Clicking needles...

It occurred to me that what this blog needs is more knitting. In fact, my first blogging attempt was actually a knitting blog. This one has been relatively "knit-free"...and that just won't do. I will make more effort to include my ongoing projects, knitting and other. Maybe it will even help me finish some of them. I don't have any problem with starting projects. I excel in that regard, and in fact possess an enormous talent for "starting stuff". I can begin a new project every single day...multiple times a day. The problem I seem to have is finishing the ones that I start. Sometimes I get very close to finishing. For example, I can finish knitting a sweater, sew it together and then take 6 months to sew buttons on it. It will become apparent to the careful reader that one of my other talents is procrastination. The fact is that I'd procrastinate even more...if I could just get around to it (eh eh). Anyway...I am a knitter and have loved this craft since I was a little girl sitting beside mum on the couch watching her knit all kinds of stuff. She taught me to knit and crochet when I was a wee lass and I have always been fascinated by yarn and textiles in general. I have fond memories, as a teenager, of taking the bus into town after school. Eagerly anticipating my visit to the knitting shop in Cleethorpes, buying a ball or two from my layaway (in those days the store kept your stash for you!), and excitedly taking it home to continue my project. Yes, I know...a bit sad and nerdy. For years after that I had to hide my anti-social, filthy habit and knit in isolation. Now knitting is hip. It's popular. It is IN. So I need to be true to my knitty roots and post up stuff.

One of my goals for 2010 is to try and use up reduce (no point in getting silly about it) my stash and withhold cut-down on my yarn purchasing. Perhaps if I finish two projects then I can buy the yarn for a new one? I suppose two socks won't count. For some reason I am not good at knitting two socks. I only seem to be able to knit one. It ends up laying forlorn in its bag next to the rest of the yarn which might, one day, be it's other half. Poor socks. Here are two lonely soles (soles...get it?). I will try to finish their "other half" one of these days. The small sock on the left was knitted 3-years ago..for Bronwyn. The sock on the left you may remember. I won't hold it against you if you don't.

I will also share some of my guilty burden...my stash. I have a lot of yarn in my stash (not as much as some folk...more than others). Here's a couple of "What was I thinking?" purchases that are in the collection. These began life as the irresistible deal. This lovely soft angora/merino mix yarn was only $2 a ball. It's a pleasant shade of green with a silver sparkly fleck running through it. I thought at the time I bought it that I might knit myself a sparkly Christmas sweater.

I have not worn a sweater with sparkles since I was about 6 years old, neither have I knitted a "Christmas sweater". When I saw the nice yarn for $2/ball...with sparkles...I suddenly imagined myself sitting in a big comfy chair (I don't actually have one), drinking some egg-nog (I don't like egg-nog), and relaxing (ha ha...relaxing?! Christmas???), wearing a sparkly Christmas sweater. That is what makes it dangerous for me to enter yarn stores during sales; suddenly imagining myself in a completely different (better?) life that would incorporate and, dare I say be facilitated by, a relationship with me and the on-sale yarn in the form of a knitted garment. Strange, but true. Maybe it might work as a sweater for Bronwyn.

My sister mentioned one time that she'd love a chunky knitted jacket in a "cranberry" colour. I saw this Ribbon Twist and thought..."It's not quite Cranberry, but it's a bargain...close enough". But when I got it home I realised that it was actually a very bright red. Now I'm stuck with about 10 balls of it. Any ideas?

Here's a few of my current projects. A skirt for Bronwyn ("Hip in Hemp" by Gudrun Johnston, from Knitty: Summer 2007) in Hempathy by Elsebeth Lavold that is almost finished. The yarn for this project was meant to turn into an afghan...but that was me being really silly. This is the second skirt I have knit from this pattern. I love the feel of it and the drape is lovely. The colours don't look so good in this pic.

A Crocodile for Bronwyn, by Twist Collective...I've mentioned it before...gathering a bit of dust and in hibernation. She's awaiting her arms and eyes and that's all...sigh...remember procrastination?

I have begun a lace scarf which may or may not ever be finished. Lace yarn is thin...very, very thin. We only have so much time on this earth...

A cardigan for me. I'm enjoying it. It's call "Toasty" and is from Rowan Studio 14. It's the same yarn that was going to be a tunic. But I went off the tunic half way through, "frogged" it, and am turning it into a cardigan. I'm knitting it in Rowan Kid Classic. But it's getting Summery out...so it will likely lie dormant until Fall. In fact...it may get reincarnated into something else. I'm not sure. Rubbish picture...sorry about that.

Finally, the beautiful "Owlet" sweater by Kate Davis for Bronwyn or River (whoever it fits)...I may make them one each. In Rowan Cashsoft Chunky. I've started a blue one. The yarn is chunky, but knits fast. I was thinking I may finish it so Bronwyn (or River) can wear it when we go camping. But maybe it's best left until Winter...I'm not sure. It's also my first attempt at knitting a sweater in the round.


Now I just hope that I can provide an update of these as finished projects...let's hope. There is still a chance for me!