Where Did Winter Go?

Todtay I finished what is probably the last winter project that I will work on this season. Even though I have several other winter projects languishing in the unfinished state, I find it hard to think about working on them when the temps are in the 60's to low 80's. My mind keeps turning to summer tops like Buttercup. I even went so far Thursday as to get out the yarn and frog the little bit that had been knit into a sleeve for something else. Something else that I will never wear since I'm at least four sizes larger and wouldn't have enough yarn to finish it in a larger size because it was purchased several years ago.





Specs:

Pattern: Molly
Yarn: Plymouth Mushishi in a color I call Rose
Needles: 7 US Colonial Rosewoods
Knitted: February 9-27, 2011

This was a take along project that I worked on when I needed something completely mindless or needed a brake from other projects. There are only 4 rows to the pattern. Row 2 is a repeat of row and row 4 is a repeat of row 3 so it was a complete no brainer. This was a stash project and since I didn't want any yarn leftover I used all 491 yards. I will make this again for me.

I finished the first foot of the Drip Candle socks and started the second only to realize that I was using needles that are a 1/2 size smaller than those used for the first. Definitely a brain fart moment. Since I don't have any yarn to waste I'll frog what I have done so far and start over.


I seriously considered making these socks fraternal but I'm all about the matchy-matchy thing when possible.

I've been reading a lot of new to me blogs lately and I'm amazed at how many knitters are knitting down their stashes. My stash is insanely large and keeps growing exponentially so it was time for me to rein myself in but obviously there are a lot of others who feel the need to do the same or something close to it.

The last time I purchased yarn was in December and that was to make a hat, fingerless gloves and scarf for one of my nephews. The hat is made but was a tad too small and the scarf has been started. He's only five so I'm not worried about him outgrowing it too soon but with the current weather situation he won't need.

I'm not saying I haven't looked at, touched or wanted to purchase yarn I'm just saying I haven't made any purchases. I do feel great each time I finish a project and know that I didn't have to go out and buy the yarn for it. My goal is to go the entire year and I'm on my way to month 3.

I have been spending more time beading and that means spending money on beads. It's not as much as I would spend on yarn since I try to buy on a project by project basis. I really enjoy it and each time we do a different technique which keeps it interesting. My goal is to get to a place where I can conceive and execute my own designs plus it relieves some of the stress on my body from knitting too much. This year is about stretching out and learning new things and this puts me well on my way.

A Serious Case of Startitis

As if I don't have enough wip's already I've developed a serious case of "startitis". I see a project that I like and I just have to cast on. One of the Knit-Inn participants was wearing the most gorgeous ruffled scarf. Of course I had to investigate to see what pattern was used. It was the Molly scarf from Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool leaflet.

I made a quick call to The Needler yesterday, one of the lys' in the area, to put the pattern on hold and as soon as I got off work I drove over to Lexington to pick it up. I cast on this morning while taking a break at work with Plymouth Mushishi from the stash.


I was tempted to buy the Liberty Wool used in the pattern but I resisted. I'm not sure that I would have been able to hold out if they had more colors available but I'm pleased with the way the Mushishi is knitting up.

I restarted the Drip Candle socks over 72 stitches and the fit is perfect. I'm back to my original ending place with the first sock and have decided to use 8 colors instead of trying to use all of the colors in the bag. I'm saving those for the next pair and will need to knit some socks with more contrasting colors before I use them.

My mom has a friend who suffered some nerve damage to one of his hands and now has a problem with it being cold and hurting. I'm making a pair of fingerless mitts for him from Knits Men Want. I was almost finished with the first one when I realized that it was going to be to big in the Ultra Alpaca I was using. His hand is the same size as mine so at least I have a good guide to go by.

I finished the foot of my test knitting while I was in Greenville so now I need to buckle down and get the rest of the sock done. This is the first time I've test knitted for someone and it has been a pleasing and interesting experience. It has given me a great appreciation of pattern writing. I only wish more people were conscientious about getting their patterns properly tested before releasing them to the public.