Showing posts with label shoal water. Show all posts
Showing posts with label shoal water. Show all posts

Alien take over update...

by : Freaky Knitter
In my post about the alien take over of my closet, I talked about my Hemlock Ring Blanket and the fact that I was going to frog it - well, I finally took the plunge! However, as I was ripping it out, I had a thought (scary - I know) that I could salvage the center medallion which is just what I did! I decided that it will make a lovely circular pillow or a bag. I want to say that I will knit the Hemlock Ring in its entirety one day but sometimes it's just best to move on. I am sure that Jared Flood would agree with me (I hope) and his pattern is amazing - it really was me goofing up in this one section...sigh!
What will I be next?

I have learned, after a few years of knitting, that for whatever reason a pattern will flummox me with no fault of the designer. However, when I go back to it later on, I will be ready to work it up without frustration or tears.  My expectations can work against me when I'm knitting or doing just about anything else in life. So until I can let go of my perfectionist ideals (yea, right!) I just won't be able to tackle some things. I humbly submit that this is all true and while I know this from lots and lots of experience, I still get stumped by things that should be easy for me.

One of the comments left on my original post asked why I thought I would frog my Shoal Water shawl (was the pattern difficult or did I just lose interest?) and I have to say that the pattern is phenomenally written and it is simply the knitter that has changed. While I have yet to actually frog the project (there is always room for a U-turn) I think that I want to use the yarn for a Knit Swirl sweater. I will most likely have to add to the amount of yarn I currently have, but I think it is really a possibility. I guess the point of sharing my missteps in my knitting is to hopefully give you the confidence to rip out when needed and move on.

Isn't that why we knit to grow and learn? I truly believe that every stitch I rip out has taught me something more than just how to avoid making a mistake but how to make a mistake and learn from it.



As always, happy knitting, crocheting, and frogging!!


Jeanne


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The Truth is Out There...

by : Freaky Knitter
That's right, there are really UFO's in my life and their little aliens want to take me to their leader! They actually live in my closet and have been probing my mind lately....to take action, which is just what I am going to do!

Okay, okay...you and I both know (at least, I hope you do!) that I am talking about my U.F.O.'s (a.k.a. unfinished objects/knitting projects). I yanked some of them out of the alien hive recently and have been just  plugging away at them. Focus, Jeanne...focus!

In the following pictures, you can see only a few of the 'aliens' I'm referring to. This is the point where I chose to begin the process of finishing all of my projects (gasp)!


Beginning at the upper right hand corner, you can see my China Vest from the book Folk Vests. I am so close to finishing this one, it's almost scary! Moving counter clockwise, you'll see my Lace Ribbon Scarf (out of Amber's 1st Kitchen LLE Shepherd Sock), the Be Sweet Diagonal Shawl I started some 2 years ago, my Shetland Cardigan (wince) from a very, very long time ago, and then  of course there is my Shoal Water Shawl and my Hemlock Ring. Can you hear that heavy sigh???






So, this is my plan. I will continue to work on my Umaro blanket, while finishing up one project at-a-time from the surviving projects on this list.

I am usually not a violent person but some of these projects must be torn apart to become something else. So, I'm going to take a deep breath and frog my Shoal Water Shawl and Hemlock Ring blanket. I know this will be a liberating experience and the yarn will just go back into my stash to someday become something else which will actually be finished!


However, I have decided that I am ABSOLUTELY going to finish my China Vest and my Shetland Sweater. So the vest will be first, with the sweater next in line.

The sad thing is that these are only a few of the projects that I have to make decisions about. Baby steps, right?! These projects are the first on the list and I am really going to focus - really this time! :)

I will most likely fall back into the control of the aliens soon as I do have some Mukluk slippers to make for gifts...but I am truly committed to this cause and will fight hard to stay on track!!!

As Elizabeth Zimmerman as my witness, I will finish something!! Wish me luck as I work to thwart the alien hoard living in my closet! How about you? Are you a million-projects-at-once kind of knitter or dedicated to one project at a time type of knitter? How do you tackle your own U.F.O.s (if any)? Any useful tips for knitters like myself?

As always, happy knitting and crocheting!! Jeanne

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To finish or not to finish, that is the question...

by : Jimmy Beans Wool
I have been having a hard time finishing some of my WIP's (works in progress) and well I have some patterns that I have deadlines on, ummm come on Jeanne!! I finally sat down and did a basic list of my WIP's and came up with 15 so far and I say so far because I remembered one that I had left off the list, so I am pretty sure that as I get more and more honest with myself I will have to add to the list.

1 & 2. I have 2 TOP SECRET projects that are at the top of the list, so if I tell you about them I will have to kill you, ha ha!

3. I have my Shoal Water Shawl which if I would just suck it up and move along is really close. Blush the project log isn't up to date (that's my job) in this picture as I am a bit further.

4. My China Vest from Folk Vests...again really great progress! This one isn't even on the project log ugh!

5. A pair of my Bubble Socks out of Lorna's Laces sport weight for my daughter. This one isn't on the log yet, but in my defense I have modified the pattern, so have been reluctant to put it up. I know, I know that's a weak defense, but it's the best I've got!

6. My Knitting Pure and Simple sweater #294...which is even further along than in this project log post.

7. I have started (well am really on the second half of) the Dawn shawl from the book by Grace Ann Farrow, The fine Line, out of Isager Wool 1. This one isn't on the log yet and I shall have to remedy that ASAP!!!

8. I am making the Court House Steps blanket/throw from Mason Dixon Knitting out of some discontinued stash yarn by Rowan. This one isn't on the log because I am using a discontinued yarn, but I will put it on for you anyway.

9. My Rowan Shetland Cardigan out of Rowan Felted Tweed Aran.

10. My Fiddlehead Mittens which really haven't moved too far since I posted them.

11. Another Cosette Wrap out of Amber's First Kitchen in the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted (not on the project log sheesh!)

12. Another 2 Askew Designs pattern that I can't talk about yet...

13. Repeat line 12 here ha ha!

14. Three Sister Scarf #3 out of Hand Maiden Sea Silk. Phew this one is up to date on the log, b ig sigh of relief!!

15. My Lace Ribbon Scarf which is (thankfully up to date on the project log) and I am using Amber's 1st Kitchen in the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sport weight.

So I guess I am using this forum as an WIP intervention for Jeanne HELP!! I am a great starter, but need to finish some of this stuff!

As you may know, Sandy and I are great pals and she has encouraged me with her WIP list to get a little more organized, but what is a knitter to do when there are so many great projects to work on? I do eventually finish some stuff, but have a lot that is unfinished as you can see by my overwhelming list! When I talk to you most of you are in a similar boat (maybe not quite so much water sinking your boat), but so many of you only work on one project at a time. HOW DO YOU DO IT?? I am so easily distracted by all the ideas that I feel like a Magpie chasing all the shinny things for my nest. I chase all the beautiful yarns and patterns for my knitting nest.

Well I guess I better get my needles clicking on one of these things, so for now as always happy knitting and crocheting!

Jeanne


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