General Update - for want of a better title

   Ok, I was going to give an update about something that happened in an earlier entry, but it was so insignificant, I've forgotten what it was. Never mind.

   The knitting is still happening (no surprise there). I've cast on two more projects:
A cardigan from a Woman's Weekly Knitting and Crochet special edition and a Large sleeveless sweater for my best friend. They're both in the same yarn (King Cole Opium), but Mine is in Light Blue and hers is in Black.

  The garden is still being ignored. Two house plants have died (not my fault), and I'm thinking how to replace them. I want a spider plant and a succulent, but I've yet to go out and look or search on the 'net. It will eventually happen.

  I have plans to sew seeds for some more herbs, as the ones I sewed last year are reaching the end of the road. I left them for 10 days to be cared for by my Dad and that didn't happen - I shouldn't have been surprised really. I did revive them when I got back, but they're not very well at all.

   The book reading is slowly increasing from last month and I'm happy with my progress. I'm reading a book a week and I'm catching up on my pile a bit...or I would if I hadn't discovered the 3 books for £5 at The Works. I'm not discovering enough to be worried about it overall, but, there's enough stuff I like that I'm not going to have a lack of books to read (and I already had a *lot* of books to read).

Ok, I'm off. It's late and I should be asleep.

Later.

Knitting Pile

Well. My plans for reducing my knitting to-do pile have gone completely out the window.
I'm completely nonplussed about it.
I really don't think that I'm disappointed in myself, since I'm not surprised, but I'm also not going to beat myself up about it.
It is what it is. I like knitting, I like starting projects and while my intentions are good to finish projects, I get bored.
My biggest problem is that I have to keep an eye on them for insects, but it's more of an inconvenience than anything. I like my knitting and don't want it damaged, but if I honestly cared about it as much as I should, the projects wouldn't sit there untouched.

Having said that, I finished the knitting on a shawl (Cassandra+) and it's sitting there waiting for me to sew in the ends before I can take it upstairs to go in the pile for washing/blocking. That'll get done in a couple days (the sewing in, not necessarily the washing/blocking). Got to do knitting on a couple projects before that happens.

Ok. I'm going. I only signed onto Blogger to see what to do about a recent e-mail and it's been dealt with to my satisfaction.

Later

Another entry on My lap.

Well, I'm not exactly au-fait with fingertip typing, but, I'm getting better. It helps that I'm slightly addicted to My Toy. I haven't stopped knitting every day since the last entry,  and while I haven't actually finished another knitting project, I'm happy with my progress.

I had a minor house incident yesterday and was quite shook-up, and so I've started another knitting project to calm myself. It's a Wombat "Shawl". I had bought two colours (beige and a soft jade green) of this lovely merino yarn and used the greater amount (the soft jade green) to start a sweater (which I have described in an earlier entry) and the latter amount was sitting there taunting me. I used yeterday as an excuse to start knitting with it, and it's absolutely lovely.

    To be honest, the minor calamity ended up being a lot of noise and smell, and will be tacked tomorrow (hopefully). It's not a small problem, but it's not something I'm going to describe until it's fixed.

Anyway. I'm in a bit of a mental fluff state, and while I had this great post planned, I can't remember exactly what I wanted to say. It (of course) involved knitting, but I also was going to include books and cooking.

Oh well.  When I remember it, I'll type it up and post it.

Until then.

Later

New way to post. . .if I like doing it

     Well, I've got a new toy-a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0. I bought it second hand,  barely used, luckily,  and I'm still learning how to use it.  The keyboard is a bit small for my fingers,  so I think I'll go and buy a pointer for it if my dexterity doesn't improve in a couple of weeks. I'm knitting a cover for it - another cabled cover like the one I made for my kindle, only with Noro Kureyon instead of the Manos I originally used. I'm liking the colours and if the size is a bit small like I think it will be (I used a 4.5mm needle instead of a 5mm)  I'll swap them over. The kindle cover is stretching out a bit with age, though I'm sure that a good washing would improve it. The Samsung is slightly bigger than my kindle.

    I'm knitting every day (whether I want to or not), and seem to be getting little accomplished,  but I think some of the factors in that are the 4 projects I've cast on (that I said I wouldn't do).

Never mind. It's not the end of the world. So far, I've completed 3 projects a month (yes, I know that it's only February), and with the progress I've been making,  I think it will continue for a few months yet (eternal hope is always a good thing), but if not, I'll get at least one project a month done, that is for sure.

Later.

What am I doing? Why?

As can be read in the previous entry, I made a new year's promise (not a resolution, as those spectacularly fail) to complete at least 14 Unfinished Projects.

The problem is, As of this week, I've either cast-on, or am planning to cast-on 6 projects. SIX! ! !

I really hope that I have the strength to complete my promise to myself. I do honestly know that I can actually do it (mainly since half the projects I want to finish only require sewing in ends or sewing up the seams.). But I'd like to finish at least 8 projects on the needles. Goodness knows I need to do that.

Come on self, you can do this!

Projects started:

Toriot Mitten KAL (fair isle knitting in fingering weight)

Arroyo Shawl (worsted weight)

V-neck Sweater/Pullover (Jade Green bulky weight)

Cassandra Shawl (worsted weight).

I'm not going to list my planned projects, because if I'm as smart as I think I am, I'll finish two projects (out of any projects) before I start another - so I might change my mind and then finish another two.

Here's hoping.

Later.

2013 - Happy New Year to 2014

Well, 2013 was both productive and leisurely.

I finished 31 Knitting Projects:

Ayli Hat

Simple Lines Shawl

Light and Up Shawl

Moonlight Sonata Shawl*

Flip-Top Mittens #1

Wingspan Shawlette #1

Bellflower Cowl

Ditty Bag #1

Not-so-Raspberry-as-Cherry Wrap*

Pearly Pink Queen Shawl

Feather Lace Wrap-Scarf

Namaste Yoga Bag

My WWWW Headband

Cabled Tea Cup Cozy

Moss Stitch DROPS headband #1

Mistaken Shawl #2

Mistaken Shawl #3

Moss-Stitch DROPS Headband #2

"Red" Robin's-Egg Blue Hat

Multnomah Shawl #2

Tea Pot Cozy

Garter Stitch Fingerless Mittens

Riot Hat

Lacy Baktus #2

Wingspan Shawlette #2

Holden Shawl (expanded from Shawlette)

Maelstrom-Vortex-ish Circular Shawl*

Fingerless Mittens

Prismatic Scarf

Daisy Stitch Headband

Patchwork Jacket*

(*) indicates long term projects.

Knitting projects started but unfinished in 2013:

Nori Shawl

Muir Shawl/Wrap (Beaded)

Flip-top Mittens #2

Foreign Correspondant's Scarf

Funshal Moebius Cowl

Icarus Shawl

Jack Skellington Double Knitting Hat

Saroyen #2

Knitting projects worked on in 2013:

Indian (Indinski) Shawl

Eyelet Gloves

Gothic Lace Mohair Scarf

34 Leaves Shawl

Mermaid Jacket

Orenberg Shawl

111-27 Knitted Jacket (DROPS) (re-started due to me losing my place in the pattern)

Prayer Shawl #2

Clapotis #2 (Having to sew in an indeterminate/endless number of ends is daunting - still)

Cherry Leaf Shawl

Diagonal Basketweave Blanket

2014 is going to be a year of completing unfinished projects and another year of clutter removal. I have too many of the former and too much of the latter (still). I'm not specifying how much of either I'm completing/getting rid of, since I don't want to depress myself with unmatched targets. Though I'd really like to complete all of my unfinished knitting and clear a (collective) a room of clutter, if I'm honest. That'd be great.

I'm not sure what exactly is happening with my garden, but so far, I don't care. I'm very tempted to rent a skip and toss most of it away. I'll see what happens in 2014. If I'm as lethargic about it as I was this year, I think it's going to go. We'll see.

The book reading hit a wall in June. While I hadn't been avoiding it, I just didn't have the drive to finish books that I had in 2012. I don't think it's bad, but I'm not exactly happy about it if I'm honest. I nearly read a book a week, and while many people would be more than happy with that, I'm proud to be a bibliophile. So I'm (again) going to try and read 100 books in 2014. I've a lot (LOT) of books in a pile I want to read.

The rest of the crafting (Beading, Needlework, Cross Stitch) is ticking along nicely. I even managed to do some machine sewing this year, which pleased me. I'm hoping to sew a few tops in 2014 and finish my needlework miniature rug. They're both possible.

Later.

Knitting on hold

   Well, I finally finished the Maelstrom shawl and it looks lovely. I've got one last thing to do to it, which is weave a pearlescent thread through one of the K2tog ribs from the edge of the body to the centre. It isn't time sensitive, and it'll get done when I find the right thread.
   Last week I started a Jack Skellington double knitting hat (white with black design on one side, black with white design on the other) in King Cole DK merino blend. It took forever to learn the tricks knitting it, but I'm in the middle of the first earflap. At the rate I'm knitting, the hat will be ready for next Christmas. I expect it's really because doing increases in double knitting is very time consuming. Once I'm onto the body of the hat I should be a lot faster. I very much hope so.

  The reason for the no go in the knitting is because I'm being more active in beadwork and jewellery making. I think I just need a bit of a break from knitting after being so immersed in a large project. I hope that's what it is, anyway. I am planning future knitting projects (including buying yarn for them), so I'm not planning on the knitting "go slow" for long.

Short entry today. Got things to do.

Later

Everything and Nothing. It's all the same.

   Well, I've spent the last month knitting on one of two things - either the Maelstrom shawl or the Nori Shawlette. It's been satisfying, but boring. I'm 95% done with the Maelstrom, and if I keep at the pace, I'll be done in a week (don't think it's going to happen though). The Nori increases in the latter half of the repeat by a total of 5 stitches, and so, by logic, each repeat takes longer to complete. Right now, a row takes 15 minutes, and I'm only on the 2nd ball of 3 in the increase section. I'm lucky in the fact that each row in the repeat changes slightly, so I can't coast through the knitting.

   All this concentrated knitting does mean that I've not finished any projects - or started any. I have, however, given a promise to knit two hats. In double knitting. This means that I have to start one after I finish the Maelstrom. The hat is the "Double-Sided Jack Skellington Hat" by Alyshia West. The yarn has been ordered (King Cole Merino Blend DK in both black and white), and all I need to do is go and get head measurements. That (hopefully) will be done next week - provided no one gets ill and asks me to postpone my visit. I'm truly crossing fingers that doesn't happen.

  I still (obviously) haven't up-loaded any pictures to Flickr. I'm sort of surprised. It's a good storage site.

   I've gained another class, and this means I now only have 2 free days a week. But it also means that on average, I'm doing over 8 hours of exercise a week. Not bad for me. Aw, it's amazing for me. I feel good about it, and I feel better overall.

  Well, everything else is ticking along. I'm fine, the house is fine, the garden is the same, and I'm going to go so I can do more knitting to catch up for the last two days.

Until later.

Time goes by so quickly . . .

I've been busy saving the world with two sticks and some string....*snicker*

I've been nibbling a bit into the unfinished project "list".

Ok.
Finished:

Ruby Reds Wingspan, blocked out. I love it. I'm looking forwards to the winter, just so I can wear it.

Stripey Lacy Baktus. I blocked it out a bit curved, and the sides are a bit spikey. Yay!

Purple Riot Hat for Prismatic Scarf. It blocked itself out perfectly. I was a bit worried, but I like it a lot. I'm only half-way through the scarf, but it'll get done. . .eventually.

Blue-Green Striped Easy Garter Stitch Fingerless Gloves. I like them, but I'm not quite sure about them. I'll only be able to tell if they're a keeper when I actually wear them outside.

Denim Blue Multnomah Shawl. It blocked out to just the size I wanted. Yahoo! I also washed and re-blocked out the original blue-green Multnomah shawl and it's looking 10 time better than it did originally.

Burgundy Robin's Egg Blue Hat. I tea-dyed and hand-coloured a wooden button and while the button doesn't look quite as cute as I wanted it to, I like the overall look of the hat. Another one that blocked out nicely.

Burgundy Moss stitch Drops Headband and Olive Green Moss Stitch Drops headband. The red one's for me, the green for Susan. It goes with -

Olive Green Mistaken Shawl (same yarn - Louisa Harding Fleuris). I hate the yarn. Not for the feel, but for the chinzy weight and foam insert. Grrr. It's a good thing that I got the yarn on deep discount, or I'd have sent it all back with a nasty letter.

Burgundy Mistaken Shawl. I'm so happy I've finally completed the replacement for the original shawl.

Wwww # 1 - It's soft inside (alpaca lining) and looks great.

My freezer is stuffed with finished items. Luckily, most of them will be "done" in 2 weeks.

But, I've now only 43 or 44 projects unfinished (including the started ones underneath). It's good.

Projects started:

A second Ditty bag in pink silk and pink cotton. The knitting's actually finished, though sewing in the ends is proving to be a bit of a nightmare. So it's in limbo for a bit (quite a bit, really).

I had to re-start my 34 leaves shawl, as a bug/beetle (not sure which, don't care, I was mad as hell when I saw it) ate a hole near the beginning that I couldn't repair. I was 2 rows away from starting the border. Grrr.

I've finally started (and am 3/4ths of the way through in about 10 days) the Holden Shawl (Holden shawlette, but I wanted it bigger the first time I saw it) - in Noro Silk Garden Sock yarn (colourway S8 - F). It's really gaudy for me, but it's SO cheerful. I love it in a queasy way. *snicker*.

Right now I'm primarily knitting again on the Maelstrom shawl (finally!), and I think in the time I left it alone it's become a black hole shawl. I'm halfway through the last repeat, and I never seem to be any closer to starting the border, no matter how many hours I knit. . . .I'm also knitting more on the hexagonal shawl (I'm actually on the border on this). It's another black hole shawl, but it's soft and pettable *snerk*.

Ok, I've got to sign off. The last night of the Proms are on.

Later.

What!?!?! How many!?!

My, my, my. I was trying to rejig the way my Ravelry project list looks (decided to put it back to what it was) and I discovered I had 50 projects in various states of unfinished (ranging from just started all the way to it's been knitted, sewn and only needs to be blocked).

That's very embarrassing indeed.

I am churning out and finishing quite a few projects, but right now, there are more new projects being finished than old ones.

So, as of last night, I finished a teapot cozy, washed a shawl that's been sitting on the side-lines for over a month (got another one to wash, but it's an old one that's going into storage until winter) and a hat. So my list is now down to 47 (still too many, though).

I think, that as much a I'd like to start a new project, I really need to buckle down and renew my new year's resolution of cutting down on unfinished projects. I know that I'll never be one for having under 10 projects on the go, but nearly 50 of them really is a bit much.

Ah well.
I'll leave it at that. I've really got to go knit. *g*

Whee!

I've been on line and discovered that Flickr have removed their ridiculous limits on photos and given everyone 1TB of space. It's GREAT!
I can start using it again. Yahoo!

Oh, about the knitting. Yep, I am. Projects finished:

Pink Pearly Queen
Feather Lace Scarf (it's huge and it's  bit strange with 3 pink "stripes" in it, but it's MINE)
Namaste Bag (Yoga Mat Bag) in Grey Aran-weight Cotton.
My wwwww#1 (fair isle headband) in 5 shades of 2-ply Jumperweight by Jamieson & Smith)
Cabled Tea Cozy (a paper tea cup holder) in grey marl 4-ply (leftover 2-ply Jumperweight)
A Ditty Bag (it's a small bag for holding 2 small MP3 speakers and their cables).

Projects Started:
Nori Shawl (knitty) - in Dark Green 2-ply Jumperweight.
34 Leaves Shawl (Lankakamero) Originally started Nov 2012, I'm working on it.
Funchal Moebius (Kate Davies) A colour-work cowl in 2 colours of fingering-weight yarn (King Cole & Texere Yarns Wool City).
2 Mistaken Shawls (one is finished on the knitting (Green one)) and now waiting for the ends to be woven in) One in Louisa Harding Fleuris (Box) and the other in Bulky Wool by Texere Yarns (Claret))
Wingspan #2 in EasyKnitter Deeply Wicked in Ruby Reds. (I'm hoping to go to Purl City Yarns this Sunday as they're having a trunk show of EasyKnitter Yarns).
Lacy Baktus #2  in Lana Grosse Meilenweit (4-ply mainly cotton sock yarn) colourway 3006.
A Robin's Egg Blue Hat (Rachel Iufer) in the leftover Fleuris from the Mistaken shawl

I think that's about it for this entry. I've not yet started abking and I haven't yet picked up the Maelstrom shawl. Don't know at this point when that'll happen.


Later.

It's Dancing Time!

I am a VERY happy person.

I found my camera!!!! *cheers, dances* I knew I missed it, but I hadn't realised I missed it as much as I had. . . I'm SO happy I found it. I keep thinking about it waiting for me to use, and I start smiling.

So why am I sitting here typing this rather than going outside and taking photographs? Well, it's raining. My camera doesn't like rain. It's a pain in the bum, but that's the way it goes.

So. I'll be taking photos in a couple days once my knitting is done - and I can also finally take some good photos of the knitting that just can't be captured nicely on the mobile. Yahoo!!!

Anyway, onto the knitting:

I've finished a few projects in the last few weeks -

Ayli Hat - It needs to be re-blocked, as I did that in a hurry and while it's ok, it could fit just a little better.

Bulky Flip-top Mittens - they are great. I have started another pair in a soft green-grey, and I have requests for another 2 pairs. I'll get those done for October (I hope).

Simple Lines Shawl - I beaded the border and it's just so pretty. I can't wait for the weather to wear it.

Light and Up Shawl - I waffled a bit and after blocking, I added the tassels. I like it very much, though I'm unhappy that the weather finally decided to warm up. It means I can't wear this (it blocked out bigger than expected and while light, it is too warm for spring/summer). Drat.

Wingspan - I found it fun and quick to knit. I didn't block it, as I really didn't want to. I also found that in sunlight, it's MUCH more vibrant than I was looking at under an energy-saver bulb. What a surprise!

Not-so-raspberry-as-cherry-Dream stole - and I've got to say, even unblocked, it's Gorgeous!

Bellflower lace scarf (now a cowl) - It didn't turn out as I planned, but it's nice and it will work.
 
The last two items need to be blocked, but I just don't want to pin out anything at this moment. I'll get 'em done "soon".

New Projects -

I FINALLY started the Muir Stole/Shawl in Natural Dye Studio's Angel 1-ply in Aqua. I'm adding delica beads to the leaves and while I've only done 8 rows, I LOVE IT!

At the end of March I started a pair of "Easy Garter Stitch Fingerless Gloves" in Regia Ombre Stripe (blues and greens). I've had to re-start them - I added a thumb and re-jigged the wrist short rows. They're a side-project and I'm taking my time.

I watched the Fiddler on the Roof a couple weeks ago, and saw a stole I liked. Trawling though Ravelry, I couldn't find a stole pattern that even remotely matched it (which was surprising), though I did find the "Foreign Correspondent's Scarf" that had the same lace pattern as the stole. I started the scarf in Zettl Treviso (navy blue), and it's interesting.
I'm sort of drafting/making notes of a pattern for the stole. I'll definitely have to do a test run of it, but I know I'm on the right lines.

About three weeks ago I started "Pearly Queen". I'm knitting it in Zettl Melisa (pink). It's about the same as the requested yarn. I'm not sure about it though - but that's more the colour than anything else. It's an easy and quick knit, but a little fiddly as I've had to change the way I throw my purling. It's not a problem, just a little different.

Old Projects -

I'm over halfway done with my feather lace scarf (started 2007). I looked at it recently, and it's actually more the width of a stole. I'm hopefully going to use it as a scarf, though I'm not convinced. I think it'll stretch significantly in blocking. All will reveal itself eventually.
I decided at the end of March to give the Maelstrom shawl a rest for a bit. I was dreading the thought of even picking it up, so it was packed away. But. . .I expect the way I've been thinking about it lately means I'll be getting back to it either in May or June.

I've been working on other projects, but, as I'm not sure how much time I'll take to finish them, I can't really give details on them.

If I finish another project this month (ha!), I'll start another shawl. I though about making a sweater, but honestly, I want another shawl. Oh who am I kidding. Once I finish another project, I'll be starting another shawl. There.

Food news next:

I'm really getting into making Japanese Pickles (tsukemono) and I've dicovered I need a couple ingredients (perilla leaves and yuzu) I can't easily get for the pickles I want to end up with. I'm going to be buying the seed for the perilla leaves (both red and green). I have no idea what I'll do about the yuzu, but so far, lemon peel is working. I am happy with what's happening so far - though they could be just a bit better with the perilla leaves. To be honest, I would love to make rice bran pickles, but I'm not convinced I've got what it takes to keep them happy while fermenting. Therefore, I'm just concentrating on quick pickles, and all is good.

My next foray into baking will be making vegan pies. I've got what seems to be a good cookbook (yes, it's "Vegan pie in the Sky"), but unfortunatly I need the counter space. That's a big problem right now. Once that's fixed, watch this space. I'm in the mood to make a chai apple pie first.

And finally, just in case you hadn't figured it out, my emotional health is MUCH better. I don't know what happened, but about a week - 2 weeks ago, it was if a cloud had lifted. I'm definitely not complaining. It's a little weird in my head, but I'll go with the flow. It's preferable to the way it was before.

Ok, I'm off. I have reading to catch up on. I finally got my copy of "Dangerous Liaisons" returned to me, and I'm on letter 16.

See you later.

Life isn't unkind

Well, the knitting on the vortex/maelstrom shawl is coming along. I decided it's been ignored enough. I'll knit on it until I get fed up and want to throw it across the room. To make me feel better, I've started 3 small projects - 2 scarves (prismatic scarf and a bellflower lace scarf that started out as a headband) and a shawl (light and up shawl).

My GOD I hate this keyboard. Some of the keys are stiff and don't register unless you're imagining you're playing along with Beethoven's 5th. Arrggh! It's not even 6 months old, this laptop. What a PAIN!!!.

. . . Anyway. The knitting is progressing ok. I'd like to say nicely, but I'm not in the >50% mood to knit. I'm having another month of "not wanting to knit". It's killing me. I "want" to knit, but the thought of knitting another 800 stitch (and increasing) row on a circular shawl that seems to have no end (though I DO know there's only one more repeat after the next 10 rows) in sight is getting a tiny bit annoying. But, the good thing I have to look forwards to is the pretty border. Right now, I'm definitely making the border a carrot to keep me going.  

You see, I know what part of the problem is. . . I'm grieving, and I'm refusing to properly grieve.

I have NO idea why. I really don't. Anyway. It's MY problem, and I know how to deal with it, but I need to know I'll not be interrupted and totally alone. So It'll be awhile, and until then...I'm hoping I'll be ok.

  But on a better note for the knitting, I've finished the knitting and sewing on the Simple Lines shawl. I even beaded the border. It's lovely, but it'll be better once I lightly block it. Unfortunately, I don't know when that'll be.

So. The house cleaning slowed a little bit during the last couple weeks of February (I was a bit ill and didn't have the energy, if I'm honest), but I've gotten most of the recycling (so far) out of the house, and that felt good. I'm planning on culling a "few" more books and a few more clothes this coming week.

Ok, I'm done with this. Later.

Tilting at titles . . .

Knitting recently started:
Simple Lines Shawl by Maanel. Yarn: Panda (DK bamboo blend) in Dark Grey by Zettl.
Wingspan by Tri'Coterie Knitting Designs. Yarn: Deeply Wicked (fingering merino) in Pond Scum by Easy Knits.

I'm taking these with me when I go voluntering at the Creative Stitches and Hobbycrafts Show. I started yesterday and really didn't get to work at all on either one. It was fine, though. It was amazingly busy and the time flew by. I'd like to do it again next year. We'll see though, as I've just indicated that I'd be interested in helping with hows that the Knitting and Crochet Guild have on in Manchester. I think that the future might be busy....

Books:
Well, I'm back for another year with the Goodreads reading challenge. I'm going to try again with reading 2 books a week (104 books this year). It's working so far, and I'm 2 books ahead.

Garden: No go.

House cleaning resolution: It's ticking along. If I continue working like I have been so far, I'll do it easily by July. I'm not holding my breath though. I have to stay cynical, so I work at it. I'll be happier in the end if I do....

Craftwork: Hibernating. The cross stitch and beadwork is keening in the background, but I've other things to do. If I'm good at the house de-cluttering, I'll reward myself in June. . .

Food: I've gained inches and feel lethargic. I'm not dieting, but I'm trying to not stuff food down my throat, I'm going to my fitness classes and walking as much as I can. My body is trying to get me to "stock up the fat reserves for winter" but I'm not falling for it....I NEED to lose inches. I refuse to check out the scales until I can fit into a size 12 pair of jeans. Come on summer!

Well, that's it. I'll be back as soon as I'm able....

2012 knitting.

   Well, 2012 seems to have been sort of a dead year for knitting. I spent most of it working on large projects started over 18 months ago. I finished 2 of the 15 I worked on (marked with *), but, one of them (and yet still unfinished) had already had the knitting completed on it.
 I (of course) started a "few" new projects, but a couple were started last year. I hope that my list of knitting projects in progess will diminish still further in 2013. . . Well, I can hope, anyway. Though I expect (as normal) that I'll start a few new projects to complete within the year. Here's crossing my fingers.

As to resolutions for 2013, I'm only making one: Clean up a minimum of 15% of my house (I'd like to say a minimum of 25%, but I'm not quite that industrious). Though it's VERY true that I'm fed up of the clutter and the excess stuff. It's got to go.

So. Onto the knitting projects for 2012:

Knitting started but not finished:

Indian Shawl - Galina Khmeleva

Brea Bag - Norah Gaughan

Fake-a-Gamo Bag - Kate Sonnick

Freyalyn's Modular Vest - Freyalyn Close-Hainsworth

34 Leaves Shawl - Lankokamero

Bulky Flip-Top Mittens - Jeanne Stephenson

Ayli Hat - Jacqui Harding

Knitting Finished:

All Over Cables Hat - Lindsay Koehler

Mistaken Shawl - Kourtney Robinson

Blue Leaf Shawl (98-21) - DROPS Design

Bandana Cowl - Purl Soho

Coquille Shawl - Mary Lou Egan

Garter Stitch Scarves 1 & 2 (general pattern)

Mariposa Shawlette (had to be knitted twice) - Dutch Knitting Design

Cable-licious Ear Warmer (turned into a Scarf) - Kate Black

*Yoga Wrap Cardigan - Teva Durham

*Growing Leaves Shawl (# 1) - Lankokamero

Here's to 2013. May it be cheerful.

Night.

Last post of 2012

(I'd like have a hope that I'm doing another post on the 31st, but there's not a lot of hope for that. . .)

I suppose I should type-up an entry here. I don't actually want to, but one small "thing" in my head is bugging me to do this.

My Aunt Marion (My Mother's eldest sister) died on the 28th of November (the day before my Dad's birthday - that particular day was a "fun" day, let me tell you - even my Dad forgot his own birthday.). Well, since her funeral, (about 10 days after) I've not wanted to do much of anything besides sleep, eat and watch television. I know it's not enough to do (i.e. Go out, cook, clean, be sociable, shop. . .), but right now, it's what's going to happen. I've only been doing it for about 2 weeks, so it's not going to keep occuring for much longer, but I'm going to immerse myself as much as I can in this self-indulgant misery (just so I don't re-immerse myelf in it later. Trust me, that way lies madness and chaos). It will mostly finish on Boxing Day (since I'm going to an Aunt's party). Though at this stage, I don't want to go. I'm just so. . . .lethargic. . . .I have no "oomph". I mentally want to do things, but when it comes down to actually phyically doing them, I just say "screw it" and they don't happen.

There are a small amount of semi-significant things that I'm making myself do - Like making sure the garbage bins get put out on the relevant collection day - just to keep me "awake" (wrong word, correct intent). I don't want to do them. I don't actually know why I'm doing them, but I am.

Just like this typing. I've wanted to do an entry for about a month, and before the lethargy, I was a bit busy. After the lethargy started, I just couldn't make myself enter the website. I had the computer open in front of me, I had the time, but, I just couldn't do it. I would frequently sit, looking at the screen, waiting for the get-up-and-go to actually click on the web address. Nothing.

But on the other hand, I think I'm coming out of my "Funk". There are signs. You see, I knit a couple rows last night, then I read some of a book, and, I've been planning my Christmas dinner (Pasta and a salad - nothing fancy - I won't be eating a trad. dinner, and I don't really want to imitate it.).

I've also been thinking again about what present to get my Dad. That's a toughie. Always is - he's really hard to buy for (right now I think it'll be a new year's present, since it'd be madness to go out shopping NOW) - Ok, yes, I should have already bought it, but buying for him is not that simple. He has a tendency to go and buy for himself the things he wants, and I can't tell you the amount of times I've had to re-buy a present. *grr, sigh*. So, Present-buying tends to be either a "wow-that's-unusual-and-unique-but-he'll-think-it's-neat-so-I'd-better-buy-it-now" type of thing lots of time in advance (with me hoping all that time that he doesn't find another), or it's a "drat-that's-all-I-can-find-and-it's-not-good-enough" thing at the last minute. The funny thing is, is that he's not that bothered about presents. I have, unfortunately, had years I didn't get him a present and he honestly didn't mind. Made me feel bad, but I had sincerely tried to find one, and that really was all I could do. I have had some great present years, though (I'm not telling - since it would dent my happiness). But finding a gift or not, it's going to be a not-so-jolly-holiday-christmas this year. I'm a bit sad at that, but there is another one next year. Hopefully it'll be a very good one. *sigh*.

So. Since I am writing this, I am paying a bit more attention in small degrees to everything (a tiny bit more every day). Like right now - I'm typing this AND I'd like to take a shower (that's a really good thing right now, believe me!). . . .So I figure, at this rate, I'll be done with this "blah-ness" completely by Boxing day. I'm crossing my fingers. Whew.
So, I'll end this. I'm going to watch some pre-christmas TV to kill the time before sleep (and hopefully do some knitting).

Night.

I love you, my brain.

I had 2 weeks(ish) away from knitting due to volunteer work. I didn't miss it for most of the time, and felt a tiny bit guilty towards the end and thought about what I was going to work on. It felt decidedly weird, but adult. I knew I was going to knit again no matter what happened and for a change, let myself not feel wretchedly guilty.

But within that time, I have had this small epiphany: I'm really, really, totally, honestly, truly wholeheartedly allowed to not feel guilty or bad for something that I can't do anything about - or even just because I don't want to feel guilty - today. I've known for a long while that it was true, but my brain wouldn't let me believe it or let me act on it. So much FUN.
You see, I've spent far too many years feeling like hell (sort of permanently apprehensive) because of my childhood and teenage years. Not because any of it was my direct fault - far from it, but because most of that time was spent in apprehension about how my Mother was going to behave every day (I had an ulcer from 12 to 18, so joyful). This feeling was so indoctrinated from an early age, that I didn't know it was supposed to be any different, so I carried it along with me, even after I was 23 (she died a few weeks before my 24th birthday). I suppose you could call it the mental equivalent of a habit. I got thoroughly sick and tired of it in my 30's, when I knew that a lot of my "misery" was partially self-generated, finding things to be "worried" and "anxious" about, since my psyche felt oddly "unused" if I wasn't worried about something. I was in my early 40's when I finally made a concerted effort to quit the "mental torture gymnastics" when one or two nights (not consecutive) were spent in tears trying to shut up the paranoid "voices" in my head.
 - I have no diagnosis or previous activities of DPD (dissociative personality disorder) and those two nights felt like I was going insane.
I had no idea of whether my efforts were working until these last couple weeks-ish.
The following things last week tell me that they are: I had a friend brush me off and it only irritated me for a couple hours (normally I'd take it to heart and I'd analyse it to death, dig it up and analyse it some more for a few days). I could sleep without needing to go through my regular routine of relaxation. I turned the TV off so I had a quiet room to sleep in.
Now for most people, these things aren't anything to think about, but for me, it's pretty darn great. I'm hoping that I can keep it going even when I'm tired. That will be a true sign of success....

As for the knitting, well, I bought a set of Addi interchangable lace needles (short tips). I'm SO happy. I've decided that the first project I'm going to knit on them (after I've finished a project) is going to be a Muir shawl/stole with Angel 2ply yarn and delica beads as accents. Yum. Again, SO happy. I've wanted to knit this for over a year. WHEE!

I'm off. I have a stole (Raspberry Dream Stole by Dagmara) to finish up a repeat on (4 rows to complete a repeat of 34 rows - 17 pattern rows, 17 purl). There's another ball of yarn to go (hopefully I'll get another 3 repeats out of it), but it is a joy to knit. Mmmm.

Later

Yay and Blah....

I've finished the two pieces I put in for the Ravellenics.
Growing Leaves Shawl #1
and
Yoga Cardigan.

Before I start, I'm running on 2 hours sleep - I just could not get to sleep last night. I couldn't do much of anything except look at the TV most of the night. Very frustrating. *bah*. I finished off the last seam under the left arm this morning feeling like fog was creeping in my head.

The title is, well, while I wasn't keeping either item, I did like the way the shawl turned out.

The sweater, on the other hand. . .
As I was finishing off each seam and then knitting up the second half of the neckband/waist tie, I started disliking it more and more. I "knew" it wasn't a good garment. I'm a sewer first. I started out by hand sewing items (I made a dress by hand when I was 8, and while it looked like a Frankenstein's Monster dress, it did work) and eventually graduated to a sewing machine in my teens. Over the years, I became good.
Anyway, I knew the blocked pieces were ok, but even as I turned the sweater back and forth and in and out during the seaming, I thought it wasn't working. They weren't sitting right (yes, I am a bit of a perfectionist). But, at the same time, I was going to give it a second chance by re-washing it (I've got to "lock-in" all those sewn-in ends) and then blocking it by pinning it to my dress form. I am hoping it works, really I am. if not, I'll felt it and turn it into a cushion (I'll knit up a filler panel for the neck and sew everything in place except the bottom seam (zip goes there) and sew up a cushion to insert into it. I can't send out a (possible) substandard garment, really I can't.
Now - I am brain fogged right now. I do know that the sweater needs re-blocking. But tomorrow (or the next day), after I get enough sleep to function (thank goodness it's the weekend), I might look at the sweater with a kinder eye.

I hope so. The yarn is so soft and has the nicest halo.

Until next week(end).

Watching the Olympics and Knitting...

I've been enjoying the Olympics, watching Archery and Fencing, Equestrian Dressage, individual Artistic Gymnastics (the regulation team events with set routines get boring fast), and occasional other events.
I saw the beach volleyball in Beijing and I was bewildered by the clothing mis-standards (odd word, but bear with me). The men get to wear beach shorts and long baggy vests. The women wear a heavy tan and a tight bikini. Why? If it's a matter of comfort, why aren't the men topless? If the IOC are concerned with equality, why don't the women get to wear long vest tops (with built in brassiere) and beach shorts? In many other sports the women dress similarly to the men (I'm not including gymnastics - it's irrelevant, but, I would like to see the option of the women using track-suit bottoms during competition). Ok, I'm done. I had to say something. It's been bothering me.

I've been knitting and sewing during the Olympics. I signed up for the ravelympics (bad, bad USOC)  ravellenic games. I entered a shawl (Growing Leaves #1) and a wrap-sweater (Yoga Cardigan) into WIPS wrestling. They're both unfinished projects I hadn't worked on since last year, and they needed to be finished. I've finished the shawl, and have put in the entries and form for a "medal" (yes, that I thought I wouldn't get) and am still trying to finish the sweater. It needs seaming and the other half of the front edging/tie to be done. I'm still struggling with the seaming. It's not difficult, but it's tedious. After it's finished, I'm debating on whether I'm giving both items away.
I knitted the sweater for me, but it's way too small (I have to be realistic, I'm not going to lose the required weight this year or the next *sigh*), and I'm not in love with the shawl. The problem is that I know they need a bit of special care (blocking after every wash) and the average person won't know how/won't want to do that.
It annoys me - not because the items won't be cared for - but the fact I'm caring quite so much. Once they're out of my hands, and I send them off with appropriate labelling (which they'll get) it's not my concern anymore. But I do care, and that's just me.
We'll see what happens.

Since the last entry, I've bought all the yarn talked about, with a couple changes. There's enough for three mistake shawls. I bought two lots of dark purple yarn from Deramores: 12 balls of Wendy (Merino (chunky)) and 10 balls of  King Cole (Merino Blend (chunky)), and then took myself (and my Dad) off by train to Texere Yarns and bought 7 100g balls of their own Chunky wool in claret (dark red). I'm not sure which set I'll use, but I'll be happy with the colour no matter what.
Whilst at Texere, I also bought yarn for another project (funchal mobius cowl, by Kate Davies), and  I finally caved and bought a ball winder, as the thought of winding up another 100g skein of lace yarn by hand makes my shoulders scream.
I'm planning on going to either John Lewis in the Trafford Centre (by Tram and bus, because I can), or, Up Country near Wakefield (by car, because it's really the only option), to check out some Rowan Creative Linen yarn. It's to make a sweater (Sorrel, from The Knitter Magazine, Issue 44). I do like using the required yarn if possible. I have the chance to buy the yarn online for a 10% discount, but, I'm picky about texture and colours and I don't want to buy yarn I'm possibly going to hate. Yes, it seems like a lot of work for 8 balls of yarn, but that's the way I float.
Unfortunately, right now I'm delaying (it does seem like a lot of work for 8 balls of yarn), but all will be resolved eventually (at least before the end of the month).

Anyway. I'm still without my netbook, though it's hard drive is out and being copied (very slowly) and we'll see what happens - my Dad is under the delusion that the extended warranty is still in effect, even though I told him it wouldn't be, I now just have to persuade him that it will be cost effective to get it fixed (if it can be).
Let's see what happens. . .

Later

I can only post if I can get online . . .

Well, I've been offline for over a month, as my netbook was the victim of a spish of tea (I couldn't have called it a real splash, as there was literally just enough to get over the rim of the cup) and the netbook had not been in it's regular place, but unluckily, resting for a second against the sofa. *sigh*. Well, eventually, my father wanted to be online, so he bought a notebook (Toshiba) I'm using this right now. I'm hoping that my netbook will be fixed soon. I want to be using that, as its keyboard and general size fits me.

So, while I've been offline, I've been knitting and reading. I've done much more reading than knitting, so much so, that I'm 15 books ahead in my reading challenge (I increased the number of books to complete the challenge this year from 84 to 94; I was previously 18 books ahead).

I finished a shawl Coquille, from knitty.com) and something else, but can't remember what it was.

I felted a shawl (Mistake shawl) during laundry (washing, not drying - arrgggh) and need to buy yarn to make another. (10 - 50g balls of chunky weight - I'm not decided on colour or company, and I'll be off to Texere Yarns this friday to check out a few possibilities, if that trip isn't productive, then there's 2 contenders on the Deramores website, and I might get both of them - a dark red of King Cole Merino blend, and a pretty purple of Wendy Merino Chunky. Neither of them are expensive, but I might end up getting the Wendy Purple regardless.).

I'm thinking about starting another shawl, but, I've been looking at the categories for entries for the Ravelry "Olympics" (ravellencs, I think, or something like that) and noticed a UFO category, and I'm seriously looking into entering that. I'm not going to get a medal, but I'd finish something, and that's appealing.

Later.