Y5: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #43

Happy Sunday :)

Let's get mooooooving!


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

As anticipated, I finished my Caffe Macchiato socks last Sunday evening. The ends have even been woven in.....but I've not washed them yet. It's in my pile of "to be handwashed," along with two other pairs of socks and a tank top. I'll get around to it.

This is the "I just finished these and haven't washed them" look. I'm okay with that. Also, the rainbows are upside down if you're looking at them normally...but when I look at them, the rainbows are fine :)


WIPs (Works-In-Progress) - carried over year-to-year
1. Wink: started January 5, 2015
2. Corgi Hill Polwarth/Tussah blend (spinning): started July 21, 2016
3. Oh, She IS a Bad Nut: started August 11, 2016
4. Fall in San Francisco (prototype 3): started October 4, 2016
5. Unknown grey wool (spinning): started October 7, 2016
6. Frene Creek Farm Corriedale (spinning): started October 12, 2016
7. Smooth Operator Socks: started October 13, 2016
8. Stormageddon's Vest: started October 17, 2016

Because I don't have enough going on...I started a new project. The original title is George's Vest, which is fitting as Stormageddon's given name is, in fact, George. I'm making the largest size because I have a feeling that it's going to take me awhile (sock yarn on US #4 and US #6 needles with 150 sts around....yeah, it's going to be awhile). I'm okay if I have to make a few modifications because I have four skeins of yarn, which is more than enough (the pattern calls for just over 2 full skeins for the largest size). I did have to restart it a couple times. I did a Jeny's Stretchy CO, which was fine. I checked and rechecked to make sure my stitches weren't twisted and got to the 4th round when I discovered that my stitches were twisted. RIIIIIP. Then I used a long-tail CO on US #4s, which wound up not only being too tight but I also had a ton of leftover tail. RIIIIIIIIP. Then I did a long-tail CO on US #7s and although the tail was too long, I just worked it into the first row of the pattern and all has been well. I checked, rechecked, and rerechecked that my stitches weren't twisted. So far, I'm good. However, I'm only a couple rounds into it so there's not much to see. 

Nothing exciting.

My Smooth Operator Socks (SOS) are moving into the leg. I finished the cuff at Little Man's (late) swimming lesson on Thursday (more on that in a mo). I had a few ideas written down for how I wanted to proceed, looked them over and over again, and decided on something. So, I'm working on that. So far, the only photo I have is from when I had 22/25 rounds finished on the cuff. 

So, again, nothing terribly exciting. 

Also, I pulled Viktor down and did a teensy bit of spinning this week, maybe a ounce, but probably not even that. I thought about finishing up the Polwarth/Tussah blend (Andean plying the last bit)...but, obviously, that didn't happen.

Nothing else, really. Well, I did do some design work (very early sketch-type thing with some ideas)...but not much else. 

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)...Viktor needs a tune-up anyway. At least my parts have arrived.

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. Toss the stash (fiber & yarn). *started*


I'm still rather overwhelmed by my stash. The closet looks significantly better now that I've sorted out project bags and yarn and such (i.e., everything is in bins or a large tote of potential projects & secret sock club bags...except for five skeins of yarn that came in and two project bags but, to be fair, I've also removed two skeins so, really, it's only three skeins coming in).....but it's scary in there. I have no idea what the hell I'm going to do about it. I feel like I need to knit faster but I can't so I'm overwhelmed and it's driving me nuts.....but my yarn, my precious, I needs it! 

::sigh::

Onward to things that are mostly non-knitting related :)

First and foremostly, the plague has hit us again. Husband spent most of the week at home, in bed, attempting to do some work. He went in on Friday but he wasn't crazy about it. Little Man has a lingering cough and congestion. It's leftover from the week before when he had a nasty couple of days. If that's the worst thing I'm dealing with, I call it a win, really. I wound up getting a self-inflicted ear infection this week, as well. I say "self-inflicted" because it's my own fault I got it. I have incredibly itchy ears, all the time. Fingers, q-tips, and a pen cap are my go-to instruments of itching...but I've been known to uh....improvise when needed. With knitting needles. Stupid me, I used my fanceeee new HiyaHiya Sharps, which was glorious, but it led to the ear infections because I scratched a little too much. I was actually told I didn't have an actual infection buuuuut, the gunk I cleaned out yesterday morning begs to differ. Luckily, I have a prescription drop-based antibiotic that I can use for just these types of infections....and I have been, in addition to the prednisone I was put on to get rid of the inflammation, which was also glorious. So, there's that. I think Stormageddon is the only one that hasn't been sick. 

Outside of that, not much else has been going on. I took puppy out to get a bath and his nails trimmed last weekend, in the rain (glorious rain!). I also had an auction committee meeting last Sunday. I got a frantic phone call from Husband about midway through the meeting: "Are Crayola markers non-toxic?!" Yes, Husband, they are. Stormageddon decided to get into the markers big brother left out...he had yellow marker all over his face and the bottoms of his little feet. ::sigh:: By Thursday, we were all crazybusy around here. I had a list a mile and a half long of things to do around here. I had a doctor appointment, Husband had a doctor appointment & physical therapy, I was going to the gym with Stormageddon, Little Man had swimming lessons, I watched a friend's baby boy so they could go to parent-teacher conferences (the older one was at grandmas already), I had Little Man's parent-teacher conferences......oh, and then, on top of that, part of the main highway (US 101) was closed off in both directions due to an RV being on fire with propane tanks inside...so all the side streets and my usual back roads were beyond useful. We were 15 minutes late for swimming lessons (we're usually 20 minutes early so this was a big deal). Soooo, Thursday was nuts. 

Little Man's parent-teacher conferences went well. He has been identified as a very sweet boy who generally doesn't do things with any sort of malice, though other kids may take it that way. He needs to work on personal space and reading (basically, phonemic awareness). Nothing we weren't already aware of. 

Friday was not as crazy. I did some knitting, I was in pain from my non-ear infection (haha), and I had one of Little Man's school friends over for part of the afternoon (her mom works late on Fridays so every couple weeks, we take her with us after school for a couple hours). Nothing exciting.

Saturday, was kind of a crazy day. We went to the gym, came home for a shower, then we went to the pumpkin patch, came home for a little bit, then I took Little Man to a birthday party. Oh, and then I went out for drinkies with some of the other Mamas last night. Woo.

I don't know how I get through life sometimes. So much is happening and yet, at the same time, I get fun things done. I don't know.

Later today, we're having friends over for smoked brisket and I'm unloading a bunch of clothing that belonged to the boys because she's due in a month with their second and it's a boy. Soooo, exciting times with that. 

That should get them through the first year. I still have two more bins of clothes but it's 12-18 and 18-24 months. I might get around to it tomorrow. 

This happened last weekend after I finished my socks. Stormageddon wanted to wear them. They're far too larger for him but he didn't care too much.

After the rain the other night, I found this guy in the driveway. He was HUGE. YUGE! So big!

FYI, this is what fall looks like here in the Bay Area. You'll notice that the leaves are still (mostly) green. Eventually, the trees will loose leaves but not like in the Midwest and Northeast. And it doesn't happen with all the trees. ::sigh::

And lastly, photos from the pumpkin patch yesterday. Little Man's actual Halloween day costume is having the pants hemmed right now so he brought out the penguin costume. He was perfectly fine with it and, in fact, that was his idea. Stormageddon is wearing the Yoda costume that Little Man wore once upon a time.

Throwback to three years ago when Little Man wore the Yoda costume.

He's frowning because he didn't want move his face and screw up the painting. He loved it!

See?

Stormageddon also had a pumpkin painted on his face. I had to help keep him still, though. The brush tickled his face. In order to get this photo, I had to put the phone on selfie mode because I was also trying to keep him from rubbing it off. Once it was dry, it was fine.

I hope you're having a lovely weekend :) I'll probably be back this week as I've had a few things come in (shhhh!).