Meeting goals...almost

I made 2 knitting goals this week and I almost made them. I wanted to be halfway done with the back for Veronika. I should have 24 repeats; I am at 19. I may finish those last 5 tonight.

I also had the goal of turning the heel of the second sock. I barely started ot yesterday, and I am sure I will make progress on it tomorrow during church. It sounds a bit odd I am sure, but yes, I knit during church. It is called cognative anchoring.

I also just got these. Have you tried them? They are removable stitch markers. Not fancy, but functional. And there is 100 of them.

Are you ready for Thanksgiving? We are getting ready. It is still a couple of weeks away, but now is the time!

Veronika

I decided to rip out my Iced, and make a Veronika instead. With the armhole looking odd, it was just going to take too much brain power to figure out what to do to fix it, and the time was more than I wanted to spend. So instead, I cast on Veronika from Very Shannon.

After a little bit of a false start (I put the collar increases on the wrong row), it is going smoothly now. I have cast on the back stitches and am almost done with the collar increase section. My goal this week is to get half of the back done.

My other goal is to get to the heel turn on the second sock. I have done a good bit on the leg of the sock, but still have more to go.

I am starting to feel sick. I don't want to be sick, and really can't afford to be, but I hope a night or two of extra rest will help.

Looking funny

I tried on my Iced cardigan. It somewhat fit - I was going for an oversized cardigan look, but this was a bit too oversized.

So I am reconsidering. I am planning on taking it out, and making Veronika, by Very Shannon. I like the comfy oversized nature of it, and it is between a vest and a cardigan. Since I usually push my sleeves up, I think it might suit me.

This week's goals

I had a couple of goals for this, that I posted last time. I wanted to finish the sock I had languishing for several weeks, which I did.

I also wanted to finish my Iced cardigan. I have been diligently working on the sleeves, and have one almost done. I may have been a bit overambitious to think I could finish both sleeves and the collar. I think I can finish the sleeves and start the collar this week. Next week may see the collar finished. I just want it done before the next cold snap.

I started on the matching sock for the finished one. That is my travel project, as socks are terrifically portable. I think next week's goals will be to finish the collar on my Iced and get the girls' Unice scarves sewn together and finished. Then all that is left for Christmas is a hat and scarf for Little Man, a pair of socks for my mother, and the mate to the sock finished this week.

Quickly

I have been working quickly, as quickly as I can, to get things done. Unfortunately, this time of year makes everything go slower. There are so many things happening. I am sure you feel this way too. So, here are my goals for the next week (let's take it a week at a time, and see what happens).

First, finish this sock. It is for Christmas, and needs a mate, but first things first.

Second, finish my Iced. We had a cold snap, and I could have used a heavy cardigan. Another one is sure to happen, as it is that time of year.

Third, blog at least 3 times this week, to keep myself on track and honest. We all need a little more accountability.

What are you working on for the busy season?

Not quite

I was so close to being done, and then I noticed this.

I dropped a stitch way back before the first armhole.  So, I am taking it out, and will hopefully finish it by the end of next month.  I was hoping to finish it this month, but I need to do some Christmas knitting. 

This has been a month gone wrong for me.  I had high hopes and grand plans, and just about all of them have been derailed.

Out again

I was doing so well.  I even had 2 massages to help, but yesterday I leaned forward to turn off the car, and my back strained again.  I have been drinking water, laying on a heating pad, using Tiger balm, and taking muscle relaxers.  I can slowly move a little, but it is limited.  Sitting is also limited, so laying down is most frequent. 

I am trying to not let it deter my progress on projects.  The holidays are still coming and will not wait.  Have you started any new projects?

What to finish

I am being pulled in all kinds of directions for knitting.  I have a dishcloth, a sweater coat, a wrap, a sock and a unicorn that are all begging to be finished.  They are all in various stages, none of them super close (like within an hour, except maybe the dishcloth) of finishing, but all asking to be finished.  I also have those 2 unicorn hooded scarves to finish, as I got the needed yarn.  One of those might be done in an hour, but I doubt it, with all the fringe that needs to be cut. 

I have other things that need attention as well.  Children, laundry, food, books, boxes and housework all seem to speak at once, growing louder and louder each moment.  When I pick one, I calm and quiet it for a bit, but then it is replaced by something else. 

The need to finish

I had big plans.  I planned on taking my children on a field trip, finishing several projects, menu planning...the list goes on and on.  All of this in just a couple days, for fall break.  Instead, I started a dishcloth for a swap, and it feels like it is taking forever.  The weekend is still young, and if I get up earlier (I lounged a bit this morning), I may be able to get more done.  Today perhaps was my down day.  Maybe I will be more productive tomorrow.

Tragedy

I do not normally post things on politics or world events or highly controversial issues, because that is not the main point of this blog.  I write because I enjoy it, it is a creative outlet, and I believe someone somewhere reads it and understands about whatever I am talking.  Sometimes throwing some words out about frustration, excitement, or disappointment makes you feel better.  As much as I would love to gain superstar status like the Yarn Harlot, I never really expect it.  But recently, there have been things that have happened, both personally and nationally/globally, and although they are just my thoughts, I feel the need to share.

First, nationally, the tragedy in Las Vegas was just that, a tragedy.  Everyone across the globe is trying to make sense of it.  Sometimes, there is no sense.  Sometimes a crazy person is just a crazy person.  Sometimes evil is just evil.  This event has sparked stories of heroism from some of the victims and also reignited the "gun debate."

I have my own thoughts and feelings about these debates, but a shocking trend that I see is people taking half-truths or exceptions and making them the rule.  My perspective and opinion is to be informed, from both sides, before drawing a conclusion.  Reserve judgement until you have all the facts, or at least facts from more than one source.  When writing a research paper, in high school or in college, you always had more than one source to back your conclusion or argument.  Shouldn't that be all things, not just research papers?  Isn't it better to listen to both sides before passing judgement?  Isn't that what a court does?  Last time I checked, there were two sides in a court - the prosecution and the defense.  Both sides are heard, and then a verdict is reached. 

As for the natural disasters that have occurred, I feel terrible that so many have lost their homes, belongings, and even pets and loved ones.  Things can be replaced; people cannot. 

In my own life, nothing truly tragic has happened, and for that, I am truly grateful.  We have been blessed, although we have had our own set of trials.  No life is as golden as it seems.  There are many hard decisions for us to make, again, in some cases, and most are not pleasant.  Some may not see these as difficulties, but they are to us. 

I hope this season is filled with love and not hate for you.

Keeping up

I started back on my Iced, but got sidetracked as I am wont to do.  I decided to reknit my Weekend Wrap.  It was so loosely knit that it would catch on everything.  It was also so wide that it would almost drag the ground.  Not exactly what I was going for. 

This is the busy season for me, and I am sure for you as well.  Fall marks the beginning of the holiday season - from Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas and New Year's.  How busy are you?

Quick bits

As I am getting ready to go teach, I thought I should add one more thing to my list and post.  I have 3 pairs of socks done.

I also have knitted the pieces for 2 other gifts.  Those are pieces for the Unice Unicorn Hood.  I have 2, one for each of my girls.  I have not put them together yet, because I am waiting on some other yarn.

I have also picked up my Iced again.  All that I have left is the sleeves and collar, and I hope to wear it when it actually cools down this year. 

I have started another Christmas present as well, another pair of socks.  I am trying to clean out some WIP, use up what I have, make Christmas gifts, and make me a few things all at once.  I know I only have 2 hands, and time is precious, but consistency works wonders. 

Oh, and those are my new sheepy pajamas in the background.  Like them?

Teaching

I started teaching this past week.  I began teaching a course at the local college, and it has been an adventure.  It is helping teach my children some time management.  I did not choose the book, and there are issues with some of the materials.  But, I am working through all the issues.  Fortunately the students are being patient as well.

This means that knitting time is more precious than ever and with Christmas less than 100 days away, attention has been focused on Christmas gifts.  I feel decent progress has been made so far.  I have 3 pair of socks done, and a gift for one of the children.  Yarn has been ordered for more gifts.  I wanted to do 2 gifts for everyone, and I may have time, but we will see.  What are your plans for the fall?

Hurriedly

I am hoping to get this sweater done in a couple of weeks.  I have lots going on, and many projects to complete before cold weather sets in.

I am lucky that this is a child's sweater, which means that it is a smallish project.  I have socks and a scarf waiting, along with sweaters for myself to complete.  One lacks sleeves and a collar, and the other 3 are either not started or barely started.  The almost finished sweater is a bulky knit, and at least one other is worsted weight.  The good thing about those is that they go quickly.  At least if you work on them.

Faster

I almost finished one sweater for the Princess, and started on her second. 

This is a plain stockinette sweater, in a beautiful pink.  She gets 2 pink sweaters this year, and I might get to make her a turquoise one later.  I have more to do for Christmas.

I am close to beginning the front half of my Vneck Boxy as well.  I use that for TV knitting at the moment, as I am still following the pattern for the sweater.  It is the Classic Child's Raglan by Jane Richmond.  Definitely worth the money, as I have made at least 4 sweaters from it now, and will probably make at least 2 more. 

Restart

I restarted my Boxy sweater.  I originally ripped back to the ribbing because having only 3 rows was curling.  So I started to make it 8.  Then I began thinking about the Vneck Boxy.  Deciding that I would wear that neckline more often, I ripped everything out, and started fresh.

This picture is of the back, and I am working down as fast as I can.

I have to set this aside, however, for both birthday sweaters and Christmas knitting.  I really don't want to, as I rarely knot for myself, but I will since I have 2 sweaters to complete for a September birthday.  No worries though - I am close to being finished with one and the other is worsted weight, which should go relatively quickly.

Still not quite there

My back was so close...I mean, really.  And then, I started last Saturday off as a good day.  Then I sat down to put on shoes, and my back seized up again.  All this time, it was just waiting.  It deceived me.  And now it is blistering hot.  I have been trying to read, but that hasn't been working either.  Hopefully something works out soon.

Various stages

I have three projects going, all in various stages.  I knit a doily, and now am crocheting one.

I started a unicorn modification of a horse pattern for the Princess.

I am still working on my Boxy sweater.  Maybe by the time cold weather hits, it will be done.

There are still more socks, sweaters and toys waiting in the wings. 

I am trying to work with what I have, and use up some of my stash.  When you focus on what is right in front of you, you become very aware of your blessings.  There are lots of things I wish I had (a larger vehicle, our own house, a huge budget for yarn), but I am grateful for what I do have.  What are you grateful for?

Not even halfway

I picked up the second sock again.

I have been distracted by doilies.  I find them typically quick, although needing a lot of concentration.  The directions are generally different for each round when crocheting them, so you must pay attention and read the directions.  Sometimes more than once.   In the one I am currently working on, the directions were not making sense, even though I now think the author wrote them as clear as they could.  The end of one round had a ch 1, dc in top of first sc from beg of the round, which created the last loop of the round.  In this loop, you were to put 2 sc.  When I first read (and re-read) these instructions, it did not make sense to me.  Fortunately, even at 9:30 at night, you can find help with things.  I posted the directions online that were giving me trouble, and within 20 minutes, it became crystal clear.

I am still attempting to work through the Master Crocheter's course, but my projects stop me.  I will pick it up again once I am through with the doily and this sock.  Other projects waiting include a puppy and unicorn, and more Christmas presents.

Little things

A little fall complicates big things.  But having to lie flat on your back can give you an opportunity to do some things.

I made a knitted doily.  I also finally put together the dragon.  I completed a sock, and am still working on the second one.

I am starting another doily, but this time it is crocheted.  I have not done one before, because my tension never worked out.  This time, it is.  I think it is a matter of working with something familiar.  I have started working with smaller yarn and smaller needles, and it helps keep the tension.

It has been a while since I posted, mainly because of pain.  Pain has hindered a lot of my summer plans.  I have tried to keep moving forward slowly, but even slow hurts.