s half double crochet and the bobbles are made with double crochets. I know you both can do it!!
Great! Please email me the pattern. I’m open to giving it a try.
I love that scarf! So cute! I do agree, the dots were kinda like eating paper. Sometimes the paper would stick to the back of them.
Thanks Julia! It’s funny I would eat candy dots, paper and all, as a kid. But now, they are not even appealing to me. I love to look at them, but not eat them anymore. Good dark chocolate has ruined me forever!
That is a lovely scarf, you would do so well at craft fairs! Ive made a few lopsided blankets lol, but nothing as nice as the candy scarf 🙂
For a while I made beaded purses and my mother-in-law would tell me she already had customers lined up! But honestly, aside from the fact that I wouldn’t be writing, I don’t think it would be fun anymore. And I really don’t want carpal tunnel. I’m already working on a case with my day job as it is!!
Can’t you just make me a scarf? I always admired people who have the time and patience to sit and knit.
Honey, you sit and write entire books. Really good, really funny books! Don’t sell yourself short!
I’m always impressed by people who can knit or crochet really well. That scarf is too cute for words! Thanks for sharing. I’ll have to buy that book for my sweet tooth, crocheting, scarf loving daughter. 🙂
Hi Jolyse! The books is really very fun. It has a couple of cool non-scarf patterns. I also made a kleenex box cover that looks like a slice of coconut lemon cake! Yum!
I love that scarf Casey, never saw one like it. I paint when I need a break from writing, and write when I need a break from painting. Cleaning gets done as well when I need that break. Great post.
Thanks Gail! The scarf is pretty cool. I should have worn mine to the meeting today!