Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #45

Happy Sunday! We all know why we're here so let's get started.


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.

Ohai! Look at that! I finished up TWO spinning projects this week. Really, they were finished other than plying and such...but now everything is plied and washed and thoroughly thwacked and yardage has been figured...so, they're officially finished finished finished.

The Polwarth/Tussah blend turned out to be ~ 338 yds of two-ply heavy finger weight and an additional ~ 39 yds of Andean-plied heavy finger weight. So, I have ~ 377 yds of two-ply heavy finger weight. That's very exciting because it's the finest yarn I've ever spun.

The unknown grey wool, which is honestly more of a brown/grey, turned out to have just over 33 yds of Andean-plied goodness.

So, you know, woo-hoo for that! I expect I'll have an FO Friday this coming Friday for the spinning and the Caffe Macchiato Socks. Actually, let's be honest, I've already written a post for Friday for FO Friday.

I also added the fact that I took inventory of my circular needles and my crochet hooks. Down below (in my WTFCRAZYLADYLSGBBQ section), you'll see a listing for inventory of my straight needles and my interchangeable circular sets (because I have two).


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

With two finishes, I've been allowed to remove two things from my WIP list, which now looks empty and naked to me. I mean, I know it isn't because, really, I have six projects going (only one of which is spinning)....but I feel like I should have something else. Honestly, though, I'm just going with what I have. Stormageddon's Vest is at a point now where it's mostly stockinette. I do have to keep track of how many rounds, though, because there is a stitch pattern to follow for a teensy bit of the vest. I've been taking that one to various places. The Smooth Operator Socks require some reading of a pattern and I'm almost to the point where I'm going to start the heel so I know I'll have to pay attention then. We'll see how that goes. Other than that, I've not worked on a whole lot this week. I am still waiting to hear back about the hat prototype that I sent it but I'm guessing it's a, "nope, sorry," type of thing.

Here's a photo of the vest....well, really, it's a photo of Amy Schumer's book and my knitting happens to be sitting nearby.

Whatever. Moving along.

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

5. Inventory of straight needles.
6. Inventory of interchangeable circulars (cord lengths, stoppers, keys, etc.)



Sooooo, what's been going on this week..........

Well, Little Man had his ear tube placement and adenoids out on Monday, which, yes, was Halloween. We were at the hospital for 10 hours for a surgery that is supposed to take less than an hour. He was scheduled for 9am so we had to be there two hours before, so we were there at 7am, which means we left the house at 6:15am. So, we get there, things are okay, we talk to his anesthesiologist, we're all ready to go, 9am comes and goes...and a little after 10am, we are finally wheeled back. I was able to stay with Little Man while he was gassed (because can you imagine trying to stick an IV into a moving target because who is going to stay still for that at almost six years old?!), then I went to the waiting room and sat (and knit). I was there for a good hour when the doctor came out and told me he was finished and they were just bringing him out of sedation (meaning they took the trach tube out and he was waking up). Another 20 minutes goes by and finally one of the nurses comes out and says he's in recovery. He was asleep when I got there, unsurprisingly. He woke up about 15-20 minutes after that and was not a happy boy. He was complaining that he didn't feel well, he started throwing up (not that there was much to throw up - that's one of the reasons why you don't get to eat before surgeries)...a dose of zofran and a dose of Benadryl and he fell asleep mid-whine. And then he slept for almost another 2 hours. I did some knitting, talked to a couple of people, the usual. When he woke up, I asked how he was feeling and he said he was feeling better. I asked if he was hungry and he nodded. I asked him what he wanted to eat and he said, without skipping a beat, "I want a cheeseburger." ::sigh:: He is 100% my child. The deal was if he could keep "normal" food down, we would be discharged. The short version of what was going on: he has a (genetic) metabolic disorder and he's not allowed to go too long without food and, if he were a more severe case, he would have dietary restrictions on fat intake as well. We're still questionable whether he actually has the disorder but we'd rather be ready to deal with it and take all the precautions than partake in the alternatives. So, he had to eat regular food and keep it down, per his metabolic specialist's instructions. He had two containers of pudding and two packages of graham crackers, refused apple juice because we weren't traveling, drank some water, started watching the Lego Movie, and his metabolic specialist discharged him around 3pm. 

Because it was Halloween, all the kids that were coming in for surgery on the 2nd floor were allowed to decorate a pumpkin to take home, as well as getting a little goody bag and there were other things to do in the waiting area. So, that's Little Man's pumpkin.

He also gave himself some sort of pox on his mask. All he did was put red dots all over it. Weirdo.

Little Man was given a "practice mask" to try out before he went in for his surgery. His was bubblegum flavored...supposedly. I thought it smelled like bubblegum-flavored nitrous oxide (laughing gas - which is what he was given).

This is still the practice mask. You'll notice the green giraffe next to him. I made that for him and he got it on Christmas 2012, the Christmas after we had moved to California. He still sleeps with it and I need to do a little bit of repair work one of these days (ends from sewing the legs are coming undone a little bit). 

Now, you might be wondering where Stormageddon was during this ordeal. He was home with Husband. And he was miserable. He had the cold that everyone seems to have gotten but it was affecting his breathing. So, he was spiking fevers and screaming and when he wasn't screaming, he was asleep. Monday was a miserable day for both my boys. When we pulled onto our street, we could see Husband and Stormageddon walking toward us to take him to the doctor, where we found out it was nothing but a cold (with fevers) but he did need the nebulizer again. ::sigh:: 

Little Man was unimpressed at the doctor's office. I have no idea how he fit into that spot. 

We did go Trick-or-Treating that night. We didn't go very far, we went with friends, and it started to sprinkle. 

So, I had Yoda (which is the same costume Little Man wore 4 years ago) and Doctor Who (specifically 10, the David Tennant version). 

Little Man's ENT was positive he'd be out of school for at least two days, probably three or four. Yeah, she doesn't know my kid very well. He went back to school on Tuesday, they had a Halloween parade, and then we had a potluck. Woo.

As he did last year, he wore his penguin costume. His Doctor Who costume was difficult to get in and out of for him (it's a full suit) but this one still fit and he knew how to work everything. So he wore it again. Seriously, I get my mileage out of costumes.

Wednesday, all hell broke loose in our house. First of all, I fell on my way home from taking Little Man to school. Specifically, my right ankle rolled, my left leg stayed planted, the stroller started going forward (which I was gripping)....it wasn't pretty. I sprained my left wrist when I landed and my left ankle was twisted funny because it was planted. Nothing is broken, I'm just a little sore. Stormageddon was firmly strapped into the stroller so even though it went backwards when I fell, he was fine.

In addition to falling on my face, we found a......friend in the house. Stormageddon and I were sitting in the recliner, watching Anamaniacs, when I noticed the cords behind the TV were moving. I wondered, "what the hell is that?" when I had my answer. A little brown mouse was climbing up the cord, like he frickin' owns the place, bold as brass. I have no idea how I managed not to scream. He climbed back down and I was not happy. Ew. Ew. Ew. EW EW EW I HATE MICE! We left the house to run a couple errands, picked up Little Man from school, I had sent Husband an email about it, we had gone to pick up some traps....and we were sitting in the living room when Little Man yelled, "Mama! I see the mouse! It's running behind the TV." Not thrilled. So, I went to set the traps and they worked for crap. They were returned.

I kind of feel like a Dom right now. I want him dead. I want his parents dead. I want his friends dead. I want them all dead. DEAD DEAD DEAD!

On Thursday, we ran a bunch of errands. The boys also had a trunk picnic at Target (which means a late lunch of Pizza Hut pizza from the little place in Target next to Starbucks)...and Little Man told me he loved these bears at Costco. We have no room for them. No way. No how.

By Friday, the mouse had not been seen again but I did return the traps, buy new ones (plus a bag of mouse poison), and discovered mouse poop under my kitchen sink. Not a lot. I don't think there's necessarily an infestation...but ew.

Saturday, we had a lazy day at home. Well, we did go to the gym in the morning and I spent the day doing laundry and cleaning (and found more mouse poop, this time in the bedroom by my spinning wheel - ew ew ew EW EW!). Nothing exciting. Husband watched V for Vendetta (because Guy Fawkes Day......Bonfire Night.....whatever, same day). Just a lazy day.


I hope you're having a lovely weekend. I hope we get rid of all the mice. I'll be back on Friday :) Little Man turns 6 this week Wednesday...all the presents are hiding in my yarn closet right now.

::sigh::


Additional from 10:48am Sunday: I scheduled this to post before Saturday was truly finished....and we had more excitement in our house. Our little friend, after I had spent part of yesterday cleaning in the bedroom....that little bastard came sauntering out from the area I had just cleaned earlier, by the bins where I keep FOs and my spinning wheel, and started wandering by my knitting bags & books. OH HELL NO! So, I now have a trap set right next to my bed (spin trap - quick kill, no mess), another set in the kitchen, and then I have the poison box by the TV in the living room. I'm going to have to go outside and toss some poison pellets around (where Puppy can't get at them).....today is going to be crazy.