wifeKnits

Knitting Burnout

I’m sort of getting knitting burnout. I’ve been working on the same projects for so long, that I’m getting sick of them. I don’t want to start something new, because then I know the current stuff won’t ever get finished, but I don’t have much desire to work on them anymore. Which means less knitting going on.

I’ve got DH’s afghan, that is getting close to being finished. I’m almost done with the 4th of 6 strips, then I need to sew them together and make a border. I have a lace shawl that I really like working on, but I put it aside to finish DH’s afghan. I’m also working on Amelia’s Christmas stocking. That’s kind of fun and I’m close to finishing it. I’m just past the heel, so I only have the foot and the toe to do. Thank goodness it’s only one, and not a pair like normal socks. The fair-isle isn’t the best looking, but it at least keeps the project entertaining. I’ve also got a granny square afghan going that is stalled because I’m working on a border that is going slow. My last project is my sister’s wedding afghan. I was making really good progress on it, then decided to get DH’s afghan done first. If I can finish it by the end of December, then I can pick up the wedding afghan and still finish it (if I keep the pace I had before) well before the June deadline, although she tells me it doesn’t matter since they won’t need it til at least Sept/Oct.

So that’s 3 afghans, a stocking and a lace shawl. I’m close to finishing the stocking, and I know I could knock out the granny afghan in no time, since I plan to work til I run out of yarn and I have 2 balls left. I may have to switch gears away from DH’s afghan for just a little bit, so I don’t get turned off knitting all because of the one blanket that never seems to end. That’s what I get for making a blanket for my 6′1″ tall husband.

I think I just need to refocus on a few of my neglected projects so that it feels new again. That way I’m still getting something done and not completely taking a break from knitting.

Posted in Afghans, Projects | 1 Comment

New Projects, Not Much Progress

I was away a whole week and there’s not much knitting progress to show for it. Therefore there are no pictures to share. I did finish up sleeve one for my cardigan. Mom suggested I tack it in place to make sure it’s going to fit before I start on the second sleeve. Which I think is a good idea. I have a feeling it’s still going to be tight on the underarm area and I’ll still have little room for moving my arms. I think I was a bit hasty in knitting the smaller size. My measurements came out as I expected, but I forgot take into account that I would be wearing somewhat bulky, sleeved shirts underneath, so after all the issues I’ve had with this thing, I probably should have knit one size bigger than I did.  And here I thought I was doing it all perfectly. Sure it fits, as a shirt (with nothing underneath), not a sweater.

But all is not lost, because I will wear it as much as I can, then save it for Amelia. :) That’s another great thing about having a daughter. Knits that end up too small for me can be passed along to her. Then I can make something bigger for me. I really like that sweater so I might try knitting it again with a different yarn at a bigger size. Maybe the next time I can get gauge and actually knit the size 41, so that I have room underneath for the bulk of a shirt.

I also finished the first repeat on the body of my cabled bag. This project is small yet, sometimes it feels like it’s taking forever, because I’m doing the pattern twice around (once for each side of the bag). So it feels like it’s taking longer than it probably is. But there’s progress. And I think I’m going to make it my focus project for now so I can finish it.

I also completed 2 color blocks on the 2nd strip for DH’s afghan. I like this project because it’s mindless knitting, but it can also get boring, because of the simplicity of it. At least it’s done in sections.

Mom and I ordered the yarn for the Saffron Cables afghan. We ordered 30 balls of KnitPicks Comfy in Cashew (a soft latte-colored brown). I have just under a year to make this afghan as it’s my sister’s wedding present and she’s getting married next June. I definitely need to get started soon, but I really want to finish something first. So I’m going to try hard to get the bag finished so I can cast on for the afghan by the end of this month.

Posted in Afghans, Knitting, Sweaters and Cardigans | No Comments

Another Blanket

So much for my attempt at being a one-WIP gal. I started a new project today at work. I’m working the Tiramisu using TLC Essentials in Dark Thyme that I have in my stash from a previous granny square project I’ve decided to quit working on. 

I’ve been doing so much knitting that I didn’t realize what I was doing and I grabbed the yarn with my right hand. I knit English and it was a habit. Then I realized what I did and decided to try to crochet that way. It worked, as long as I remembered to wrap the yarn opposite of how I would wrap for a knitted yarn over. Now I can say that I can crochet with yarn in either hand. :)

I’ll post pics of the project and add it to Ravelry once I have some progress made. So far I only have 2 rows, but I can already see that this project will go fairly quickly as long as I work on it regularly.

In other news, I finished sock one of my Handspun Campfire socks. Must cast on the second sock this weekend so I don’t fall into SSS. 

Posted in Afghans, Crochet, Socks | No Comments

Granny Progress

I actually had a chance to work on some of the granny squares for my gingham and ruffles afghan. Woohoo! Last night at my SnB, I crocheted about 4-5 squares. It’s not much, but it’s major progress compared to what I’ve been doing. I definitely think it will be one of my primary projects to take and work on.

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Inspiration

I’ve been inspired to work on my afghans. I’ve been browsing afghan projects on ravelry. Just looking at what others have made really is inspirational. And it’s motivational. I want to get working on my afghans again and get them finished so I can show them off.

For some reason, after months of letting it sit, I picked up my sis’ afghan and started the left border. I got the first 2 rows of it done. Each border is 12 rows, then I have to do a 6-round edge on the whole thing. But once I get going it’s not that difficult and it’s actually fun watching the ripple take shape. It’s a pretty simple pattern repeat (but I do have to say it in my head as I go along). Maybe I’ll actually get this done soon. There really isn’t much to do on it.

I’ve also made some great progress on Amelia’s cardigan. Although I did hit a snag. I measured her chest and it measured exactly with what the size 2 finished measurement is. I knew that wouldn’t work as she’ll outgrow it too quickly. So I decided to make the next size up even if it is a bit big on her right now. Of course, I ended up running out of yarn. Now I need to order more just so I can finish the left front panel. The right and back are done. The sleeves are in a different color and I have more than I need for it. Go figure. So I’ve got to remember to call Knit Picks before it’s too late and pray that they can get me the same dye lot or if not, that it’s not too far off the mark. But I did start the sleeves while I wait for more yarn to finish the front.

I also made a crochet hat ornament for a co-worker. She loved it. You can see pics at Flickr.

Posted in Afghans, Crochet, Knitting, Smitten | No Comments