Happy New Year!

Ok, so I'm a few days late, but better late than never I say. I was a horrible blogger during 2010, but I'm hoping that 2011 proves to be a better year for that.

I had a goal last year to start a pair of socks each month and have them all finished by year's end. Alas, I didn't meet that goal, but I did come pretty close. I finished 9 pair of socks completely, have just the toe decreases left on 1 sock of another pair to finish, am at the heel turn on a pair I am knitting toe up 2 at once on circs, and just barely started the last pair (which are monstrous mutant man socks that I shouldn't have left as my December start socks).

Out with the old, in with the new .... new goal that is. Each month of 2011 I want to finish at least one project. 6 of these must be WIPs on the needles as of 12/31/10 (23 of them OTN), and 6 of these can be newly started projects in 2011. A couple of rules I am imposing on myself. I am allowing myself to start 5 projects in January - 3 gifts, a crochet along project, and something for myself. Until I finish one of the prior to 2011 projects, I cannot start anything else new. I cannot complete projects "early". In other words, if I finish 2 projects in January, one of them does not count for February.

Ok, on to photos!

I'm off to a good start with my goal. I started a hat in November as a knitalong with a friend. I finished it in December, but didn't like it in the yarn I bought. Frogged it and made this one instead. The pom poms dangling from the chain stich cords were made for the first hat and since you can't very well frog a pom pom, and I thought they were cute as can be, I added them to this hat. Love it!! First FO for 2011! 22 projects left OTN.





Another project started in December and finished in January is a pair of mittens for myself. These were made from a pattern in the Vogue Mittens and Gloves book. The pair on the cover actually. Fell in love with them as soon as I saw them. I love them, but wish I had chosen a bulkier yarn to knit them in. 21 projects left OTN.





One of the gifts I allowed myself to cast on in January was this adorable hat for a coworker's son. I told her that I am his adoptive gramma and am allowed to knit him all kinds of cute things and can spoil him rotten. Can't wait til she sends me a photo of him in it! Still 21 projects left OTN.







I pulled out the leaf lace tee again and have been spending a bit of time on it each night. Doesn't seem like much progress is being made, but if I continue, this might be my finished project for February. The photos don't do the green justice. It is a bright apple green and contrasts nicely with the magenta. Still 21 projects OTN.



Another gift I allowed myself to start in January is a pair of gloves for Paul. He finally wore a hole in the pair I made him a couple years ago and it's too cold not to have some gloves. These are knitting up pretty quickly and I hope to have them done in a week or so. 22 projects OTN.



No photos yet of the 3rd project I've started because there isn't much to show yet. I cast on a pair of socks for myself (yeah, I know I have 3 pair still OTN from 2010, but I couldn't resist) from the book The Enchanted Sole. 23 projects OTN.

The last 2 projects I will start in January are the 2011 Block a Month Afghan Crochet Along, and a sweater for Paul. Hopefully I am able to finish a couple more almost finished projects before starting those so I don't get up to 25 projects OTN.

I am bound and determined not to have as many projects OTN at the end of 2011 as I did starting 2011 .... and yes, I do realize I say that every flipping year!

Changing the plan of attack

Attack of the never ending (and ever growing) WIP list that is. While stuffing stash yarn into freezer bags for their "time out" in the freezer, I came across 2 more crochet projects that I forgot about and had to add them to the list. On top of that, I got a bit bored with Paul's sweater, and bought a kit from a friend who is doing some destashing, and cast that project on Saturday. Ugggggggg - at this rate, I'll never get to the bottom of that list!

At least I've discovered that whatever project the spreadsheet picks out for me keeps my attention for about a week before I get bored with it. And, sometimes bringing up a different project from the craftroom appeases my urge to start something new. (Quit laughing, I said sometimes.) For instance, Friday night I was really wanting to dig around in the stash for some yummy yarn and cast on something bright and shiny and new. Instead, I spied the Sipalu bag that I lost interest in last Fall, and decided to bring it up. Yesterday, when I put it away again, I had knit all but the top border and handles. Another weekend and the knitting will be done and it will be ready to block and line.

So, I've decided to change my plan of attack. Instead of making myself finish the project the spreadsheet picks out for me, I will let it pick 2 projects for me to work on for a week. Unless I am completely enchanted by a project, I won't work on the same thing 2 weeks in a row. I'm going to try very hard not to cast something new on until I've finished at least 2, but preferrably 3 projects from my current WIP list. Hopefully, this new tact will have me completing some projects and not casting on so many new ones.

I took a break from the knitting for awhile this weekend and finished up a dress I had cut out last weekend. I'm fairly pleased with it, and will make another. I will change the pattern some though. The photo did not in any way, shape, or form show the cartoon model's boobs sticking out. The neckline on this thing falls just below my nipples, so I had to wear a cami under it. Next time, I will raise the neckline and probably bring the shoulders in some so bra straps don't show.



Although I have been casting on new projects regularly, I have been finishing some of them. This one was knit up in record time. 6 days from cast on to worn to work. I also wore it when I met my friend at our LYS to buy that kit from her, and while there wound up selling the last pattern book for this top to one customer, and the yarn to knit it to another. I absolutely adore this top. It's not too casual to wear to work, but casual enough to be paired with jeans and tennies for the weekend.






That kit I purchased? If you read Vogue Knitting, you may remember the Koigu jacket from the anniversary issue. 'A' bought it, then let it sit for over a year. Her hubby really wanted her to sell it and pay off some of the credit card lol. I started it while sitting at the LYS with her for some knitting and socializing time. Worked on it a bit Saturday night, but it is somewhat fiddly with all those little triangles. Not bored with the project by any stretch, but 37 skeins of Koigu in my bedroom along with the other 6 or 7 projects I had once again dragged upstairs was a bit much. The spreadsheet did not pick this project for me to work on this week, so I put it away to await its turn.



Friday night I finished up the felted pond turtle I started in September or October. Another project off the WIP list! She turned out rather cute once I needlefelted some outlining on her shell.



A photo of side 2 of the Sipalu bag. Already picked up all the stitches for the top border band, so when the spreadsheet picks this out, it will be all ready for some fair isle goodness.



No photos of this week's projects yet, but in a few days I will post some. The spreadsheet picked out the Silky Wool Vest and Ravenna Satchel 1.

Wish me luck!!

Awwwwwww

Look what Paul found in our garage yesterday. Aren't they cute?



He was rummaging around trying to get the lawnmower out, when he heard a commotion. He saw a cat scurry across the garage and hide behind some boxes stored in there. Then he saw the kittens and called me out to see them. Their eyes are still closed so they aren't very old. So adorable. Mama is a feral cat living in our neighborhood. When I came out to the garage to see, she took off across the street and I was hoping she'd come back if we stayed away. We got her some food and left it out in the garage then left them all alone. We didn't see her all day yesterday, but this morning Paul saw her. She's been in the garage all day today with her little ones. As long as all we do is peer at them through the window and not make any quick moves, she tolerates us. Once the kittens are old enough, we'll take them to a local shelter that won't put them down, and see if we can't trap Mama and have her neutered. There are several feral cats in our neighborhood. Looks like I'm going to be a crazy cat lady like my mom lol.



This afternoon I finished up sackboy. I think I'm going to knit him a hat too, but that will have to wait for another day. Now I only have 2 of the newly cast on projects left on the needles.



Last night I pulled out the Silky Wool Vest and finished the first of three balls of yarn. This shouldn't take too much longer to finish since it's a cropped vest. Hopefully by the end of the month.



I'm only a couple rows shy of finishing the bodice of the Yesterday Once More top. Tomorrow night at my crochet group I'll begin the pleated bottom border.



This afternoon while Paul and I watched a couple of movies I worked on the felted Pond Turtle I started for myself last summer. Ran out of yarn .... ugggggg. Since It's felted I'm not too worried about the dye lots matching perfectly, so a trip to JoAnn's to get another ball of Bernat felting wool is in order sometime this week.

Squee!!!

I have a lot to squee about today. Everyone "squee!" with me!

Squee!!!!

Look what I got in the mail. My SP pal, Knitting Ladybug (the one I was spoiling), sent me such a sweet and thoughtful gift. She knit me socks! Soft, beautiful, stripy, merino and bamboo socks! And, she sent me the Knit Kit. It has 7 different tools that knitter's need (and usually run off without when they need them most lol). This went straight into the bag that goes with me to my weekly group right after the photo was taken. The socks will be worn tomorrow! Thanks Debbie! I love them :o)



Also squee! worthy is the fact I finished 2 more of my BOS projects this weekend. The Moorish Stripe Socks are now tucked into a padded envelope and will be off in the post to their recipient tomorrow. I hope he likes them!



And, I also finished the Roped Shell. Wove in the last of the ends last night after my weekly crochet group meeting. I changed the pattern a bit to raise the neckline and add more fabric on the shoulder to hide bra straps. I am really happy with how this turned out. I made it using GGH 100% silk and it is so soft and luxurious. Can't wait to wear it!



Sackboy is almost done. Tomorrow night I will knit the head, then Thursday will start the seaming and finishing.



The handy dandy spreadsheet chose the Islander Pullover for me to work on next. This poor sweater was started a year ago for Paul, then after only 4 rows of the ribbing were completed it was shoved in the bottom of a knitting bag and has just now seen the light of day again. The sad thing is I don't think I bought enough yarn for this, so I will need to order more and do the knit 2 rows with each dye lot thing ..... ugggggg.

Basket O Shame

I found a group on Ravelry that is right up my alley! The Basket O Shame KAL. Details, rules, etc. can be found Here.



My long shameful list:

Flying Carpet Socks
Mermaid Jacket
Merging Colors Bolero
Felted Pond Turtle
Sipalu Bag
Moorish Stripe Socks
Roped Shell
Mary Tudor Cardigan
Lace Knee Highs
Asymetrical Jacket
Ravenna Satchel 1
Ravenna Satchel 2 (yes, before I had finished the first I actually cast on for a second sigh)
Islander Pullover
Zarah Pullover
Bamboo Socks
Scheherazade Shawl

Some of these have been languishing for more than 2 years. Yikes!! This list does not contain any of the crochet projects I have sitting around either, as they do not count in this Along. Quite sad, and I'm suitably ashamed of myself.

I did some sewing this weekend. Finished up this wrap top, and started the pants that will go with it. I love how the top turned out, but if I never sew with sheer chiffon again, it will be too soon! A bit too fiddly for my tastes.



The pants aren't far enough along to show yet, but here's a photo of the pattern envelope. I chose a brown for the main color, and blue for the contrast.



Another finished project this weekend too! I finally did the finishing on the bellydance halter. Instead of the beads I was planning, I decided to go with the tassels that the pattern called for. This will be fun to wear to class.



My new main project (chosen with the cool spreadsheet yet again) is the Merging Colors Bolero I started in summer 2007. I got quite a bit knit on it today. A shame I put it away when I did. It's a really quick knit, and I could have been wearing it for 2 years!



Mermaid has gotten some attention too. Even though I am allowed to change my "secondary" projects when I get a new main one, I chose to continue working on the 2 I chose last time.






I really shouldn't have, since I haven't finished the Flying Carpet Socks I was allowed to cast on for finishing 2 projects in my WIP list, but I allowed myself to cast on a new project for finishing my 4th WIP. I purchased this yarn last weekend at Knitters' Mercantile's sale. It looks more blue in this picture to me than the beautiful purple it is. This will be the Silky Wool Vest from Boutique Knits. I fell in love with the pattern when I first saw it, and have been itching to make it ever since.



I think I'm going to need to add a new rule to my plan for this year. Until I finish the last newly cast on project, I won't be allowed to cast on another, even if I've finished enough WIPs. If I don't at least try to stick to this rule, I'll wind up with another long list of WIPs at the end of this year, even if it is half as long as last year's .

Catch Up Post

Although this post is a bit photo intensive, I haven't been able to do much knitting or crocheting the past couple of weeks. For 3 weeks straight I put in a lot of overtime at work, and when I say a lot I mean 15-20 hours average per week. There wasn't much time to anything except work, eat, and try to catch a couple hours of sleep before starting it all over again. I put in so much overtime, I was able to take this past week (Mon-Wed) off work and won't notice any decrease in my next paycheck.

Before all that started, I finished up the bellydance hip scarf I was crocheting. It was a big hit at practice.



I also finished the crocheting portion of a bellydance halter. Beaded fringe will be added when I have enough time to string beads. I'm also going to make some kind of beaded tie to pull the front pieces together a bit. Even if I had something to hang out of this halter, I'm not so sure I'd want THAT much of it hanging out lol.






If I can find enough of the yarn, I'm thinking about making a skirt and gauntlets to match the halter.

I also finished the Swirly Girl socks! I love these so much. The yarn is so soft and yummy and the pattern was great fun to knit.



This past week I received 2 swap packages!

First was the holiday purse swap. My partner was great! She sent me tons of goodies and a great purse pattern.



The gigantic chocolate covered pretzels didn't last very long.



Aren't these stitch markers beautiful? I'm just about to the point where I can use them in my pattern.



Emily sent me the Sipalu bag kit from Knit Picks! I've been eyeing this pattern for quite awhile and I can't believe I actually received 17 balls of yarn in this swap! The colors are gorgeous and I couldn't resist casting on already.



Just finished the side panel and am about to start working on the front portion.



I bought myself the same pattern and yarn (in different colors) that I sent to Emily, and made this felted bag this week. I had these handles in my craftroom and think they will work great once the bag is dried and I've put the finishing embellishments on it.






The second swap package I received was from the Toy swap. My partner sent me 2 great toys. Isn't the bear adorable?



Also in the package was some knitting needles, a craft magazine from Australia, some fabric with turtles on it, 2 balls of really soft and silky yarn, and some sweets.



Now excuse me while I go kill some stuff ... there's a new mod out for Diablo :o)

A very busy month ahead

I did manage to meet the September goals I set for myself. October might just be a different story however. I think I may have bit off a bit more than I can chew (or knit/crochet as the case may be), but I'm going to see just how close I can get.

Yesterday, I presented my stepdad with his Lowry Pullover. I was so nervous that it wasn't going to be long enough, but it fits great! He's one of those northerners with the great internal heater, so I don't think he'll be wearing this a lot, but I hope he enjoys the times it's cold enough for him to need it.



I received my ornament from an angel in the Holiday Ornament Swap I signed up for. My original partner fell off the face of the earth and was never heard from after filling out her questionairre. Although she says it is not necessary, I plan to send my angel one of the Victorian Skates ornaments I've made.

Isn't this the cutest? I love it!!



Now to those October goals I set for myself.

First up is the Ravenna Satchel. I really want to have this done this month. I am done with all but the intarsia piece so hopefully I can felt next weekend. The intarsia is slow going though. Even using butterflies, my yarn keeps getting tangled. And this yarn likes to leave fluff on the other colors that it touches. Even with the extra time it is taking to complete this piece, I still think this goal is doable.



Then there's the Dragon Scale Gauntlets I cast on for the Dragon KAL/CAL group. I am using some Cascade Bollocine I had in my stash. I'd love to have these done in October, but am not going to sweat it if I don't.



The Nutkin socks have to be done in October. They are a gift and need to be done no later than 10/25. I really need to give these a bit more attention than I have this past week if I am going to meet this goal.



Another Dragon KAL/CAL project. Here be a dragon snout! Again, I'd love to have this done in October, but no biggy if it takes another week or so.



The Sweetie Pie Cami really needs to get finished. It crochets up too quickly to be languishing in my project bag the way it has been. I've taken some liberties with the pattern in hopes of making it more flattering for my body type (no boobs and that telltale 40ish tummy pudge).



I started another throw this month. This one should be done in October if I keep working on it at the rate I have been so far, but it really doesn't have a deadline so may wind up cast aside for other projects.



This particular project will not be complete until at least Spring. This is the very beginnings of a suit made from size 10 crochet thread. I will be taking my sweet time with this project.



Along with the projects listed above that I want to have complete in October, here are the others that I want out of the project bags:

Aran Tree Skirt
Rose Wrap Shell
Tommy Nobis Amigurumi
Pond Turtle

See what I mean about that biting off a bit too much?? Wish me luck!!