Knitting: Finally a list

So I've been meaning to post for a couple of days, but time just escapes me. New projects at work are definitely a time suck, but also, it was REALLY hard to get back into the work groove after so many days of off/on style work with the holidays.

I have been successful at work. With these new projects, I have a plan. Hopefully one that I will get written out and it will be well execute, but the wheels are already turning and things are going well so far.

Which leads me into the year laid out before me. I've been trying to turn a corner with my knitting. Not starting so many projects, but actually finishing a few. Now, yes I have many items in hibernation on ravelry and will those get touched/finished... I really can't say. Some of them have definitely lost there lustre and may just end up going to the froggy pile, while others may still have a spot of hope.

So, for 2010, I've decided to make a special binder for all my projects. Yes I realize that we have a great tool in Ravelry, but one thing I know about myself is I like tangible things. Yes I can look online at all things, but to shop, I like to touch and feel what I am buying. SO anyway, I've created a binder for my projects. I've put copies of the patterns I want to make this year. Now, here's where best laid plans fall apart... new magazines and patterns and books will come out this year and probably tempt me. So I have to leave some room for the new stuff.

Anyway, so far this year, I've only knit on 2 items. I started a KAL with Cath of the Welig gloves. I love this pattern. I've never made gloves before and this pattern is definitely a fun one. Lots of twisted stitches and cables. And the yarn... I'm using the Handmaiden Casbah yarn. It's a dream and so soft! I can't wait to wear these gloves. I worked up through the pinkie on the first glove and then decided to make the 2nd glove before finishing all the fingers. I am hoping to be done with both or one by later today.

The 2nd project I cast on for is the Every Way Wrap. I'm going to knit camp in a month and I really want to be able to show off this project. So I have just around 4 weeks to complete it and I think this is do-able. Just concentrate and don't cast on anything else.

So this will be the year of the sweater for me. I have several sweaters/cardigans/jacket patterns in my queue. Of course if you think about it... I don't have much time because soon, summer will be upon us, so I really have to whip my knitting into shape! After the wrap, I think I will start Vivian. And I really want to knit Heroine and the Bountiful Bohus cardigan. Can I do all these before winter's end? And, will I get burnt out doing so many big projects. Yes, possibly.

So, with this predicament, I think I will try and finish a sock (from all the unfinished pairs I've started), as my in-betweens. Or just work smaller projects, like hats or mittens (gifts) for next Christmas. Hopefully this will get me on my way for gift knitting and not running crunch time like this past year. I also have squares for an afghan to make as well. So the year ahead will hopefully be a prosperous knitting year. I have a plan!

And the best part of this PLAN, I am going to destash while making these items. I bought bulky yarn awhile back for a sweater, that I wasn't crazy about after I started. So, I can use that yarn for Vivian. For Heroine, I will most likely have to invest in yarn because it's a felted piece that requires a LOT of yarn. And the Bountiful Bohus will require a new yarn purchase as well... however, for all my small projects, I have plenty of yarn. I also want to do an inventory and find projects for all my single skeins or smaller amounts of yarn.

So that is how I am starting the year.

Knitting: With a salad spinner?!

WHAT? you say. Well... let's step back a minute....

Friday night I worked on the Schooner sock, did the short row heel which I bungled a bit on one side, oh well, it's done and I didn't want to go backwards. I was exhausted Friday night, so I went to bed early. Well with early bed time, means early waking on Saturday morning... so I was up at 5 and knitting on the sock. Then I laid back down to "nap" and then Scot called and I decided to get off my arse and get out.

So we met up and went to the Scott Antique show at the fairgrounds. We had a blast, we made fun of so much junk and relived our youth with some of the old toys and dishes and THIGNS. After that we tripped over to the North Market where I bought some stuff from Pastaria for dinner and a few Petit Fours and a BIG HUGE PB cookie for Brian. Then I came home and from hours of walking, I decided to nap... 2 and a half hours later... I didn't feel like cooking, so we ordered Pizza and saved the Pastaria for dinner today and let me tell ya, it was YUM!

Anyway, I squandered like SEVEN whole hours of knitting... actually maybe a little more. I was mad at myself, so I picked up the needles and I busted out on that sock and finished it Sat. night. I just kept knitting and thought this is a good time to start the decreases and let me tell ya... it was amazing... I made it to the absolute perfect point! The sock fits my foot sooo perfectly and I LOVE IT! By the time that was done, I was pretty much nodding off, so I crashed out.


So this morning, I got out the big green cable sweater sleeves and went to work on those. We went to breakfast at Frisch's where Patrick and Steven and his son Mason came along as well. Mason was cracking me up. Last time I saw him, he was a newborn and he's like 3 now. Anyway back home to more knitting, knitting, knitting.

And the sleeves are DONE! YAY. So after dinner I decided to woolwash (in kookaburra of course) and last time with the sweater back I just squeezed and squeezed to get the water out... but today, I thought... HEY, SALAD SPINNER! Not just for salad! So I spun the heck out of it and WOW, amazing. IT worked so well and I couldn't believe how much water I actually got out of it. I guess there really was a reason for me buying the bigger salad spinner. I almost walked away with the small one and that would have never worked. Anyway, it's now drying on a towel over the dog crate. So I feel very accomplished.





Julane thinks I should cast on for the 2nd sock to get it done... but I'm feeling a strong pull to finish my other sock, the friendship one. But then I think the Schooner sock really only took me THREE days to do from c/o to finish, so then I think... wow in the time it takes me to finish the friendship sock, I could have a 2nd sock done and be WEARING them! :) Wow what a feat (no pun intended)!

Anyway, this finishing stuff is kind of addicting.... I want to bust out all the old stuff and get it done. Of course this could owe to the fact that I'm not really inspired by much lately. I mean I look at stuff and think, eh... but nothing is really pulling me to knit THAT thing. HOWEVER... I do have scrumptious yarn to knit up and that is pulling me. Mostly it is sock yarn, so I guess I better keep busting on these socks. And I do have some lovely malabrigo lace that wants to be knit, too, but I'm just not ready to go there quite yet. Plus I HAVE got to finish these socks and the sweater before I cast on for anything else.

Oh and I have baby stuff to make too... good grief, I need a game plan. :)

And I have pics of this stuff... but if you are reading this and not seeing them it's because I haven't uploaded them yet, so check back if you want to see 'em!

EDIT:photos added

Knitting amongst friends

So, I am often amazed at the people I know. Take the folks I knit with usually on a weekly basis. They are just all so unique and intersting and funny and I have some of the best times with them. We knitters are good people.

I guess when I first started going to different knitting groups or even just OUT KNITTING IN PUBLIC, I was hesitant that I would "fit-in." I think some of my childhood shyness creeps in every once in awhile. But I went out into the knitting world and now there are people that I really enjoy being around and have a great time with. And yes we KNIT when together, but these are people I could see just hanging out with or catching a movie with or whatever. Anyway, I'm thankful for these friends, these knitters.

And often times, after we depart or later after the group disbands for the evening, I still laugh at what happened while there. I think of all those funny things so and so said, or that story about, whatever and I find myself laughing. We don't need alcohol to laugh and act silly... just some yarn and sticks and we are happy chicks. :)

Laughing and knitting, it's what makes my world go 'round.

I find myself less stressed, I'm in a good mood and overall I feel really content with life right now. Many times in the last however many years, life was a roller coaster. If work was great, then home wasn't, or if home was good, work wasn't. But now... things are mostly even most of the time. I kind of like it.

So, work is good
Home is good
Knitting is good

I'm looking forward to a couple of knitting weekends coming along in the new year. I have one scheduled in January with some pals. Then in February, Audra and I meet up in Pittsburgh with my sister and we go to Camp Kwonokee (???) for a retreat. I will hopefully get a LOT of knitting done. If I can keep my mouth shut. I find if I start talking... I don't get much knitting done. I don't know why I can't do both at the same time, but let's just say I'm challenged.

So knitting and knitting with friends and in groups, it's good stuff.

And I'm already thinking ahead to the new year and resolutions. I've made mention of this to a couple of people, so please hold me accountable.

For 2009, I resolve to FINISH MORE PROJECTS and start less stuff until I do finish! Now this means I will still START new things in 2009, but I do plan to finish everything I started in 2008 also. It's 30-ish projects (I think). Hopefully, by the end of 2009, my Ravelry projects will have more completed projects instead of all WIPS. We can hope, right?

I also plan to get started on gift knitting WAY before it's due.