Sewing Not Knitting or Spinning

So this is sewing not knitting or spinning.  But I figured I would put it here.

I have a lovely Brother SQ9050 sewing machine my DH bought for me over two years ago for Christmas.  It can do 100 stitches according to the sales pitch (though I confess counting a straight stitch with the needle at one end & with the needle at the center as two stitches seems a stretch...*grin*)  It has an alphabet as well.  So you can add a name.  Nifty.

I picked up a no sew blanket from Walmart yesterday.  Little Guy needs a blanket for prek-3.  He wanted the Cars one.  It is cute.  Sure.

Looking at the instructions, I realize pretty quickly that the no sew method is a nightmare.  It requires cutting fringe and then trying each fridge to the other.   The specs say the finished size is 43" x 55".  So at 1" a piece, that is almost 200 cuts.  With the sides matching up...  *wince*

So I decide it will be faster to sew.  I have my lovely underused machine.  It is perfect.

Ummm...  Well...

First I think I will sew Little Guy's name on it. Great. 

Except when the machine requires an embroidery foot.  And I have no clue where the bag of sewing machine parts is currently.  *sigh*  Look.  Nothing.

Of course I say I will add it later.  Mind you, the blanket I made for Elder Munchkin for prek-3 two years ago was also supposed to get her name on it.  She used it again last year.  Wanna guess if her name is on it??  *laugh*

The salvage edges on the fabrics don't match!!  Are you kidding me??  The fabric squares aren't the same size.

I decide to sew two edges and then I will cut the excess after when it is stablized by the sewn edge. Good thinking.

So I get one edge & half the other edge sewn.  Then I look at the *bottom*.  It is a MESS.  Threads all over the place, loops.  *groan*  Had I thought to check the freaking tension?!?  Why would I do that?  *sigh*

So whee...  Get to rip and rip and rip...  *sigh*  My fav...

Okay.  Back to two unattached squares.  All good.  Start on the salvage edge.  Nearly done.  I look and look again.

I have sewn the right side out!  So when I turn it out to get a nice edge to the blanket, the type will all be backwards.  *groan*

*sigh*

I start ripping.  Then I decide it is time for a break.  So after a shower & lunch, I go back to work.

Got the tension right.  Get two sides sewn.  Then lay it out and cut the longer edge.  I decided I would sew that and then cut the shorter edge.  Works.  Sew the shorter edge with an opening to turn the blanket.  Actually works perfectly.

Had some issues because I didn't adjust the tension when I sewed the edge.  It is now going through four layers not two.  But I catch it quickly.  Only a couple little loops that no one but me and another sewer will notice. 

Take a Sharpie and write his name at the corner. 

Done.

Not perfect.  But it is soft & fuzzy.

If Elder Munchkin needs a blanket for Kindergarten, I think I may have to make her a new one!  Hers was made for a three year old.  And it shows. 

Probably gonna get two lists of things they need.  I have to go to Little Guy's school shortly.  They are having parents come at 4-5:30.  They will do a speech, check over paperwork (the same stuff we had to show when we registered him in MAY!) Then I get to meet the teachers.  Of course, it is a school.  So they don't have any child care. *groan*  So I am going solo.

I also really wonder.  What happens with two working parents?!  One has to take the time off to do this?!  Really??!

I love the school a lot.  But I really hope things haven't changed too much.  *crosses fingers*  Elder Munchkin's teacher left.  She mentioned that the feeling had changed dramatically.  A lot of the kids coming in last year didn't speak English.  So she had trouble with some of them even trying to communicate with them.  *sigh*  Just have to see I guess...

I really hope I can find all the sewing machine feet!  It has at least five for different things (including the automatic buttonholes & button attacher!)

Off to get the rest of Little Guy's stuff together.  Whee.

Tour de Fleece 2014

It has been eons since I have posted here!  Things always seem to get in the way.

I decided to participate in the Tour de Fleece this year.  I joined the wonderful Babe group as there are some terrific people who have Babes.  I always find it is a good community and very encouraging!

My goal was just to spin every day.  I didn't set any amount of fiber or anything else.

Unfortunately, I didn't meet that goal.  *sigh*  However, it was because I woke on Friday night/Saturday morning at 3:30 in the morning.  My stomach was cramping...  Won't bore you with all the details.  But the short version is that I am fairly certain I either ate something that didn't agree with me or I had a stomach bug.

So for day 16 & 17, I didn't spin.  I barely even moved for that matter.  Blah!

On the plus side, I did spin every other day.  So hey, I had two rest days.  Of course, they weren't the same as the TfF, but it is all good!  *smile*

It just felt *really* good to get back to spinning.  I don't think I had spun at all in over a year.  The last thing I have listed for handspun was added in Feb. 2013!

Finished yarns:

DyeingforColour in the Nobility III colorway

Superwash Merino Firestar blend.

Ravelry link

Pics don't do it justice.  Nice shimmer but not overpowering.  Lovely purples & black with gold shimmer.  Beautiful fiber & the prep is amazing.

4 oz.

WPI 8-13

~200 yards

Semi woolen spinning.  Lots of loft and squishiness.  Lovely.

My DD has already claimed it for mittens.  Might work really well for them.  So it might be hers...  We shall see.  I really like it too!

The fiber came from Dyeingforcolour's Etsy shop.  Lovely fibers at very good prices.  And the prep was sooo nice on this.

The First Draft Merino/Silk in Coldilocks Colorway

From the fourth Dresden club.

Ravely Link

Came in a braid.  I divided it in half.  Then I took one half & divided it into eight more strips.  The other half I drafted out so there were longer color repeats.

The trick was that with the half that I drafted, it came out thicker than the one I split further.   uneven.  I still had about a third of the spool left of the one I had drafted out thinner.

6 oz.

WPI 14-21 WPI (average around 18)

~560 yards

Brown Alpaca

This fiber was sitting on a bobbin.  I know it is alpaca from the feel.  But honestly, I don't have a clue how long it was on that bobbin!

I think it is part of the NorthStarAlpacas Roving from Sonata & Berringer that I spun.  I had blended that with a black for a project.  Though honestly, I am not certain that is what it was.

Unfinished Spinning:

Loop BULLSEYE Bump in Hidden Passions colorway

Ravelry Link

 

Lovely colorway with reds, purples & black.  Made specifically for me and has my fav colors!

Started this when I got it in April 2012.  Set it aside for the TdF in 2012.  Then picked it up again about a year later. 

I figured I would spin it for the Tour de Fleece this year!  It spins super fine.

I finished the single on the last day of the TdF.  I am planning on letting it rest a bit & then Navajo plying it.  I wish I felt like I did it justice.  I think parts are thicker.  So I really wonder how this will come out when I ply it.

I am going to post this.  If I don't, who knows when I will!!  *laugh*

AAGGGHHHH!!!

It has been bitterly cold.  I have not wanting to take off wool socks *at all*.

Unfortunately, our heat is controlled by our landlord.  The one that sets the thermostat is from Poland and thinks 65 for the day is just fine!  (It is funny because you can tell when the woman comes home as it gets cranked up to all of 68...  We have complained repeatedly.  But we finally just gave up and have space heaters in every room.)

I went to put on my Maeve socks this morning.   Figuring cables, no yarn overs was an excellent idea.  These are the pair I just finished in May after starting on them before my DS was born.  Who was two by the time I finished them!  *laugh*

THERE IS A MASSIVE HOLE ON THE BALL OF THE FOOT!!

*sigh*

Talley of dead socks since the fall (in order of death I think...):
Maeve socks
Siouxsie the Scylla Black Dragons
Brigit Socks
Zombie Socks
Baudelaire Socks - though they might have been earlier than fall

Both pairs of handknit socks for DH also died.

So that is seven pairs of socks (maybe eight) that have died in less than six months!!

The Maeve, Black Dragon and Siouxsie socks I have less than a year! 

I confess that I am really peeved about the ones that died so quickly!  And the Maeve ones were so much work.  There is pattern on the foot, so I can't see that they are salvageable...  *sigh*

I think one of DH's pairs is just the toe of all places.  So I can add a new toe.  But pretty much all the rest are lost causes...  *sniffle*

It is really frustrating...

*sigh*

I really need to knit a whole lot more socks.  Part of me is saying nothing but SW/nylon blends in the future.  But the other side feels like the nylon makes them less warm.  (I am currently wearing my Witching Hour Socks in The First Draft Merino/Nylon sock yarn.  I love them.  But they don't feel as warm as the all wool socks.

The rational part of me knows that the reason I knit socks is because they are something I actually wear all the time.  But the emotional part is peeved that I can't keep them forever.  *laugh* 

Looking at my socks on my Ravelry page, http://www.ravelry.com/projects/akasha?set=socks&view=thumbnail I am struck by just how many are MIA or not ones I can wear on a daily basis (to thick or in one case knee highs).    And there are least three other pairs that are dead. 

It also makes me wonder where my cotton socks are...  I haven't seen them in eons.  Which makes me think they got into the bottom of a dresser drawer...  Maybe I will find them when I move.  *laugh*

I just counted.  There are currently five pairs of socks I can wear on a daily basis.  Definitely not enough with this weather!  *shivers* 

I have two pairs on the needles.  Both toe-up and past the heel turn.  But for some reason, I keep stalling on the leg of socks...  Not sure why.  The Rosebud Socks are beautiful and I can tell I will wear them a ton.  But it is a 24 row repeat.  So I have to be paying some attention.  Not a challenging pattern.  But it requires some attention.  The even rows don't have increases & decreases.  So that helps in terms of speed. 

The other are the Socks in a Week challenge that I failed.  So the logical part of my brain says just knit the freaking things.  They are socks!  It is a simple two row repeat.  Nothing challenging.  But I didn't finish them in the allotted time. 

Also, since I started them in 2013, I am not sure if they count towards the 12 in 2014 sock challenge.  Mind you, the sock challenge is a super loose group.  They don't care if you want to knit 1 pair or 12.  And I am not delusional enough to believe I will knit all 12 pairs in adult size.  I might if I knit some kids socks.  *grin*

All this is the long way of saying I need more socks.  DH needs more socks.

And I also need to knit him a hat!  I feel bad that he is outside, in the cold, clearing off the car with no handknit hat or scarf!!  He has two scarves but of course we can't find either.  *laugh*

Think I need a win.  So I should stash dive & knit a hat for him.  *smile*  I love knitting hats as they are super quick & easy.  But I never wear them myself. 

Okay.  Enough babble.  Back to work for me.  *grin*

Goals for 2013 & 2014

I am crossposting to both my personal journal & knitting one since they overlap so much.

First, last year's goals & what happened. 

- Finish the Maeve socks
Done!  Hooray

- Have at least five dates with my DH
I think so.  We squeezed some in during that last week.  I think we made it.

- Get more activity into my routine
Honestly...  Fail.  I really didn't do it.

- Lose weight in a healthy manner
Again.  Nope.  Didn't happen.

- Get any buttons or beads on finished WIPs within four months of finishing the knitting portion
Success.  But then again, I think I am also avoiding projects with buttons...

- Get out solo and/or have an evening with a friend
Got out with Meredith once which was really good.

- Sleep training with DSI won't go into this insanity.  But suffice it to say, it should have been done already... *sigh*
Done.  But it does require redoing from time to time.  He started creeping on the bedtime again & fussing.  So there is more of it again.  But seems to be working okay.

So all in all, not bad.  Most were successful.  The diet and exercise were the biggies on the nope side.  But all in all, not too shabby.

Now for the 2014 Goals

- Get more activity into my routine
Gonna put this at the top of the list.  It is very important for so many reasons...

- Lose weight in a healthy manner
Relisting for the obvious reasons.

- More solo time for me & DH
I really think it is critical for both DH & I to have some time for ourselves.  It is good for the mental health.  We had talked about taking one night a month for ourselves.  But it didn't happen.  Maybe if I put it here, we might get it to happen.

- Get my resume completed
Things with the merger are still happening.  The big systems stuff is early 2015.  So I really should have my resume brushed up & maybe contact some headhunters in the publishing field.  I really love publishing and think I would like to continue in it.

- Finish sweater for DH
I really would like to finish the sweater.  It was cast on in the fall of 2012...

- 12 socks in 12 months
Realistically, this one may not happen.  But you know what?  It is great to try and push it.  I have had four pairs of handknit socks die since fall.  I need to make more.  I joined a very open group on Ravelry that goal is to knit 12 pairs in 2014.  http://www.ravelry.com/groups/dozen-pairs-of-socks-in-2014  But they welcome anyone to set their own goals.  They have a beginner & advanced pattern for each month.  But you can also do your own thing.  My kind of group.  I am *terrible* about staying with just one thing. *laugh*

I know I could set more goals, but I think this is good. 

Socks in a Week (Actually 8 Days)

The woman who taught me to knit posted on her blog that she was planning on participating in a KAL.  It is to knit socks in a week, though actually eight days. 

When I read it, there was really just the idea with more info to come.   So I figured cool.  Let's do it.

When I checked in again, closer to the date, the pattern was very specific.  Cuff down & magic loop done one sock at a time. Ummm...

I tried one sock at a time again recently.  And what I learned was it doesn't work for me.  I want to check out of the process after one sock is done. 

Also, I like toe-up.  I like using as much yarn as I can or stopping where it feels right.  With cuff down, I always stop too soon because I think I will run out of yarn.  Even when I weight the yarn & *know* I have enough.  So I have learned that toe-up makes me happier.

So I decided to follow along the dates but not the pattern.  I figured I was following it in spirit if not to the letter.  Or maybe that is just me justifying.  *grin*

I cast on the socks Sunday, the 29th.  I got started in the car on the way to see family in CT for the holidays.  It was going well.  I got most of the way done with the increases on the trip up there.  All good. 

The trip home was in the dark.  I decided that since it was stockinette with just a few more increases I could do it.  Wrong.  *sigh*  I was trying to use my phone as a light and not blind DH while he was driving in the rain.  Yet it wasn't the increases that got me.  I was feeling it and realized I had dropped a stitch.  *sigh*  So it had to wait until I got home.  Ah well.

I was off until New Years which was Weds..  So there was plenty of knitting time.  Of course.  Right... 

Ummm.  Except one snag.  We got some used instruments for Rock Band for the Wii.  And that meant a whole lot of silliness with that.  It was a lot of fun, but it also meant I didn't knit as much as I thought I would.

Yesterday it was back to the office.  I knit for a little while last night.  But I have been fighting crud for a few days now.  So DH & I watched one show.  Then I headed to bed.  So probably less than an hour of knitting tops.

So as things stand, I think I am ready to start the increases for the heel.  But frankly, unless I do nothing but knit for the next 50+ hours, I really doubt they will get done.  I am going to give it a try, but seems doubtful.

Mind you, I think that I shouldn't ever have believed the blogger when she said it takes 14 hours to knit a pair of socks.  She insists she is a slow knitter.  That for only an hour & 40 minutes a day, you could bang out socks. 

Maybe I am an even slower knitter.  And maybe the two socks on two circs method is slower.  But other than only knitting an hour or so last night, I really have put in at least two hours of knitting the other four days of the KAL.  Some days not much more.  But I think at least one of the days it was closer to four hours.

And I am only 2/3rd of the way done with the feet...  So I have serious doubts. 

Ah well.  Either way, I will have socks and that is ultimately what matters, right?

So of course, being a crazy woman...  I found a group on Ravelry for 12 pairs in 2014.    They started in 2012.  They have a loose attitude and really just seem to be about making as many socks in a year as you want.  They have a vote on patterns each month.  But any month you can always knit what you feel like it.  So just my kind of KAL.

Knowing me, I may pigback it to the Sock Knitters Anonymous group. SKA does different themes each month as well as a couple designers.  One of the January themes is lace, another intarsia...  So you see how board that is!  One of the designers is Stephanie van der Linden.  I have been looking at her patterns for ages & even have a book of her patterns a friend gave me.  Though I also think her patterns require solid yarns which for all my sock yarn stash I actually lack!  *chuckle*

I should review my 2013 goals & try again for 2014.  But today is not that day.  I am gonna post this and then go enjoy the snow day with the kids as the work day is nearly done.  Luckily I was working from home today!  It is beastly out there.

The One Were I Admit I Am Not So Clever...

My DH is awesome.  He made me a warping board & large swifts back when I was dyeing yarns.  He is pretty nifty.  And he really tries to get me presents I really want.

But since the Littles came into the picture, half the time we have skipped presents for each other.  The kids come first.

This year, it happened he was able to splurge this Christmas.  And he knew what a headache I had been having with ball winders.  I have three since I started knitting.  Frustrating.  Mind you, none were over $25, but still. 

The first one I snapped the piece off because the yarn caught & when I tried to pull it, the piece pulled off, snapping part of the base where it attaches.  Then I tried a Knit Picks one.  Again, just seemed to wrap super tight.  I had the center piece pop off.  Also, the loop for the yarn moved all over the place.  I complained to Knit Picks and they were super & sent me a new one.

However, I had similar issues.  I was so fed up with it.  I tried unwinding the yarn from the swift.  Tried to get it to behave.  But I nearly always ended up with wonky balls with threads on the top & bottom.  I just figured it was something I was doing.

So when DH offered to get them the Strauch wooden ball winder, I was beyond thrilled.  They are pricey, but built to last longer than I am!  *grin*  So I opened it on Christmas Day.  Such a happy camper.

So I pulled some yarn from the stash & went to winding it.  It is some beautiful String Theory on their discounted SW wool/bamboo base.  So yummy.

And what should happen?  It was pulling.  It was snagging around the top and bottom.  The usual issues.  With a high end ball winder.

So I figured the issue was something I was doing with my winding.  I really thought the ball winder was just supposed to do all the work.  So clearly, there must be more to it.

Hit YouTube.  Multiple videos later, I realized that in fact I was doing things right.  So what was the issue?

The swift!

It is a good, solid wood swift.  I paid about $50 for it which is a good deal for a wooden swift.  But clearly it wasn't spinning with the ease it should be.  When a video is showing a plastic one that is working beautifully with a plastic ball winder...there is an issue.

I love the internet.  After some searching I found this:

http://www.knittersreview.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=50453

Clearly I was not alone with my swift issue.  And luckily others had figured out a solution.

A can of Liquid Gold later, so somewhere around $2-3 later, I have a swift that moves without sticking much.  There is still a bit of grab in it, but the difference is stunning.  Two beautifully wound balls later, I am feeling both very happy and very silly. 

I really thought that the turning being stiff was normal for the swift.  Not like I had a lot of experience.  But I am feeling very sheepish after destroying multiple ball winders.  *sigh*

On the happy side, I should now be able to wind nearly any yarn without resorting to language that could make a sailor blush.  So I shouldn't have to resort to waiting til night and the kids are asleep to attempt winding yarn.  *laugh*

I am posting this now.  Wanted to talk about the sock challenge.  But I figure if I start, I won't get this posted in the next week.  *grin*

KAL - Two Socks in a Week

I can't believe it has been 11 months since I posted here!!  *shakes head*  You should see the amount of posts I started & never finished.  Or maybe you really shouldn't...  *blush*

I will keep this short to make sure it actually gets posted!

The wonderful woman who taught me to knit, posted about a KAL in her blog.
http://www.motherhoodispainless.com/2013/11/knit-along-with-k-line.html

The KAL post is here:
http://line4line.blogspot.com/2013/11/two-socks-one-week-lets-do-this-thing.html

Project Week runs from Dec. 29 - Jan 5.  Though as the author points out, that is in fact 8 days.  Works for me.

I am terribly sad as three pairs of socks have died on me within the past two months!  Two were out of Tri'Cotrie.  So while I adore her yarn, I think that any remaining TriC yarn will not go anywhere near my feet.  *sigh*

Last winter I had at least two other pairs of socks die.  So I desperately need socks. 

I have a pair on the needles along with a sweater for DH & fingerless mitts for me.  The home office is frigid!  I need them most of all.  And DH's sweater is from *last year's* goals!  *laugh*

Worth trying to bang out a pair!

(Edited to add active links.  Kinda thought posting it would do that!)

2013 Goals

I am cross posting this to my personal & knitting journals.  I like that the goals are mixed and think it helps.

- Finish the Maeve socks
Yes. I said it.  *gulp*  But I really want to get them off the WIPs list!  And they will look incredible.  And no, that doesn't mean make them ankle length.  *laugh*  They are already ankle length.  So binding them off doesn't count.  *grin*

- Have at least five dates with my DH
Hey, time to up the anty.  We need the time out together.  Our 10th anniversary is this year.  We need to do something special.  I really want to figure out a way to get a night alone without the kids for our anniversary in April.  It is critical that we get some time together without the Littles.  I love them.  But we also really need some time for us.

- Get more activity into my routine
I am hoping that when the nicer weather returns we can do more of this as a family.  I am also hoping maybe I can find some Wii games that I like that will enable me to work out more at home.  Since I have been approved for two days working from home again for 2013, I need to take advantage of that.  I am thinking that sometimes that needs to be me taking an actual lunch hour & working out during that time.

- Lose weight in a healthy manner
I need to get serious about losing weight.  Not just making half hearted attempts.  *sigh*  This one is rough.  I don't know if the answer is going back to Weight Watchers again or trying something new.  I know WW works.  And looking for something new requires time & energy I don't have.

With the merger stuff, I also need to be prepared if I get laid off.  I don't want to think about it, but I need to be realistic about it.  And there is a whole lot of biased against fat people.  It is one of the last remaining prejudges that is not only socially acceptable but in fact actively cultivated.

I am not at a healthy weight currently.  And I really need to keep up with the kids.  That will only get more true as they get older.  And if I am not moving, they aren't going to move much over time as well.  So it is very critical to make this a priority for the coming year.

- Get any buttons or beads on finished WIPs within four months of finishing the knitting portion
It felt good to not see so many items lingering in my WIPs that are waiting for buttons.  I still have the elastic issue for the dress for DD.  But otherwise my WIPs are just that *in progress*.  That feels much better than having them linger.  I was going to say two months.  But I know sometimes it takes a bit longer to *find* affordable buttons.  I have some lovely singleton or pairs of buttons.  However, I really don't have a sweater's worth even for the littles lying around.  So it takes time to find ones that won't break the bank.

- Get out solo and/or have an evening with a friendI would really like some solo time.  I also think this could include getting to one of the fiber fests.  I was sick for Maryland S&W and then too broke to make the trip to Rhinebeck (which of course came after a bout of illness tore through the house too so I was exhausted anyhow.)  So I really want to make one of the fiber fests this year.  *crosses fingers*  I really miss going.  *sigh*

- Sleep training with DSI won't go into this insanity.  But suffice it to say, it should have been done already... *sigh*

I think that is plenty for the coming year.  *sighs*  Feeling like there is too much when I look at the list.  That doesn't include the things I need to have happen in prep for the possible/impending merger.  I want to say I feel confident it will all be okay.  But it is all one big question mark.  And I don't know what I can do other than prepare what I can... *crosses fingers it all goes well* 

Frankly, I am current just hoping to be employed this time next year...

2012 Goals

I did okay with my 2012 goals.  I am feeling good about what I did.  Some weren't met, but I overall I feel okay. 

- Spend time with friends or have some solo time without DH & the kidsI lucked out that my dear friend Meredith got a job that is right around the corner from my job.  So we have lunch 1-2 times a month.  And a coworker has become a great friend.  We meet about 1-2 times a month.  Yes, it is confined to lunch, but they are one-on-one interaction with friends.  And I got very lucky and saw my dear friend Karen twice this year.  Given she is in AZ, that is terrific!  We have had multiple years when we haven't gotten to see each other.  I did also get to the girls weekend with some of DD's college friends & their wives.  That was great.

So no, I didn't get a lot of solo me time.  But I have gotten to connect more with friends which makes a huge difference!  Definitely happy that I have gotten some more time with friends.

- Complete at least one pair of socksDone!  I am proud to say I actually got *four* pairs done.  Woohoo.  *happy dance*  (Wish that one pair didn't have cashmere...*sigh*  Too itchy to wear long.  I know...I am weird.)

- Put buttons on at least half of my WIPs with missing buttonsThere were 12 WIPs.  Seven missing buttons & one waiting on beads.

Out of the eight that were missing buttons or beads, they are all done!
Finished:Simple Shrug for 18" Doll
Shrug for DD
Baby Jacket with Moss Stitch Edges
Aviatrix Hat for Ella - ended up on Will!  Too small for E
Simple Cardi for Bella Ella
Cardigan for My Hobbit Elanor
Beaded Evening Bag/Purse
Crest of the Wave Scarf

The remaining 2011 WIPs & Status:Suri Bias Scarf - Done
Flora Dress - Completed knitting but waiting on elastic which I swear I purchased already & won't find until I buy more elastic
Mary Janes for DD Daughter - need to frog.  Put in hibernation list but really need to reclaim the yarn.
Maeve Socks - 55% done - I don't honestly know if I touched these other than stealing one of the needles for something else...

The Maeve socks are beautiful.  The yarn is amazing and the color is intense and lovely.  So what's the deal you ask?  Cables.  Ornate cables that take a lot of attention.  A 16 row chart with things happening every row.   I still blame pregnancy hormones for casting on cabled socks three months before DS due date.  They are beautiful and need to be done!

- Have at least three dates with my DHI really thought I missed this one!  I was talking with DH about my goals (he asked me on New Years Eve if I had met my knitting goals sweetie that he is to remember.)  I had said I thought we only got out twice during the summer.  But then he reminded me that my darling SIL watched the kids while we went out to see a movie.  So three dates.  Hey, wait!  We also went out to breakfast while his sister was visiting the NJ shore during the summer.  So four!  Go us!

- SpinI did the Tour de Fleece.  Though as per usual with the Tour de Fleece, I use so much spinning mojo for that time that it drops off afterwards.  Though I did spin some yarn for DD's floating teaching assistant who is a knitter during December.  So I am thrilled.

- Get back to some activityThis was my biggest fail.  *sigh*  I am happy that I am walking to the PATH in the mornings.  I drop DD at school and then walk to the train station.  But that is only three days a week as I am currently working two days from home.  Mind you, most of the time on those days I am still walking her to school & then going home.  So that is some walking five days a week.  That is a major improvement.  But that is about it really.

Santa did get two dance games for the Wii but it is Just Dance Disney & Kids.  But they were mainly for the kids.  I have ordered Your Shape which is a fitness game with a camera.  I also got Dance on Broadway which is another dance game.  Silly, but I am hoping the kids like some of the songs so they will dance with me.  That has been the most fun about the dance games for the Wii. 

- The late addition - Four sweaters in 2012I added this in Feb. after listening to a Round the Twist episode about how 2012 would be the year of the sweater.  The goal was one for DH, DS, DD and her 18" doll.  Two out of four were done. *sigh* 

DS got a vest that was completed in March.  Looks adorable & should see if it still fits.  DD's was finished Sept. but of course lingered on buttons for two months.  It is kinda big though.  I made the 6 so she would have room to grow into it.  Probably should have done the 4.

DH's was cast on end of October.  Then I got involved with Xmas knitting...  So it has been lingering.  He said he wanted a certain sweater based on something he read in a Star Trek book over a decade ago.  It is your basic cardigan with pockets.  AKA super dull.  Of course since then he said he would have been happy with a dozen other things.  *laugh*  But it is good tv knitting. 

It cracks me up that I haven't finished the *littlest* sweater of the lot, the one for the 18" doll.  The pattern is to match DD's.  So I think since hers doesn't fit her well yet, I haven't been as motivated to finish it.  Also, I sometimes wonder if I don't love her 18" doll more than she does.  *grin*

So I met most of my goals.  And didn't meet a couple.  But overall not bad.

I just watched the Round the Twist podcast where she reviewed her goals.  And guess what?  She didn't meet one for the four.  *laugh*  Mind you, she had a whirlwind year that ended with her getting married in November.  So you can't blame her.  She decided this year there aren't goals, but just to enjoy knitting.



I will follow this post with my 2013 goals.  Figure this is long enough already!

Feeling Productive

I have had an amazingly productive couple weeks.  A lot was that Saturday I sat down and focused on all the WIP that were lingering with missing buttons & such.  I also finished a scarf that had been started in 2009.  Woohoo!


The 2012 goal was "Put buttons on at least half of my WIPs with missing buttons".  I have met that and kicked its tush.  There were 8 with missing buttons & 1 with missing beads.  I am down to ONE!  Woohoo.  I am feeling very accomplished.  We are not gonna talk about the one that has been done all but *one* missing button since 2008...  *laugh*

WIP as of Jan. 2012 & Status
Done - Simple Shrug for 18" Doll - Done 1/29
Shrug for DD - Done 1/29
Baby Jacket with Moss Stitch Edges - Done 2/6
Aviatrix Hat for Ella - Done 2/6
Crest of the Wave Scarf - Done 11/11
Suri Bias Scarf - Done 11/17
Beaded Evening Bag/Purse - Done 11/17
Simple Cardi for Bella Ella - Done 11/17

Still WIPs -
Maeve Socks -
These are back in the rotation after months of being in limbo.  They are challenging still with all the cables.  But they are being worked on which is something.

Flora Dress -
The knitting done but needs elastic added to the body which I bought and can't find.  *sigh*  I fear it may be too small by next year when DD could wear it.

Mary Janes for DD Daughter -
Think these are too small & need to get frogged.

Cardigan for My Hobbit Elanor -
*blush*  Still missing the #@*$ buttons.  Mind you, they are toggles so they require i-cord rather than just attaching.  However, this sweater too small for DD and may be too small for the Little Guy if I don't get them on there soon!

Items with Buttons New for 2012 -
Phoebe Sweater for DD Elanor - Done 11/17

Finished Projects -
I have actually finished SIX, yes six in the past nine days!  It is astounding.  Though a whole lot were adding buttons.  But I did complete a scarf in two days for Elder Munchkin out of some handspun.  It was bulky, but still.  Add to that the Vernal Equinox Shawl Surprise was completed October 29 and the Lady Bianca socks were done on the 20th.  That makes eight projects in a month!  Mind you, four of those were adding buttons or in one case beads.  But hey, it is a win!

I need to take pics of these things though.  There are a whole lot of Needs Picture icons on them.  *laugh*  (I do that so the sidebar code doesn't get mucked up.  It doesn't seem able to handle it if there isn't a pic.  Though I bet Casey on Ravelry has changed the code & it could probably do it now.  But I am too lazy to go deal with new code.  *laugh*)

I went to take a pic of EM with her scarf.  But I left my phone at home today!  So no pics.  *grumblegrowl*  Ah well.  Another day.

I have too much work to go over all the finished objects.  I should take some pics and then talk about them all.

It is nice to feel productive!