tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-109270312024-03-07T13:38:41.510-08:00A Woolly DisciplineWherein I discuss my crafty pursuits, with more enthusiasm than consistency.
I am a knitter, sometimes-sewist, crocheter, cross-stitcher, aspiring weaver, and even-more-aspiring spinner.
I believe that the act of creation is both extremely spiritual and inherently political. And I like it that way.
My pronouns are she/her.Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.comBlogger334125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-62049027105826963512024-02-05T11:01:00.000-08:002024-02-05T11:08:42.263-08:00I Bet You Thought I Forgot: February is for Finishing 2024<p>Well, hello there! Here it is already February 5th, and I haven't posted my annual WIP Parade. </p><p>You see, what had happened was, I was out of town for work last week, and then I spent the weekend recovering from that, and ... to be honest I couldn't be bothered. I not proud of this, but here we are.</p><p>First thing, I need to tell you that 2023 as "The Year of the WIP" was wildly successful. I mean, sure, I never came back and posted about it here, but let's not pretend any of us are surprised by this. What might surprise you is that I was able to finish (or in one or two cases frog) every single WIP that I brought into 2023 with me. Absolutely everything on <a href="https://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2023/02/the-state-of-things-february-2023.html" target="_blank">last year's list</a> is done like dinner, and the oldest project on this year's list was started in March of 2023. Hell yeah.</p><p>Of course, I have hauled off and started like 5 new scrap blankets, so we're taking another one way trip to WIP-town, but that's just how it goes around here.</p><p>Okay, on to the list. I have 11 projects in progress right now - which seems to be about where my WIP threshold hovers these days. This number includes the aforementioned 5 blankets, 2 pairs of socks, a pair of mitts, and 3 shawls (2 crocheted and 1 knit).</p><p>As is tradition, we'll list these oldest to newest. Most links go to my Ravelry project pages.</p><p><b>The WIP Parade</b></p><p>1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/all-used-up" target="_blank">all used up</a>. March 26, 2023. This is a scrappy granny square blanket using commercial sock yarn held double and a 4.00mm crochet hook. Each square is five rounds, and uses around 10 grams of sock yarn. My socks tend to take about 70 grams per pair, leaving an awkward amount of yarn leftover - but now I have a great way to make sure I can update my Ravelry stash entry to "all used up." </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvx4BJ5jkHhhmlAhtpKQUw8h-EwS_j2hrTibqPpge6CUdkei0uoIMzA4s598uivWY8g1yGL0-OSMmz-bCwjup_PO3vTUIyoBpdgu5LWlXDIchQ1WO29Kcj5DsbINyLNVvdWcYNuzl1JnfT2p7xqY0jei3mdmWtoEAzSul04OYvYTAmk9BBCzfVg/s4032/IMG_0759.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJvx4BJ5jkHhhmlAhtpKQUw8h-EwS_j2hrTibqPpge6CUdkei0uoIMzA4s598uivWY8g1yGL0-OSMmz-bCwjup_PO3vTUIyoBpdgu5LWlXDIchQ1WO29Kcj5DsbINyLNVvdWcYNuzl1JnfT2p7xqY0jei3mdmWtoEAzSul04OYvYTAmk9BBCzfVg/w640-h480/IMG_0759.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>2. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/garden-party-shawl" target="_blank">thinking only autumn thoughts</a>. August 2023. I'm not 100% sure when I started this shawl, actually. I think it was around August, but for some reason I never entered it into Ravelry, and didn't take a single picture until today. This is The Garden Party Shawl by Toni Lipsey of <a href="https://tlyarncrafts.com/" target="_blank">TL Yarn Crafts</a>. I found Toni through her YouTube channel and she is an absolute delight. I'm using Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply in Espresso and the SAFF 2017 show color.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi3rQ7FulMeN-fqYE-bQ9-1cthExZc77N_nPfdLGQZv8OcOElOdWD8Vllbo33kWq_3-as_VFZXZbpFkZloLp2iC55sUkg-HffUbVpL07D7tmX9ZlYDGmUlQd6Uww1SAXVSvnK0H3CwAxTlVAjCivxHmmOJp7pMxa9e_v60jSzw3hWIVbT-qrKMw/s4032/IMG_0743.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKi3rQ7FulMeN-fqYE-bQ9-1cthExZc77N_nPfdLGQZv8OcOElOdWD8Vllbo33kWq_3-as_VFZXZbpFkZloLp2iC55sUkg-HffUbVpL07D7tmX9ZlYDGmUlQd6Uww1SAXVSvnK0H3CwAxTlVAjCivxHmmOJp7pMxa9e_v60jSzw3hWIVbT-qrKMw/w640-h480/IMG_0743.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/dappled-sunlight-2" target="_blank">doubt that the sun doth move</a>. September 1, 2023. This is a test knit that I did for Heidi Nick. I needed to finish one sock for the test, and then I never quite finished the second sock for me. I'm using 2.5mm needles and Rain's Obsessive Stitchery in her Fred base, colorway Jodhpur.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3YQiI6P_lEg2-QDjDpd0WvSitTparFQXs5jFoGjGVSHVT36IaCxXOEorHGBebCsPc9tlMC1zv5Fa9ZIf6d2MnmibAo0oWf-V4LOfl_tWoegwOp7OiG_yz5Hx9RUoVuaKOCOJPPLfSwAd_HXkMf1chkFWSSJSruVELWL9K9NhgqeWfiVaG0-6aQ/s4032/IMG_0746.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp3YQiI6P_lEg2-QDjDpd0WvSitTparFQXs5jFoGjGVSHVT36IaCxXOEorHGBebCsPc9tlMC1zv5Fa9ZIf6d2MnmibAo0oWf-V4LOfl_tWoegwOp7OiG_yz5Hx9RUoVuaKOCOJPPLfSwAd_HXkMf1chkFWSSJSruVELWL9K9NhgqeWfiVaG0-6aQ/w480-h640/IMG_0746.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>4. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/sweet-shop-blanket" target="_blank">no YOU started a new scrap blanket</a>. September 11, 2023. This is the Sweet Shop Blanket by Laura Penrose. I'm using fingering weight held double and a US 8 (5.0mm) needle. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR51mDbT07JeYf9NYo3LRAIv59ZyfFGegPWK69LZTJxT1E7uQE8v4d73YIWU77BjaUMBmBw09_-Widd2xxBS1TUYa1xTi6idazQ9m0ef_dqfJMyNeOmmLxhyphenhyphenBIb7UWK79GB_53a4ftvPHGGUoLfs3hZ2Mvq_eu1EM0mL7i0CoROF-HZz7zUBCJzQ/s4032/IMG_0688.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR51mDbT07JeYf9NYo3LRAIv59ZyfFGegPWK69LZTJxT1E7uQE8v4d73YIWU77BjaUMBmBw09_-Widd2xxBS1TUYa1xTi6idazQ9m0ef_dqfJMyNeOmmLxhyphenhyphenBIb7UWK79GB_53a4ftvPHGGUoLfs3hZ2Mvq_eu1EM0mL7i0CoROF-HZz7zUBCJzQ/w640-h480/IMG_0688.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>5. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/jelly-roll-blanket" target="_blank">nobody can resist a jelly baby</a>. November 18, 2023. Since the Sweet Shop blanket has a muted palette, I decided I also needed somewhere to put the brights and the neons. Enter the Jelly Roll blanket by Kay Jones. I'm holding fingering double to get a DK weight, and am using a base of 18 stitches. So far, it's entirely made using <a href="https://www.rowoneyarn.com/" target="_blank">Row One</a> minis, and it's loads of fun to knit.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw_ay3LyMNyiPE-pEE2fbIniFRcQOziMp6MCjfAeN7G0e7pkQGOCwwUKn09dF-vT4k3tiJezZdby91AryQa5ccX5ai099X-HUM5afcshmyn8IjF__5DX5pdMI7w7fPBHnzFGNEtFQEhLxmfDULGtY7WFpOWNwUCldNQBeBL-NDXrCt5Z-sST57g/s4032/IMG_0754.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikw_ay3LyMNyiPE-pEE2fbIniFRcQOziMp6MCjfAeN7G0e7pkQGOCwwUKn09dF-vT4k3tiJezZdby91AryQa5ccX5ai099X-HUM5afcshmyn8IjF__5DX5pdMI7w7fPBHnzFGNEtFQEhLxmfDULGtY7WFpOWNwUCldNQBeBL-NDXrCt5Z-sST57g/w640-h480/IMG_0754.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>6. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/subjective-mitts" target="_blank">I reject your reality and substitute it with my own</a>. December 12, 2023. Another test knit where I only needed one to complete the test. I think we might be seeing a pattern here, hard to say. These are (or will be) the Subjective Mitts by Shana Cohen of <a href="https://www.shanalines.com/" target="_blank">Shanalines Designs</a>. I got to meet Shana at SSK last summer, and she's such a cool person. It won't take much to get this pair finished up, I just need to get the second mitt started.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqo9-boDBjFprC-F3RsoENzISyi9ZrxxuZej8YaZ1oLFi9LajLK16G5X7ZkALI_xeh45gwTgT4P5yl-GJUxQ5z3TJv3ouHtVPcxB8pqSC3gXJxkCLWy0mxqVAZyP9sJ2n3RTt_C9g6PQhzFC2wG7z-hqNAsHZ-AFNVwwR7wLuVn4ZBWY3tDfh8g/s2400/8%20x%204%20in.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2400" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpqo9-boDBjFprC-F3RsoENzISyi9ZrxxuZej8YaZ1oLFi9LajLK16G5X7ZkALI_xeh45gwTgT4P5yl-GJUxQ5z3TJv3ouHtVPcxB8pqSC3gXJxkCLWy0mxqVAZyP9sJ2n3RTt_C9g6PQhzFC2wG7z-hqNAsHZ-AFNVwwR7wLuVn4ZBWY3tDfh8g/w640-h320/8%20x%204%20in.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/glittering-snowscape-shawl" target="_blank">Glittering Snowscape Shawl</a>. January 1, 2024. My New Year's start this year is Stephen West's Hiberknitalong KAL. I'm using Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply (a fan favorite around here) in a gorgeous goldish-brownish-gold gradient. I'm knitting this with US 6 (4.0 mm) needles.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpuYhK1QlNCobgFMwj4ge4WtBJPFg8fAYMrsMhszM83okV16d5rfrj0Dao3WHyZ3YdMOnHg9eo05Pe5tj5D8YR0KrwG5EL_VZcylu5M8dNMp8BXLAXuZBc7O1hyphenhyphenVdNUUiUN6lUxkdWf0KMiQhPkP1YtN72UON64SGYmPzbMPVH73CZj74qFC0Mw/s4032/IMG_0690.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpuYhK1QlNCobgFMwj4ge4WtBJPFg8fAYMrsMhszM83okV16d5rfrj0Dao3WHyZ3YdMOnHg9eo05Pe5tj5D8YR0KrwG5EL_VZcylu5M8dNMp8BXLAXuZBc7O1hyphenhyphenVdNUUiUN6lUxkdWf0KMiQhPkP1YtN72UON64SGYmPzbMPVH73CZj74qFC0Mw/w640-h480/IMG_0690.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>8. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/african-flowers-patchwork-blanket" target="_blank">for its own joy</a>. January 1, 2024. Another New Year's Day start, this is the African Flowers Patchwork Blanket by Stouto's Stuff. I'm just playing and using up scraps of Stylecraft Special DK that I have from all of those blankets I've crocheted in the last few years. This is a patchwork blanket made up of several of squares of this size, and a bunch more that are quarter-sized.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3qMNpTrSPDIXC1q3HqLUBcWichcy1jPZVW9jIsJR9lnzorL9LNj2tA0NXNptKNn-gW6ej1JvIh-F4agZLtRntU27bRnuKtwQ8igW7O275mquiA8qQa_063TYwVCPSk3IWjrFnP_YKixcocYkwBDy9QqA4iNZVw4o7QLUmzQjNv5N9vqwW6sNCg/s4032/IMG_0692.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3qMNpTrSPDIXC1q3HqLUBcWichcy1jPZVW9jIsJR9lnzorL9LNj2tA0NXNptKNn-gW6ej1JvIh-F4agZLtRntU27bRnuKtwQ8igW7O275mquiA8qQa_063TYwVCPSk3IWjrFnP_YKixcocYkwBDy9QqA4iNZVw4o7QLUmzQjNv5N9vqwW6sNCg/w640-h480/IMG_0692.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>9. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/oops-all-neutrals" target="_blank">oops all neutrals</a>. January 6, 2024. Look, I don't have to justify myself to you. But if you must know, I needed somewhere to put all the greys and browns and creams that wouldn't work in either of the other two sock yarn scrap blankets. This is a JAYG 4-round granny square blanket, using fingering weight scraps held double, and a 4.0 mm hook. I'll just keep going until I run out of neutral scraps or decide it's big enough.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm-ZtlC6LhG9AIZoP8db-pCf7414wPFYQ68mHbZArzaJ-Ra3i7p_zTRlpy1a031gwdZy3lESS99dlUJ0XhA74OxSjweSDAvdLOTigPx78eu72wg66g4cwwIHvKLq2fliNwWRORzV5r-5KaKhHpAvbDinO9a7TRGdV4LwUwmTqeWZRQoXIdKeULg/s4032/IMG_0749.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkm-ZtlC6LhG9AIZoP8db-pCf7414wPFYQ68mHbZArzaJ-Ra3i7p_zTRlpy1a031gwdZy3lESS99dlUJ0XhA74OxSjweSDAvdLOTigPx78eu72wg66g4cwwIHvKLq2fliNwWRORzV5r-5KaKhHpAvbDinO9a7TRGdV4LwUwmTqeWZRQoXIdKeULg/w480-h640/IMG_0749.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div>10. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/half-a-granny-square-shawl-2" target="_blank">it only gets brighter from here</a>. January 21, 2024. This past yuletide I opened the Fiber Seed's All is Bright advent set. It's a glorious gradient-ish rainbow in delicious eye-searing colors. I'm crocheting it up in<span style="font-family: inherit;">to Half a Granny Square Shawl<span face=""Inter Hinted", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: #f7f7f7;"> </span><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7;"><span>by Churchmouse Yarns and Teas, using a 4.0 mm hook. I'm planning to keep it in my office to throw on if I get chilly.</span></span></span></div><div><span face=""Inter Hinted", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpNUpCbnQjiCvGjj3g131oMljR2OhjojBfFrNsAmB8awG-dN_zkU9vpbLADQL0aYd9cnaKMEX8xU76tsx3FKCw0CIYeuAe00mtiLhB55PJPZ1iSgOZscsy2V2WLGPl_mxtRF4XGriJtvxfX8tDiZPhXsVKJQmj7ztCN7I0mQ_tH1Xb-644PFjA/s4032/IMG_0741.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhczpNUpCbnQjiCvGjj3g131oMljR2OhjojBfFrNsAmB8awG-dN_zkU9vpbLADQL0aYd9cnaKMEX8xU76tsx3FKCw0CIYeuAe00mtiLhB55PJPZ1iSgOZscsy2V2WLGPl_mxtRF4XGriJtvxfX8tDiZPhXsVKJQmj7ztCN7I0mQ_tH1Xb-644PFjA/w640-h480/IMG_0741.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: #f7f7f7;">11. </span><span><a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/nothing-you-can-make-that-cant-be-made" target="_blank">nothing you can make that can't be made</a>. January 29, 2024. My standard vanilla sock with a Fish Lips Kiss heel and a 66 stitch cast on, to try to finesse the fit. I'm using Freckled Whimsy's Serendipity base in the Norwegian Wood colorway, and 2.5 mm needles.</span></span></div><div><span face="Inter Hinted, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol"><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span face="Inter Hinted, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrxpw7CWFWcuab-flHPde3nXs0ZsTVigSsorcC2FGvUEjNY9_Me6PzYjAV3k3mFAO2_oULnWT3uoVwwA6AQ0JoD7RLbR3V6Tk-uiN7Yw8_8JSzWHple0xjIT5HkjQZ4KV3cXdr6Nta1WFznH9mZBS48feWpKcVZDdoP8T5YJm5xPkbP8oYvFh9Q/s4032/IMG_0752.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrxpw7CWFWcuab-flHPde3nXs0ZsTVigSsorcC2FGvUEjNY9_Me6PzYjAV3k3mFAO2_oULnWT3uoVwwA6AQ0JoD7RLbR3V6Tk-uiN7Yw8_8JSzWHple0xjIT5HkjQZ4KV3cXdr6Nta1WFznH9mZBS48feWpKcVZDdoP8T5YJm5xPkbP8oYvFh9Q/w480-h640/IMG_0752.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>And there you have it - that's this year's round up. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>February Plan</b></div><div>My specific goals for this February are to finish:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>the cabled sock</li><li>the advent half granny square shawl</li><li>the Norwegian Woods socks</li></ul><div>And to make solid progress on the HKAL shawl, and some of the blankets. I'm targeting the shawl and the mitts for March finishes.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>I predict that in about a year I'm going to be super sick of all of those scrap yarn blankets and will do another big push to finish things, but for now I'm having fun, and at the end of the day that's what really matters, yeah?</div><div><span face=""Inter Hinted", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div><div><span face=""Inter Hinted", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif, "Apple Color Emoji", "Segoe UI Emoji", "Segoe UI Symbol"" style="background-color: #f7f7f7; font-size: 15px;"><br /></span></div>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-31631720014285430352023-02-01T14:26:00.007-08:002023-02-01T14:26:52.311-08:00The State of Things: February 2023<p> Long time friends of the show know that <b>February is for Finishing</b> around these parts, and as I mentioned yesterday, we're expanding our horizons a bit this year and declaring a <b>Year of the WIP</b>. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jWXttj4MnN3NeHMnMHZ7u01bJC_uxcm_jQocpSONGM7ikYqQmgH_Dx_SBxzb_8bDkpLhwxnD2IgKG5i_ONd94OoTO_Zc4NiF_i7UUsy4cO5V5vecQWY328_2qNqRzdZkk8qs2XvPbR6uOt4knNgkPkX4QPWV_Aa-tKscGewY7AWYUflRSkM/s4032/20230201_125432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jWXttj4MnN3NeHMnMHZ7u01bJC_uxcm_jQocpSONGM7ikYqQmgH_Dx_SBxzb_8bDkpLhwxnD2IgKG5i_ONd94OoTO_Zc4NiF_i7UUsy4cO5V5vecQWY328_2qNqRzdZkk8qs2XvPbR6uOt4knNgkPkX4QPWV_Aa-tKscGewY7AWYUflRSkM/w640-h480/20230201_125432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...could be worse</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>By the end of 2023 I intend to have every project on this list move on to it's final destination, be that finished, frogged, or set on fire. I'm really kind of jazzed about it, and I think this is going to be really good for me.</p><p>Okay, on to the list. I'll post these in order from eldest to cast-on-last-Monday, and add a few notes about status, where it may have stalled out, etc. <b>Note that links go to my Ravelry notebook. Please click with caution.</b></p><p>1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/granny-stripes" target="_blank">scrappy granny</a>. April 2019. Look, I know, alright. I know. I started this in 2019, got maybe a foot in, and bailed. And then I gave it a break because look, we are not holding 2020 against anyone or anything around here. And 2021 wasn't much better, and then in 2022... Yeah, I'm out of excuses on this one. Except I pulled it out of the bag the other day, thinking I was gonna re-home it, and realized it's kind of cute though? I mean, look at her.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqQNX73_NoqLruCQqsTYJc91oO1mL_rDo4zbdryt2jZ-MtP5Cn0G1zfK_-HRv9tlc_fntKKIpXJT-WutJLLc5rSb800TKGvo7GQ8YYS0Z3KsBiKtrG94EM52WJ3Ks_UX1u6pwKhOOa2-uGMNy-39Pbpkc41fl7BJmwBd-1c6egE0uSQSAqK1M" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqQNX73_NoqLruCQqsTYJc91oO1mL_rDo4zbdryt2jZ-MtP5Cn0G1zfK_-HRv9tlc_fntKKIpXJT-WutJLLc5rSb800TKGvo7GQ8YYS0Z3KsBiKtrG94EM52WJ3Ks_UX1u6pwKhOOa2-uGMNy-39Pbpkc41fl7BJmwBd-1c6egE0uSQSAqK1M=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">who is she?</td></tr></tbody></table><br />So here's the plan. I'm going to add another three or four rows and see if we can't rekindle what we once had. It's not like we don't have sock yarn scraps around here. The pattern is more or less Lucy of attic24's <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-stripes-2" target="_blank">Granny Stripes</a>, and I'm using a 3.25mm hook with fingering weight scraps.</p><p>2. Fast forward to 2021, and next up is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/aria-blanket" target="_blank">Aria</a>, also of attic24 fame. I started this blanket on January 9, 2021, and am every bit as in love today as when I first set hook to yarn. I'm closing in on done with this one - two more rows to go (one of which is already in progress) and then the borders. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UU-IpeFcq6aAuoLC5oZI-IAV6oM_m1RHOZjh_06_6na_7oxvGzIyFEmBbI-KzlEwb2NwQ170HiyZPclvDVwuLcCDJnjmRDYSL1FoG2dMYdkTEFKU4onXch9ziwG7HEjRMOYpcSL5tHOmMV5oVAkS0ECjUI4rSJL3BWAZQdnel03xSdipkNc/s4032/20230112_105641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7UU-IpeFcq6aAuoLC5oZI-IAV6oM_m1RHOZjh_06_6na_7oxvGzIyFEmBbI-KzlEwb2NwQ170HiyZPclvDVwuLcCDJnjmRDYSL1FoG2dMYdkTEFKU4onXch9ziwG7HEjRMOYpcSL5tHOmMV5oVAkS0ECjUI4rSJL3BWAZQdnel03xSdipkNc/w640-h480/20230112_105641.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm all heart-eye-emoji over here</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/battenberg-blanket" target="_blank">oh for the love of pete</a>, June 9, 2021. By this time even I was tired of my own nonsense, but something about tiny little crochet squares seemed very appealing that summer. I blame the pandemic, frankly. Anyway, having taken stock of the situation, I am absolutely not making a full sized blanket out of these suckers. They are too fiddly by half. I think these will make a charming pillow, don't you?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAmLW5ejPwiyV2dOzmL4E9ptqANMhOht38SAByBkgj1f8hziWxmy__jw27ZtLqxkBz4nsuUGdp1epxFaJbDMAqdxY1nVVRSsvO4Cn1RvdhlxALhK2Gc_zfJR7x1negDxTMegl0lCNVuAZkHfG2bXcZRJAnJrlqwspWfPOTHca_bqvXI8Ksg/s4032/20230201_112227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHAmLW5ejPwiyV2dOzmL4E9ptqANMhOht38SAByBkgj1f8hziWxmy__jw27ZtLqxkBz4nsuUGdp1epxFaJbDMAqdxY1nVVRSsvO4Cn1RvdhlxALhK2Gc_zfJR7x1negDxTMegl0lCNVuAZkHfG2bXcZRJAnJrlqwspWfPOTHca_bqvXI8Ksg/w640-h480/20230201_112227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>4. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/simplicity-is" target="_blank">simplicity is...</a> August 5, 2021. This is going to be an oversized sweatshirt of a sweater, once I sort out the sleeves. I was half using Ann Budd's Handy Book, and half making it up as I went along, and my first sleeve attempt was rather disastrous. I frogged it, and put the sweater in time out. My plan is to pull it out and try it on, and decide if I need to unpick the 3-needle bind off and shorten the armscye, or if I decide the armscye is okay, I'll need to figure out a proper number of stitches to pick up and the right rate of decreasing so I end up with a wearable sweater. This is all very doable, I just ran out of enthusiasm for the damn thing. </p><p>Also, this yarn is much prettier than this picture makes it seem. It's a lovely, heathery, sort of olivey green. It's King Cole Forest Aran in the Grizedale Forest colorway. And if this yarn is Aran weight, I'll eat my hat. I'm knitting the body with a US 6, 4.0mm needle.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUXr7J3zxzNUkiFw4qCPR9zJj_aVhelUM4eywOq4lqBLrNBcCh-7SJmd173hzI10pinlFBHqPhNvLoorukFYt-dPmECqWnaYC24YWnyfHQnTnGsZdfLsnJzLAIpuaSUvga-1Rn_GJ9RQXgtcFkI-jOf_6nswWGXavYlAY9AVmYG3nOxrJlZ5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUXr7J3zxzNUkiFw4qCPR9zJj_aVhelUM4eywOq4lqBLrNBcCh-7SJmd173hzI10pinlFBHqPhNvLoorukFYt-dPmECqWnaYC24YWnyfHQnTnGsZdfLsnJzLAIpuaSUvga-1Rn_GJ9RQXgtcFkI-jOf_6nswWGXavYlAY9AVmYG3nOxrJlZ5Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>So that's it for previous contestants on February is for Finishing. Everything else was started in 2022 or earlier this year. So that's something, I suppose. </p><p>5. I'm not really making this. In the interests of full disclosure, and as evidence that I suffered some sort of out of body crafting experience last year, I'm sharing this bit of a colorwork mitt that I started. I never took a picture of it (until today), and never entered it into Ravelry, so damned if I can tell you when I started it. I'm frogging it later today, and we'll call it February's first victory.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqo-W7ndU3KoXEAMcrU1X5Pq0iszrTctAQdLU-5W1XXxI2m3NrMvlN8shDkFqUs76WBILyhKzR32CGCkpts3xEc-fbAvn4i4BYjeQZ_WFPM6TXMkzIfIt__CDnpAo0M1e3vQhtGsOmwDxn0ri0etQYGpiZRdX4UUC2feKVNjM3V68zssZJ8/s4032/20230201_110846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMqo-W7ndU3KoXEAMcrU1X5Pq0iszrTctAQdLU-5W1XXxI2m3NrMvlN8shDkFqUs76WBILyhKzR32CGCkpts3xEc-fbAvn4i4BYjeQZ_WFPM6TXMkzIfIt__CDnpAo0M1e3vQhtGsOmwDxn0ri0etQYGpiZRdX4UUC2feKVNjM3V68zssZJ8/w640-h480/20230201_110846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">what the heck, past Bekah? what the heck</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>6. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-gem-crochet-collection" target="_blank">spice must flow</a>, July 29, 2022. Why yes, this is another blanket. No, I'm not sorry, and nor is it the last on this list. I absolutely frickin' love this thing. This is everything I want from my crochet blanket experience. This color palette is thoroughly and extremely my jam.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOU_0exO7tqxEwbCGB6APRAroqESkggbQTabhL5F5pdBUL1P1yCxGt1R7KFWNT9QdebU3cI-1uhqXOIBgvD8jQtf9LK0i1Zy2jWSJrUxBOIibXb7eoa6o1fLShOABWtO-D1rhpRbhlpTQtQ6FC3jxLX1ErKUcFwb_M5CWRhD1_QfvJO0t6s0/s4032/20230201_111535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtOU_0exO7tqxEwbCGB6APRAroqESkggbQTabhL5F5pdBUL1P1yCxGt1R7KFWNT9QdebU3cI-1uhqXOIBgvD8jQtf9LK0i1Zy2jWSJrUxBOIibXb7eoa6o1fLShOABWtO-D1rhpRbhlpTQtQ6FC3jxLX1ErKUcFwb_M5CWRhD1_QfvJO0t6s0/w640-h480/20230201_111535.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>The biggest problem that this one has encountered is that I have a habit of crafting for internet points, and couldn't fit this one in. In an effort to craft my joy and not (just) for points, I'm pulling this bad boy back out. I'm using a 4.0mm crochet hook and a variety of Stylecraft and James C. Brett DK weight yarns.</p><p>7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hotel-of-bees-shawl" target="_blank">hotel of bees</a>, September 4, 2022. I have no idea what happened here. I am just giving myself partial credit for actually creating a project page. Yarn is Scheepjes Stone Washed, and I'm using a 4.5mm hook.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyyLng05-RHKSIKfmqESUMQ4TNRXE6V3uBt_GJ6wJoJmybbozTPJLrn35V8Uz9uO-uxcANdARwHxRnPlzfQQs9wb-k_Tg-eBInm_DJ4T5NpZRXJ1GPN0Ksyq0VClhhNYfR_3Sb8guGTynsngnYuDQM8KK5NcgpGfs70tvplnMBlQrTvqs_6c/s4032/20221015_173910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAyyLng05-RHKSIKfmqESUMQ4TNRXE6V3uBt_GJ6wJoJmybbozTPJLrn35V8Uz9uO-uxcANdARwHxRnPlzfQQs9wb-k_Tg-eBInm_DJ4T5NpZRXJ1GPN0Ksyq0VClhhNYfR_3Sb8guGTynsngnYuDQM8KK5NcgpGfs70tvplnMBlQrTvqs_6c/w640-h480/20221015_173910.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>8. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/asa-lapghan-5" target="_blank">what to my wondering eyes did appear?</a> Sept 23, 2022. In an effort to use up some leftovers from a previous Christmas blanket (crocheted in 2020, it never featured on the blog), I decided to whack out some granny squares and make another Christmas couch blanket. We will not speak of the fact that due to needing additional yarn for the join, and changing my mind about the color, I will end this stashbusting project with as much or more yarn than I started with. No, I will not be taking any questions at this time.</p><p>Yarn is Loops & Thread Impeccable, with a 5.0mm hook. It's not my favorite to work with, but it sure does make a snuggly throw.</p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKvl9wBrSmPrzX5Qts-hhMqgdaIIpPk3S-1xLyEyzZsVog9xvWN6_Wv9qkFwXPZmPT35Wkpqj1Avw86qqYqQ2crmEDnXdM2Spw9FRHvirfE_KxQeFI26AgM5-KE27TGVW-7WdwBU29KB2IWHUhuxGLLOB2HaxjCPd0MBiBY5ac32FC19bRQE/s4032/20230201_125725.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOKvl9wBrSmPrzX5Qts-hhMqgdaIIpPk3S-1xLyEyzZsVog9xvWN6_Wv9qkFwXPZmPT35Wkpqj1Avw86qqYqQ2crmEDnXdM2Spw9FRHvirfE_KxQeFI26AgM5-KE27TGVW-7WdwBU29KB2IWHUhuxGLLOB2HaxjCPd0MBiBY5ac32FC19bRQE/w640-h480/20230201_125725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>All that's left is the join and whatever I decide to do for the borders.</p><p>9. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/rock-it-tee" target="_blank">spontaneity is fine if you plan it out enough in advance</a>, August 2, 2022. This is an impromptu Rock it Tee along that I'm knitting with a friend. I mean, to be clear, she finished hers months ago. More accurate to say that I started it with a friend. The pattern is by Tanis Lavallee, and I'm using Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply in Petrified Forest and Nutmeg. I have a very little more increasing to do for the raglan and v-neck, and then it's time to join and knit in the round forever. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6AyKiDQTGas0sl_88GsK2hiU7bCDzIiS-aKWlEsDsCC-aZmTaXrUPn0IToSFjVOO_hMT2lBNN_eLXxdrnf0iwceuwwYi9VZhhnmSrP8NUaT_h_Uce3RZi6G5sMQgZKhxRjh0oKGP8iBUHLagY0qIUD71vufiU0j2O8A5uqmEZ28AD08N9FY/s4032/20221014_095551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6AyKiDQTGas0sl_88GsK2hiU7bCDzIiS-aKWlEsDsCC-aZmTaXrUPn0IToSFjVOO_hMT2lBNN_eLXxdrnf0iwceuwwYi9VZhhnmSrP8NUaT_h_Uce3RZi6G5sMQgZKhxRjh0oKGP8iBUHLagY0qIUD71vufiU0j2O8A5uqmEZ28AD08N9FY/w640-h480/20221014_095551.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>10. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/by-gosh-and-by-golly" target="_blank">by gosh and by golly</a>, November 2022. I am not sure exactly when I cast these on, but I know it was in November and before Thanksgiving. This is Woolens and Nosh Corriedale Sock, which is a heavy fingering to light sport. I'm knitting it on US 2 2.75mm needles, because my standard 2.5mm needle was getting me Kevlar. I'm on the homestretch with these, and thank goodness, because I am kind of tired of Christmas. (Bad news for me, as you will note when you scroll ahead.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG7gS9-nRG1OXbOJU_a4yC96plm21k7eFN02ZinIS3GPiLh7lOVFKySQkvYkGsrf_LkMXviyxCBdIbs1VclTcgA3MLdYP2V2T0IgG6V0I3hrXJfU_ilJyXA7NiD2AH4kZcSSRbiDyE-6UCE2Ue_uXWtkNgclZfHo4gcsteAn-YRQ5G6xrHew/s4032/20230201_110620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCG7gS9-nRG1OXbOJU_a4yC96plm21k7eFN02ZinIS3GPiLh7lOVFKySQkvYkGsrf_LkMXviyxCBdIbs1VclTcgA3MLdYP2V2T0IgG6V0I3hrXJfU_ilJyXA7NiD2AH4kZcSSRbiDyE-6UCE2Ue_uXWtkNgclZfHo4gcsteAn-YRQ5G6xrHew/w640-h480/20230201_110620.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>11. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/try-to-keep-it-all-the-year" target="_blank">try to keep it all the year</a>, November 24, 2022. These are my annual "cast on while the turkey's in the oven on Thanksgiving" socks. They got sidelined a bit by a pair of Advent socks, and the Woolens and Nosh socks up above. Turns out having three pair of socks on the needles at the same time is not actually faster. Yarn is Lollipop Yarn Quintessential in the Christmas Carol colorway. US 1 2.5mm needles, with my standard 64 stitch cast on and Fish Lips Kiss heel.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI0HyQn6QfyRm7znFvc55tLXxrma8wCtaU8Z4jGjPsuE0Izj1FRk36OEqa7M2n__rk2HQLW0_IHEY7QH1zXCFMdahbrpdWnLnPsT8_lWRLeKDFt1pcPlGMLix51LV7jw5_8mZUgaMJIABUa4YQQf4NV2uQopLZX_G35UX_vEbuk0RhOp1YQM/s4032/20230201_110734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZI0HyQn6QfyRm7znFvc55tLXxrma8wCtaU8Z4jGjPsuE0Izj1FRk36OEqa7M2n__rk2HQLW0_IHEY7QH1zXCFMdahbrpdWnLnPsT8_lWRLeKDFt1pcPlGMLix51LV7jw5_8mZUgaMJIABUa4YQQf4NV2uQopLZX_G35UX_vEbuk0RhOp1YQM/w640-h480/20230201_110734.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>12. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/touch-of-frost-blanket" target="_blank">the secret ministry of frost</a>, December 21, 2022. This was my Winter Solstice start, and I'm really enjoying it. The center was fiddly AF, but I am really enjoying how it's turning out. The pattern is Touch of Frost by Marion Mitchell (this is the same designer as the spice blanket up above.) Yarn is various DK weight acrylics, and I'm using a 4.0mm hook.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHZQtBVELF20wyasCSFEZCok4ivB6v-4wuOR221rTqcxrxlYla5IZ8X7GsjBJKArQRaCi5jrWyKfunaydS4wvGrGG7a0ps6Mrn7sBb_kFYrgdyWa_q0lBIgBCNVPqxiIyyskOTvNV-v7Mtajq_S7bb5kqBF3UMHOPjb_JHoLNratyO4USrZg/s4032/20230130_131525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHZQtBVELF20wyasCSFEZCok4ivB6v-4wuOR221rTqcxrxlYla5IZ8X7GsjBJKArQRaCi5jrWyKfunaydS4wvGrGG7a0ps6Mrn7sBb_kFYrgdyWa_q0lBIgBCNVPqxiIyyskOTvNV-v7Mtajq_S7bb5kqBF3UMHOPjb_JHoLNratyO4USrZg/w640-h480/20230130_131525.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">it is too February for this</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>13. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/ya-learn-something-new-every-day" target="_blank">ya learn something new everyday</a>, January 30, 2023. I'm teaching myself Tunisian crochet, because why not? This is a simple stitch washcloth, and I'll stop when it's square or I get bored, whichever happens first.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNC4Cq8UUGXcuhIfFxd6O-MS6l_TAFYvwngA6UAhPiFGbbDbih82P73-aEROQ0c43-grUCC0-6zoTVAtp7DFZRh9LbKwmaPFf0rRa2qmQgyqBgPb0GcKCTWZzlrRBdg88SSaR25dRfp-VJ0c_kUC4R1ZkhFxuDnozyVGVqKSwlbux0sHqd0M/s4032/20230201_111448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNC4Cq8UUGXcuhIfFxd6O-MS6l_TAFYvwngA6UAhPiFGbbDbih82P73-aEROQ0c43-grUCC0-6zoTVAtp7DFZRh9LbKwmaPFf0rRa2qmQgyqBgPb0GcKCTWZzlrRBdg88SSaR25dRfp-VJ0c_kUC4R1ZkhFxuDnozyVGVqKSwlbux0sHqd0M/w640-h480/20230201_111448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>So there you have it. 13 projects, neither my worst showing nor my best. But something about this year just hit different, and I'm ready to clear the decks for real this time.</p><p>My immediate strategy includes finishing the Woolens and Nosh sock, and then casting on a new pair that's maybe pink or something, because dear gods am I tired of Christmas. I'll also frog that mitt, and finish up the washcloth. </p><p>Beyond that, I'll add another great whack to the Aria and Frost blankets, and probably go ahead and join the other Christmas blanket since it's so close to done.</p><p>Once I see how much progress I can make in February, we'll come back with a new strategy for March and beyond.</p><p>Wish me luck!</p>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-5083081221622565752023-01-31T10:32:00.000-08:002023-01-31T10:32:20.599-08:00Get a Grip: 2023 is for Finishing (Not Just February)<p class="MsoNormal">Last December, as 2022 closed out and the fresh promise of
2023 lay ahead, I sat down and had a good hard think about my crafting, my WIP
situation, what’s been bringing me joy, and what’s been weighing me down.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Good crafting habits that I fought hard to establish over
the years have fallen by the wayside, and I seem to have reverted to some older
patterns that aren’t great for my overall happiness or crafty-well-being. (There’s perhaps a larger story to be told
here about other aspects of my life, health, habits, and happiness, but that’s
an introspection for another day.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I was starting things that I didn’t really work on and never
put into Ravelry, so they were in this weird “is it really a project or not?”
limbo. I was letting WIPs linger long
enough that they were beginning to slide into true UFO territory. I stopped entering yarn into Ravelry as soon
as I bought it. (Don’t get it twisted…I
did not stop buying yarn, I just quit adding it to my notebook.) <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">My mojo has been intermittent, and I’m feeling weighed down
instead of buoyed up by my crafting life.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In short, I need to get a grip.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">So here’s what we’re going to do about it. I’m declaring 2023 The Year of the WIP. This is a personal challenge, but feel free
to play along in whatever manner feels helpful or meaningful to you. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Here are my rules of engagement:<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>I will finish, frog, or fling everything that
was on needles or hooks as of Dec 31, 2022, by December 31, 2023. The only
projects coming into 2024 with me will be less than 12 months old.</li><li>I’ll post a full accounting of what’s in bounds. This will also serve as my annual “February
is for Finishing” post, wherein we all acknowledge that that scrappy granny
blanket still hasn’t been touched since 2019.
See above in re: getting a grip.</li><li>I can cast new things on as I please, this is
not strictly speaking a “Project Zero” style challenge. This is a “clear out what’s weighing me down
to make space for the new” kind of situation.</li><li>I’ll keep both my projects and my stash updated
in Ravelry. I’ve nearly caught my yarn
up already, and just need to add my advents and a few other bits and bobs from
December.</li><li>I’m going to be very thoughtful and intentional
about any new yarn purchases. We have
yarn at home.</li></ol><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal">I made a down payment on The Year of the WIP on New Year's Day when I finished up a washcloth I found stuffed in the blue bin in my living room. This is the bin I shove things in when I am "cleaning" up my crafting before people come over. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKXGdYVkb9J4EP-H3US5PrLOAZtorGTvsdb109uiAAbiGkU_utYKo6R9pSRCRQDkEb-7bzQAVouV0bdx-5SL3YYH0ol0PpHXujqvpvutUPMoXsg7Pnek3DBjcWkK9nnkO_ElCIQvBc-lzzyHnkdQbvO-BD9XeEUsxt8gGvBsDTwZUcnNjzR0/s4032/20230101_181202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyKXGdYVkb9J4EP-H3US5PrLOAZtorGTvsdb109uiAAbiGkU_utYKo6R9pSRCRQDkEb-7bzQAVouV0bdx-5SL3YYH0ol0PpHXujqvpvutUPMoXsg7Pnek3DBjcWkK9nnkO_ElCIQvBc-lzzyHnkdQbvO-BD9XeEUsxt8gGvBsDTwZUcnNjzR0/w300-h400/20230101_181202.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal">I have no idea when I started it, I know it was sometime last year, but I have no memory of this place.</p><p class="MsoNormal">And as a side note, in case you are curious about the PPN
(personal, private number) of WIPs that drove me over the edge… it was 13. <a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2011/01/sweet-merciful-bob-in-knitpicks.html" target="_blank">Past me would think that’s hilarious.</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-80339895021664574432022-02-01T14:20:00.000-08:002022-02-01T14:20:51.741-08:00February is for Finishing - 2022 Style<p>Hello my darling dears! It's the time of year here at <i>chez woolly</i> where we engage in the ancient ritual I like to call "the annual airing of the WIP pile." As I have said many times before, and likely will again, there is not much that's consistent about this little blog of mine, but I am pretty good about posting on or near-bouts February 1st.</p><p>In these parts we honor the month of February by engaging in mad acts of Finishing, Frogging, or Flinging. It's a lovely and alliterative way to take stock of our current WIPs and assorted UFOs and see, as the lady says, if they still bless us. And if they do not bless us in their current form, are we better served by pushing through to completion, or by setting them on fire? </p><p>These are personal and private decisions that one can only make for one's own self.</p><p>In support of this goal, I like to take a bit of stock and list out what I have on needle or hook. It should be noted here for posterity that I've recently taken cross-stitch up again, but for the sake of all of our sanity, I won't be listing any of those projects here. </p><p>I'll be listing my projects from oldest to newest, with as much supporting information as seems interesting or relevant. To me, I mean. I don't actually expect this to be terribly interesting or relevant to any of the rest of you. It's okay, I understand.</p><p>Here we go!</p><p><b>NOTE: Links go to Ravelry - please click with caution if the new (is it still new at this point?) site causes you problems.</b></p><p>1. My oldest WIP remains <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/weekender-blanket" target="_blank">Weekender Blanket</a>, by Sandra Paul, started May 20, 2018. I'm using Lucy of Attic24's "Cottage Pack" and sort of loosely but not really using the pattern color map with my own colors subbed in. I added two full rows in 2021. On one hand at this rate I'll finish it in approximately one hundred years, and on the other hand, there was a panini, y'all should be proud I added anything at all. </p><p>Also, my goodness was the poor thing wrinkled. Someone (and I'm not naming any names) did not put it away very neatly when she was done working on it last.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOfcs6iRwz1fKL6_Osv7ImyfhSiRmHU6NkTFesQ0lve5CDwhHBCTk8QfIKwVHN7vxfP9x-BH7UK54xhh4Kd82ia-t_lYOfErjloLZMkZ5j22aCHKY3JkNPbAzYSYZkeIw-MYHbOQDRgN56QXNUsFeuY7tbO7fGn2lmDYOB0EmPmrzl1fYHbW0=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOfcs6iRwz1fKL6_Osv7ImyfhSiRmHU6NkTFesQ0lve5CDwhHBCTk8QfIKwVHN7vxfP9x-BH7UK54xhh4Kd82ia-t_lYOfErjloLZMkZ5j22aCHKY3JkNPbAzYSYZkeIw-MYHbOQDRgN56QXNUsFeuY7tbO7fGn2lmDYOB0EmPmrzl1fYHbW0=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>2. Next up on the stage is my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/granny-stripes" target="_blank">Scrappy Granny</a> afghan. Friends, I started this in April of 2019, and have not touched it since that same year. It saw zero action in 2020 or 2021. I don't think I'm actually making this blanket. Now I just need to decide how to not have it any more. Goodwill? Landfill? Frog and reclaim? IDK, the point was to USE UP the scraps. Or do I actually sit down and add a row or two and see if the magic is rekindled? <i>throws hands up in disgust and stalks off</i></p><p>Yes, this is the same photo I used last year. There wasn't much point in taking a new one.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGPZIP8yESKbhDuf1O6QetV52hPD_2GeORCVUiuI4tOn8c_KC6a89RDXjObJmpbtWypbaIBKSiNj5rJO44Agex1zzesylDQz0NKyVWlzbtUPHnbPe1B8UU065kW-s3Qvo3X-akGyyS7LXfteb0BE4DnnNPds1OMtjLYeSZB-DdEaTlUGfYq-E=s1600" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiGPZIP8yESKbhDuf1O6QetV52hPD_2GeORCVUiuI4tOn8c_KC6a89RDXjObJmpbtWypbaIBKSiNj5rJO44Agex1zzesylDQz0NKyVWlzbtUPHnbPe1B8UU065kW-s3Qvo3X-akGyyS7LXfteb0BE4DnnNPds1OMtjLYeSZB-DdEaTlUGfYq-E=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><br />Now we jump forward to 2021 WIPs. Everything I started in 2020 has been finished, so that's cool.<p></p><p>3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/aria-blanket" target="_blank">Aria Blanket</a>, by Lucy of the aforementioned attic24. I'm crocheting this just exactly as called for, and it's pretty glorious. This was started January 9, 2021, and I'm more than half done the body. It's a 12 x 12 grid, with several rounds of border, so I'm not really half done with it yet, but it sort of feels like I should be.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8r-uGnVqUk4EFrtxlHW8GoA4JcT_pB3hrur3rc8gXfOgH9fgT0PqVima5KVinD39lz5ba-zruYjAuo62AD7gkDI7xRk_CMxjWnYOgp5e4EUfDmqCNGk-5SME5rEUoaG23DX5Dn87O5MzsdOGuL3o_21NwxyC0LtoYo38ulpRf52nu7upEA5w=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh8r-uGnVqUk4EFrtxlHW8GoA4JcT_pB3hrur3rc8gXfOgH9fgT0PqVima5KVinD39lz5ba-zruYjAuo62AD7gkDI7xRk_CMxjWnYOgp5e4EUfDmqCNGk-5SME5rEUoaG23DX5Dn87O5MzsdOGuL3o_21NwxyC0LtoYo38ulpRf52nu7upEA5w=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>4.Next up is (now brace yourself) another blanket. Started on May 9, 2021, this is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-snuggle-is-real" target="_blank">the snuggle is real</a>. It's a homebrew granny square afghan I'm making for Morgan. It will end up between full and queen size, and is using the same basic recipe as my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-art-of-creating-comfort" target="_blank">art of creating comfort</a> afghan (I only briefly mentioned that here in last February's post, but if you're curious that's a link to my Rav project page.) I'm using another Lucy pack - this time the coastal colorway. I dig me some Stylecraft Special DK, y'all.</p><p>There are 83 of 90 squares in this bag, and I have two more around here somewhere but let's be real, 83 squares in a bag looks an awfully lot like 85 squares in a bag, so I trust you'll forgive me. I plan to use gray to do a continuous join, and then I'll think of something clever to do for a border.</p><p>If you've ever ordered anything from Wool Warehouse, you'll recognize my fancy project bag. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjiELZnJfjTy6eH6vFShVLCnbXtdi_bV8tFwRm4zQvgnWE50z1dbq-RdD-3aW8aWFhbYXJlu_ZG7R4xaZilthnBcj1b4Xw_LeIwbXf_epJjJXkwooBhgN2J-uShmkZfbiMvj5PsD4Dj1MzIBnrkVxkRa8J5IDaB1w5eJb-fSvRrU0OGUZ3Abw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjiELZnJfjTy6eH6vFShVLCnbXtdi_bV8tFwRm4zQvgnWE50z1dbq-RdD-3aW8aWFhbYXJlu_ZG7R4xaZilthnBcj1b4Xw_LeIwbXf_epJjJXkwooBhgN2J-uShmkZfbiMvj5PsD4Dj1MzIBnrkVxkRa8J5IDaB1w5eJb-fSvRrU0OGUZ3Abw=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>5. Okay, but you see what had happened was... Look, it's not that I am only crocheting blankets anymore. It's just that I'm not finishing them at the rate that I'm starting them. In my defense (and I clearly need defending, this is getting ridiculous) I have actually finished three blankets in the last two years. I just started...uh, more.</p><p>Anyway, already fed up with my own nonsense, I named this blanket "<a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/battenberg-blanket" target="_blank">oh for the love of pete</a>." I'm using the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/battenberg-blanket-2" target="_blank">Battenburg Blanket</a> by Sandra Paul for some loose inspiration, and am mostly just making a whack of tiny squares. I started it on June 9, 2021, and haven't touched it since July. Maybe I'm actually making a nice pillow...</p><p>I don't actually have a picture of all the squares in one place, but imagine a whack of these in various shades of fingering weight wool.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjziWD-CeiE1mElQEKRFcHfb6y2RSKvljHFDqsI42UzQX76AaFwNd20lG48Vq7fw5i64lsuDlkq_Aey_x_4VGDXmCcqoihBaBRyedApsWPan6Bh-4O-1hJmNfNRew1b45vWpMzoFTBcDkY974HEzutteroFbCLyLBOjGr9Xsk5kLb32mlxe3Hg=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjziWD-CeiE1mElQEKRFcHfb6y2RSKvljHFDqsI42UzQX76AaFwNd20lG48Vq7fw5i64lsuDlkq_Aey_x_4VGDXmCcqoihBaBRyedApsWPan6Bh-4O-1hJmNfNRew1b45vWpMzoFTBcDkY974HEzutteroFbCLyLBOjGr9Xsk5kLb32mlxe3Hg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>6. Would you believe that this is NOT another blanket? (Don't fret, there's one more coming.) I started a <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/simplicity-is" target="_blank">plain, oversized stockinette sweatshirt</a> of a sweater for myself on August 5, 2021. It's knit bottom up and in the round. I was cruising along and stopped to try it on after I had knit most of a sleeve and realized that it's awful. The sleeve was stupidly big and really looked bad on me. The most painful part about this is that I am not a small woman. I was knitting at a fairly fine-ish gauge (around 5.5 spi or so). That's a LOT of extra knitting I ended up doing. (Pattern? What pattern? I'm winging it...and this here is the consequence of doing so).</p><p>Anyway, I have a plan - after a nice long time out for most of December and January, I pulled it out the other day and ripped back the sleeve. Next I'm going to unpick the 3 needle bind off and shorten the armscyes. I'm considering riffing off of a boxy style and doing shorter, tighter sleeves. I need to dig out some of Joji's patterns and see if my gauge is close enough to keep the math from being too much of a PITA.</p><p>This picture doesn't do it any kind of justice - it's a pretty heathery olivish green. Right now it just looks like a sack of potatoes (sans potatoes. So just a sack, really) but I have every faith that someday it will be a comfy sweatshirt.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW52ABqG-i7frRbGMvyfOsW4LA_LJ91M06ML31fKnw6wL7Rmt_RqKyKhbJ4Slb7IQXuPohJt25Sp00XniU9FFtzA5fq4jKzvxQRls7-GVeDGRjzB1ZVT4Zs5vcGxq6q2Y8fvc0bs6beccpbdHFrABBvqKu0LyXhZ5M3vs5gxI3vmv99M1az34=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjW52ABqG-i7frRbGMvyfOsW4LA_LJ91M06ML31fKnw6wL7Rmt_RqKyKhbJ4Slb7IQXuPohJt25Sp00XniU9FFtzA5fq4jKzvxQRls7-GVeDGRjzB1ZVT4Zs5vcGxq6q2Y8fvc0bs6beccpbdHFrABBvqKu0LyXhZ5M3vs5gxI3vmv99M1az34=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><p>7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/yuletide-blanket" target="_blank">Yuletide Blanket</a> by Lucy of attic24 (stop judging me.) Crocheting this as called for and loving every minute of it. I started it on December 5, 2021, and I'm right exactly at 50% finished (as determined by the number of DCs. No I didn't count them, I'm not a mad woman. I have a spreadsheet.) It's right around 52" across right now and I'm loving having it on my lap as I work on it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXj6tpb4agNJdCzyIpFQf6BlQZyj7pcQF5UL_5TwVCC6HnLNEgM4XMH7pvMON0MDNsMAOOIEoIT3RlY0FzQXJLM5EAma9cg_9FMBBTTWTP6W_0TuxMMEKaWhTOmZh8iAfmqeZkQXqsh1XaP6ZykmecOcCNIFMG5QkCwQMv_51mpUWp8L63JWc=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXj6tpb4agNJdCzyIpFQf6BlQZyj7pcQF5UL_5TwVCC6HnLNEgM4XMH7pvMON0MDNsMAOOIEoIT3RlY0FzQXJLM5EAma9cg_9FMBBTTWTP6W_0TuxMMEKaWhTOmZh8iAfmqeZkQXqsh1XaP6ZykmecOcCNIFMG5QkCwQMv_51mpUWp8L63JWc=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>No more blankets after this - from here on out it's just knitting.</p><p>8. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/keep-it-secret" target="_blank">as of yet unnamed</a>, test knit for Heidi Nick, started January 1, 2022. I'm using Junkyarn Smooth Sock in the "Molly" colorway. I really enjoyed knitting this (which is good, because I have two feet and will need to do it again). I rarely knit toe-up socks or patterned socks either one these days, mostly because I use sock knitting as "no eyes needed" knitting. After this experience, I may go back to knitting patterned socks, because this is a pretty good sock, y'all.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEOVRZ0KrylmhA4aMtbEOVwMst3e1ErQYVOBvT3Qhb0cTVQWqpKOvTS8Vmqp09R-hBKFpU4gAO5OF0QM5gZAtg5ET7bugO0u5bSkbWG_nrrhrLjsOp0qCxJjfmHeZ4YEFGh6-1TwgWPO2mqvv4u7cjjSRGfD3dcwMcT6jBkvK5UYJwzGIg-eo=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgEOVRZ0KrylmhA4aMtbEOVwMst3e1ErQYVOBvT3Qhb0cTVQWqpKOvTS8Vmqp09R-hBKFpU4gAO5OF0QM5gZAtg5ET7bugO0u5bSkbWG_nrrhrLjsOp0qCxJjfmHeZ4YEFGh6-1TwgWPO2mqvv4u7cjjSRGfD3dcwMcT6jBkvK5UYJwzGIg-eo=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>9. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/zichra-baruch" target="_blank">zichra baruch</a> (her memory for a blessing). I cast these on January 18, 2021. A dear friend and beloved member of my online knitting community passed away on January 17. It was not unexpected, but still genuinely heart-wrenching. As a part of her process of preparing, she threw a Hobbit Birthday party and gave gifts of stash and hand-knits to her friends. This is the sock yarn that she gave me.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9e2Co6qEG7gDEF8KGoJBweXwurpKURMNkuS-_koxEaZukI7NCR399xzMmfzkrpdQGL5_V4mjapqwBuK-T_5zUaya1PmBXtdQrZ3x4PfHi54nW5NJ_gKyanWZai_-PTL9fpCJGgaPVAGl7lg6BEgCJ157IPnCOth4K5cBmcCzB4GEuY1s0Bxw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9e2Co6qEG7gDEF8KGoJBweXwurpKURMNkuS-_koxEaZukI7NCR399xzMmfzkrpdQGL5_V4mjapqwBuK-T_5zUaya1PmBXtdQrZ3x4PfHi54nW5NJ_gKyanWZai_-PTL9fpCJGgaPVAGl7lg6BEgCJ157IPnCOth4K5cBmcCzB4GEuY1s0Bxw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>10. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/clapotis-2" target="_blank">on par with ancient talismans</a> (clapotis). Stop laughing. This totally counts. (Cast on January 23, 2022).</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDndShG4u1pc4qwOyLwlmVmwnqCDA9VBdc1zvS2v1pvAXHRCpskTo3kIGHEScwAHOJ3joneNYqwEnFYkHLHL-2aIa8RGk7G8DBzX5OJy9IeWcTmlXmwR4NGuuuf7v9zSJCeY3zpATJCaE4GKOaUtecMoxAjeml3MgmcBhYbJco120_B3g8zmY=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDndShG4u1pc4qwOyLwlmVmwnqCDA9VBdc1zvS2v1pvAXHRCpskTo3kIGHEScwAHOJ3joneNYqwEnFYkHLHL-2aIa8RGk7G8DBzX5OJy9IeWcTmlXmwR4NGuuuf7v9zSJCeY3zpATJCaE4GKOaUtecMoxAjeml3MgmcBhYbJco120_B3g8zmY=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>So there's the list. Neither so long as some years, nor as short as others, but it will do. I clearly need to get a grip on this whole blanket issue, but yannow. It's fine. We're all fine here.</p><p>Here's the plan: </p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Finish the two pair of socks.</li><li>Finish my sweatshirt-sweater.</li><li>Finish the squares for the snuggle is real </li><li>Make significant progress on Yuletide (I aim to hit 75% by end of month)</li><li>Make decisions about the two fingering weight, scrappy crochet blanket starts.</li><li>Make enough progress on the Clapotis that you can tell it's supposed to be a Clapotis.</li></ul><p></p><p>I've put myself in a pretty pickle with all those blankets, so the finishing might be a little sparse around these parts. It'll feel good to get that sweater done though, and I can move the blankets forward a bit.</p><p>We'll see how I go!</p>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-33763599448777050962021-05-21T15:28:00.000-07:002021-05-21T15:28:51.079-07:00The Way Things Are<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've always been pretty good (I thought) at making sure I have my stash updated in Ravelry. This faith has meant that if I'm shopping and I run across something I know I've considered buying before, I can run a quick check and find out if I just considered it or if I actually pulled the proverbial trigger. This has paid off handsomely in the Rock and String booth at more than one fiber festival.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've recently been giving the stash a bit of a toss and a tidy, doing some spring cleaning and finally enacting my plan to actually use the "stored in" field for Ravelry stash to match skeins to bins. The theory is that this will make it easier for me to put my hands on a given bit of yarn if I’ve a mind to. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This was the scene going in:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDCNLmXfAeZkBnO6OVWHG8Rg6ys7RBxcvEynLVuI6HkLSFWT6l4NDuo8gjsPtP8e1xCp0gGXIdhtMewKHAu9dLygxU-XvCTA4u_zjhyphenhyphenYfdHA_Ct5WJJGRq4nUdhT3teB315QLVg/s4032/20210514_132518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDCNLmXfAeZkBnO6OVWHG8Rg6ys7RBxcvEynLVuI6HkLSFWT6l4NDuo8gjsPtP8e1xCp0gGXIdhtMewKHAu9dLygxU-XvCTA4u_zjhyphenhyphenYfdHA_Ct5WJJGRq4nUdhT3teB315QLVg/w480-h640/20210514_132518.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I've run across one or two things that weren't listed in Ravelry as I went, but not so many as I'd feared. A yarnbox monthly subscription from 2016 here, a random bit of sock yarn there, but really, I was feeling pretty proud of myself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Until.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I picked up a gorgeous gobstopper ball of self-striping yarn with the fantastic colorway name of Gimli, Son of Gloin. Confident and pleased, I searched my Rav stash to locate the entry so I could update which bin it's in. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Wasn't there. Hunh. Well, I must have missed entering it. No harm, I know the shop, and since they're on Etsy it's easy as pie to find the order details so I can fill in the date purchased, etc.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Off to Etsy I go and happily type “Gimli” into the “search your purchases” field.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I bet you can guess where this is going.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><img class="CToWUd a6T" data-image-whitelisted="" height="423" id="m_1794962377390995885Picture_x0020_2" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=b0f1ef6785&attid=0.2&permmsgid=msg-f:1700397714801760862&th=179906b667a51a5e&view=fimg&sz=s0-l75-ft&attbid=ANGjdJ-uN3V7H420wePcs13IcyChh6Zzi86BfOhtDFlzmqhSzByravJxbrWDUxwoQ39hFfGQPndT7ek0zxkQdToGuU-KDri206Pqq-sj659rQjHhBYEkrGndNb6chdw&disp=emb" style="cursor: pointer; outline: 0px;" tabindex="0" width="640" /><u></u><u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; margin: 0px;"><u></u> <u></u></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: inherit;">Apparently, not only did I not put dear Gimli into my stash the first time I bought the yarn in 2019 (nor his tall boyfriend Legolas neither), I also failed to add it to my stash the SECOND time I bought it in 2020. A year ago.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X_iqnH6lR0eP3W5B8JMjvEsZ6sMZmzxivt3Yb4LFq7cvH4VC9DOCuf8Py5nC99arSbBVhRjEIX6edqYZpGVDkpIE92nmTjigs5iGoENuP8rp0XRop-3Wst8FLgrClZ0ankYmhg/s4032/20210521_132301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3X_iqnH6lR0eP3W5B8JMjvEsZ6sMZmzxivt3Yb4LFq7cvH4VC9DOCuf8Py5nC99arSbBVhRjEIX6edqYZpGVDkpIE92nmTjigs5iGoENuP8rp0XRop-3Wst8FLgrClZ0ankYmhg/w640-h480/20210521_132301.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You will note I did not realize that there were two of them in this house until I saw it in my order history.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Somebody really needs to do something about the way things are over here.</span></span></p>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-41380004423401188402021-02-01T19:57:00.000-08:002021-02-01T19:57:00.700-08:00February is for Finishing - 2021 Edition<p>Okay, so first off we're not going to even talk about the fact that I started 2020 strong with blogging and then suddenly stopped. We all know what happened.</p><p>But if there's one constant in this inconsistent blog of mine, it's the annual airing of the WIP pile for February is for Finishing. We're not going to let the fact that today being February 1st somehow came as a complete and total surprise to me stop us from making our list and thinking about how we're going to work on finishing up some WIPs this month.</p><p>(Seriously though, one of my besties said "Happy February is for Finishing!" this afternoon and I just blinked in shock. February? Again? Already? Mind you, I knew yesterday was January 31. That knowledge just didn't come with any attendant "and that means tomorrow is February 1" understanding.)</p><p>This year's list is pretty reasonable by <i>chez woolly </i>standards. Neither the longest (25+) nor the shortest (4, back in 2019. That was a year), but nicely reasonable at 7 works in progress.</p><p>As is the custom, I'll list them oldest to newest. And dear reader, please brace yourself. Longtime friends of the show will be shocked to learn that the Hogwarts Studies Blanket is no longer on the list. That's right, I finished it last summer (and to my shame, I didn't blog about it. Maybe later).</p><p>Oh hey - links go to Ravelry, so please click with caution, if you're one of the people affected by the changes to the site.</p><p>1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/weekender-blanket" target="_blank">Weekender Blanket</a>, started May 20, 2018. This is a modular JAYG hexagon blanket, crocheted out of Stylecraft DK in the "cottage pack" put together by Lucy from Attic24. I'm not in any particular hurry to finish this, just adding to it as I get the urge.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIfL6pAIR5WIYgg7MLCgh0Rb2e8jn4oV3gFDts6GNPEZbXPqa_SFgM9fRKmdKidyI79IFbNaPkOHwqKd_bZ_mnmwiW2mo8tf9-buFHsaO71Bla7_doY-nxfluFvXppehQZ6gamQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIfL6pAIR5WIYgg7MLCgh0Rb2e8jn4oV3gFDts6GNPEZbXPqa_SFgM9fRKmdKidyI79IFbNaPkOHwqKd_bZ_mnmwiW2mo8tf9-buFHsaO71Bla7_doY-nxfluFvXppehQZ6gamQ/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />2. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/granny-stripes" target="_blank">Scrappy Granny</a>, started April 1, 2019. This project is in deep hibernation - I don't think I picked it up even once in 2020. At some point I need to decide if I'm really making this blanket or not. I don't want to hold 2020 against it though, so it gets a stay of execution until I can decide if I want to go back to it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwUrQFibg_UN22cMHMaVjXL8Ekbvifv_p-Q2GUPY6RwOF7mMB6Cf94fEtYvtrFZCtIgleXkNI9yY4g7QD4ZBKRGiJdj55o4Qy5i0D3qzElUrbjPxfbctq2CfB6yr-DXm4bWs2A/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="640" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORwUrQFibg_UN22cMHMaVjXL8Ekbvifv_p-Q2GUPY6RwOF7mMB6Cf94fEtYvtrFZCtIgleXkNI9yY4g7QD4ZBKRGiJdj55o4Qy5i0D3qzElUrbjPxfbctq2CfB6yr-DXm4bWs2A/w640-h478/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-art-of-creating-comfort" target="_blank">the art of creating comfort</a>, started November 3, 2019. I'm also using Stylecraft DK for this blanket. This is the "woodland pack," but with a couple of extra colors introduced. I put a lot of work into this over the last year, and it's close enough that I could conceivably finish it this month. I've completely joined all 90 squares, and am working on the border now.<p></p><p>I don't have a proper picture of where I am on this one, but here's a teaser shot:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulWeC45CEd2ZNMr-bmdtz5FnfgwXtkmrs5BrJEQ-ypt1wW_2Ic5FEGYfBFElsEnOgJ4KCKfr3jT7n2u4_tY6PHEQ-Ialx87zUosSaTrsXhrWQdfsB2Jg80_sfsFHN5JNlk7XXzw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjulWeC45CEd2ZNMr-bmdtz5FnfgwXtkmrs5BrJEQ-ypt1wW_2Ic5FEGYfBFElsEnOgJ4KCKfr3jT7n2u4_tY6PHEQ-Ialx87zUosSaTrsXhrWQdfsB2Jg80_sfsFHN5JNlk7XXzw/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br />These are the only projects that were on last year's list, so when you find out I've started yet another blanket (SPOILER!) I'll thank you to remember that I've finished one and am about to finish another. Also, I do what I want.<p></p><p>4. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/groovy-socks-2">seasick crocodile</a>, started November 26, 2020. I have a tradition of starting a new pair of holiday socks on Thanksgiving day, while I'm taking a break during cooking. I have spent a lot of time this past year doing my best to keep up with observing traditions, and just doing my best. In a normal year I would have finished up the Thanksgiving day socks sometime between Christmas and New Years. But this year I forgot I had a pair of Advent socks that I wanted to knit (I should have gotten the cuff started for those on Thanksgiving instead, but whatever) and what with one thing and another the normal tradition didn't get quite get pulled off. And if that ain't a metaphor for 2020, I don't know what is. </p><p>Eventually I'll finish them (maybe even this month, who knows?) and they'll be delightful.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGHQqkFpkzk2EDgkSuhstncdWv_ivgUp8B-rNqtWBMt6ZQkaI_Bt17oJGtq8YzMLzBdFDXhjJF0qbL5s4OCXttKRa84Vl-o70dRKfjT_VUDAx3QkVDRErkbI1jCv_sLXMnU1hag/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGHQqkFpkzk2EDgkSuhstncdWv_ivgUp8B-rNqtWBMt6ZQkaI_Bt17oJGtq8YzMLzBdFDXhjJF0qbL5s4OCXttKRa84Vl-o70dRKfjT_VUDAx3QkVDRErkbI1jCv_sLXMnU1hag/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br />5. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hermiones-everyday-socks-6" target="_blank">first blank page</a>, started January 1, 2021. I got my two besties to dig around in my Ravelry stash and to pick a new pair of socks for me to knit. Jess picked a skein of variegated with gold stellina called Glitter Gel Pen, in the Jelly Bean colorway. The dyer, With Pointed Sticks no longer seems to have an Etsy shop, so they may be out of business. In any case, we all agreed that glittery gel pens are exactly what's called for on January 1, a day typically given over to playing with and setting up new planners.<p></p><p>I chose Hermione's Everyday Socks (one of my favorite patterns) with a Fish Lips Kish Heel. I'm about 60-65% on these, with one sock done and an other started and on the leg. The color of this yarn is much prettier than this picture would have you believe. I couldn't get the light to cooperate with my camera.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpFCiupGlepG1EmlNF-md3XMj0UNNbMSaZ6cF3PHynJqKZ3KDt1hNZg-4PEWIOuYNNakdRCy5oyXkiwJDWqgqK2Wh5SBr0C9s-hw9E3a_gyuXgAZaNSCHlU_uC86K0VV7Lh7otA/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBpFCiupGlepG1EmlNF-md3XMj0UNNbMSaZ6cF3PHynJqKZ3KDt1hNZg-4PEWIOuYNNakdRCy5oyXkiwJDWqgqK2Wh5SBr0C9s-hw9E3a_gyuXgAZaNSCHlU_uC86K0VV7Lh7otA/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br />6. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/venation-shawl" target="_blank">a vibrant inner life</a>, started January 1, 2021. This was my other January 1 cast on. It's the Venation Shawl by Ambah O'Brien out of a set of 10 20g mini skeins. The set is based on Strawberry Shortcake, so it was basically a moral imperative to get it. (The yarn does not smell, it was the first thing I checked.)<p></p><p>Forgive the nighttime photo, I'll do a better job of capturing the gorgeous color when I do the FO shots. The plan is definitely for this to get done in February. I'm around 65% done with this one as well.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KbkXCu3H2JyeIUNeVQBBq6wEKwKHoI5APdysmBweYiPr_C1eBP5T8qjG-ZFOi20up6Dd81-S_p6bsYbddv7sF4pOiLffja3FgZ8EmH6a7OQ570wr_CRx5TlY38TmlOFHBSqCPw/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9KbkXCu3H2JyeIUNeVQBBq6wEKwKHoI5APdysmBweYiPr_C1eBP5T8qjG-ZFOi20up6Dd81-S_p6bsYbddv7sF4pOiLffja3FgZ8EmH6a7OQ570wr_CRx5TlY38TmlOFHBSqCPw/w480-h640/image.png" width="480" /></a></div><br />7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/aria-blanket" target="_blank">Aria</a>, started January 9, 2021. I told you I started another blanket. This is Aria, by Lucy at Attic24, using her kit from the Wool Warehouse. The blanket will have 144 granny squares in a 12x12 grid, finished off with a few rounds of border. I'm barely started, with 7 or 8 squares done. Pictured here at 6 squares:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDwmDu2mLyyxoj9kYJHWt_a1MsZyQEW0whT4Sw8jkVEEd51fUntB4SEh0pqHVMwni9LlCobDsrjVsMpjYjFrTHR8wzi57N7R_Lvx_0ZGLMC5xs-FuYlYUe5sgVw73hcv-GNFJdQ/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDwmDu2mLyyxoj9kYJHWt_a1MsZyQEW0whT4Sw8jkVEEd51fUntB4SEh0pqHVMwni9LlCobDsrjVsMpjYjFrTHR8wzi57N7R_Lvx_0ZGLMC5xs-FuYlYUe5sgVw73hcv-GNFJdQ/w640-h480/image.png" width="640" /></a></div><br />The final blanket is a burst of color, with reds and oranges in the center, radiating out to greens, blues and purples. I love it, and I'm loving working on it.<p></p><p><b>The Plan</b></p><p>So now that I've done the accounting, here's what I plan to finish in February:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>first blank page socks</li><li>a vibrant inner life (Venation shawl)</li></ul><div>Stretch goal finishes would include:</div><p></p><ul><li>art of creating comfort (granny square afghan)</li><li>seasick crocodile socks</li></ul><div>I'm not really targeting the other three blankets, though I do plan to work on Aria some. And in the spirit of full disclosure, I should tell you that I just cast off a shawl at the end of January. I need to weave in ends and block it, but for all intents and purposes it's finished so I didn't list it here.</div>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-9022797173861316582020-04-08T09:38:00.001-07:002020-04-08T09:42:28.728-07:00What I Was Going to Blog AboutI meant to blog all last week about my progress towards my goals, and how I'm doing with my Make Nine Challenge, but I can't quite bring myself to care enough to talk about it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">green checks are completed and the orange star is on the needles</td></tr>
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TL;DR, it's going very well, thank you for asking. I seem to suddenly have as much time as ever for knitting, despite my new found love for Animal Crossing.<br />
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Today should have been the first day of my Passover PTO. I try to take the Wed-Fri before our Seder off to get ready, and then the Mon-Tues after to recover. But what with one thing and another, my plans have changed, and I'm only taking two days off.<br />
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I mean, everyone's plans have changed right?<br />
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For the first time in over twenty years, I won't be having Seder with my community. Gathering 30+ people into my living room right now would be beyond irresponsible, so we're doing the smart and sensible thing, and eventually I'm going to have a good cry about it.<br />
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I haven't yet, but I can tell it's coming. A dear friend linked me to a <a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/23433442" target="_blank">Darcy Lewis (MCU) Passover fic</a> and just reading the summary was enough to get me to tear up.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "lucida grande" , "lucida sans unicode" , "verdana" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 15.12px;">"This is the bread of affliction that our ancestors ate in the land of Egypt. All who are hungry should come and eat. All who are in need should come and make Pesach. Now we are here, next year out of quarantine!"</span></blockquote>
So here I sit at a cross roads. I can decide to wallow and be angry and sad and to say the hell with it and eat bacon cheeseburgers on Saturday (okay, I lie, just typing that made me twitch a little). But the point remains - I get to decide how to respond to this. And yes, it's 100% valid to be upset. My oldest daughter has her own household now, and we won't be sharing Seder together this year for the first time since our family began this tradition. Some of the kids (I say "kids" ... they're all adults) that are part of my family-by-choice won't have this celebration to come to this year. I won't see the wonderful friends and community members that I see so rarely. And yeah. All of that is true, and it's okay that I'm sad and angry and a little bit heart-broken.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;">a naye yor, a naye cast-on</td></tr>
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But, Passover is a time of renewal. It's a time of hope, and new beginnings. At Passover we celebrate the fact that however hard things are right now, we know that it will not always be this way. Tomorrow things will be better. <br />
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I get to decide how I want to respond to this.<br />
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We will have a tiny family Seder here at the Burrow, with Carl, Morgan, and Rowan. It will be lovely and intimate, and with only four of us ... this year we can see what that line about "reclining" is all about. Think of the bounty of space we'll have! <br />
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And in this moment, let me share my extreme gratitude and love for my sweet husband. He is driving this tiny family Seder, and making sure that it happens.<br />
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We'll have charoset, and home-made horseradish, and if we can't find lamb we have back-up brisket, and I have wine (oh yes, I have wine) and it's going to be lovely.<br />
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This year, a tiny Seder. Next year, at the Burrow! Now we are here, next year out of isolation!<br />
<br />Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-58520610040895521272020-03-28T11:26:00.002-07:002020-03-28T11:26:38.929-07:00All the FOs: I Was Made For Social DistancingThere's been quite a surge in finishing related activity here at <i>chez woolly</i> in the past few weeks. Now that I'm a 100% remote employee, during the day if I'm not actively typing or writing something, odds are good there's knitting or crochet in my hands. Need time to think? Knit a round on a sock. On a conference call? Whip up another granny square for that blanket.<div>
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I finished my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/exploration-station" target="_blank">Exploration Station</a> by Stephen West last Saturday, but it was several days before the light was right for pictures. I took the first set of pictures while it was overcast, and it sucked the joy out of the outrageous colors I chose. </div>
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I was glad to have the chance to try again a few days later when the sun finally made an appearance. It was gloomy and grey here in Middle Tennessee for entirely too long.</div>
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This shawl is so far outside of my normal "1970s Kitchen Appliance" color palette that it's almost shocking. I adore it - it was just the shot of cheer that I've needed this winter.</div>
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I used two skeins of Dream in Color Jilly, and two of Suburban Stitcher Single Sock. The rest of the details (including specifics on colorways and how much I used of each skein) can be found <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/exploration-station" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I've also recently finished my <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/litmus-cowl" target="_blank">Litmus Cowl</a> by Amy Edwards Green (Amyflorence of Stranded Dyeworks and Podcast fame). </div>
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This picture was taken on one of those grey days I was talking about - while this cowl actually is more reserved in color than the Exploration Station, it's not as muted as it looks in this photo.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that cute kid, y'all.</td></tr>
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I'd originally been worried that I was going to run out of the contrast color, but it turned out perfectly. I used every drop of the Canon Hand Dyes mini set, and 90 out of 100g of the White Birch skein I paired it with. Each color was approximately 11 rounds, so I did 9 rounds of the contrast and that solved it. My Ravelry project page is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/litmus-cowl" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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After I finished the shawl, the only thing I had left other than four (?!) blankets was a pair of shorty socks.</div>
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That didn't last very long.</div>
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It's time to figure out what the next big thing is going to be. Another shawl? I'm on quite a shawl kick right now. </div>
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I'll think about it while I work on this sock.</div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-38231740798723560892020-03-17T14:00:00.001-07:002020-03-17T14:00:57.062-07:00The World's Gone WildThis week I've developed a weird and intense love-hate relationship with Twitter. The world's gone wild, and it's like watching the slowest, most ponderous trainwreck. You can't look away, but nothing's happening. <div>
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There's no toilet paper in the middle-Tennessee area; flour, sugar, and meat are in short supply, and pasta is a dim and distant memory.</div>
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But on the bright side, there was a sale on wine, so we're well stocked there.</div>
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I'm working from home now, as are many of my close friends. Which is pretty cool in one respect -- they've specifically asked us not to turn on our web-cams or use video streaming, due to the load on our servers, so that means conference call knitting is happening.</div>
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How are things where you are?</div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-20693248663475733382020-03-06T12:42:00.000-08:002020-03-06T12:42:19.693-08:00February is for Finishing Review, or "How'd all that finishing go?"We're a week into March, and I've yet to provide a round up of February's finishing shenanigans. I came into the month with eight projects, and ended with six, so that's a net positive gain of finished projects, and the kind of forward movement we like to see here at <i>chez woolly</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2019/03/february-story-told-in-numbers-and.html" target="_blank">Last year</a>, I pulled a bunch of nonsense and started with four projects, cast on three (oops), finished two, frogged, one, and rounded out the month with ... four projects. What the hell, last-year Bekah. What the hell.<br />
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Anyway, none of that malarkey took place this year. I kept my nose clean and poured some solid energy and time into several of my projects - including a couple of the blankets. <br />
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1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hogwarts-studies-notebook" target="_blank">Hogwarts Studies Blanket.</a> I added one row (12 squares). It's now 12x15 squares, and when I hit 12x18 I'm going to think real seriously about stopping.<br />
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2.- 3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/weekender-blanket" target="_blank">Weekender Blanket</a> and <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/granny-stripes" target="_blank">Scrappy Granny</a>. I didn't touch these two at all in February.<br />
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4. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-art-of-creating-comfort" target="_blank">the art of creating comfort.</a> I really busted a move on this one, doubling the number of finished squares. I'm aiming for 90 squares and am sitting pretty on 35 (I still need one more of the light green ones to finish out that color.)<br />
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5. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/exploration-station" target="_blank">Divination OWL: a secret country (Exploration Station).</a> On Feb 1, I was a few rows into the brioche section. I didn't focus a lot of time on this shawl, but still moved it forward nicely. The brioche and another section are done, and I'm into the last bit before the final border. This needs to finished by March 31, or I don't get my invisible internet points or my OWL Mistress badge. I want that badge, y'all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBY_bkEkv6_eFsKj5fRnhWpYKJ19s-ErwHFo4Y3ieqfXegujgD-qQgfk3YZpkVlDUlFduj7dEY3fEw1_PE_bCngmY3kmhcXVN2GCCnu-8V8gmA0VsM6SoxCleBSVOGhiX61tejQ/s1600/20200306_084227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBY_bkEkv6_eFsKj5fRnhWpYKJ19s-ErwHFo4Y3ieqfXegujgD-qQgfk3YZpkVlDUlFduj7dEY3fEw1_PE_bCngmY3kmhcXVN2GCCnu-8V8gmA0VsM6SoxCleBSVOGhiX61tejQ/s640/20200306_084227.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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6. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hitchhiker-6" target="_blank">mighty in battle</a> (Hitchhiker). Finished! You can read all about it <a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2020/02/that-takes-edge-right-off-or-fo-mighty.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/to-catch-or-ensnare-by-the-foot" target="_blank">to catch or ensnare by the foot</a> socks. <a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2020/03/the-intersection-between-magic-politics.html" target="_blank">Also finished!</a> *<br />
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8. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/litmus-cowl" target="_blank">bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves</a> (Litmus Cowl). I knit roughly half of this cowl in February (using rough maths, and positing about 10% complete coming into the month and figuring 60+% done now). This cowl is a complete dream to knit -- the only complaint I have is that it's getting long enough now that I have to stop and untwist the whole thing. It's like a sleeve on steroids. Remind me how much I love this and how simple it all is when I'm kitchenering the whole business shut in a few weeks, will you?<br />
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So that's the wrap-up. While I only finished two projects, I feel really good about the progress I've made - especially considering that the four not-blankets were all started in January. I expect and intend that the cowl and shawl should be done by end of March, which means it's time to cast on more things.<br />
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Starting with some socks, I think.<br />
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* <i>I didn't share pictures of the two finishes, since they both got full FO posts. Click the links to see pictures!</i>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-19771180051837047262020-03-01T09:52:00.000-08:002020-03-01T09:52:24.875-08:00The Intersection Between Magic, Politics, and Knitting FO: to catch or ensare by the foot socks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In the center of the Venn Diagram between magic, politics, and knitting lies these socks.</div>
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGYI2XA9vNJcha9XiTpNc3qqPGUB__pGXl1m5J5iBBQLvN13GcdY7rhAjc8OxuNGstMtB8lo6eREBegJlWFfLREEBP-sYQSdonTh83QPftqKRf-lwy3fV4gTUjJYdMOcROfviRQ/s1600/20200227_171036.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghGYI2XA9vNJcha9XiTpNc3qqPGUB__pGXl1m5J5iBBQLvN13GcdY7rhAjc8OxuNGstMtB8lo6eREBegJlWFfLREEBP-sYQSdonTh83QPftqKRf-lwy3fV4gTUjJYdMOcROfviRQ/s640/20200227_171036.jpg" /></a><br /><br />These are White Birch Fiber Arts self-striping sock yarn in the “Study In Peach Mint” colorway. (If you don’t natch right away, try saying it out loud.) I started knitting them in late January when certain political events were playing out in Washington because I’m angry and wanted to do something productive with that anger. <br /><br /> Let me backup a little. Let’s lay some groundwork and define some terms.<br /><br />Let’s start with magic. I was taught, when I was a wee baby pagan, that magic is the “art of changing consciousness through will” (paraphrased from Dion Fortune). Another way to put that might be “you get more of what you pay attention to” if you want to take all the romance out of it. Here’s the underlying premise--humans are both incredibly powerful and incredibly limited. Our reality is largely defined by how we experience and interact with the world. <br /><br />I’m not going to get into a debate about objective vs. subjective reality, not even to point out that from our limited perspective as meatsack-mecha pilots, the closest we can get to an objective understanding of reality is a communal agreement that what we’re all seeing (subjectively) is really the way it is. That’s perhaps a rant for another day.<br /><br />In my practice, I approach magic through metaphor. I find meaning in symbols or stories, and use that to focus my will. A fine example of this (and a nice tie-in with the knitting piece of this equation) is the <a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2012/03/and-by-then-i-was-knitting-red.html">Knitting in Red</a> shawl that I knit several years ago. The metaphor was that red thread has the power to help knit a life back together. The goal was to process through a period of deep depression. The shawl took me around four years where I spent more time ignoring it than knitting, but by the time I was done the shawl, the worst of the depression had also eased. <br /><br />Yes, I understand that I was able to finish the shawl because I was less depressed. I also understand that exercising, regular sleep, and an overall reduction in daily stress were also all major contributing factors. That doesn’t mean that the shawl didn’t work -- it totally did. It allowed me a place to focus my will, time, and not inconsiderable talents towards the change that I wanted to see in my life.<br /><br />My approach to magic tends toward the personal. I use magic, as I define it, to improve my life and well-being. My goals are to improve my health, both physical and mental, and to leave the world a better place than I found it. “Changing consciousness through will” works really well (or as well as it can when the will in question is stubborn and occasionally refuses to cooperate) when I’m only focusing on my own life.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJtOdtGh3SGticR-KvpFQGTLrtPNgtmkPV1GvyUWtTgzngcKzf1540efZ6FgujDMzDJ5v8b3glMQmNE2-w-Ih69wM9aT_UvOdQn_XrRbHYsJa3XwAqf5VBq37nmjqJzCGFyn7Rg/s1600/20200221_132804.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJtOdtGh3SGticR-KvpFQGTLrtPNgtmkPV1GvyUWtTgzngcKzf1540efZ6FgujDMzDJ5v8b3glMQmNE2-w-Ih69wM9aT_UvOdQn_XrRbHYsJa3XwAqf5VBq37nmjqJzCGFyn7Rg/s640/20200221_132804.jpg" /></a><br /><br />So where does this connect to the political? Feminists and others of a certain age will remember the phrase “the personal is political.” This phrase rose out of Second-Wave feminism in the 1960s, challenging the prevailing idea that the “personal/private” sphere is apolitical and that the “public” sphere is the only place where political discourse belongs.<br /><br />That sounds pretty great right? Government should stay the hell out of my home and my private life, right? Well, yes, except -- by depoliticizing the “private” women were in effect completely removed from politics and political discourse. (Coincidence? ...I very much think not.) Nevermind the very real consequences of having no societal conversation around things like domestic violence, which member of a household works, legal protection for divorce, etc. <br /><blockquote class="tr_bq">
“Therefore feminists argued that the personal is political from two distinct standpoints: politics should include women, who have historically been seen as private individuals; politics should include a wider range of issues, including those historically considered to be private” (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_personal_is_political">source</a>). </blockquote>
So let’s bring it back around - my primary magical focus has historically been personal. I am working to change the world by changing myself. I also hold it to be true that “the personal is political” (second-wave feminism was certainly not without its faults, and we’ve come a long way baby, as they say, but I think they were right about this one.) <br /><br />Which means that when I use magic and metaphor to change myself, I am indeed impacting the world. When I knit a pair of socks with a snarky colorway name that encourages the removal of our current head of state because I’m absolutely livid at the cesspool that our country has become… well, what does that do, really?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh68GcDr-46iOWiBQ2rF5EUSxQoW-MPLgHqbMyny2mFm7Vpa20KhkyHbIqQRE0ASy_5yHS03kVZBRGad2YfOvJo2VgkV4wsJLQl7AWBt7ny8OFURmJlfn5uqd6mJWmLQn5D_CqQ/s1600/20200223_162039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCh68GcDr-46iOWiBQ2rF5EUSxQoW-MPLgHqbMyny2mFm7Vpa20KhkyHbIqQRE0ASy_5yHS03kVZBRGad2YfOvJo2VgkV4wsJLQl7AWBt7ny8OFURmJlfn5uqd6mJWmLQn5D_CqQ/s640/20200223_162039.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div>
What’s the actual, real world benefit of knitting angry political socks?<br /><ol>
<li>The socks are awfully damned pretty. They are also warm and comfortable. I have turned my disappointment and frustration into something positive and lovely, and that’s no small thing. </li>
<li>I have talked about what I’m knitting and why with friends, on social media etc. I used it as a vehicle for conversation. </li>
<li>It helped me to remember to vote in the primary. I had the project with me when I cast my ballot for Elizabeth Warren, but the line was so short I didn’t have time to knit them at the polling station. (No pictures either - they get squirrely when you try to take a picture inside the polls). </li>
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So as a result of this magical act I have transformed something hateful into something beautiful, and I’ve gone out into the world and acted in accordance with my beliefs. From my perspective, that makes these socks pretty strong magic, indeed.<br /><br /><b>Project Notes</b><br /><br /><b>Project Name: </b> to catch or ensnare by the foot<br /><b>Pattern: </b>my standard vanilla sock, CO 68, FLK heel<br /><b>Yarn:</b> White Birch Fiber Arts 80/20 Merino/Nylon, in "Study In Peach Mint"<br /><b>Total Yardage:</b> 320 yards<br /><b>Needles: </b>US 1.5 (2.5 mm) 32" circulars, magic loop<br /><b>Started:</b> January 25, 2020<br /><b>Completed:</b> February 26, 2020<br /><b>Ravelry Project Page:</b> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/to-catch-or-ensnare-by-the-foot">here</a><br /><br /><br /></div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-32280760254235515072020-02-23T14:37:00.000-08:002020-02-23T14:37:32.007-08:00Popping in for a QuickieI thought about skipping blogging this week, because I don't feel like I really have anything to say. But that way lies madness and accidentally skipping three weeks in a row, followed by forgetting I have a blog at all for months at a time.<br />
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So I figured I'd just pop in for a quickie. (TWSS).<br />
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After last weekend's flurry of activity on Hitchhiker, I'm back to working on all the things. I'm nearly to the half-way point on my Litmus Cowl.<br />
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I'm loving how the colors are working up. I'm hoping that blocking will fluff up the fibers and straighten out the stitches (no I didn't swatch, don't be ridiculous) because the knitting itself is looking a little wonky and anemic. I live in hope.<br />
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On Friday I decided it was time to move the current sock WIP along, so I knit through about half of the foot and nearly finished the toe.<br />
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Then Saturday morning I finished it up and and cast on the second. If I hustle, I may turn the heel tonight.<br />
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I've given Exploration Station just a little bit of love - maybe I'll get enough done on it this week that there will be something worth showing.<br />
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I'm also still plugging away on my granny square blanket. I am closing in on having 30% of the squares done.<br />
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So there you have it. Nothing terribly interesting to report - other than the fact that I haven't cast anything new on and am still making progress on my February is for Finishing goals. I don't know if that's interesting so much as unexpected. <br />
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Last year I hauled off and cast on three new things during February (one of which I finished during February, so there's that at least). This year any of my mojo that isn't being channeled into my OWL or Mission (that's Exploration Station and the Litmus Cowl for those of you playing along at home) is going into those blankets or the sock.<br />
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With a week left in February I feel good about finishing the socks, and expect to have major progress to show on the shawl and cowl. I should also be well and away closer to assembly on the granny blanket too. <br />
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The socks might be the only other technical finish this month, but I'll be a lot closer on a lot of things, so it's still a victory of sorts.Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-73875710371235313192020-02-16T14:58:00.001-08:002020-02-16T14:59:34.273-08:00That Takes the Edge Right Off or FO: mighty in battleWell, I feel better.<br />
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After my bewilderment at my lack of progress on any of my knits on Friday, I decided to buckle down and make something happen this weekend. My spreadsheet (remember the spreadsheet?) said I was around 70% done as of Friday mid-afternoon.<br />
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I knit while playing video games with Carl (he drives, I opine). I knit while chatting with my friends and listening to music Friday night. I knit last night curled up in my spot with an afghan, some bourbon, and the Yarn Harlot's back catalog (I'm up to 2008.) I knit this morning while surfing Ravelry.<br />
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I started playing yarn chicken when I finished the 41st tooth.<br />
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This is the 6th time I've knit Hitchhiker - which in an of itself is something to stop an marvel over. With the exception of my vanilla socks, I can't think of another pattern with this level of commitment to it that I've knit this many times.<br />
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But anyway, the whole shtick with this pattern is that it has 42 teeth. That's the joke, the point of the name of the pattern. It's a whole thing. Never once, spanning seven years and over two thousand yards of yarn, did I hit 42 teeth. Not even my <a href="http://awoollydiscipline.blogspot.com/2016/05/happy-first-day-of-stash-dash.html" target="_blank">42nd</a> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hitchhiker-4" target="_blank">birthday</a> Hitchhiker, knit in the same dang yarn the designer used - that one crapped out at 41.<br />
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So, I was determined to get 42 this time, and by the time I hit the last tooth I was sweating. Maths and my spreadsheet indicated that it was going to be close.<br />
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One row and the bind off to go...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1zlNwfPPzBKa9F7uVdJRv7XzDrV0kDNxTEAgB8AV-qNC0l_2HO7N0GpQvLVPb_qYRZVrIRVSrikkojs09M5Rhhl5yCXcch1KO_vRZbWx_V3L3-SJHH_SujweaOexudXSlo3Zvg/s1600/20200216_143540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1zlNwfPPzBKa9F7uVdJRv7XzDrV0kDNxTEAgB8AV-qNC0l_2HO7N0GpQvLVPb_qYRZVrIRVSrikkojs09M5Rhhl5yCXcch1KO_vRZbWx_V3L3-SJHH_SujweaOexudXSlo3Zvg/s640/20200216_143540.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fortitude provided by Nabisco(tm)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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...and this was all that was left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Jl-iNj4aeKOvedTDoSXoe4CSmyjbqGlEkiA_Hoa4iaYKAdKodqXYkqG9RMVdqCBPzIywmbxBvmwlw-yV3SrtfBlaSh3IIp-gcN7treCTzdDnrgfgTUHoYgg7fUghWJEqQoEVg/s1600/20200216_150450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU1Jl-iNj4aeKOvedTDoSXoe4CSmyjbqGlEkiA_Hoa4iaYKAdKodqXYkqG9RMVdqCBPzIywmbxBvmwlw-yV3SrtfBlaSh3IIp-gcN7treCTzdDnrgfgTUHoYgg7fUghWJEqQoEVg/s640/20200216_150450.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">stitch-marker provided for scale</td></tr>
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I made it by the skin of my (har har) teeth. This is the most satisfying conclusion possible for a one-skein shawl project. I used every drop of the yarn, and love the result.<br />
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Hooray!<br />
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(Now, what should I work on?)<br />
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<b>Project Notes</b></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> mighty in battle</div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> Leading Men Fiber Arts Monologue, in "And Then There's Maude"</div>
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<b>Total Yardage: </b>523 yards</div>
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<b>Needles: </b>US 7 (4.5mm) 24" circulars</div>
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<b>Started: </b>January 22, 2020</div>
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<b>Completed:</b> February 16, 2020</div>
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<b>Ravelry Project Page:</b> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hitchhiker-6" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></div>
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<b>Mods: </b>Added a row of eyelets on the bind-off row for each tooth. Followed BO instructions, then YO, K2tog across the row, ending with a KFB.</div>
<br />Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-45064976891768514192020-02-14T11:32:00.000-08:002020-02-14T11:32:48.390-08:00An Absolute Slog of a WeekI don't know what it is about this week, but everything has been an absolute slog. Right now my job is simultaneously boring and stressful. The house is a bit of a mess, but I can't be arsed to care. My knitting just keeps not finishing itself...<i>sigh</i>... it's just all ...meh.<br />
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One could make a compelling argument that the flooding (last Thursday), snow (last Friday), weird 60F temps (Sunday), and more flooding (Tues-Thurs) might have something to do with the current mood. The other day I looked at my co-workers and with a big, dramatic sigh said, "Do you remember the sun?" They all agreed that they did not.<br />
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February is rough, y'all.<br />
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Especially a February that doesn't seem to have any finishing in it. What? "No finishing?!" I hear you cry. That's right my friends, I knit and I knit and I finish nothing. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sisyphus" target="_blank">Sysiphos</a> got nothin' on me. <br />
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I mean, except that I'm not knitting up hill. And arguably I like knitting. And I can do a little crochet to take the edge off. And as far as I can tell no one is actually coming along in the night and rolling my shawl back down the hill again...<br />
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Okay, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic. <br />
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It just seems like nothing is moving. I expect socks to drip from my needles, like that one fairy tale princess who had jewels falling from her mouth every time she laughed (which, in retrospect, sounds both horrific and economy killing. But I digress.) I just want my sock to be done, y'all.<br />
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And blankets? Don't talk to me about blankets. Who makes 4 blankets at the same time? Who? Nobody sane that's who.<br />
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I just wish I understood why I'm not finishing anything.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NmpyupU5ICIePdynTbzpKwO3I-2sUiFfiQt_z1iHCCarx4d9ZdhsZx328KuJmHMjtqs_qwudDnZ5Wu49CjU1kkOGWm-GuNdBk0PLQX_k3MZ6W9ZeOI1VT12QLHcc3FKwr44Vdw/s1600/20200214_124414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6NmpyupU5ICIePdynTbzpKwO3I-2sUiFfiQt_z1iHCCarx4d9ZdhsZx328KuJmHMjtqs_qwudDnZ5Wu49CjU1kkOGWm-GuNdBk0PLQX_k3MZ6W9ZeOI1VT12QLHcc3FKwr44Vdw/s640/20200214_124414.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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It's a mystery.Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-49358086529779386642020-02-07T13:40:00.001-08:002020-02-07T13:53:48.764-08:00Wherein our knitter shocks no one and knits all the things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my usual fashion I'm working on ALL THE THINGS this week, meaning that I'm seeing little to moderate progress on several different projects, rather than any kind of real progress on just one.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Look, you knew I was like this. And it's not like I hauled off and cast on a bunch of new stuff like I did last year. (It's also not like I started the month with only four WIPs like I did last year either, but that's neither here nor there.)</span><br />
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Hitchhiker was the clear winner of my attention and affection this week, going from 22 teeth up to 30. My spreadsheet (you knew I had a spreadsheet, right?) says I'm 52% done. If I can average around 17-ish % a week, I'll meet my goal of finishing this in February.<br />
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Years of personal experience and a recent deep-dive into the Yarn Harlot's back catalogue are keeping me from declaring this "a piece of cake" or a "done deal". Nor will I make references to lemons and the squeezing thereof, lest I call down the wrath of the Knitting Goddess. She has no truck with hubris, and will smite a knitter <a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEU_enUS821US821&sxsrf=ACYBGNTE4B92wMYCL6cZnr9EJ2N9wNQVGA:1581111344912&q=icarus+painting&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjA_sDgssDnAhUCTt8KHV4QCTQQsAR6BAgKEAE&biw=1280&bih=881" target="_blank">faster than Icarus can yell, "Hey y'all, watch this!</a>" But I like my chances.<br />
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Also - this yarn is wild, y'all. It's red in the cake, green knit up, brown outside, and grey in my office. I mean, I know what you're going to say -- you're going to start in on me about natural versus artificial light and how that impacts photos. And while you are right, I would like for you to explain to me why the colors are actually different IN PERSON WITH MY VERY OWN EYEBALLS. Chameleon yarn, yo.<br />
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I've also made nice progress on my Study in Peach Mint socks. (I should have cast them on earlier. It's my fault, guys.)<br />
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Other projects that saw a little action include my Exploration Station, my "art of creating comfort" afghan and...<br />
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...check this out. My Hogwarts Studies Notebook is back in action. I have vague hopes of finishing this friend in 2020. I figure my chances are improved if I work on it. Crazy, no?Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-82291605264227092472020-01-31T14:42:00.000-08:002020-01-31T14:42:28.250-08:00The Annual Airing of the WIP Basket: February is for Finishing 2020It's that time of year again, folks. Friends of the show will remember that February is for Finishing, and that every year we begin the month with the "annual airing of the WIP pile."<br />
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I've talked a bit here and there about why February is for Finishing as a tradition has evolved for me over the years (TL;DR - I just don't have as many WIPs as I used to), but I definitely think that the practice of giving everything currently in progress a good, strong eye-balling at least annually is a good idea.<br />
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So without further ado, here is my 2020 list of Works in Progress, in order from oldest to newest. (Links go to the relevant Ravelry project page).<br />
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1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/hogwarts-studies-notebook" target="_blank">Hogwarts Studies Notebook</a>, cast on May 16, 2016. This is Schrodinger's blanket. It is and is not a WIP, depending on whether or not I am currently in the process of adding a square. I started this blanket not long after I started playing in the Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup, and every square has been turned in for points in the game. I have this running gag where I refer to each square as a page in my notebook, and that's where I keep all my homework. This is one of those things where I think I'm clever and the rest of you just sort of tune out and nod at me and hope I'll stop talking. It's okay, I get it.<br />
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I made a ton of progress on this in 2019. I'm going to push hard to finish it this year. I've added three more squares since this photo was taken, but this is close enough to where I am. It's sitting pretty at 12x14 squares, and I'm targeting 12x18. The end is in sight!<br />
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2. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/weekender-blanket" target="_blank">Weekender Blanket</a>, started May 20, 2018. This is a modular, JAYG hexagon blanket, crocheted with Stylecraft Special DK acrylic yarn. I'm using the "Cottage Pack" from Lucy of Attic 24 (purchased through Wool Warehouse). I've made significant progress on this one too, adding 4.5 rows since last year.<br />
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3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/granny-stripes" target="_blank">Scrappy Granny</a>, started April 1, 2019. Because one fingering weight blanket wasn't enough? But you see, what had happened was... I had little bits leftover from adding squares to the Hogwarts Studies blanket, and I am only using a yarn one time in that one, and then Amy Florence from the Stranded podcast, and Caroline from the Dunderknit podcast were both crocheting one and then... It was peer pressure, okay?! It was FOMO, pure and simple. Also at work was a desire not to drown in small bits of fingering weight wool.<br />
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4. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/the-art-of-creating-comfort" target="_blank">the art of creating comfort</a>, started November 3, 2019. Okay, I have no explanation for this. No, I don't know why I have four different blankets in progress right now. The heart wants what the heart wants, alright? This one's also Stylecraft Special DK (this time in the "Woodland Pack" from Lucy at Attic24, via Wool Warehouse). I'm doing 6, 8-round granny squares from each of 15 colors, and then I'm going to join the whole thing up with a gray border. It's going to be big enough to put on my queen sized bed, and I'm stoked about it. So far I have 17.5/90 squares done.<br />
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As an aside, you'll be pleased to note that there aren't any more blankets after this. (I mean, I have more blankets planned, don't get it twisted, but let's finish a couple of these first, eh?) As a second aside, the res of the projects I'll mention were cast on in 2020, so they're all brand, shiny-new.<br />
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5. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/exploration-station" target="_blank">Divination OWL: a secret county</a> (Exploration Station), cast on January 2, 2020. Would you believe I've never knit a Stephen West pattern before this one? Where the heck have I been all this time? I'm knitting this for my OWL in the House Cup. This is my 12th OWL, and if I complete it on or before March 31, I will have earned the title of OWL Mistress. Not gonna lie, I'm pretty stoked. I'm knitting this out of Merino singles from Dream in Color and Suburban Stitcher. This is a bit outside of my normal palette, but I love it fiercely. Also, brioche is pretty fun. <br />
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6. mighty in battle (Hitchhiker), cast on January 22, 2020. So this is my sixth Hitchhiker shawl -- I knit my first one in 2013, and my most recent one in 2016. But this is the first time I've done one with eyelets in, so there's that. The yarn is Leading Men Fiber Arts in their Monologue base. The colorway is "And Then There's Maude." Maude is my middle name, and those are my colors, so I was on that yarn like a duck on a june bug. I'm farther along that this picture implies (around 22 teeth), but the picture I took today doesn't do the color any kind of justice.<br />
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7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/catching-or-ensnaring-by-the-foot" target="_blank">catching or ensnaring by the foot</a>, cast on January 25, 2020. Did you know that the word "<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment" target="_blank">impeachment</a>" is related etymologically to the word "impediment" and connotes catching someone or something "by the foot"? Well now that's a thing you know. Yarn is Whitebirch Fiber Arts "Study In Peach Mint." Pattern is my standard CO 68, 1x1 rib, FLK heel. This is the first sock of the pair.<br />
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8. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/litmus-cowl" target="_blank">bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves</a> (Litmus Cowl), cast on January 26, 2020. This will be a simple tubular cowl, knit in the round and grafted together to form a loop. I think I'm going to run out of my contrast yarn, but that's a problem for future Bekah. I'm using the "Autumn Rainbow" mini set from Canon Hand Dyes along with a neutral solid from Whitebirch Fiber Arts.<br />
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So that's it. 8 projects, 4 of which are blankets (?!) and 4 of which were cast on within the last month. Unlike last February, I'm not planning to go rogue and cast on a bunch of stuff. I plan to stay focused and to work solidly on my 4 new projects, while also getting some progress on one or more of those blankets. <br />
<br />We'll see how we go!Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-87642099897961553092020-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:002020-01-24T12:09:52.060-08:00Trouble Was His Middle Name, FO: to ride the silver seasHomer's <i>Odyssey</i>, as I'm sure you know, recounts the story of Odysseus, King of Ithaca, and the ten years it took him to make it home after the Trojan War.<div>
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Now there was a man who would not stop to ask for directions.</div>
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While he was off galivanting with sea nymphs and taunting the odd one-eyed giant, his wife Penelope was at home beating back the advances of 108 young men who all thought they should be the next king of Ithaca, and they'd all like to grace her sheets while they were about it. While circumstances rather forced her hand when it came to entertaining gentlemen callers, she was adamant that "no other man's boxers will go in my washing machine," and she rebuffed all advances.</div>
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Penelope was the true hero of the <i>Odyssey</i>. Odysseus, who's name actually means "trouble" in Greek, my gods what a trainwreck of a man, is widely considered to be one of the cleverest of the ancient heroes. And other than the wee-est spot of <i>hubris </i>- which was basically a pre-requisite for the heroing gig back in the day - he's a pretty stand-up guy.</div>
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But he's got nothing on his wife. Friends, she had over one hundred frat boys drinking her ouzo and eating her olives, literally devouring the wealth of a country that she'd been ruling for twenty years, and she plays them. Plays them one and all for fools and stalls them for three years while she waits for her dumb husband to get home. </div>
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"Let me weave this shroud for Laertes," she said. (She was a big Hamlet fan, loved Shakespeare.)</div>
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<i>Unweaves a night's work</i>.</div>
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"Oh, still not done! Loads to do!" she said the next morning.</div>
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"Seems legit," the suitors all agreed, going back to the ouzo.</div>
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Suitors. Am I right?</div>
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Dorothy Parker, a delightful human being, author, and poet wrote this about Penelope:</div>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Penelope</b></blockquote>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">In the pathway of the sun,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">In the footsteps of the breeze,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Where the world and sky are one,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">He shall ride the silver seas,</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">He shall cut the glittering wave.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">I shall sit at home, and rock;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Rise, to heed a neighbor’s knock;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Brew my tea, and snip my thread;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">Bleach the linen for my bed.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"> </span><br style="font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, "Lucida Sans Unicode", "Lucida Grande", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">They will call him brave.</span></blockquote>
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It calls into question what we define as heroism. Is it more brave to go out into the world, to "ride the silver seas," or to stay and to wait. To make a home, to get up day after day and do the things that must be done. To honor politics, custom, and civility and to "heed a neighbor's knock" when you'd rather do nothing more than stay in bed and mourn the loss of the one you loved more than life?</div>
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Is it bitterness, grief, pride, or simply weariness we hear in Penelope's voice when she says, "They will call him brave"?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEsPEXrUZLCnSOS5AxjYlHbhgOS2J7v3bdEQkUPawhd9D4u4DQWo4z5dLRWJgOEj4NjxbLBVhAlI6YQWmNFAOxoli__7GSKt8MWsMGcysDw0KrddwhXV-B3wwOedMps73VnHtQg/s1600/20200123_090117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiEsPEXrUZLCnSOS5AxjYlHbhgOS2J7v3bdEQkUPawhd9D4u4DQWo4z5dLRWJgOEj4NjxbLBVhAlI6YQWmNFAOxoli__7GSKt8MWsMGcysDw0KrddwhXV-B3wwOedMps73VnHtQg/s640/20200123_090117.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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So anyway, this shawl I knit is called <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">Odyssey</a>, but I knit it for Penelope, mostly, and only a little bit for her dumb husband.</div>
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<b>Project Notes</b></div>
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<b>Project Name:</b> to ride the silver seas</div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">Odyssey</a> by Joji Locatelli</div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> DK Still by <a href="https://www.deepdyedyarns.com/" target="_blank">Deep Dyed Yarns</a> in Whisp (dk grey), One Shot (olive), and Smoke (lt grey)</div>
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<b>Total Yardage: </b>558 yards</div>
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<b>Needles</b>: US 9 (5.5 mm)</div>
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<b>Started: </b>January 1, 2020</div>
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<b>Completed:</b> January 20, 2020</div>
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<b>Ravelry Project Page:</b> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">here</a></div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-66510738837686762672020-01-19T11:23:00.000-08:002020-01-19T11:23:59.602-08:00A Cozy NestDo you have a knitting nest? In my house we just call it "my spot" - as in no one sits in mom's spot, lest they get The Look and summarily booted. <div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHfgVr6EUqM11W-VjjFKQQ3EMm73EAEEDeVtYIaIZunoMiQV9617jpSAeW1go60RW1ujMvApuKgphgRwjleNiSRtdfyTP62jVgkmPm7oJ0MZrJr2KVIY1GaWvopC2PhKulAvc1g/s1600/20200119_125033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIHfgVr6EUqM11W-VjjFKQQ3EMm73EAEEDeVtYIaIZunoMiQV9617jpSAeW1go60RW1ujMvApuKgphgRwjleNiSRtdfyTP62jVgkmPm7oJ0MZrJr2KVIY1GaWvopC2PhKulAvc1g/s640/20200119_125033.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's me. I am the mess in my living room.</td></tr>
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You can tell it's my spot by the way it's completely surrounded by tools, projects, yarn, and the detritus of making. I took a couple of candid photos this morning so I could share what my spot looks like in it's natural state.</div>
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Note first the projects on the couch. If I were a better person I would put my toys away when I was done playing with them, but when I went to bed last night I knew I'd be back and working on them again today, so enh. Why bother?</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFEftuumE4_1rmLkxDKUD3RxBmJ_2GHtkCebUyw9UwKl5oiO41_yA5IqpqN-64beQKidoE9goD3vOUMADxx4kh0qVACVU-Fe8yNl1ktuB7ueaytKsIm4Uqrz_QvGAGbZJLRTpdA/s1600/20200119_125058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAFEftuumE4_1rmLkxDKUD3RxBmJ_2GHtkCebUyw9UwKl5oiO41_yA5IqpqN-64beQKidoE9goD3vOUMADxx4kh0qVACVU-Fe8yNl1ktuB7ueaytKsIm4Uqrz_QvGAGbZJLRTpdA/s640/20200119_125058.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's my current sock, the Odyssey Shawl, and Exploration Station all in a pile.</td></tr>
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To my left is the side table that I've utterly taken over. There's a blue cube tucked into the table that holds spare needles, bits and bobs of yarn, the odd notion, and whatever else I shove in there when I'm trying to clean up in a hurry. Don't lie, you do it too.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa7Go0zf8RkMUSq-cCdxOe7yfshjXF-tV1xmA_WT-n_NPDnD8aqwZGBG7gcLLNU2DqBwN3tpG3o4CKEWpotMRtAdF94TXv3Za7Iy25rfjwuqyBcDWvEC21eEGBaoQs74pmjwNWg/s1600/20200119_125127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa7Go0zf8RkMUSq-cCdxOe7yfshjXF-tV1xmA_WT-n_NPDnD8aqwZGBG7gcLLNU2DqBwN3tpG3o4CKEWpotMRtAdF94TXv3Za7Iy25rfjwuqyBcDWvEC21eEGBaoQs74pmjwNWg/s640/20200119_125127.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the emergency chocolate. It's been a week.</td></tr>
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On the table itself is a big wooden bowl full of minis from Row One and advent calendars. They go into various blankets, gnomes, earbud cozies and the like, but mostly they just live there because I think they're pretty and they make me happy.</div>
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Also, I told you I didn't clean up before I took these pictures.</div>
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Also pictured are my Captain America coaster, blocks from one of my blankets, a notions tin, kleenex, because I'm not a barbarian, a yarn bowl, the charger for my fitbit, and a little plate I keep extra darning needles and stitch markers on.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk1naIG0U-C4VhyphenhyphenrJMj_uQWuG1d1QHwlzxPj4uO6TtMWpXDXiy5NVHr92urGgj23_19576Quz8pwxQMd_ds-ctFfa6fHnmabksQIaSG2vvpbAXRv_-ElWZHZ1VN0qCy83pcfSFA/s1600/20200119_131146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhk1naIG0U-C4VhyphenhyphenrJMj_uQWuG1d1QHwlzxPj4uO6TtMWpXDXiy5NVHr92urGgj23_19576Quz8pwxQMd_ds-ctFfa6fHnmabksQIaSG2vvpbAXRv_-ElWZHZ1VN0qCy83pcfSFA/s640/20200119_131146.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The plate belonged to my dad - it's from Copenhagen, and I believe that his parents brought it back from a trip? That part of the family lore is lost now, so I might be making that up. Our family is from Denmark originally (at least that side of the family) so it's really special to me. I kept it hidden away for years, because I was afraid it would get broken. Now that the kids are mostly breaking their own stuff instead of mine, I decided that the best way to honor this family treasure is to use it and have it where I can enjoy it every day.</div>
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And present pictures not withstanding, it does help keep the table a little tidier.</div>
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What's around your knitting nest? Do you have a "spot" or are you nomadic with your making?</div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-41596029222231763622020-01-15T14:57:00.001-08:002020-01-15T14:57:36.036-08:00Fight Me, Rusty (2020 Crafting Goals and Intentions)I got called out at work the other day because I said that I don't do New Year's Resolutions, but I do have some goals and intentions for 2020. Resolutions and Goals are totally different, Rusty. Fight me.<br />
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Amongst my other goals and intentions (not resolutions) for the year, I identified a few crafting related goals that I thought I'd share here on the blog. I'll plan a few check-in posts throughout the year, and we'll see how we go.<br />
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My crafting intentions are all about how I want to feel about my hobby, whereas the goals are rather more specific in terms of the details of what I want to do. Ideally the goals should support the desired intentions, otherwise I'm doing it wrong.<br />
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<b>Crafting Intentions</b><br />
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<ul>
<li>I want to continue to expand my skills, try new techniques, and execute current skills with more precision.</li>
<li>I want to expand my learning beyond my current comfort zone (so more spinning and weaving, basically).</li>
<li>I want to play and have fun with what I'm making.</li>
<li>I want to be clever about what I'm choosing to spend my time on, so that the end result is items that are both beautiful and useful. </li>
<li>I want to feel positive and proud about my stash, not embarrassed or defensive. </li>
</ul>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePVgGsX2lZdu4xfOuTJBZgA_T1XJLVekDHOjJdirpDpO7eGVQC3am_lnnq9541jMWtXYOwDjSL9RwkEOTF2hSjyns_qB4uGMm5C9Uo3TSxW5cmP5_YOa_IcxmC1QW2eajMggdXA/s1600/20200115_160314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePVgGsX2lZdu4xfOuTJBZgA_T1XJLVekDHOjJdirpDpO7eGVQC3am_lnnq9541jMWtXYOwDjSL9RwkEOTF2hSjyns_qB4uGMm5C9Uo3TSxW5cmP5_YOa_IcxmC1QW2eajMggdXA/s400/20200115_160314.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a lot of text. Here's a picture of the socks I'm currently working on.</td></tr>
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<b>Crafting Goals</b><br />
<ol>
<li>Make good use of my #makenine2020 list for inspiration. As I said in my last post, I don't have a hard and fast "must knit all of these things" kind of plan for makenine, but these are all things I'd like to make, or yarn I'd like to use.</li>
<li>Craft 15,000 yards or more. This will basically maintain my current level of crafting, and I have a stretch goal of 20K. I'll be happy with 15, though.</li>
<li>Do more weaving. "More" doesn't really have a numerical value attached to it (so not a "SMART" goal as such, but whatever, I do what I want.) Some things I'd like to work on include: hand towels, napkins, simple herringbone, more faux plaid scarves/infinity cowls out of self striping yarn. I have plenty of stash on hand to do any or all of these.</li>
<li>Knit 20 pairs of socks in 2020. I hit this in 2019, and would like to do it again. For purposes of this goal, ankle socks totally count.</li>
<li>Knit 6 pair of festive socks (to be counted among the aforementioned 20, I'm not looking to sustain a pair of socks every other week all year long. I make questionable knitting-related decisions, but that's a bridge too far even for me.)</li>
<li>Finish at least one of those ding-danged blankets.</li>
<li>I don't have a spinning specific goal, but I probably should.</li>
<li>Continue to use old growth stash, in addition to the canopy stash.</li>
</ol>
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I do also have some HPKCHC specific goals, but I suspect they'd take more explaining than they are actually worth. It all definitely rolls under my "have fun" intention though, so there's that.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwssS9L4Ez_P9akHvGaF5Jceom44J6hUXeHcfXbrY69WjxxEto5TZS9Y5lu610hPEJXMxJZEAEeCgZ8Q32mpWFzDOJH5usSFL2qCsVBF5wwd-IGFojXaIRmXEPVjkJAX_Zb2cnA/s1600/2020+Goals.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1161" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwssS9L4Ez_P9akHvGaF5Jceom44J6hUXeHcfXbrY69WjxxEto5TZS9Y5lu610hPEJXMxJZEAEeCgZ8Q32mpWFzDOJH5usSFL2qCsVBF5wwd-IGFojXaIRmXEPVjkJAX_Zb2cnA/s400/2020+Goals.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2020 Goals, First Draft</td></tr>
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I plan to do quarterly reviews of these goals to see if I need to course correct, or to celebrate what I've accomplished. I'll do the review regardless, but time will tell if I make it back here to blog about it.</div>
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Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-47217894651039926772020-01-12T13:28:00.000-08:002020-01-12T13:28:02.465-08:00Make Nine Challenge 2020Are you familiar with the <a href="https://www.instagram.com/makeninechallenge/?hl=en" target="_blank">Make Nine Challenge</a>? The idea is to identify nine things you'd like to make during a calendar year. Simple, yet brilliant. Nine is not so many as to be overwhelming, nor too few as to be uninspiring. Like the littlest bear's porridge, it is Just Right.<br />
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The challenge is the brain child of Rochelle of <a href="https://homerowfiber.co/" target="_blank">Home Row Fiber Co.</a> You can read more if you're interested at her blog <a href="https://homerowfiber.co/the-make-nine-challenge/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I put together a Make Nine grid in 2018, but I gave it a miss last year. When I did it before, I finished 5 of the projects I'd earmarked (plus a whole raft of other things). The four that didn't make it were a series of socks named for the Pevensies. I have yarns and patterns, so I may yet make them, but for some reason even though I thought I wanted to knit them, when the time came I chose something else. <br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>shrug</i> <br />
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Arbitrary goal setting tools and games are only fun and useful so long as they are fun and useful. (Tautologist speaks in tautologies).<br />
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All that said, I decided to play along again this year. I have chosen a healthy mix of specific patterns and skeins of yarn for socks (pattern to be determined, but likely vanilla with a fish lips kiss heel). One of my criteria for selecting projects for this list was that it had to be things I already have the yarn in stash for, so everything is ready to go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT0SrSC_9JIe3e_xXpIiWpZHb8fTXwl01aHi9IkDpocxMzAZE3cuochELlpTfG9wcrvbYyXM6NYp02OU9hz3AQToJBSDBySIpGQdnoYC-8BzbGJQ0aYOv2FPgESyA8osD1uLwaA/s1600/2020+MakeNine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzT0SrSC_9JIe3e_xXpIiWpZHb8fTXwl01aHi9IkDpocxMzAZE3cuochELlpTfG9wcrvbYyXM6NYp02OU9hz3AQToJBSDBySIpGQdnoYC-8BzbGJQ0aYOv2FPgESyA8osD1uLwaA/s640/2020+MakeNine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Starting at the top, and proceeding left to right, my Make Nine projects are:<br />
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1. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/exploration-station" target="_blank">Exploration Station</a>, by Stephen West, knit from Dream in Color Jilly and Suburban Stitcher Single Sock<br />
2. "Tinuviel" <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/valkyrie-fibers-matte-sock" target="_blank">Valkyrie Fibers Matte Sock</a><br />
3. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pierre-3" target="_blank">Pierre</a>, by Stephen West, knit from Miss Babs Yowza Minis<br />
4. "McGonagall" <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/nomadic-yarns-twisty-sock" target="_blank">Nomadic Yarns Twisty Sock</a><br />
5. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/litmus-cowl" target="_blank">Litmus Cowl</a>, by Amy Florence, knit from Canon Hand Dyes Charles Merino Fingering "Autumn Rainbow" minis<br />
6. "Freedom to Be" <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/see-jayne-knit-superwash-merino-nylon-sock" target="_blank">See Jayne Knit Superwash Merino Nylon Sock</a> (Ravelry tribute colorway)<br />
7. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">Odyssey Shawl</a>, by Joji Locatelli, knit from Deep Dyed Yarns Still DK<br />
8. "Summer Camp" <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/yarns/library/knit-picks-stroll-gradient-duo" target="_blank">Knit Picks Stroll Gradient Duo</a> - these will be some kind of Hanukkah socks, pattern TBD<br />
9. <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/renewal-shawl" target="_blank">Renewal Shawl</a>, by Judy Marples, knit in Emma's Yarn Super Silky<br />
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I have numbers 1, 2, and 7 already cast on, so I'm off to a strong start. <br />
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I feel good about this list, but I'm also not too bothered if they don't all get knit this year. I'm using this as a reminder and a point of inspiration as I'm choosing what patterns to knit next, rather than as a hard-and-fast "rule" about my knitting. I've been doing this long enough that I have a fair sense of what's going to work in the self-motivation department, and I can tell you with some sense of surety that deciding I "have" to knit something six months from now is an excellent way to ensure that I don't.<br />
<br />Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-25489730822406313582020-01-11T15:46:00.001-08:002021-06-12T15:48:40.210-07:00The State of the WIP-BasketI thought I'd share what I'm currently working on, since it's been a while since I've talked about what I'm knitting with any kind of regularity. This won't be a full accounting of the WIPs, as I have to save some content for February is for Finishing, after all. I'll give you the full list in a couple of weeks. <br />
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For today, let's look at my three newest cast-ons, two shawls and a pair of socks. For a nicely balanced basket, I probably should have a sweater in the mix too, but my sweater mojo is on hiatus at the moment, so shawls it is.<br />
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<b>Exploration Station</b><br />
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First up is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/exploration-station" target="_blank">Exploration Station</a> by Stephen West. This was a mystery knit along way back when (I want to say 2014 maybe) but it didn't really get onto my radar as a thing I might want to knit until sometime last year when I was watching the back catalog of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0TrDdCUuB375kVNbB9Ufvg" target="_blank">Stranded Podcast</a> on Youtube with Amy Florence (she's charming, if you don't watch her and you are a podcasty type person, you totally should). I've been planning this knit for over six months, finally purchasing the final skeins of yarn for it last year at the SSK market.<br />
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I'm utterly charmed by how it's working up - even if Morgan did tell me it looked like a watermelon. I don't know what kind of funky mutant watermelons she's been eating, but it most certainly does not. Yarns are Dream in Color Jilly and Suburban Stitcher Single Sock. The Suburban Stitcher is 100% merino and a single, so I'm not sure why the word "sock" is in the base name, lest it be to indicate that it's a fingering weight yarn. <br />
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After I finish up the current wedge, it's time to transition into brioche. I've got limited experience with brioche (I knit a hat once) but, as they say, it's just knitting. I'm looking forward to it.<br />
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<b>Odyssey Shawl</b><br />
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Next up is the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">Odyssey Shawl</a> by Joji Locatelli. I mentioned it briefly in my last post as one of my New Years Day cast-ons. I'm knitting it out of Deep Dyed Yarns Still base (DK 100% merino), using US 9 needles. I'm a little worried about gauge on this one, as I didn't fuss with a swatch. Joji's gauge is 13 sts/4 in using US 8s. I just went up one needle size and went for it. There is a slight possibility that I am knitting a pocket handkerchief instead of the big, cozy shawl of my dreams. We shall see if the blocking saves me, and if it doesn't, them's the brakes.<br />
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I'm a wee skosh farther along than I was on Friday.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">no swatch we die like men</td></tr>
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<b><br /></b><div><b>her song released the sudden spring: Tinuviel Socks</b><br />
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These socks are right exactly where I left them on Friday, as I've been working on other things. My goal is to have the first one done by the 15th, so I reckon I'd best hustle. More details can be found in my last post.<br />
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Those are my only proper knit WIPS. I also have a few (*KOFF* FOUR *KOFF*) blankets in the works, but more on them later.<br />
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What with one thing and another, I haven't been posting regularly here at A Woolly Discipline. That's something I'm hoping to change in 2020 (<i>a naye yor, a naye leben</i> and all that). I'm more consistently active on Instagram, if that's your jam, and can be found as <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kadollan/" target="_blank">kadollan</a>.<br />
<br /></div>Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-36095473824141007212020-01-10T14:54:00.001-08:002020-01-10T14:54:51.619-08:00Welcome to 2020!Friends of the show will remember that we have a New Years tradition here at <i>chez woolly</i>. My two besties and I have been gathering on New Year's Eve to ring in the new year, and then share brunch on New Year's Day to make plans and set intentions for ... gosh... probably over 15 years. It's a lovely part of my personal wheel of the year, and it's a tradition I cherish.<br />
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We had to get a little creative this year, because some dear friends of ours got married on New Years Day, and asked me to be their officiant. It was an incredible honor, and a beautiful wedding. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling, You Look Wonderful Tonight</td></tr>
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My best Koren caught a snap of Carl and I dancing to some Eric Clapton. I'm normally not a fan of pictures of me, but I just love how he's looking at me here. My heart!<br />
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Beautiful or no, the wedding jacked our plans up a bit, but we're clever and flexible people and we made it work. We switched our brunch to New Year's Eve, set intentions, did some tarot readings, and worked on finishing projects. (As an aside, my tarot reading said I should write more. Hello!)<br />
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A second piece of our New Years tradition is to finish a project, either New Years Eve or Day (Jess does one, I do the other) and then cast on something new on New Years Day. May we finish as many things as we start, so say we all.<br />
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I finished up these cheerful holiday socks. <br />
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They're <a href="https://www.rockandstringcreations.com/" target="_blank">Rock and String Creations</a> "Merry and Bright" in her Sashay base. I used the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/heel-toe-do-si-do" target="_blank">Heel, Toe, Do-Si-Do</a> pattern, with very slight modification (68 stitches instead of 64). They're sparkly, and pretty darned cute, if I do say so myself. <br />
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My New Year's cast ons (plural, because if one is good then two is better, right?) were the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/odyssey-shawl" target="_blank">Odyssey Shawl</a> by Joji Locatelli, and a pair of vanilla socks using <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/valkyriefiberstahoe/" target="_blank">Valkyrie Fibers</a> Matte Sock in the "Tinuviel" colorway. <br />
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And can we just talk about how well that contrast color in the socks works with the main yarn? Not only did they not come together, they're not from the same dyer. The contrast is Soft Sock from <a href="https://teenybuttonstudio.com/" target="_blank">Teenybutton Studio</a>.<br />
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I'm excited about this year. I feel good, I've got plans that inspire me, and plenty of beautiful yarn to keep me busy. Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-68919566682511410382019-09-08T18:15:00.002-07:002019-09-08T18:15:59.248-07:00FO: Year's End and Day's BeginningsI've started the process of trying to wrangle my stash into a better form of organization. I almost had a system in place about a year and a half ago, but I've been to two SSK's and several fiber festivals since then, and things are generally in a state of disarray.<br />
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I don't have any pictures of the process to share at the moment (imagine too much yarn spread across a laminate floor and you've pretty much got it). I'll try to get some pics as I progress so I can share some more about the process.<br />
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The point of all of this is that as I was fluffing the stash, I ran across a gorgeous skein of handspun that a friend traded me for some project bags. This is exactly why physically looking at your yarn now and again is so valuable. I knew I had that skein, but when I actually saw it with my actual eyes (and more to the point, when I touched it with my actual hands) I fell instantly back in love.<br />
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I immediately abandoned the rest of the yarn and went to wind it up. And maybe now I have a clearer understanding of why there's still yarn strewn all across my craft room, but that's neither here nor there.<br />
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I mean look at this yarn. A jury of my peers would not convict.<br />
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This is a Merino/Bamboo 80/20 blend that I'd estimate at about a sport weight. My friend reported 314 yards / 3.8 oz. It is so soft and glorious, I was (and am!) entirely enchanted.<br />
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I knew I wanted a cowl, and I knew I wanted to use the entire skein. I remembered a cowl pattern I used a couple of years ago to make a Christmas gift, so I went to look it up. <br />
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This is <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miras-cowl" target="_blank">Mira's Cowl by Baah Yarn</a> - it's a series of knits and purls that makes a perfectly balanced and reversible cowl. <br />
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As a project it was absolutely perfect. Quick, satisfying, simple enough to knit more or less on auto-pilot, but with yarn so delightful that it was a joy to slide through the hands. A++ would go again.<br />
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The project name "year's end and day's beginnings" is a quote by Terri Guillemets. I googled "quotes about fall" to find something evocative of the way I feel about this time of year. <br />
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<b>Project Notes</b></div>
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<b>Pattern:</b> Mira's Cowl</div>
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<b>Yarn:</b> Fiber Artemis in the Grand Canyon colorway, spun by StardustSoul</div>
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<b>Total Yardage: </b>314 yards</div>
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<b>Needles: </b>US 9 (5.5mm) 32" circulars</div>
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<b>Started: </b>September 1, 2019</div>
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<b>Completed:</b> September 7, 2019</div>
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<b>Ravelry Project Page:</b> <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/projects/kadollan/miras-cowl-2" style="color: #888888; text-decoration-line: none;" target="_blank">here</a></div>
Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-20616702420974768762019-09-05T11:22:00.000-07:002019-09-05T11:22:54.542-07:00The Most Wonderful Time of the YearI have a feeling I've probably used that blog post title before - likely talking about spring and Passover. Fall and Spring are my favorite seasons, and which one is the <i>mostest </i>favorite entirely depends on which one I'm in.<br />
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September has the same sense of anticipation of starting new things that the spring has. Where in spring you have the fresh promise of a new growing season, summer around the corner, and the delight of being able to go outside without six layers on, in the fall there's football, the new school year, crisp weather as the heat starts to release it's grip, and a growing sense of settling in. I love them both.<br />
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But today I love fall. I particularly love September 1st when the new Fall Term starts in the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/groups/hp-knitting-crochet-house-cup" target="_blank">Harry Potter Knit and Crochet House Cup</a>. Starting a new school year hasn't been a thing for me in years (in fact my youngest graduated high school last year, so it's really not a thing for me anymore) but I still enjoy the anticipation of The First Day of Term.<br />
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The House Cup is an online community and game that's hosted on Ravelry. Students are sorted into houses (Gryffindor 4 Lyf), and compete by crafting for the House and Quidditch Cups. It's a really good time, and has done wonders for my knitting and crocheting output. There are three terms a year - Winter, Spring, and Fall - and Fall is by far my favorite.<br />
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Of course, along with all of that new-Term excitement comes new-Term cast ons! I had a wicked case of startosis on September 1st and I've cast on four new projects in the last five days.<br />
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Two pairs of socks - <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hello-sunshine-4" target="_blank">Hello Sunshine</a> by Tracie Millar out of Unwind Yarn Company Celebration Sock in the <i>Goldenrod </i>colorway for Morgan (left) and a pair of vanilla Yulemas socks out of Colour Redefined Smooth Sock in the <i>String the Lights</i> colorway (right).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPQdpoXulNvT8qg3XXMJkjwpbC2iVjW7_Os9X_2DD7aKYGbdoZwGfBp-4GrSdWGRG6Ph_8gqlJKqywyzaOueydE9czSkbkngU_SkxFQXNszXwVo1wkcAdzEuTy0BWw6onOnQvsQ/s1600/September+socks.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPQdpoXulNvT8qg3XXMJkjwpbC2iVjW7_Os9X_2DD7aKYGbdoZwGfBp-4GrSdWGRG6Ph_8gqlJKqywyzaOueydE9czSkbkngU_SkxFQXNszXwVo1wkcAdzEuTy0BWw6onOnQvsQ/s640/September+socks.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I also cast on a cowl using some handspun that a dear friend traded me for some project bags a few years ago. It's a delicious merino/bamboo blend and the colors are so gorgeous I keep stopping to admire it. I'm using the <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miras-cowl" target="_blank">Mira's Cowl</a> pattern by Baah Yarn, and size 9 needles for a big, squishy cowl.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttLF_aeOT7SHkiYFxPrP7aLGwLDcbc_vLv292X9XrpW7Vpydq1W6WswGVOgMsVYBpqD91o3AYEY3aGzG-qTiQk-4Rhyphenhyphen3dIq4o6bYQRz_rv06rUgQwLDHTyct0y8Zh2mg45ddLJQ/s1600/20190904_175420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgttLF_aeOT7SHkiYFxPrP7aLGwLDcbc_vLv292X9XrpW7Vpydq1W6WswGVOgMsVYBpqD91o3AYEY3aGzG-qTiQk-4Rhyphenhyphen3dIq4o6bYQRz_rv06rUgQwLDHTyct0y8Zh2mg45ddLJQ/s640/20190904_175420.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then finally, I've cast on <a href="https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-crown-wools" target="_blank">The Crown Wools</a> by Casapinka. I'm barely into it, so there's not much to see yet. I'm using Miss Babs Yummy 2 Ply in the <i>Giant Silk Moth</i> set, and it is stunning. I'm excited by this one!<br />
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Now, I already had four things on needle or hook when term started, so that brings my current WIP count up to 8. (In my defense, three of those are long-term blanket projects. On second thought, that might be a lousy defense.) <br />
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In any case, I'm starting to feel a little twitchy, so I think I'll concentrate on getting the cowl back off the needles quickly.<br />
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<br />Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10927031.post-90984320803623152082019-03-02T09:36:00.000-08:002019-03-02T09:36:01.729-08:00February: A Story Told in Numbers and Pictures<b>Four: </b>The number of WIPs I had on the needles on February 1st.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLwDh99HJq9CPTpxSDW7vR-qdg5cVY-e7220nxESDwO3muNOO9OPB8YJZNvisYWhY-Uibl6KLqxSWTufpeUOYs8OWlZ5mOCUg4-K_IKdb8bIiwLaP-W4ERFT4e-s70ucFK-wo-A/s1600/Feb+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQLwDh99HJq9CPTpxSDW7vR-qdg5cVY-e7220nxESDwO3muNOO9OPB8YJZNvisYWhY-Uibl6KLqxSWTufpeUOYs8OWlZ5mOCUg4-K_IKdb8bIiwLaP-W4ERFT4e-s70ucFK-wo-A/s640/Feb+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Three:</b> The number of projects I illegally cast on in February.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpovZqh3VtbzqMAK7aysTKELobq5DE872w6peb57yhyphenhyphen7si7ozT8P3uH6UNae_LFhnWt_8PoXWJP1_yCFRTJsscUZS9y3lHXe0z1j5HWfZm1Rrf1yiqjOk2SeRPfjtDeYhFMYT87Q/s1600/cast+on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpovZqh3VtbzqMAK7aysTKELobq5DE872w6peb57yhyphenhyphen7si7ozT8P3uH6UNae_LFhnWt_8PoXWJP1_yCFRTJsscUZS9y3lHXe0z1j5HWfZm1Rrf1yiqjOk2SeRPfjtDeYhFMYT87Q/s640/cast+on.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Two:</b> The number of projects I finished during February is for Finishing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi785KsQ0ki4PzH6cXF4Crt6PPxpMiUVsttN8Tif5d3axDJWu4qbvmUVQoYqTGvL6ebpAT3wVmKZJnus7BX_zm1Py2GtwHRwZTbUZiWZuBlNVcve92ORXBfkpE_NC0IwlbKMAng/s1600/Finished.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFi785KsQ0ki4PzH6cXF4Crt6PPxpMiUVsttN8Tif5d3axDJWu4qbvmUVQoYqTGvL6ebpAT3wVmKZJnus7BX_zm1Py2GtwHRwZTbUZiWZuBlNVcve92ORXBfkpE_NC0IwlbKMAng/s640/Finished.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>One:</b> The number of projects I frogged.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7q5Fag-aNdF_J8j6CwMLRmKHmhXJANf951W-c_rDVQIWbEmC1QW8lIfwsbnjD8ViZ9VTg4XBh3RhL4gzPHHi9zZrz_Go5ofJ1oROMbzE8vMieIM0sL5Za8Yn90_nNv4Yp02YJw/s1600/frogged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_7q5Fag-aNdF_J8j6CwMLRmKHmhXJANf951W-c_rDVQIWbEmC1QW8lIfwsbnjD8ViZ9VTg4XBh3RhL4gzPHHi9zZrz_Go5ofJ1oROMbzE8vMieIM0sL5Za8Yn90_nNv4Yp02YJw/s320/frogged.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Four: </b> The number of WIPs I had on the needles on March 1st.<br />
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<br />Bekah Mhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12935470781100122714noreply@blogger.com0