A Little Yarn On The Side

Theo has finally figured out how to walk with the cast and thinks he's ready for the world--or at least the other parts of the house. He has gotten a couple field trips to the sewing room which really has nice afternoon sun for a snooze, and we're down to just one more dose of the last medicine, which is good as Theo has taken to sulking after medications. I can't say that I blame him. I don't think I'd enjoy someone shoving liquids down my throat either, though considering everything that's happened to him in the last week, medications really are the least of his problems. Between cat duties, I made some progress on Janet's WIP-contest knitting bag. About time, I know. I think she's up to 20 in a row now? Theo was feeling well enough to do the obligatory furring so I think he's feeling a bit more like his old self. I also managed to find the pattern for the alpaca cardigan!!! I haven't worked on it though, as I'm really pushing to get W...

So I've finished WIP number 8 in the WIP marathon, which would be quite exciting except for the 19 WIPs left. Not that I actually think I'll make it all the way through to 27 without casting on something new. I mean, if I had that sort of willpower I wouldn't have ended up with 27 Works in Progress now would I? To give myself a little motivation, I've joined a "Knitting for Men" project for September--the idea being I show some traces of project monogamy and actually complete a knitting project for one of the men of our species. Fair enough, one of the WIPs is a sweater for Andy which takes such boring pictures bur is actually much nicer in person. It's "Gridlock" from the fall 2003 issue of Knitter's Magazine , and since they had the sense to do it in red, theirs photographs much better than mine does. Judging from yarn requirements, I've almost used up 436 yards of the 1535 the pattern calls for, which means I've knit 28% of th...

Our WIP marathoners--me included--are slowing down a bit, and some are struggling to stay motivated with all the new projects and yarns facing them on a daily basis. As everyone has been great about supporting and encouraging each other on Ravelry and through each other's blogs, I have decided to alter the contest slightly. Any of the WIP marathoners who can finish 10 WIPs in a row (without casting on any new projects) will receive a new personalized knitting bag. There will be an additional prize for anyone who finishes 20 in a row, though I think I might be the only one who had over 20 to begin with. Still, if I finish at least 20 before casting on, I'll be rewarding myself as well--and reviving those who have fainted in surprise. Onward fellow WIPpers!!!!!!

With the Ravelympics going on, it's a bit hard to keep track of who is competing the WIP Marathon & who is in WIP Wrestling, but the updates I have right now: Jennifer leads us having finished her 8th WIP in a row, I am still holding firm at 7, and Janet has 5 but two baby sweaters just need seams so they could be finished at any time which would catapult her into contending for first place. I need to check in with everyone else--I know Patti is cruising along on the WIP Wrestling (Go Team Stashdown), and I know everyone else is busy knitting. It's gotten a bit challenging--everyone is trying to support each other and keep track of each other's projects, so daily each knitter is confronted by pictures of new potential projects that she could knit, and it's really REALLY tempting......or there's some great yarn...... Knitting contests can be very, very dangerous.....

OK, this is what I think we have so far (Ravelry IDs in parenthesis): Me (ToniS): 6 Jennifer (kountingsheep): 6 Patti (catnip610): 5 Helen (Bluedragon): 2 (Hockeyme): 2 Holly (SilverIlix): 1 Rayne (Raynebair): 2 Alison (knitwitchery): 1 Snani (Snani): 1 Bringing us to a total of 26 WIPs finished so far. Have I missed anyone?

Having finally finished MS3, the temptation to cast on something new has been almost overwhelming . It wouldn't matter what project, exactly, just a new one. To give myself a little "pick-me-up," and just in case I did cave finally, I decided to finish the baby wrap sweater which just needed a small seam, some buttons, and a couple snaps. Not terribly exciting, but it is the 6th WIP in a row finished. YAY! I'm hoping to have a tally of everyone's WIP progress for the blog tomorrow. Let's see how we're doing!

Aside from needing a button (which will have to wait until the spending ban is over), Sitcom Chic is DONE!!!!!! So, my 4th WIP in a row has been finished! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And even better, I haven't found any more WIPs lurking any where. That's a nice feeling Callisto seems to be enjoying the huge WIP pile, but I find it a little intimidating. Still, there's one less of them. YAY!!!!!!! So, how is everyone else doing?

As I am a bit young for Devo, I'm guessing most people aren't going to even remember that one, but I thought it was fun. Of course, I've been slogging through rows & rows of stockinette today, so my threshold for humor is really low right now. I did use up another 2 balls of yarn (73--YAY!), but I when I got to the point where I just couldn't continue, I decided to pull out the heavy artillery. This is just missing the neck ribbing, buttons, and snaps and it will be the fourth WIP in a row that I have finished. I was hoping to hold out a little longer before resorting to this, but I'm casting off the ribbing now and will add the buttons and snaps tomorrow. Maybe I'll force myself to alternate a few rows of stockinette for every few stitches I cast off. I respond REALLY well to bribery!

* Rows & rows of stockinette stitch may not actually be the best way to keep myself dedicated to existing WIPs. * Having a few hats or large-gauge scarves in progress so there would have been some quick-finish WIPs would have been a good idea. * Working on one project at a time and finishing it before moving on to the next project might actually be fun and I should really try it sometime. * If I know I'm likely to cheat on a resolution, it's best to line up witnesses. * Working on existing projects may not be as much fun as randomly casting on new projects whenever I feel like it, but I'm going to be REALLY well dressed this fall.

So far, Jennifer might be our front-runner in the WIP contest, having finished 5 so far. I think I'm going to be making two or three divisions--small projects versus large projects, and maybe a third for crochet. I want to make the contest fair enough to keep everyone motivated. So, no one get discouraged! We're all in this together and all projects will count! I have spent tonight undoing & redoing last night's work. Smart knitters double-check patterns quite often. Others of us choose to live on the edge and plow ahead blithely in spite of all previous experience with knitting disasters. Last night I noticed that one sleeve looked okay after being attached to the body but see those increases on this sleeve? Those are supposed to be on the underside of the sleeve, not the topside. Oops. So, after tinking several rows while swearing to the Knitting Gods that I would finally this time learn to start double checking, I tried again and everything is where it shou...

I'm still amazed at the sheer number of Works in Progress. It's almost overwhelming. Makes me want to cast on a new lace shawl....... !!!!! Bizarrely enough, I really do. How insane is that????? Wouldn't it make more sense if I had a mad desire to finish something? Insane! Though, the does help explain the 21 WIPs left, doesn't it? Luckily, we are the WIP Team , and everyone else is holding strong--I can as well. I can soon be at 4 WIPs finished in a row--a personal record. Heck, two in a row might have been a personal record, but four sounds better. Tonight I have been working on Sitcom Chic . After a couple failed and very stupid attempts that had the sleeves inside-out, the sleeves are joined and the yoke decreases have begun. Even better, there are 3 balls of yarn in use right now (I will do anything to avoid weaving in ends), so working on this project will allow me to move the stash-busting tally soonest. Such priorities in life! I've heard from a co...

I keep trying to count my remaining WIPs, and keep coming up with a different number. After the Finish-itis contest, we will be embarking on a "learn to count" campaign. So, let's see if I can list them: 1. Magikal Earth Shawl (photo to come when the camera battery is recharged) - more than halfway through the mind-numbing edging (what is it with edging?????) 2. Plum baby aran: front in progress: 3. Poodle mohair: body done to sleeeve join, one sleeve in progress 4. Blue toddler sweater - back not quite done. Nothing else finished 5. dem fischer sin fru - still not quite halfway through the first clue. Out of 6. 6. Fleur - just missing the edging and the right front 7. Toddler sweater: needs seams, edging, and one piece knit 8. sleeveless sweater - back mostly done 9. Alpaca cardigan: back, one side, and most of the second side done 10. Glitterspun sweater - back finished, front half finished 11. Pi chemo cap - no picture yet. 12. Fir cone shawl - 40% d...

To the Land of FINISH-ITIS!!!!! This is a remote land--often not found by knitters--where hours & hours of knitting actually result in a FINISHED OBJECT. Knitters in this land tend to be well dressed, and have MATCHING socks--which is not always seen in other areas of Knit Land. The Land of Finish-Itis can be difficult to reach, as there are always brand new patterns hoping to snare the knitters, but the brave knitters have banded together to swim straight and avoid the whirlpool on the left called "Knit-A-Longs" and the monster on the right called the "new knitting magazine." It is a treacherous route, but we are determined!!!! When Toni has NOT been gone for most of the weekend and just arrived home, we will be introducing our team members. For now... WE SET SAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Did you see that????? I have passed the 10,000 yards of yarn mark for the year! There are now 66 (there were those 3 balls of mohair to finish the Lady's Circular Cape, after all) fewer balls of yarn in my stash than when I started the year. YIPPEE!!!!!! But on to other things... The Stealth Project is now in the hands of its new owner, and to directly quote from the text messages received: "OH. MY. GOSH. I LOVE IT!" "It fits perfect, I love the color, and I love the style!!" "It's my favorite piece of clothing." "Ha ha! It's so beautiful, I already had someone comment on it!" Now THAT is what makes knitted gifts worth doing! The "finishitis" contest--The rules: 1. Post a list of your WIPs in the comments. Remember, they must already be started. 2. Keep us posted on your progress 3. Any and all projects will count, but size and complexity of the project will be considered. 4. The winner will be the one who finishes...