File under "I should Have Known Better"

I have a knitting journal with pages for a needle inventory, pages of size charts for friends and family, and many, many, pages for notes on projects. I actually have more than one knitting journal with similar pages in them. They are all pristine. I have never written on a single page. I should have been writing in these books, especially on some projects.



I started these socks several years ago. The printing date on the book is 2001 so I'm guessing that I started them in 2002. I didn't knit exactly according to the pattern which is why I should have been writing deviations down...somewhere...even on the pattern.

When these socks when into the resting drawer, I had pulled out the needles to use on a different pair of socks, and placed the stitches on a thread. I think I have the right size back on the stitches. I'm hoping I have the right size. They look the same. For some strange reason, I believe I used a 2.5 mm needle originally instead of the 2.75 that the pattern called for.

I also changed the heel from the original. Did I write down the changes? Of course not. Did I even look at the heel on the first sock before I had completed the second heel? Why would I do that?

After ripping out the heel, I did stop to look at the first sock (which is just past the heel to realise that I hadn't followed the pattern for the sole of the foot either.

It is much easier to follow a sock pattern than it is to knit a sock from a half finished one.

Am I using the knitting Journal now? Not yet but I will just as soon as I start my next project.

The call of the Cashmere was just too loud.

I had planned to treat myself with knitting one repeat of the border each day. That was on Friday. By knitting one repeat each day, I could enjoy knitting this pattern and this yarn for fourteen day... two weeks of knitting Utopia. By Monday night, I had finished the shawl.



It was worth it.



The next project will be a completed UFO. The Gillihook Heritage Knitting Guild is challenging us to finish us unfinished projects. We are to list ten projects and only ten projects. Each month a number will be drawn and that is the project we are to have completed by the next meeting. I am fairly certain that the first project that I should have to finish will not be a single sock but instead the massive shawl that has been languishing on the shelf for three years.

I made a list. I went through cupboards, and closets and drawers and made my list. I now have to choose ten UFOs off the list. I could put several socks on the list since I have six single socks and when I last checked, I do have two feet.

I could put all my lace projects on the list but that would be silly. I wouldn't be able to leave my house for the year as I knit the seven started shawls and one Christening gown.

Two sweaters, one baby blanket, one pair of mitts and a couple of other projects. Before I knew it, my list was twenty items long and logically,I have no hope of completing them all in a year.

And that isn't counting all the projects that I have the yarn for that I'm just itching to start.

Start? Did someone say "Start"? Now that's a much better idea. I think I'll go cast on the new sock yarn that I got last night. Socks are little. They don't take much time to knit. I'll be finished it in no time.

The story of a conflicted knitter.

I've been working on these socks even though I don't like the color and I'm not thrilled with the pattern. They are not what I want to be knitting.



I've been working on this blanket because the new baby will be here in less than two months. It is not what I want to be knitting.



I really want to be knitting this shawl.


I love this shawl. I love the soft yarn that caresses my fingers with each stitch (Jade Sapphire cashmere). I love the pattern that changes enough to maintain my interest (Harbour Lights by Sivia Harding)



I even love the silver beads that came out of my stash to add the perfect amount of sparkle to the knitting. I love knitting this shawl, which is why I am avoiding it. I love knitting it so much that I don't want it to be finished. I'm sure it will be pretty when it is all blocked out and the lace is shown in all it's glory, but I will be finished knitting it. I won't ever have the same connection to it.
If I knit one repeat of the edging each day and only one repeat, I can enjoy knitting this shawl for another fourteen days.

Reflections and Resolutions

At the end of January last year, I joined a Ravelry group called Mission Possible 2008. I listed 12 projects that I wanted to finish within the year by what ever means were necessary. I could actually finish knitting them, or I could rip the project out and put the yarn back on the shelf or give the whole thing away to someone else, in any stage of completion.

This morning I looked at my list. I completed 10 of the 12 projects. Of the two remaining projects, the Unst Bridal shawl was knit on, but it didn't get past the second border. My Kauni Rainbow cardigan did not see daylight. I'm not ready to deal with it yet. Maybe next year.

In the last year, I completed 31 projects of varying sizes. Included in that total are 6 lace shawls/stoles, 10 pairs of socks (I thought I had knit more...perhaps if I put all the single socks into pairs, that number will look better),4 pairs of mitts, 4 baby sweaters and 1 entrelac stole.

The oldest project that I completed was my Tina shawl. I started in 2005 or maybe 2004. I know that it was sitting on the shelf for awhile.

2009 - Resolutions.

This is the year that I want to become a better spinner. I have a lovely collection of Spindles and two wheels. They need to do more than collect dust.
I was given some very precious quiviet down and Silk Hankies for Christmas. I won't spin those wonderful fibers until I can spin them into wonderful yarn.

More Baby Blankets need to be knit and quickly. I usually knit to deadlines but March 20 is quickly approaching.

The gym? Diet? Getting organised? No point in being unrealistic!

Have a very Happy and Peaceful New Year.