Y5: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #49

Happy Sunday :)

As we get into the last four updates for this year, I've started pondering my SIXTH Year of Projects (seriously, SIX YEARS already?!). Even though I feel as thought things are getting redundant, because I've been doing these updates for 256 weeks (it will be 260 when I finish this year), I've also become a bit more focused with my projects AND it's nice to see actual progress, especially when my mood starts going haywire and I start thinking all the negative mean things about myself (because depression is a lying liar of lies). So, I think I'm going to keep on keeping on but I'm going to throw another wrench into the mix (because a simple Year of Projects isn't enough, apparently).

Over at Pomegranate & Chintz, they've decided on a 17 in 2017....but it's not something like "knit 17 pairs of socks" or "knit 17 hats" or whatever. No, this one is a bit different, which is why I think I was attracted to the idea in the first place. This involves UFOs...17 UFOs, specifically. I know, I know; who the hell has 17 UFOs? I know I certainly do not have that many UFOs, even if I throw in other crafty things like design work and writing and doodling. But, in addition to my Year of Projects, I'm going to make a consorted effort to work on my WIPs (particularly the large, daunting ones....not that I'm looking at Wink or my novel or anything). So, I anticipate that there will be a new section in my Year of Projects list. I mean, I'll still have my WIP list but I'll probably also add another category for all non-knitting/spinning UFOs that I'm working on (like my novel and design work and such). I've not quite decided how I'm going to do it yet, though. I've got a few more weeks to think about it.


And with that, let's get on with today's update :)

FOs (Finished Objects)
1. Fire Socks: started April 15, 2015; finished January 6, 2016
2. Nottingham for Stormageddon: started January 12, 2016; finished January 14, 2016
3. Design proposal for Fire Socks: started January 13, 2016; finished January 18, 2016
4. Purple merino/silk spinning (singles): started toward the end of Tour de Fleece (July 4-26, 2015); finished January 29, 2016
5. Nottingham for Little Man: started January 17, 2016; finished February 1, 2016
6. Swirl Hat: started December 16, 2015; finished February 4, 2016
7. Swatch for Marly Bird class at Stitches West: started January 8, 2016; finished February 7, 2016 (no project page)
8. Fire Socks design (the actual pattern writing & photography part): started February 6, 2016; finished February 12, 2016 (link to the preview; pattern went live on Saturday, April 2nd)
9. Mountains Beanie: started February 9, 2016; finished February 17, 2016
10. Rathmore: started February 25, 2016; finished March 4, 2016
11. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013; finished March 9, 2016
12. Creeper for Little Man: started March 4, 2016; finished March 10, 2016
13. Mother Bear Project #1: started February 22, 2016; finished March 12, 2016
14. Asshole Corriedale (spinning project): started March 23, 2016; finished March 24, 2016
15. Pacific Waves: started March 9, 2016; finished March 25, 2016
16. Freeport Vest Frogging: started March 29, 2016; finished March 29, 2016
17. Pacific Waves: started March 31, 2106; finished April 2, 2016
18. Vanilla Latte Socks: started November 19, 2015; finished April 6, 2016
19. Snape's Stockings: started August 20, 2014; finished April 11, 2016
20. Pacific Waves: started April 3, 2016; finished April 15, 2016
21. Creeper Hat: started April 28, 2016; finished May 4, 2016
22: Finn & Suffolk blend (spinning): started April 1, 2016; singles finished May 27, 2016; plied May 31, 2016
23. Gex for Little Man: started April 8, 2016; finished June 5, 2016
24. Bridal Shower Lace Cloth: started June 20, 2016; finished June 27, 2016
25. TdF 1: 25%/25%/50% purple merino/silk & white merino (~ 540 yds; ~ 8 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started during TdF last year and finished the purple singles January 29, 2016; started the white last weekend, plied them on July 4, 2016
26. TdF 2: 25%/25%/50% leftover purple merino/silk & leftover kelly green merino (~ 20 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): leftover bits that were plied on July 4, 2016
27. TdF 3: 100% merino, 50% hot pink, 50% grey (~ 50 yds; ~ 1 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
28: TdF 4: 100% merino, 50% rose pink, 50% navy blue (~ 50 yds; ~ 1 oz; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
29. TdF 5: 25%/25%/50% leftover purple merino/silk & leftover hot pink merino (~ 10 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): the purple was started during TdF last year and finished January 29, 2016; the hot pink was spun on July 5, 2016; they were plied on July 5, 2016
30. TdF 6: 100% merino, 50% leftover hot pink, 50% leftover navy blue (~ 10 yds; unknown weight; DK/lt. worsted): started & finished on July 5, 2016
31. TdF 7: 100% merino, rainbow gradient (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, black, and white) (~ 220 yds; ~ 4 oz; worsted): started July 5, 2016; finished July 6, 2016
32: TdF 8: 50/50 merino/tencel, Fat Cat Fibers in Razzmatazz (three different skeins: two skeins are three-ply, one is around 245 yds of worsted and the other is around 120 yds, also worsted; one skein is chain plied, probably also a worsted weight, about 25 yds): started July 8, 2016; finished July 12, 2016
33. TdF 9: 100% white merino (~ 446 yds two-ply, probably sport weight; ~ 15 yds Andean Ply, also around a sport weight): started July 15, 2016; finished July 18, 2016
34. TdF 10: Superwash Merino/Bamboo/Nylon from Happy Hands Hand Dyed (~ 166 yds two-ply, probably Aran weight; ~ 14 yds Andean Plied, also Aran weight): started July 15, 2016; finished July 19, 2016
35. TdF 11: 60% BFL/40% Bombyx (Mulberry Silk) from Corgi Hill (~ 298 yds two-ply, probably DK/lt. worsted; ~ 25 yds Andean Plied, also DK/lt. worsted): started July 18, 2016; finished July 20, 2016
36: TdF 12: Unknown BFL, possibly from Yarn Hollow (~ 144 yds two-ply, probably Aran weight): started July 21, 2016; finished July 23, 2016

37. Rainbow Gradient Cowl: started August 5, 2016; finished August 6, 2016
38. Gex for Niece: started June 28, 2016; finished August 19, 2016
39. Diagonal Owl Dishcloth: started September 1, 2016; finished September 2, 2016

40. Fall in San Francisco (Prototype 1): started September 18, 2016; finished September 21, 2016
41. Fall in San Francisco (Prototype 2): started September 28, 2016; finished October 2, 2016
42. Design Proposal: started September 26, 2016; finished October 3, 2016
43. Caffe Macchiato Socks: started May 7, 2016; finished October 16, 2016
44. Corgi Hill Polwarth/Tussah blend (spinning): started July 21, 2016; finished November 1, 2016
45. Unknown grey wool (spinning): started October 7, 2016; finished November 1, 2016
46. Inventory of circular needles: done...no dates, but it's done.
47. Inventory of crochet hooks: done...no dates, but it's done.

Noooope. Nothing new to see here.


WIPs (Works-In-Progress) - carried over year-to-year
1. Wink: started January 5, 2015
2. Oh, She IS a Bad Nut: started August 11, 2016
3. Fall in San Francisco (prototype 3): started October 4, 2016
4. Frene Creek Farm Corriedale (spinning): started October 12, 2016
5. Smooth Operator Socks: started October 13, 2016
6. Stormageddon's Vest: started October 17, 2016
7. Hermione's Everyday Socks (v2): started November 14, 2016

I've had a few changes this week. I've spent most of my knitting time working on Hermione's Everyday Socks and my Smooth Operator Socks. I've finished up 12 pattern repeats on the first of Hermione's Everyday Socks (which, honestly, was finished last week) and I am almost finished to that point on the second sock. Then I *might* start the heel flap...or add a few more repeats or....I've not decided yet. I'll need to try them on to see how long they are and make my decision based on that. The worst case scenario is that I run out of yarn and my toes wind up being some other color. I don't think that's going to happen as I've always been able to get at least one pair of baby socks out of my leftover sock bits, so I should have enough even if I make the leg a bit longer than usual. 

My Smooth Operator Socks (SOS) on the other hand....well, things were going along splendidly. I did 3 pattern repeats, put in the waste yarn for the heel, and started looking at the sock....and I was just not happy. 

The left side is where I was before I pulled it all apart. I didn't like how the middle panel of pattern stitches was pulling into itself. The rest of the sock was fine but this middle section was pulling and I didn't like it how it was turning out. Soooo, the right side happened. I ripped back to the cuff. I did screw up picking up a few of the stitches on the cuff (mostly the purl stitches) but I don't care. It's not that noticeable. 

I started over again using just a plain ribbing pattern (k6, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2, k4, p2, k6). It's working much better, things aren't pulling strange directions, and there's no pattern to lose in the self-stripe. So, that's exciting. I'll admit that I'm kind of bummed, though, because I had gotten to the point where I put the waste yarn in for the heel. Oh well. I'll get there again...but the wind is out of my sails at the moment. ::sigh::

Other than that, I've not really done much knitting. Or writing. Or anything crafty, really. That's okay, though. I'm making some progress and that's always lovely.

In my "WTFCRAZYLADYOMGLSGBBQ" lists:

Children's Items

1. House Hat (one each for Stormageddon and Little Man - worsted, two contrasting colors)

2. Arthur the Alien (for Little Man - worsted; any colors)

3. Holiday Countdown Stockings (for the family - Aran/worsted; four colors)

4. Mirkwood (for Little Man - worsted or bulky; any colors)

Items for ME (selfish knitting, FTW!!)

1. Vanillaish Socks (using one of my Harry Potter Yarns)

2. Paradiddle Socks (using a solid or semi-solid sock yarn)

3. Hermione Hearts Ron (sport weight; solid or semi-solid - Plucky Primo in Petunia?)

4. Hermione Hearts Ron Fingerless Mitts (sport weight; solid or semi-solid - Plucky Primo in Petunia?)

5. Classic Silk Mayfaire Camisole (Miss Babs from Stitches Midwest)

6. Stormont (worsted; solid or semi-solid)

7. Sockhead Hat (sock; any colors)

8. Moab Shawl (sock; any colors)

9. Prowl (DK; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*

Secret Sock Club Bags - Pick a bag at random; do pattern with yarn

1. Scotch & Soda Scarf (using Briar Rose Fibers Wistful, leftover from my Icarus Shawl)

2. Jabberwonky (using KP Felici in Abracadabra)

3. If You Know Where To Go (using KP Felici in Green Veggies)

4. Gardener's Socks (using Malabrigo Sock in Indiacita)

Stranded Knitting

1. University of Wisconsin Ski Hat

2. University of Wisconsin Christmas Stocking

3. University of Wisconsin Button Beanie

4. Xanadu Snowflake Cowl

Christmas/Charity Bin

1. 198 yds. of Heaven (worsted; any colors)

2. Phillip and Mr. Grum (sock yarn; any colors)

3. Comfort Food (Aran; solid)

4. Fine Fella (worsted; solid or semi-solid)

5. November Leaves (Shelter from stash) *need pattern*

6. Skinner Hat (sock; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*

7. The Shoemaker's Hat (bulky; solid or semi-solid) *need pattern*

8. Roll Out The Barrels (cotton; any colors)

9. Sweeny Todd Scarf (worsted; any colors)

10. The Snowmen Cometh (worsted; any colors)

11. Sunburst Dishcloth (cotton; any colors)

12. Starfish Cloth (cotton; any colors)

13. Seamless Circular Cloth (cotton; any colors)

14. Tombreck (Aran/worsted; solid or semi-solid)

15. Premie Spiral Hat (for hospital donations - sport or DK; any colors)

Designs

1. Ice Somethingsomething (knit prototype and pattern for submission)

2. Susan's Hat (make proper - photos, pattern, etc.; knit new prototype from Babs K2 from Stitches)

3. Little Man's Baby Blanket (make proper - photos, pattern, etc.)

4. Paradiddle Socks (knit prototype - see "Items for ME")

5. Pacific Waves Hat (knit prototypes in various weights/sizes, pattern for submission? self-publish?) *started*

6. Stormageddon's Baby Blanket (design process, knit prototype, etc.) *started*

Spinning

1. Given that TdF happened and I SPUN ALL THE YARNS, I think I'm going to take a break from spinning for a bit (well, goals, anyway because I'll probably still spin)...Viktor needs a tune-up anyway. I might even get around to doing it.

Other (for things that are fibery/crafty in nature but not specific to knitting or spinning)

1. Organize my handmade stitch markers *mostly done?*

2. Make more stitch markers (to sell? donate? hoard?) *started...never-ending?*
3. Organize my books/magazines/loose patterns. *started*
4. Inventory of straight needles.
5. Inventory of interchangeable circulars (cord lengths, stoppers, keys, etc.)


With Thanksgiving happening, the last week has been mucked up left and right. I thought I had everything ready to go for x, y, and z but it turns out that I wasn't ready for anything and December snuck up on me without notice. 

Last Sunday, I was finally starting to feel human again so I started back at the gym and we did a few things around the house but it wasn't an exciting day.

On both Monday and Friday this week, Little Man had doctor appointments. On Monday, he saw the audiologist and on Friday, he saw his ENT. Both were follow-up appointments from his ear tube placement & adenoid removal.

In addition to that, I had an Auction Co-Chair Committee meeting this week. I don't know if I've mentioned this but I'm co-chairing Little Man's school's auction committee next year. I say "co-chairing" but we have a small problem: the person that was going to co-chair along with me has bailed and right now, I'm on my own for next year. Yeah. So, I'm shadowing this year, attempting to learn the ropes and timeline and such, learning to accept the fact that I may be doing this on my own next year. I mean, I'll have a committee and all but running the entire show?! What fresh hell did I get myself into?! So, I had that meeting.

I've also been to the chiropractor a few times this week. I noticed my neck hurting on Monday while I was at the gym so on Tuesday morning, I went to the chiropractor. Turns out my right hip was all jacked up, causing the issue in my neck. So, two adjustments this week and I'll probably be going back tomorrow.

Thursday was an absolutely crazy day. I took Little Man to school, went to a doctor appointment, went to the chiropractor, came home for five seconds, picked Little Man up from school, came home for lunch, went to my and Little Man's dentist appointments, came home for dinner, took Little Man to swimming lessons, and then we went to the gym. It makes my head hurt just thinking about it.

Unfortunately, Friday was also a rough day but for other reasons. Little Man had an absolutely epic tantrum because he couldn't get his Lego Dimensions game to do what he wanted it to do. It culminated with him jumping up and down on his bed, screaming bloody murder, crying, and carrying on for at least 20 minutes. He made swipes at me a few times and I finally had enough and he had a doctor appointment in the city. So, I threw him over my shoulder, all 55+ lbs of him, with him kicking, screaming, and hitting, took him to the car, and offered him a diaper. He didn't like that too much but he calmed down. And then my car decided to start acting weird. I had a bunch of lights come on, the acceleration wasn't working correctly...it was just a mess. So, I had to turn around and come home and Husband too him to his doctor appointment. My car is still being weird but it's drive able. We think it's a clogged fuel injector. Again. Yeah, this has happened before.

So, I feel like this week was a bit of a whirlwind. Honestly, though, I think I say that every week...

Anyway, you're really just here for photos :)

The first couple are from Little Man's audiologist appointment on Monday. The boys were playing so nicely (for the most part - don't ask me about Stormageddon's multiple escape attempts wherein I had to run to catch him).

On Friday morning, Stormageddon and I headed across the street from the school to the little cafe. I had a chai latte, he had a gingerbread man. Now, in order to prevent zombie cookies, you need to bite the head off first. Really, though, he broke the head off and ate it...then the buttons...then the arms...then the feet....yeah, he's my kid.

I also caught this white rose in bloom on our way home that day. Because we don't really have "winter" around here, some things just kind of bloom all year around, like roses. There are plenty of trees that lose their leaves but there are also plenty that don't. Also, we have a tree full of lemons right now and our oranges are coming in. They'll do it again in a few months.

Weather in California makes everything weird. It is known.

Last night, we also went to see the Santa Train in Burlingame. So, what happens is one of the CalTrains is decorated with blinking Christmas lights and it drives from San Francisco southward, stopping here and there along the way. There are several characters on the train including Santa & Mrs. Claus, Rudolph, a penguin, a nutcracker, a snowman....I can't remember who all else. The Salvation Army gives out candy and collects money, and there are military personnel in full uniform, as well. There's also music and fake snow (because it doesn't snow here). The boys loved it. They were both hard to photograph because they were so wiggly but they had fun.

Anyway, I hope you're all having a lovely weekend. I have a bunch of new stash that has come in so I should probably attempt to get a stash post up but we'll see how things go.