Boy does time fly!!!

Cripes, time just blows by. Like so many, I never believed adults (when I wasn't one) that time races as one ages. I cannot believe that I haven't posted since March but, it must be true. I wonder if I just post during the darker times of year - when I tend to be closer to the computer. Or, i just get lazy. Chances are it is the latter of those options.

I am in a master's program now and have and excuse, sort of. Even so, I am on winter break and am supposed to be working on my master's thesis and, instead, I am doing this. I am listening to the Limenviolet podcast and knitting on Bellatrix sock #2 (finally!!!) and felt the urge to document some of this. Go figure!

I actually should be gathering up Yule gifts to mail out tomorrow. I've got to run to the post office or to UPS to get them into the transport system. But, first, I've got to wrap the gifts. Then I have to make the decision about USPS or UPS. Husband (the mail carrier) or brother (the UPS exec) both appreciate the business. Maybe I'll split up the packages when I post them. Tomorrow will tell.

We've got 10 or so inches of snow in the metro Detroit area. It is beautiful and so, so cold!!! We are s'posed to get more snow tonight. I guess that means more knitting time (to stay warm and all!!).

Okay - I am off to help a friend move homes (yes, it is December and icy and still, life goes on!).

Happy Winter Solstice to all!!

To FO or to UFO

Cripes, time sure flies. There are a few aspects of winter that I love and one that I really don't like. It is the general lack of light that gets to me. I have to watch myself and make sure that I don't fall into a pit (or THE pit) of lethargy.

In order to combat the winter doldrums, this year I vowed to work on my UFOs. Since the beginning of the calendar year, I've done pretty well. I've finished the Marquise Gauntlets in Blue Moon Fiber Arts Raven series Ravenscroft mediumweight yarn. I love these and loved working on them.









Additionally, I knit away on these "Gwen" socks. They are a Momma Monkey pattern from Gigi Silva. They were heartwarming to knit as Gigi passed away earlier this year and I was able to meditate on her and her generosity as I knit them. Also, they are for my sister who has had some health issues. I added prayers for her as I knit them.









Now, I am working on finishing an afghan that a former knitter asked me to complete. Normally, I wouldn't so such a thing but, it is for Mary's mom, Betty. Betty turns 90 this year. She's knit one of these afghans for each of her children, grandchildren and, all but one of her great-grandchildren. She started this one and her arthritis got the best of her. She asked Mary to ask me to finish it. Last July, I received a box o'yarn in the mail. It was loaded with skeins of dark plum Red Heart acrylic, the instructions (typewritten) and the panel that Betty had started. I've been stalling on working on it because I had trouble getting a gauge to match Betty's piece and because I am not fond of the yarn. Now that I am working on cleaning up the UFO pile, it is being worked. We'll see how long it lasts.

On to better things . . . it is 'trash night' after all.

Frog Sunday

Well, today is Superbowl Sunday . . . okay - the game is on somewhere in the house but I am sure not watching it. Even if I did watch it, I'd be watching for the commercials and not so much for the game itself. Instead, I had a lie in today and a lovely day of puttering.

I've done a couple of loads of laundry and I began straightening and cleaning my Atelier (I think this means studio). In the studio room I had piles of clothing for mending, yarn, patterns, sweaters for recycling, etc. etc. Now, I can see the floor and find yarns and such! Woohoo!!! Now, it is 9:45 p.m. and I haven't knit a stitch - but, there is still a little time for that.

A while back, I found some lovely natural fiber sweaters at various thrift shops. My plan was to deconstruct them and reuse the yarn. There were about 10 or 12 pieces of angora and a few of lambs wool, others were all wool of varying colors and qualities. the sweaters were good brands - Talbots, Abercrombie and Fitch, and others. I still like the idea but changed my mine for this batch of sweaters. These will go to the local homeless shelter. It has been in the single digits at night and in teens during the day. Yorble gathers up things the shelter needs and in watching this - I decided the sweaters would be going there as well. I can afford yarn. Although the idea of recycling is great - the reuse is more important here. They are going to a good home.

Okay - after that decision was made and those sweaters were set aside, I found several UFOs that needed attending to soon. One was the start of a pet cosie for the Royal Oak Animal Shelter. It was knitted of 2 yarns combined - one eyelash and another poly worsted, both in shade of red. I'd run out of the eyelash and was debating finishing the blanket just inthe worsted so I tried it. It just didn't look right. I even tried rationalizing that it was just for some kitty or puppy who'd be adopted and the animal wouldn't care what it looked like. But, the sensibilities took over and helped me realize it did matter and I frogged the darn thing. The yarn is now destined for a hat and scarf for the homeless shelter. I have and will make other pet cosies - but, not with the red yarn.

Another frog incident was with some elann.com Peruvian Highland Wool. I had been knitting fingerless gloves for my sister. These were simple with a single large cable up the arm. In looking at them - I realized the gauge was off and they were just too long and chunky (from my knitting, not the yarn). Sister wouldn't wear them. She is always cold and deserves something lovely and wearable - so, they got frogged. The yarn is a coppery color and will probably be reknit into fingerless mitts for her but in proper gauge!

So, there it is. I am now headed to knit on another UFO - the Gwen socks from Simply Shetland - also for Sister. Yea!!!

Returned home . . .

Well, I am back. I've been back for a few days. I spent a week in Florida and didn't see much sun. I was in St. Pete's and it was beautiful and warm, by Michigan standards, but we didn't get outside much. I was in a Leadership Development program that was amazing - but, it was inside.

I did take knitting along and got a bit done. I worked on the Marquis Gauntlets and the Noro Striped Scarf - a bit - here and there.

I didn't bring back any souveniers at all. I didn't have a rental car so I was limited to what what within walking distance. There were some wonderful restaurants and touristy places but no fiber fanatic help. I heard about a lovely shop but it was 7 miles away. While I was walking quite a bit - it was just too far.

Today, I finished the Marquis Gauntlets from elann.com. They are wonderful and, of course, photos will follow. Now, of course again, I want to start something new but, I won't. I am dedicated to working on UFOs and I must do that. I will work on the Noro Striped Scarf next. I do plan to do a beret to match - yikes! that would be new! I won't be buying any new yarn, though - so, I think that it still counts towards UFO completion.

Now, to knit.

Travel Souveniers

Well, I am, once again, on a yarn diet. Okay - not really a diet but a life style change. I may still buy yarn but, I won't use it right away. As I may have mentioned, I am trying to finish some UFOs this year. I want to get some projects done so that I can start new with a clear conscience.

Part of this is so that I can knit more for myself. It seems that I end up knitting so much for others that I don't get my projects done. So, I am going to try to avoid taking knitting requests this year. If I knit for others, it will be with Yule gifts in mind.

What does this have to do with travel, you ask? I can understand your confusion so I will explain. Because I am trying to use what I have and to pare down my projects, I probably won't be buying so much yarn that doesn't get knit right away. It seems that I use the purchase of fiber to help to fill my creative urges. When I don't have time to knit (or weave or sew), I buy materials instead. So, I am thinking that if I am actually knitting(or weaving or sewing), then the urges will be sated and I won't need to buy as much. Makes sense, right? Okay - follow me here . . . more knitting and less buying means I don't get to yarn stores much because I'll have less reason to go to my LYS. I won't get to see the new stuff and fondle the new fibers.

But, I travel for work and for play. When I travel, I like to bring back trinkets to remind me of where I was and when. Well, who needs another seashell toilet paper cover or a set of 50 state spoons? My plan is to visit local yarn stores in my travel destinations. I may, if the urge strikes, buy yarn from those foreign LYSs. But, because I will be travelling, I won't be adding to my stash. Oh, no!! Instead, I will be gathering souveniers from my travels. See? I knew you'd get it.

By the way, I am headed to Florida in a couple of weeks. I am traveling for work, really!!

The Knitting Resolution

Well, well, well . . . another new year and the potential for more New Year's Resolutions. Yes, I could vow to do more blog posts. True, I could vow to be more organized. Right enough that I could manage my time better. All grand and potential resolutions but they aren't practical. I find that if I set my plans for such lofty ideals, I won't meet them. Then, I'll self-judge, disappoint myself and just fall off into an abyss of recrimination.

Okay, okay - it wouldn't be that bad - but, why set myself up for the possibility.
Instead, I am going to try to do something a bit different. I am going to participate in the Finishapalooza 2008 mentioned by Miss Violet (and others) of Lime and Violet fame. It has also come up on Ravelry.

So, I am going to try to avoid beginning new project and, rather, will strive to finish existing projects. We'll see how it goes. I've got a good number of them started and would like to see some results. I do have an Annie Modesitt corset that isn't started. I believe that might be the big 2008 project. I'd like to do it for myself for October (the Witches Ball). It is a goal, anyway.

Til then. . . resolution knitting commences.