Completely lost it

I have not knit in a few days.  I know...it is crazy.  I carry it with me, in hopes that I will pick it up and knit just a bit.  I turned the heel on my second Charade, but I have not made much progress on the foot.  Maybe I need some wool fumes.  Maybe a trip to a yarn shop would help.  To be honest, I have been caught in a Netflix marathon of Gilmore Girls.  I did not watch it when it was on, so it is completely new to me.  I love the fast paced dialogue, as it reminds me of His Girl Friday.  That was a great movie - if you haven't seen it, I really do encourage it.  I did finish a dishcloth though.  I crocheted a simple one for myself, but ironically have not used it.  I have also been reading. I picked up A Game of Thrones the other day, and while I am not always a huge fantasy fan, this has been quite interesting.  I have just lost almost my will to knit.  I think it has to do with the packing.

New things

Well, another month has flown by, and I did not do nearly as much as I hoped.  I started a washcloth for myself:

And I am working on the second Charade sock.

I have been busy with a tea party for the Princess, cleaning a bit here and there, and packing.  Yes, packing.  We are moving next month, and although I would love to hoard a bunch of supplies, I have to be judicious in not only what I purchase, but also what I make.  Hopefully after the move, more craft time will be present.  How is your summer looking?

Busy as a bee

I have been busy, although not with a lot of crafting.  Here is my latest semi-finished objects:

I made a small flock of sheep.  I still have to embroider the faces on 4 of them, but they are otherwise complete.  I have not been idol; I have been trying to clean and pack.  We are moving soon, and preparations must be made.  I will link to the pattern that I based these on later.  I did not follow the pattern exactly, and when I link to it, I will tell you the modifications I made.  I am somewhat saving my crafting for the summer, after we move.  My job will change - I will no longer work full time outside the home.  I will be homeschooling my children and being their mom full time.  It will be a huge change, for me and them, but a good one I think.  I will try to post more often, even with small things.  There may be less knitting and crocheting, and more embroidery,  as I have at least one project that I would like to complete before we move.  Oh, and I got my sewing machine serviced, and returned to me!  This is very exciting, as I have several sewing projects lined up as well.  What are you working on?  Do you have big plans for the summer?

Startitis

I have startitis, or at least that is what I am telling myself.  I picked up this magazine this morning.

And now, I have this...

And this.

Spring is in the air, and instead of cleaning things out, I am starting new things.  I still have not finished my second sock, or my sheep.  I think I am gathering projects for the financial drought that I know it coming.  Very soon, I will not be able to buy project supplies freely.  I know this, and something in me is trying to gather like a squirrel.   I have more than enough to keep me busy, yet I insist on buying more.  In my defense,  it has been a while since I have bought things just for me.  I have been buying things for presents and not much else for a couple of years.  Maybe this is just the result of that.   Or it is a cruel April Fool's joke.

Just different

I have been spending a lot of time on Pinterest lately, and I have been seeing all kinds of crafts.  Quite frankly,  it has turned my head a bit.  I took my sewing machine to be serviced, and I can't stop thinking about sewing.  I have been slowly working on my sheep.

I had to make him smaller as bobbles eat yarn.  I seem somewhat discontent, but not with any particular craft.  I am discontent with my lack of time, not only for crafts, but for family as well.  I am hoping this will change within the next couple of months.  We have an insane plan, that requires a lot of faith, trust, and work, but if it is right, it can also pay off well.  Hubby and I started our first video, and I think I can do better.  He still has some editing to do, mostly just for practice,  and I think we may shoot it again in another month or so.  It takes a lot of scheduling,  as 3 beautiful children like to be in the middle of everything.  I am very tired and having health issues, and I am afraid of them worsening before things get better.  I am one to normally downplay any problems I may have, but in this case, I really should not.  My initial instinct is to just let them be and ignore them, but these are not ones that should be ignored.  I vacillate between being worried and knowing everything will be fine.  I hope things change soon enough to avoid major issues.  What are you working on?  Any new plans for the second quarter of the year?

Knitting set aside

So, I honestly have not been knitting that much.  I have been working on this though.

I thought a sheep of my own would be fun.  And it will serve a dual purpose.  Are you ready?  Here is my announcement that I keep promising.  Hubby and I are starting a business.  It will be a yarn business.  We shot a video this past weekend and hubby is editing it.  I definitely need to work on my delivery, but in a month or so, we should have something.  I hope.  We have more major news coming, and as it does, I will keep you posted.  Want to see us so far?  Visit www.theyarninewe.com and then leave a comment here, to let me know what you think!  We still have some work to do, but we have started, and that is the first step.

A different kind of stitch

I have been working off and on on my sweater...more off than on lately.  The weather has warmed up, and I got distracted.

It is not as clear as I would like, nor is it very flat.  I found an adorable embroidery kit at a local quilt shop, and could not resist.  It was sheep!  I love it, and have been working on it diligently for 3 days.  I have not decided if it will become a pin cushion, a wall hanging, or something else.  But I love it.  Now, I will get back to my other sock and sweater.  I think I am ready for spring.  How about you?  I will share some of the other projects I have been working on this weekend!  And, get ready for a big announcement!

Lost

I have finished the first sock...

except for the toe.  I had cleverly put all my yarn needles together, so that I would not lose them.  Then, I lost them.  I just found them last night, so I can now kitchener the toe.  I question if I should get another set of needles - I stepped on one and broke it, so now I only have 4, instead of 5 US1.  I plan on getting another set, but the real question is if I should get it for the second sock, or just make do.  Thoughts?

I went a little too far

So much for measuring.  I tried to knit the sock by measurement only, and I needed the sock to end where I started the toe.  Oh well...it is easier to rip back some days.  At least I did not cut the yarn and graft the toe already.  And this also means I am almost done with the first sock of the pair.  Yay!

Mardi Gras

So, I am almost done with the first Charade sock.

I am down to the toe.  I am still somewhat conflicted about these socks.  Don't get me wrong - I love them.  But the hands pun is fragile, and I am wondering if something else would be a better pattern for it.  Any thoughts?  Have you used hand spun before?  What did you make?

Truckin' Along

Well, I finally sewed on the buttons for Little Man's Lancelot.  Here's the happy recipient:

I finally finished the hat, mittens and cowl including blocking and sewing on buttons.  I just need to take pictures.  I was going to take them when it snowed, but I had to work from home and I barely bothered to get dressed, and I certainly wasn't presentable enough for a picture. I finished the Valentine's wreath and hung it at my desk:

I don't think I ever posted a picture of Princess in her birthday sweater, so here is one:

In typical Princess style, she has to pose for the camera.  This was last week, when we got snow.  We had a few days of bad weather - snow one morning, then the next evening that turned into rain and made nice icy patches.

I have started my sweater, as you know, and I've been working on my socks.  I'm doing the socks to carry to and from work with me - it's hard to carry an adult sized sweater around everywhere.  Socks are good travel buddies.  I hope to get the hat, cowl and mittens written up and published on Ravelry.  I'm noticing a trend - I have a hard time finding a pattern that I want, so I'm creating it.  This being the case, I'm going to start writing them up and publish them.  Some will be for free, like the bow I posted earlier this month, and some will be for sale.  The biggest issue will be the pictures, but I can and will get some help with that.  I plan on playing with my camera and maybe getting a remote soon.  Little things can sometimes help the most.  Oh, and I also finished a sweater for the Littlest Princess, complete with blocking and buttons!   I hope this trend continues for the rest of the year - lots of projects completed!  It makes for a wonderfully productive year, and also provides warmth to those I love.  Are you ready for March?  What projects do you have lined up?  Have you finished anything?

Less than expected

I went on vacation last week, and honestly, I knit less than I expected.  I did get one sleeve done and another one started.

Well, let me elaborate a bit first.  This is sleeve #2, but sleeve #1 is not completely finished.  I took 2 skeins with me, one for each sleeve, and it is taking more than one for each.  I did not finish the first, so that I could start the second with a full skein.  This is my own pattern, and so far, it fits.  I did a gauge swatch, and did the math, and started on the sleeves, just to try and make sure my gauge would work.  So far, so good.  I have more increases left, but I should be able to finish them this week.  I will walk you through all the steps on this one, because although there are a lot of "custom sweater" patterns out there, this one is bottom up, with set in sleeves.  I tried to find one on my own, but could not, so I dug out my pencil and paper and calculator,  and started working on it.  Would you like to join in?  I'll post the series, but for now, grab "a sweater's worth" of yarn, no matter what weight, and start your swatch.  Get your fabric right, and meet me back here.  We will go through it together.  Feel free to leave questions or comments as we go.

Perfect knitting weather

This is outside right now.

It may be nothing compared to up north, but for here, this is a lot.  I am so glad that I am inside and have my yarn to keep me warm.  How about you?

It is not proud

I am working on a new sock, and thought I would show you.

I think I am going to call it Mardi Gras,  since the colors remind me of Mardi Gras and the pattern is called Charade.  I will link to it later.  I have found that I failed somewhat in my organization in January, by not using my bullet journal.

The nice thing is that it is forgiving, since you can fill it in as you go.  I am starting over this month, and hope it will become more of a habit.  I have also realized that I have been somewhat procrastinating my sweater, and will change that this month.  How is your February going?

Love is Kind

The kindness of crafters is not nearly as celebrated as it should be.  We generously knit, crochet, sew, and craft for those we love, those we have not met yet, those in need.  We donate funds, time, materials, thoughts and prayers to others less fortunate.  Sometimes it's as simple as our own child needing a warm sweater or a relative wanting a pair of handknit socks.

We are a kind group.  We also are generous, in that we do give.  We have sympathy for those in need, and give willingly.  Sometimes we are not as kind to ourselves as we are to others.  We have that nagging voice that will tell us that we're not as good, not as talented, not as well off as others.  I have realized that just because someone else looks like they have it all together, they probably don't.  They just have a different set of problems.  We should be as kind to ourselves as we are to others, and increase our kindness to others as well.  Who have you been kind to recently?

Love is patient

The small ball you see on the left was part of the tangle.  As I was detangling it, the yarn broke.  This was not the first time - it snapped itself in 3 other places as I was rewinding it.  The ball to the far left is what I had done before the tangle broke.  The things we do for the yarn we love.

Cables eat yarn

I did not realize just how much, or how unstretchy they are, until now.

I reknit the hat, because the cowl ate my yarn. I wanted a set, a true set.  One that was not just the same color, but the same pattern.  If I had stuck with the cables, I would have had to buy yet another skein of yarn, and that is just not in the budget right now.  You can see the leftovers, and this hat is slightly smaller in circumference but taller and definitely stretchier.   

The cowl is now going to be in a P2, K1 rib, which fortunately does not curl much, but still has some stretch.  It matches the hat, and the mittens will also match, once I get those made as well.  I am really trying to watch the yarn budget these days, as I am attempting some movement in work circumstances.  I will post links to patterns and write up what I design.

Those of you who know me, know I have always worked outside the home, while my hubby has stayed at home with our children.  This is what we are trying to change.  It is a huge change, and one the I look forward to making.  because of this, I am trying to be very intentional about purchases and using what we have.  My nesting instinct is growing, and I really want to be home.  I have a rather large stash, mostly bought for me by my hubby.  I have yet to use anything near what I have, because I cannot see it - it is all in boxes.  That too needs to change.  And it will given time.  What plans do you have for this year?

Quickly

I finished Little Man's sweatr, blocked it, and it stinks.  No, seriously, it smells like a wet sheep. I washed it a second time in baby shampoo (you have a lot of that when you have a baby), and it still stank.  So, last night, hubby dunkedo it once again into a bucket of water, this time with about half a cup of vinegar.  I hope that takes the smell out.  He then ran more cold water into the bucket, dumped some Soak in it, and when I get home, I hope it will no longer smell.

In the meantime, I told you that I wanted a quick project before I started my ultimate sweater quest.  So, here are the things I started:

These are miniature hearts ando flowers.  The flowers are for a Valentines wreath, and the hearts are for a bunting.  Obviously,  more hearts are needed.

This is my hat.  The color is more purple than the picture, but that is not half of it.  I decided I wanted a matching set, so I have 2 more skeins, one for a cowl, and one for mittens.  I plan on using these on the cowl:

Hubby bought me these gorgeous buttons for Christmas, and the 3 large ones are going on a cowl.  The small one on the right will adown the hat, and the iridescent one on the left will grace something else.  I have also been contemplating this:

I made this swatch before Christmas,  and I want to make Princess a sweater.  We are having a tea party in April, and I want to make her something elegant.  I have 4 or 6 skeins of the pink and 2 in a bluish grey.  I have not quite decided on what to do just yet, but the idea is percolating.   What are you working on?

Back in business

I am back to the decreases on Lancelot.  I messed up and had to rip back again 5 rows yesterday.  I got a little too much in a hurry, and the knitting suffered.

I have finished 4 of the 11 decreases, this time with my stitch markers in the right places.  I really want to hurry up and finish this sweater, not because it isn't a lovely pattern, because it is, but because I already have my next one planned.  It will be a short one, a quick knit, just for me.  I have to take a picture and let you try to guess what it will be.  Little Man's birthday is Monday, but his party is not until next Saturday.   Since everyone had been sick, we postponed it until then to get the sick germs out and take down all the Christmas decorations.  Hubby likes to leave them up through the New Year, and then he got sick and hasn't been able to take most of them down.  Once the quick project is done, it will be on to my sweater.  Are you ready for that?  It will be a massive undertaking, as I have knit this yarn 4 times, and each time it refuses to work.  I think it is user error, so I am taking a new approach and will be diligent in taking notes and trying it on.  I want a classic, comfy sweater that is warm and casual but dressy enough to wear to work.  We will see if I can manage that out of the Lion Brand yarn.  I think it will work, the hard part is just getting it to fit properly.  I have all the measurements though, and a gauge swatch, so hopefully it will come together.  I am also planning a new surprise for you, and it should be up by next month.  Keep your eyes peeled!

Do Over

Remember when you were in elementary school, and playing some ball game, and no one could decide on a call, so you just got a do-over?

Lancelot is having a do-over when I get home.  I found I placed the stitch markers in the wrong place to start when joining the arms, which really wasn't so bad.  But now my stitch count is off, and I don't know where or how it happened.  So, I am just going to start over.  Also, the patron is now uneven, and that is just unacceptable.   The pattern is well written, but you do have to pay attention.  I hope the seconday time through will be a bit easier.  How is your knitting progressing this year so far?