Y2: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #52

UPDATE #52!

Did you read that? Today marks the last update of my Second Self-Imposed Year of Projects! So, because it's the last update for the year, this is going to be an extremely photo-heavy and link-heavy post...

It's the wrap-up for the year, what did you expect?!

Soooooo...

Here was the first post regarding my Second Self-Imposed Year of Projects. Bless me, I was so innocent back then. I had a lot of wiggle room though because there were some items I had listed as "assorted" or multiple projects came with one pattern. 

This is what I wound up with at the end of it all:

Finished Objects (FOs)

1. San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts: started January 2, 2013; finished January 10, 2013
2. Don't Blink: started January 16, 2013; finished January 16, 2013  (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
3. Dalek Dishcloth: started January 16, 2013; finished January 21, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
4. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started February 8, 2013; finished February 11, 2013
5. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010; finished February 14, 2013
6. Little Granite Dishcloth: started February 16, 2013; finished March 2, 2013
7. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started March 4, 2013; finished March 27, 2013
8. Garter Stripe Baby Socks: started March 3, 2013; finished April 4, 2013
9. Petal Dishcloth: started May 21, 2013; finished May 22, 2013
10. Petal Dishcloth: started May 22, 2013; finished May 23, 2013
11. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012; finished May 24, 2013 
12. Petal Dishcloth: started May 26, 2013; finished May 29, 2013
13. Mini Petal Dishcloth: started June 6, 2013; finished June 10, 2013
14. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012; finished June 15, 2013
15. Sand Stitch Dishcloth: started June 18, 2013; finished June 20, 2013
16. Roman Stitch (Variation) Dishcloth: started June 21, 2013; finished June 23, 2013
17. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started June 28, 2013; finished July 25, 2013
18. Choose Your Own Adventure Dishcloth: started July 26, 2013; finished August 4, 2013
19. Greyson: started July 5, 2013; finished August 27, 2013
20. Pumpkin Cloth: started September 1, 2013; finished September 1, 2013
21. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started September 19, 2013; finished September 22, 2013
22. Grave Cloth: started September 22, 2013; finished September 22, 2013
23. Franken Cloth: started September 22, 2013; finished September 23, 2013
24. Witch Cloth: started September 23, 2013; finished September 27, 2013
25. Rose's Wrist Warmers: started September 4, 2013; finished October 3, 2013
26. Susan's Hat (V2): started October 14, 2013; finished October 18, 2013
27. Little Man's Pumpkin Hat: started October 20, 2013; finished October 23, 2013
28. Freeport Vest: started March 7, 2013; finished October 30, 2013
29. Susan's Hat (V2): started November 3, 2013; finished November 10, 2013

I started out my year with four WIPs, which were all finished during the course of this past year:

#5: Icarus Shawl

#11: Mama's Vanilla Socks (V2)

#14: Eat Your Monkey Socks

#1: San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts

That's pretty good: my long-outstanding WIP (the Icarus Shawl) was finished, and I finished up some other WIPs. 

Then I went on a dishcloth kick for awhile because this happened:

At the end of February, we moved into our new house. Hence the dishcloth kick...I didn't want to start anything new and huge and exciting because I had no idea how long it would take for me to find what I was looking for. 

Once the majority of our unpacking was finished, I was back to business as usual...and I finished up the Icarus Shawl. And made more dishcloths...

About mid-summer, I decided I wanted to knit Little Man a sweater. I had purchased some yarn (on sale - shop going out of business) and Greyson happened. 

#19: Greyson Sweater

I also completed another pair of fingerless mitts...but these went away in a swap.I may make myself a pair someday...they were a fun knit.

#25: Rose's Wrist Warmers

I also managed to start and finish a pretty large project this year. That's kind of a big deal for me because it generally takes me For.Ev.Er. to finish anything, especially big somethings.

#28: Freeport Vest

I finally got it on the blocking mats towels. Please ignore the not-woven-in ends. I needed to make sure it would block well before deciding whether I needed to rip out the button band and reknit it. It looks like it's going to work, though. 



Overall, I think I did pretty well for 2013. I finished 29 projects (granted 18 of them were dishcloths), I started an additional five that didn't make it for this year and carried four over from last year (which were all finished). I also frogged a project that I had started. It just wasn't working out so I think I'm going to find a better use for that yarn. I think that means I'm even...or something. I don't know.

Speaking of those remaining four projects...

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

1. Baby Surprise Jacket: started May 27, 2013
2. Traveling Vines Socks (Adult): started May 31, 2013
3. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013
4. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts: started November 23, 2013
5. Milo: started December 25, 2013

I'm close to being finished with three of these projects. My Baby Surprise Jacket has maybe 15 rows left plus seaming. I'm working on the foot of the second Traveling Vines Sock, and I'm working on the second of my Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts. I expect these projects to be finished rather quickly. My Dragon's Egg Socks...well....I'm working on them. I'm going to make at least one big change, which should reduce my time spent working on these. But it's not because I want to finish these in a hurry...it's a function of whether the socks will fit if I don't make this change. So, I'm going to have to make some changes. Oh well. Finishing them sooner is just a bonus :) Also, I couldn't resist starting a new project...I decided it was time to start Milo late on Christmas Day. So, I dug out some yarn (Tasmania by Artfibers), the proper needles and just started. Now, whether I have gauge or not is another story. I think I do but we'll see :)



Anyway, I expect some (more) changes to be coming to the blog within the next year including (but not limited to) changing how I do book and yarn reviews. I tried to make a schedule and it just didn't work for me. I also tried to do one of each every month which also did not work for me. Life just gets in the way sometimes. So, I'm going to do them whenever the hell I want and as I see fit. I have no schedule in mind but I do have some ideas for review :) I'd also like to participate more in things like WIP Wednesday/FO Friday (of course, I have to finish things to blog about them) but that's going to mean some buckling down and photographing things and blogging instead of knitting. We'll see how that works. Also, more photos...of course :)




Whew. That was a bit random and end-of-the-year-ish. 

Next week will see the beginning of my Third Self-Imposed Year of Projects...and my birthday...and so many other things. Woo-hoo for a new year!

Y2: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #42

Happy Sunday :)

We've had a lovely weekend here in the San Francisco Bay Area. The weather was behaving, it wasn't too hot, it wasn't too cold, and the sun was out. Okay, maybe that was just yesterday...because this posts at midnight so Sunday hasn't happened as of the posting. Whatever. Saturday was lovely.

We'll talk about that in a mo'. Right now, we're here to talk about my Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #42.

Let's get started, shall we?

Finished Objects (FOs)

1. San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts: started January 2, 2013; finished January 10, 2013
2. Don't Blink: started January 16, 2013; finished January 16, 2013  (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
3. Dalek Dishcloth: started January 16, 2013; finished January 21, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
4. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started February 8, 2013; finished February 11, 2013
5. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010; finished February 14, 2013
6. Little Granite Dishcloth: started February 16, 2013; finished March 2, 2013
7. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started March 4, 2013; finished March 27, 2013
8. Garter Stripe Baby Socks: started March 3, 2013; finished April 4, 2013
9. Petal Dishcloth: started May 21, 2013; finished May 22, 2013
10. Petal Dishcloth: started May 22, 2013; finished May 23, 2013
11. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012; finished May 24, 2013 
12. Petal Dishcloth: started May 26, 2013; finished May 29, 2013
13. Mini Petal Dishcloth: started June 6, 2013; finished June 10, 2013
14. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012; finished June 15, 2013
15. Sand Stitch Dishcloth: started June 18, 2013; finished June 20, 2013
16. Roman Stitch (Variation) Dishcloth: started June 21, 2013; finished June 23, 2013
17. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started June 28, 2013; finished July 25, 2013
18. Choose Your Own Adventure Dishcloth: started July 26, 2013; finished August 4, 2013
19. Greyson: started July 5, 2013; finished August 27, 2013
20. Pumpkin Cloth: started September 1, 2013; finished September 1, 2013
21. Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth: started September 19, 2013; finished September 22, 2013
22. Grave Cloth: started September 22, 2013; finished September 22, 2013
23. Franken Cloth: started September 22, 2013; finished September 23, 2013
24. Witch Cloth: started September 23, 2013; finished September 27, 2013
25. Soooper Seeekrit Swap Project: started September 4, 2013; finished October 3, 2013
26. Susan's Hat (V2): started October 14, 2013; finished October 18, 2013

In case you didn't notice, I finished another project. Actually, I not only finished the project this last week, I also started it this last week. I haven't photographed it (yet) and it hasn't been washed, blocked, or anything of the sort. I won the yarn in a draw for those of us who finished something in September (in the LSG group on Ravelry). It was a couple yards short and I wasn't sure it would work...but I tried it and I did some modifications to my pattern and it worked out well enough. It's not going to fit me, however. I think I'm going to be sending it off to Sweet Girl (Husband's niece) for either her birthday or Christmas. We'll see. Probably her birthday...
 

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

1. Freeport Vest: started March 7, 2013
2. Baby Surprise Jacket: started May 27, 2013
3. Traveling Vines Socks (Adult): started May 31, 2013
4. Dragon's Egg Socks: started September 2, 2013

I spent most of this week working on my Freeport Vest. I'm almost finished with the button band so I expect that it will be finished by this time next week. It spent part of the week on timeout, however (which. I was supposed to pick up a certain amount of stitches for the button band and it's separated out by the front stockinette sections, the two-color garter sections, the shoulder seams, and the neckband. It's kind of hard to mess up the garter sections, the shoulder seams, and the neckband. The part that I kept screwing up was the stockinette section. I was supposed to pick up something like 60 stitches (3 stitches for every 4 rows)...well, I only picked up a little over half that and no matter what I did, I couldn't pick up more. It says in the directions not to stress too much about the stockinette section as long as the numbers on each side were the same and divisible by 4 with 2 leftover (for each side). I managed that much so I said, "poop on it" and went on my merry way. It's not perfect but it doesn't look horrible so I'm going to keep going with it. If it looks like crap when I'm done, I can rip it out and start over again. No big deal...other than time.  

While the vest was on time out, I started and finished the hat. I also worked a couple rounds on my Traveling Vines socks. Nothing spectacular. 

My remaining lists look like this:

Children's Items 

1. "Little 16" Newborn Socks
2. Alvin Sweater
3. Milo

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting FTW!)
1. Rose's Wrist Warmers
2. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts

Household Items
1. Halloween Creepy Cloths (2)
2. Assorted Harry Potter Cloths
3. Assorted Doctor Who Cloths

Designs (which may or may not be soooper seeekrit)
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (4 versions) (yes, I've sussed out one version but it's still on this list)
3. Assorted dishcloths (set of 12?)
4. Traveling Vines Scarf
5. Traveling Vines Socks (baby and adult-sized as well) - yes, this is a WIP...still working on it...
6. Pinwheel Market Bag
7. Anything else that comes along (I have a notebook or two or seventeen somewhere with potential designs and random ideas)


So, what's been going on in our little slice of San Francisco?

Well, first of all, I thought it was time to kind of properly photograph my Icarus Shawl...and honestly, I expected more out of Husband's photographic abilities but he hasn't photographed knitwear before so I guess I'll cut him some slack. 

Mama and Little Man

And then, we went to see our realtor....

"I like this one, Daddy!"

"....or maybe this one...."

".....who cares?! I want them all!"

He did wind up finding a pumpkin to take home. 

See?

He also had his face painted, which he seemed to enjoy. 

In case you're wondering, he had a pumpkin painted on his face. 


Anyway, we've had some fun recently, especially as we spent the first half of the week sick. We're doing much better now and I can only hope that we don't get sick again for awhile. 

I hope you all had a lovely week!

FO Friday (Redux)

I'm doing a bit of a revisit to an old project...not because something is wrong but because you never got to see it in it's full, glorious beauty and I never did a proper FO Friday post about it.

Today, I bring you.....

Icarus Shawl (link to Project Page)

Pattern: Icarus Shawl by Miriam L. Felton
Time Frame: started March 15, 2010; finished February 14, 2013
Yarn: Briar Rose Wistful in a blue/yellow/green concoction
Needles: US #6 (4 mm)
Size: Um....see modifications...
Modifications: I made a few modifications to this pattern, per other Ravelry users. I did the first "section" of the first chart as written. I did the second "section" of the first chart with modifications (did that section twice instead of five times). The third "section" of the first chart, the second chart, and the third chart were all done as written. I also slightly modified the edging. It wasn't charted out so I had to figure out where the section repeats were and follow what my knitting told me as I didn't have the given number of repeats as I had modified previous charts. It wasn't a big deal and it was fine in the end.
Thoughts: I honestly don't know why it took me almost three years to make this shawl. The pattern isn't overly difficult, just time consuming. I also had it on time out for quite awhile (there's one small mistake I made and no matter what I did, I couldn't fix it). That may be part of it. I think if I had made it full sized (to the pattern specifications), it would have wound up absolutely HUGE. As it is right now, it's the perfect size. I haven't actually measured but it's a pretty good estimate that it's approximately 70" wide and from the bottom tip to the neckline is probably 35"-40" (the tip hits just above my butt crack, if you want a visual). Blocking was also interesting as I don't have blocking wires. So, I had to block it using T-pins and it was on the guest bed...which was just wide enough to accommodate it.

Closer view of the edging

Extreme close-up!

So, there you have it. A lovely (late) FO.......my longest-running WIP ever!

For more FOs, visit Tami :)

Y2: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #7

Happy Sunday!

We're getting down to the wire in our house. Packing is occurring in full force, there are boxes all over...and bags...and stuff...and, well you get the idea. We close on Friday and we're moving into the new house on Saturday.......pending that everything goes as planned (and it had better because this is driving us nuts!). 

So, if I don't post next Sunday, don't be alarmed...it could mean a couple of things (ranging from not having our internet set up to being exhausted). So, perhaps on Monday or Tuesday :) We'll see how things go.


But, onward to what we're really here for!

Finished Objects (FOs)

1. San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts: started January 2, 2013; finished January 10, 2013
2. Don't Blink: started January 16, 2013; finished January 16, 2013  (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
3. Dalek Dishcloth: started January 16, 2013; finished January 21, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
4. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started February 8, 2013; finished February 11, 2013
5. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010; finished February 14, 2013

Hey look! Do you see what I see?! Yes, I have TWO finished objects. I showed off the dishcloth on Friday. Currently, it's helping cushion some dishes...which is part of the reason I showed it off on Friday. You'll also notice that my longest-lasting WIP is finished (sans blocking). I had been working on it on Wednesday night and I got to the last four rows (the edging rows) and it was only 9:30pm and I thought to myself, "I can get the edging rows finished tonight...that'll only take me a couple hours." It took me almost 2.5 hours to do the last four rows....and then the bind off. That should not have taken an hour but, you know, it took an hour! A whole frickin' hour to do the bind off on that shawl. I went to bed around 1:15am Thursday morning because of that. But, on the upside, it's DONE! It's not going to get blocked until after we move and I find my blocking mats and pins...and a space to do it. Sooooo...don't expect to see it again for at least a couple weeks. 

With those two projects out of the way, my WIP list looks like this:

1. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012
2. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012
3. Little Man's Vest: started January 16, 2013
4. Little Granite Dishcloth: started February 16, 2013

Honestly, I haven't worked much on any of these. I think I did one chart repeat on the second of the Eat Your Monkey Socks...otherwise, it was all about the shawl and the dishcloth :) I did start another dishcloth but that's mostly so I have something mindless to do when I'm exhausted but still want to knit...

My "to do" lists look like this (still):

Children's Items 

1. "Little 16" Newborn Socks
2. Garter Stripe Baby Socks
3. Baby Surprise Jacket
4. Toddler Socks
5. Alvin Sweater
6. A New Sock Monkey
7. Stig
8. Greyson (need to purchase)

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting FTW!)

1. Rose's Wrist Warmers
2. Viking Bag
3. Campfire Socks
4. Red Dwarf Socks
5. Freeport Vest
6. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts
7. Ardys

Household Items

1. Halloween Creepy Cloths (1) (need to purchase)
2. Halloween Creepy Cloths (2) (need to purchase)
3. Assorted Harry Potter Cloths
4. Assorted Doctor Who Cloths
5. Grrlfriend Market Bag
6. Petal Dishcloth

Designs (which may or may not be sooper seekrit - obviously the sooper seekrit ones aren't listed)
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (4 versions)
3. Assorted dishcloths (set of 12?)
4. Traveling Vines Scarf
5. Traveling Vines Socks (baby for sure, maybe adult-sized as well)
6. Pinwheel Market Bag
7. Anything else that comes along (I have a notebook somewhere with potential designs somewhere)

I will admit, I'm having Startitis again and I'm not quite sure where to go. I think with the moving and everything that's going on there, starting a new major project would be a bad idea. I think I've got quite enough to be getting on with, don't you?



Anyway, that's all I have for you this week! I should be back next Monday or Tuesday with my 8th update :) 

Y2: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #6

Happy Sunday! 

Life is starting to get...well, it's getting a bit crazy, to tell you the truth. Packing has sort of started. Little Man's room is mostly packed. The few things that are still out are things we're still using or can't be easily packed (and will probably need to go into the moving van "as is"). The rooms that really need packing are rooms that we still need to use a lot (kitchen and bathrooms). I'm hoping to go through the kitchen and pack up things that we don't need and get them out of the way. We'll see how that goes. 

Aside from packing, we've been signing asinine amounts of paperwork. It seems like every other day we have at least two forms to sign. Now that the loan paperwork is done, this should be reduced significantly. I've also had paperwork coming in for my properties in Wisconsin. The closing date on the house is next Friday (hooooooray!) and the closing date on the condo is in five weeks, also a Friday. 

Also, I've stopped giving Little Man naps. It's not worth the hassle of getting him down to sleep. The downside to this is that around 6pm he starts getting really cranky. The upside is that he goes to bed somewhere around 8pm (8:30pm at the latest)...oh, and he still sleeps until 7am most days. It's working out pretty well, to be honest. 

But, that's not why we're here.....we're here because it's Sunday and it's time for my sixth installment of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects update (meaning it's the beginning of my sixth week). So, let's get to it :)

Finished Objects (FOs)

1. San Francisco Fog Fingerless Mitts: started January 2, 2013; finished January 10, 2013
2. Don't Blink: started January 16, 2013; finished January 16, 2013  (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
3. Dalek Dishcloth: started January 16, 2013; finished January 21, 2013 (links to one I made last year using the same yarn)
 
I'm able to reveal what I made for the Doctor Who swap finally. I've made both dishcloths before and they're good patterns. The only problem I had was with the Don't Blink Dishcloth...I ran out of yarn during the bind off and wound up finishing the bind off with the yarn I used for the Dalek Dishcloth. So, aside from revealing what I made, I haven't finished anything else. 

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

1. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
2. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012
3. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012
4. Little Man's Vest: started January 16, 2013 
5. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started February 8, 2013

I spent some time on all my projects this week, which is a lovely, lovely thing. I also started a new one (to try to keep the Startitis at bay...didn't work).

The Woven Rib Dishcloth is a dishcloth I designed (with the help of a stitch dictionary). The first version was made out of the variegated blue kitchen cotton that I long ago lost the band for. This one is out of a solid color. It's a quick knit and it's one of my designs so I guess I'm kind of crossing something off the design list...

My Vanilla Socks are over half finished. I'm probably halfway through the leg of the second sock. I'm hoping to take less than six months to finish the second sock but we'll see how that plays out. My Eat Your Monkey Socks are also over half finished. I'm only a repeat or two into the leg of the second sock but it's on the second sock :) And the first sock took me only a couple months...

Little Man's Vest is....well, I'm not sure. I measured the width and the back side is about 15" and that means that it would be approximately 30" around once I get to the point of seaming. With that said, it means that (1) it's going to be way too big for him (which is perfectly fine) and (2) I need to figure out how big I need to make it so that it's not too short. Based on the Craft Yarn Council's Child/Youth Size Chart, 30" around would be a size 12...or Youth Medium. The total length (from the collar to the waist) should be about 15". The pattern says the armholes should be approximately 6" but that's for a 28" size (which they say is for 24 months but, again, looking at the chart, that would be a Youth Small or youth size 10). Sooooo...I'm thinking that lengthening the armhole to ~ 6.5" should be enough. Worst case scenario is that it's too short and I send it to Sassy Girl (or Sweet Girl) and they can wear it short over a button-down shirt. Or something. I'm just worried that it's going to be short and wide. I also have to remember that it's going to go over a shirt of some sort so it's okay if it's a little big...but I don't want it to be too short. I'm just not quite sure what to do here. Anyone have any ideas?

I also spent some time with my Icarus Shawl this week. I only have a couple rows left on the last chart and the edging rows and it'll be bound off and ready for blocking. Unfortunately, I'm at the point where each row takes about 20-30 minutes (depending on how complicated it is). It's not too bad if I've got an episode of Doctor Who or Red Dwarf on as background. I can get a couple rows done during an episode of Doctor Who and at least one row done during an episode of Red Dwarf. I'm looking forward to this one being finished...maybe not necessarily blocked but finished. If I'm really lucky, I can have it bound off before we move. 

I'm not going to hold my breath, though. 

Children's Items 

1. "Little 16" Newborn Socks
2. Garter Stripe Baby Socks
3. Baby Surprise Jacket
4. Toddler Socks
5. Alvin Sweater
6. A New Sock Monkey
7. Stig
8. Greyson (need to purchase)

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting FTW!)

1. Rose's Wrist Warmers
2. Viking Bag
3. Campfire Socks
4. Red Dwarf Socks
5. Freeport Vest
6. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts
7. Ardys

Household Items

1. Halloween Creepy Cloths (1) (need to purchase)
2. Halloween Creepy Cloths (2) (need to purchase)
3. Assorted Harry Potter Cloths
4. Assorted Doctor Who Cloths
5. Grrlfriend Market Bag
6. Petal Dishcloth

Designs (which may or may not be sooper seekrit - obviously the sooper seekrit ones aren't listed)
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (4 versions)
3. Assorted dishcloths (set of 12?)
4. Traveling Vines Scarf
5. Traveling Vines Socks (baby for sure, maybe adult-sized as well)
6. Pinwheel Market Bag
7. Anything else that comes along (I have a notebook somewhere with potential designs somewhere) 

I'm stuck on where to go next...I was gifted a couple patterns (Stig and the Little 16 Newborn Socks) but I'm not sure I want to start them yet. Part of me wants to start another "big" project like the Freeport Vest or Ardys but the little voice in my head is telling me that I shouldn't start one of those until I finish up my shawl. Sooooo, I'm still wanting to start something new. I'm kind of tossed about the Viking Bag or the Petal Dishcloth. I'm thinking that if I make the bag, I'm going to have to line it somehow and my sewing skills are nil. I mean, I get the general idea but I suck at it...and I don't have a sewing machine. I may buy one eventually and I think having a sewing machine would make lining the bag much easier. Also, I have to find appropriate yarn. Cotton is totally out on this one. It stretches and doesn't bounce back into shape. I think I'm probably going to go with Cascade 220 for it...if that's the one I decide to make. I just don't know. ::sigh::

Anyway, that's about all I have for the update this week. I hope you all have a lovely week!

I'm cute :)

I see you!

These photos were taken by one of the other Knitting Mamas while we were on our retreat and she shared them with us. How did I end up with such a photogenic little boy who loves having his photo taken (and loves taking photos)?

Year Two: Self-Imposed Year of Projects - Update #1

Hello, hello, hello! It's SUNDAY and that means that it's time for another installment of my Self-Imposed Year of Proj.......wait, what? Didn't I just finish that up?

Yes. Yes, I did. Last week was the wrap-up of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects, for lack of a better way to put it...but still, it means that I finished last week.




But wait! THERE'S MORE! Yes! I've decided that I'm going to partake in a second Self-Imposed Year of Projects. It shall be known as my Second Self-Imposed Year of Projects. Or something. I don't know. I haven't decided what to call it...just that it's my second round of my self-imposed year of projects.

Anyway, after last week's wrap-up of my First Self-Imposed Year of Projects, I'm going to spend this post outlining my Second Self-Imposed Year of Projects and give you the first week's update all in one fell swoop.

I've set things up a little differently this time around. Well, maybe not. It's hard to really know because by the last couple of updates, I had a (short) WIP list and a (rather long) list of FOs. So, maybe it's not that different. Maybe it is. I don't know. Anyway, onward...

Finished Objects (FOs)

* Please note that there's nothing listed here because, well, this is the first update :)

Works-in-Progress (WIPs)

1. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
2. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012
3. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012
4. There's probably something I started while we've been traveling...
* These were carried over from my First Self-Imposed Year of Projects

Now for the part I know you're just dying to see! Behold! My list(s) of Planned Projects :)

Children's Items 

1. "Little 16" Newborn Socks (need to purchase)
2. Garter Stripe Baby Socks
3. Baby Surprise Jacket
4. Toddler Socks
5. Alvin Sweater
6. A New Sock Monkey
7. Vested Baby Boy
8. Stig (need to purchase)
9. Greyson (need to purchase)

Items for Me (Selfish Knitting FTW!)

1. Rose's Wrist Warmers
2. Viking Bag
3. Campfire Socks
4. Red Dwarf Socks
5. Vancouver Fog Fingerless Mitts
6. Freeport Vest
7. Zombie ViXen Fingerless Mitts
8. Ardys

Household Items

1. Halloween Creepy Cloths (1) (need to purchase)
2. Halloween Creepy Cloths (2) (need to purchase)
3. Assorted Harry Potter Cloths
4. Assorted Doctor Who Cloths
5. Grrlfriend Market Bag
6. Petal Dishcloth

Designs (which may or may not be sooper seekrit - obviously the sooper seekrit ones aren't listed)
1. Little Man's Baby Blanket
2. Susan's Hat (4 versions)
3. Assorted dishcloths (set of 12?)
4. Traveling Vines Scarf
5. Traveling Vines Socks (baby for sure, maybe adult-sized as well)
6. Pinwheel Market Bag
7. Anything else that comes along (I have a notebook somewhere with potential designs somewhere)


Because there are so many variables in these lists (with the "assorted" and "16 pairs" and potential designs and such), I can't give you a definitive number of potential projects. I may only make two of the Halloween cloths or just one pair of the set of 16 newborn socks. It happens. So, the definitive numbers will be with my (hopefully) ever-growing list of FOs.

You may have noticed that I don't have any hats listed. I do have reasons behind this. The first reason is that I had a very difficult time deciding on which hat(s) I wanted to knit during my First Self-Imposed Year of Projects. Secondly, We don't need that many hats running around our residence. We no longer live in Wisconsin so having a huge supply of warm, winter hats isn't high on my priority list. Thirdly, yes, I realize I can make hats for donation. However, most of my yarn stash is wool and will felt if thrown in the washer...and most places that accept hats for donation require them to be either acrylic or cotton. Does this mean that I've given up on knitting hats? No. In fact, I fully expect some to creep in somewhere but I don't want to give any sort of definite number or any specific patterns.

Anyway, there you have it. The seed has now been planted for my Second Self-Imposed Year of Projects.

Also, tomorrow is my 33rd birthday. Yes, kids, I've been walking this Earth for 33 years as of tomorrow. I'm so (not) excited. Woo.

I expect I'll be back at some point this week with photos from our cruise. Yes, we've gone on another cruise. This will be Husband's and my fourth cruise and Little Man's third cruise. I might even have a lovely FO to show you :) Or not. We'll have to see. I wouldn't hold my breath but it's possible :)

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #51

HOLY HELL! I'm heading into my fifty-first week of my Self-Imposed Year of Projects! Part of me can't even fathom that I've been paying attention to my knitting for almost a year...I mean, other than just knitting. I have trouble keeping my well-intended plans, much like New Years' Resolutions (NYRs)...so this is kind of a big deal.

We went to Wisconsin over this weekend for a wedding so this post was written a few days in advance. Sue me.

Anyway, onward to the lists and such...

FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
29. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012; finished November 13, 2012
30. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012; finished November 20, 2012 

I haven't finished anything new...unless I finished something on one of our flights, which is quite possible but I have no way of really letting you know if I finished something. Well, maybe. But no, I haven't finished anything new...or old.

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012 
4. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012  
5. Bergen Street Tuque: started December 12, 2012

I did start a(nother) project. I needed one more hat for my 12 in 2012 hat challenge. I also needed something for the flights and driving that we would be doing this weekend. I wanted something fairly easy but not so easy that I would be bored (which is why my Vanilla Socks did not travel with me). 

The mane on Little Man's Giraffe is cumbersome but it's coming along. I'm maybe halfway done with that part. I'm hoping to have the giraffe completely finished by Christmas for Little Man but we'll see how that goes. I'm so close...I just have to bite the bullet and finish it. 

I've worked a few rows on my Icarus Shawl but each row takes me about 20 minutes to do (roughly). I tend to work on this after Husband and Little Man have gone to bed. I'm still in the middle of the fourth (and last) chart but it's coming along just fine. Just keep knitting. Just keep knitting. Just keep knitting knitting knitting...

The two pairs of socks are going along, too. Just keep knitting...

And since I've started my last hat for the year, my list of hats can now be dropped. 

Next week, I hope to have more things finished but, you know, we'll see.

I hope you all have a lovely and grand week ahead :)

WIP Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!

I took some (crappy) photos so I can actually participate in a WIP Wednesday :) Trust me, the photos are nothing special...

Anyway, onward to the photos!

Eat Your Monkey Socks

This is the first of my Eat Your Monkey Socks. The yarn I'm using is from Sun Valley Fibers and is a merino/cashmere/nylon blend. If I remember correctly, it's superwash merino...I believe it's the same blend as my Hermione's Everyday Socks and I've thrown them in the washer and dryer and they came out just fine.

I started out CO for the "small" size on US #1 needles. I worked two repeats and tried the socks on. Sadly, they were too small. Sooooo, off I went to the yarn store and picked up some US #1.5 circulars and some US #0 circulars. I restarted them on the US #1.5 circulars, I've done two repeats, and I've tried them on (they fit). Woo-hoo!

Icarus Shawl

This is my Icarus Shawl. The lifeline is left from the end of the second chart and I'm really hoping that I don't have to rip back that far. With that said, I'm maybe five or six rows into the fourth (and final) chart. It requires a bit of concentration to read the chart so I tend to work on this while Little Man is asleep.

The yarn is Wistful from Briar Rose. Initially, I never had any desire to knit this shawl until I saw a version knitted up in the Briar Rose booth at the Madison Knitters' Guild Knit In in 2010. The version I saw was a red/brown version and I inquired about it. I picked the blue/green/yellow color in the correct number of skeins (the one displayed was done with 1500 yds. of Wistful on US #6 needles)...and I may have enough to make two. That's due, in part, to changing the number of repeats I did for the first chart. It'll be plenty big without the official number of repeats. My gauge is probably different, too.

Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2)

The second version of my Vanilla Socks looks much the same as the ones I frogged for being too small. I've transferred these to two US #1 circulars (the ones I'm no longer using for my Eat Your Monkey Socks), which gives me the ability to try them on along the way. These are good, mindless knitting for when I don't need to pay attention to what I'm doing very closely.

The yarn is Sock Yarn from htNEVELE in Parrot Bay, which is 100% merino, superwash if memory serves. She was a local dyer when I lived in Wisconsin.

Giraffe Mane!

I've also been working on getting the mane for Little Man's Giraffe just right. I went round and round about what technique I was going to use and I finally decided upon the one that Susan Anderson has a tutorial that I'm using. I've started and restarted it a few times but I think I'm going to keep it this way. I CO seven stitches and I'm doing the loop on the second, fourth, and sixth stitches on the right side rows and purling the wrong side. I think I'm going to have to give it a good soak and pin it out before I sew it on, just so I can get the "hair" to lay a little better. It's Cascade 220 Superwash so it should be fine.

Anyway, that's all I have for this WIP Wednesday :) For more WIP Wednesday fun, visit Tami!



Oh, and because I haven't posted photos of Little Man in awhile...

Maybe a week after his birthday...playing with his new toy from Husband's brother and sister-in-law.

He found his hoodie under the dining room table one day and tried to put it on all by himself. I think he did quite well, considering that he put it on upside down and didn't bother to unzip it first.

We had lunch at a place called Togo's over in San Leandro the other day. He only wanted to eat potato chips but he was happy doing so :)

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #50

I'm going to try to keep this relatively short and sweet as I've been sick for the last few days. I suspect that the flu is part of the problem...perhaps an ear infection, too. We'll see. I plan to go to the doctor tomorrow sometime. 

So, on to my Self-Imposed Year of Projects...


FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
29. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012; finished November 13, 2012
30. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012; finished November 20, 2012 

Haven't finished anything new. And that's fine. 

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012 
4. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012

Haven't started anything new...sort of. I wound up frogging the Monkey Socks that I had started because they were too small. I picked up some new, larger needles and restarted them and they appear to be fitting better. I'm still not 100% convinced but my next option is to go down to a US #0 and CO for the large size. If that doesn't work, then I guess I'll CO for the large on US #1s...::sigh::

I've also started the mane for Little Man's giraffe. It's going as well as can be expected. It's not particularly difficult but it's cumbersome. Oh well.

The shawl is just kind of...going. I'm somewhere in the middle of the last chart. The Vanilla Socks are, too, just kind of going along...


PLANNED HATS (at least 1 more - 12 total for the year)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Godric's Hollow Hat
5. Bergen Street Tuque

I think I've decided between either the Bergen Street Tuque or the Godric's Hollow Hat for my last hat for the year. I need to dig out some yarn and I'm hoping I get to that sometime over the next few days because I'd like to work on it while we're on our flights to and from Wisconsin. If not, oh well. 



Anyway, Little Man got sick last week and then shared it with me. That's pretty much it. Oh, and Husband hasn't gotten it and I'm really hoping he doesn't. It's awful. Oh, and I had a panic attack on Friday because my keys were missing. I looked and looked and I knew they were on the counter on Thursday. Turns out that Husband had them in his backpack. We're thinking Little Man was trying to be helpful. I didn't like the ensuing panic attack, however. At least they weren't officially lost. 

Perhaps sometime this week I'll get in with some actual photos of what's going on. I feel horrible because I've been promising photos for awhile...and then Little Man got sick and now I'm sick and it's the holiday season and I've had a buttload of stuff going on. ::grumble""

At any rate, I hope you're all having a lovely weekend and that this next week is grand :)

Self-Imposed Year of Projects: Update #49

Hello and happy Sunday :)

I've taken temporary leave of my sanity this past week and I'm sure it'll continue into this next week. You'll see why in a moment.

FINISHED OBJECTS
1. Claudia: started January 3, 2012; finished January 10, 2012
2. Mama's Simple Skyp Socks: started May 22, 2011; finished January 9, 2012
3. Little Man's Cobblestone Baby Blanket: started July 2010; finished February 2, 2012
4. Dalek Dishcloth: started February 6, 2012; finished February 8, 2012
5. Baby Traveling Vines Socks: started September 18, 2010; finished February 17, 2012
6. Snail Hat: started February 18, 2012; finished February 19, 2012
7. Lothlorien Hat: started January 25, 2012; finished March 5, 2012
8. Habitat Hat: started April 10, 2012; finished May 8, 2012
9. Mini Sweet Girl's Pumpkin Hat: started May 31, 2012; finished June 4, 2012
10. Pine Forest Baby Blanket: started February 21, 2012; finished August 4, 2012
11. Sassy Girl's Simple Baby Cap #1: started August 4, 2012; finished August 5, 2012
12. Double Bump Dishcloth: started August 9, 2012; finished August 11, 2012
13. Go Pack, Go!: started August 18, 2012; finished August 22, 2012
14. Woven Rib Dishcloth: started August 25, 2012; finished August 26, 2012
15. Little Granite Dishcloth: started August 27, 2012; finished August 28, 2012
16. Alternate Andalusian Dishcloth: started August 29, 2012; finished August 29, 2012
17. Not-Too-Scruby Dishcloth: started September 7, 2012; finished September 14, 2012
18. Ruffled Feathers Pinwheel Blanket: started September 12, 2012; finished September 24, 2012
19. Plain old boring "normal" dishcloth (no project page): started September 22, 2012; finished September 28, 2012
20. Raglan Hat: started September 28, 2012; finished September 29, 2012
21. Nolan for Nellie: started September 28, 2012; finished October 1, 2012
22. Garter Stitch Scarf: started October 5, 2012; finished October 5, 2012
23. Chunky Scarf: started October 6, 2012; finished October 8, 2012
24. Hypnotic Dream Dishcloth: started October 3, 2012; finished October 11, 2012
25. Matt's U of AL Beanie: started October 11, 2012; finished October 14, 2012
26. Christmas Elf Hat: started October 17, 2012; finished October 22, 2012
27. Sweet Girl's Hippo: started May 10, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
28. Susan's Hat (mini): started October 25, 2012; finished October 26, 2012
29. Little Man's Sweater: started October 23, 2012; finished November 13, 2012
30. Hermione's Everyday Socks: started March 6, 2012; finished November 20, 2012

I haven't finished anything new. I've worked on some things but I haven't finished anything...and that's okay.

WORKS-IN-PROGRESS
1. Little Man's Giraffe: started May 11, 2011
2. Icarus Shawl: started March 15, 2010
3. Mama's Vanilla Socks (round 2): started June 29, 2012 
4. Eat Your Monkey Socks: started November 29, 2012

Do you see my loss of sanity? It's right there in my WIP list, #4...another project. And not a hat. Huh? What was I thinking? I'm not sure...I think it was a combination of late night knitting, the fumes of a couple finished objects, and a skein of sock yarn that had been wound ages ago and was taunting me in my knitting bag. And I happened to have appropriate needles nearby. It's going quite well (and quickly) considering that I just started them on Thursday night. I'm in the midst of the leg repeats and I'll perhaps have a photograph for an upcoming WIP Wednesday. Or maybe I will have frogged it by then. I'm worried that it's not going to fit (what else is new?). If I frog it, I'm either going to go up to a US #1.5 or #2 needle and keep the stitch count the same...or I'm going to go down to a US #0 and make the large size...or perhaps I'll frog it and restart with some extra ribbing in between the pattern repeats.

::sigh:: Sometimes, those yarn fumes are just too much...

I'm thisclose to finishing Little Man's Giraffe. I have to sew on spots, make the hair (which is still giving me some trouble), and stitch on the face. I think I'm going to need some help with the crochet part. Not that I can't do it...but I'm having some difficulty. It may also be a function of having too small of a crochet hook. I'll see if I can find a larger one and see if that helps.

My Icarus Shawl is progressing but I'm not sure I'll have it finished by the end of the year. I'm ready to start the fourth and final chart (besides the edging rows). I'm still not out of my first skein of yarn either. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get the fourth chart and the edging rows out of what's left of the skein but it means I'll have enough left that I could make another one out of the same yarn (not that I'm going to, just a fact that I could). 

I've spent some time with my Vanilla Socks this past week. It's good, relatively mindless knitting for when Little Man is playing or when we're driving long distances or when I just don't want to keep referring to a chart. I'm maybe halfway through the leg portion of the first sock. Of course, since I have no specific pattern in my head, that may be relative. I'll make it as long as I want :) 

Other than that....

PLANNED HATS (at least 1 more - 12 total for the year)
1. Hermione Hearts Ron
2. Ogre Babies!
3. NIN Hat
4. Godric's Hollow Hat
5. Bergen Street Tuque

Hats honestly don't take me that long and I could use something to work on during flights and long drives and such during December. I suspect that I'll wind up working on something that isn't too terribly difficult but I haven't quite decided quite yet. I'll make that decision in the next week or so. 




In real life news, there isn't much going on. Little Man had his appointment with his metabolic doctor a couple weeks ago. He didn't have to have any blood work done and we're going to try to wean him off the formula mixture in hopes that he'll eat more "real" food and drink less of his milk. He has his 2 year "Well Toddler" appointment this week and I expect things will be fine there. He's not due for any shots except his annual flu shot and we need a referral to a pediatric cardiologist (for the metabolic disorder). 

I've been pondering what I want for Christmas. I've also been thinking about what to get Little Man and Husband, too. The problem we have in our house is that if we want something, we usually just go out and get it. I have absolutely no idea what to get Husband for Christmas. Giftcards are kind of pointless, he doesn't really like books, he has all the motorcycle gear he could ever want......seriously, I have no ideas! Anyone have any ideas? Little Man is getting a box of Duplos (the big Legos) and I need to slip away for a run to Walmart to get a Nemo stuffed animal (similar to this one). He has seen it twice and both times he got really upset with me when I wouldn't let him have it in the cart with him. And then there are the things coming from other places...like the package that came from Husband's brother and his wife (translation: she did the shopping) and the one probably coming from my friend (she says she's done shopping for him)...and Husband's parents...and so on and so forth. Honestly, the boy doesn't need anything...but that won't stop us.

Anyway, I don't mean to bore you all to tears. I'm just kind of letting my mind wander...so I shall wander off. I should be back sometime this week and, if nothing else, I'll be back next Sunday :)  

Oh, and before I forget.....a big THANK YOU to Emma for gifting me the Ardys pattern!