Minions (who do my bidding) and Followers (who do not)

About Me

My photo
Mama, wife, knitter, blogger, spinner, wannabe something or other. That's enough, right?

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #8

I think I've lost my knitting mojo as of late. I'm still knitting but I don't feel this sense of......well, I don't quite know how to describe it. Not "accomplishment" or "zen" or anything like that. I suppose it's because a sense of depression has sunk in around these parts of southern Wisconsin.

Most of you, my avid readers, are completely unaware of what's been happening around here (and those of you that are privy to the information did not get it from Facebook - it hasn't been posted there and I don't want it posted there for a number of reasons). Husband was "asked to leave" his job a little over a week ago. While we're going to be okay for a little while, it has made for some serious discussions between Husband and I about what we're going to do, where we want to go if we don't want to stay in this area (and we're not sure we do), what we're going to have to do in order to even think about moving, etc. It's not been a fun week.

Thankfully, Husband has had a number of interviews and hopefully something pans out.

With all that said, it's somewhat understandable why I haven't really gotten anywhere with my knitting...I've been knitting but I don't have the fervor that I used to have.  I'm hoping that it comes back soon.




Anyway, onward to Update #8 of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects (and I'll throw in some photos this time). Per a suggestion on my last SIYOP update, I'm going to start out with my FOs before moving into WIPs and plans and all of that.

FOs (Hooooooray, I get my precious needles back!)
1. Claudia (started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012)

There it is, in all it's unblocked glory :)
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks (started May 22, 2011; finished January 19, 2012)

They almost match, too...no idea how that happened.

3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket (started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012)

Hanging out on George's chair (my grandpa)
4. Dalek Dishcloth (started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012) - this was my super seeeekrit swap project.
I will fill your crevices and exterminate the dirt!
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks (started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012)

I swear, I have a brother! He's fraternal...but that doesn't matter!
6. Snail Hat (started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012)

I don't look that impressive, do I?

Does this help me look more impressive? No? Oh...

 WIPs (Things taking up my precious needles!)
1. Mama's Vanilla Socks (started December 6, 2011): These have been hiding for over a week now. Okay, they're not really in hiding...they're just in a project bag in the bedroom, next to the bed, waiting for me to pull them out and work on them. Oops...


Truthfully, I'm not much further than this...maybe 5-10 rows further along...maybe.

2. Little Man's Giraffe (started May 11, 2011): I have no photograph of him...but he's being made out of a light green and a Christmas green, if that helps you to visualize. No? Oh well. Sorry.

3. Icarus Shawl (started March 15, 2010): I haven't pulled it out...but I really should.

I'm probably not much further than this...maybe I am. I can't remember...

4. Lothlorien Hat (started January 25, 2012): Admittedly, I haven't photographed this yet, even for myself...I should probably look into that. And I need to e-mail the designer.

5. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit Socks (started January 23, 2012): I've come to the leg portion of the pattern and it only requires two repeats before the heel...so, I think if I sit and work on them, they'll come along just fine. But, they, too, are sitting in a project bag by the bed, waiting to be pulled out...

Right before the leg portion...

6. Pine Forest Baby Blanket (started February 21, 2012): I don't have a photograph of this project but I do have a photograph of the yarn...


I'm using Knit Picks Swish Worsted in the Dublin colorway. Now, depending on how things go, I may make a stripe in the middle with another color, just to extend the yarn a bit. I had six skeins of this to start out with (660 yds). The pattern calls for 600-650 yds so I should be okay...but I might not be since I added three repeats (21 stitches). We'll see how far along I am when I get through three skeins and make a decision then. If it's at least 15" after three skeins, I probably won't add the extra color in the middle.

Planned Hats
1. Odessa
2. Hermione Hearts Ron
3. Habitat
4. Ogre Babies!
5. NIN Hat
6. Pup Tent
7. Godric's Hollow Hat
8. Brandon Ribbed Beanie Hat
9. Raglan Hat
10. Bergen Street Tuque
11. Nolan
12. London Beanie
13. Grumpus
14. Simple Baby Cap #1
15. Candy Cane
16. Little Pumpkin Hat

Other Planned Items
1. Hermione's Everyday Socks
2. Freeport Vest
3. Hippo
4. My Little Slug (need to purchase)
5. Brooke Baby Afghan
6. Mossy Jacket

So, let's talk about the totals.....

WIPs: 6 projects
FOs: 6 projects
Planned: 22 projects

TOTAL: 34 projects


There you have it. Another Self-Imposed Year of Projects update...and I even included photos :)



9 comments:

  1. Sending all my love to you and your husband. I hope he gets a new, and better, job soon. And I think you have good reason to lose your knitting mojo, but it'll come back!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Renee I feel for you, we were in this exact same position 4 years ago and I still remember that sinking feeling when husband came home and told me. Luckily after a few months at home he was able to get other work and in the end it worked out for the better. I do hope things turn around for you all and this I'm not surprised would have an effect on your mojo, you've got so much else on your mind. Do take sometime out to knit it will help relieve the stress a bit for yourself. I love the pics of your finished objects and they are all lovely and I like whats on your needles now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. You have all my sympathy - the same happened to us in 2008. I'll keep my fingers crossed for him, I hope he finds another job soon.

    Nothing like looking back and seeing how much you've ticked off the list already to spur you on to finish more things! I love the socks you've got on the needles right now, especially the colours in the vanilla pair.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm sorry your husband was let go from his job. I hope his upcoming interviews realize what an asset he is and snap him up! Good luck to him.
    Fun to see the FOs. I like that lively yarn for the Mama's Vanilla Socks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow - that's alot of FOs! You were really cookin'! I've been wanting to try the Skyp socks - love the colorway you chose :)

    I hope your husband finds something he enjoys very soon!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I hope everything works out for you and your husband, I hope he finds another job soon.

    I loved seeing pictures of all your projects - great job!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Glad to hear that hubby has had some interviews. I've seen your claudia on Ravelry but the picture was much bigger here and wow, love the simple detail of the crossing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'm so sorry to read of your bad news. I hope that the silver lining to this comes along soon. Your knitting will still be there for you, whenever you're ready.

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sorry to learn of this event in your life, sure understand the stress and the uncertainity with it. Perhaps this is an opportunity, especially if you think you don't want to stay there. I wish him the very best in the job search and that thinks work out soon and for the better for you both. Looks like you've got lots of projects. But, half of them away so you can quit thinking about them. Lessen your load. Concentrate on one item, the smallest one, or the one that's closest to done. When you complete it, you'll feel a sense of accomplishment, that will help your funk....Best of Luck on all fronts.

    ReplyDelete