Knitting Update

(Take a seat and get settled, this is one of my rare 1,000 word posts.)

I’m still knitting though my project monogamy seemed to have disappeared in April. Every time I start a new project, I work on it continuously for a few days then get distracted and start something new. I’m pretty sure what my problem is: I’m not sure what I want to do with myself. Do I want to keep making socks, some for myself but most with others? Do I want to make a summer cardigan for myself or keep Matt a simply pullover? Do I want to just focus on meeting childrens’ garments for family and friends? Do I want to switch to making giant blankets? I feel as if I should have a formal plan, a way to determine what type of projects I’ll be busy making over the last year. What do I care so much?

It’s only my hobby. Yes, I say it – it’s only just knitting, not a powerful tool to change the world. I knit to keep myself calm and sane and, sometime, produce things for others. I’m essentially a selfish person with a mild pension for making baby clothes (but only because they’re small and really cute). I start a project with every intention of keeping it to myself. Then I accidentally make a sock too long or I don’t like the color the yarn knits up. But do I actually give up these orphans, rarely. I still have the following, waiting to be given away: a scarf, tree similar hats, a cowl, and a mini scarf. Just sitting there.

I guess I’m somewhat embarrassed to give them away because I made them with every intention of keeping them for myself. I’ve never really worn any of them (and, if I had, they were washed afterward). Perfect good to be gifts. What is wrong with me??

(Insert about two hours during which I returned to bed due to a sudden-onset migraine. Three cheers for it lasting only two hours but bummer for losing my train of thought entirely. Let’s just pretend my entire point was to talk about recently finished projects and current ones.)

Recently completed:
1) Relocation Jaywalkers: Yeah, these were started in November just before we moved. While I love the Jaywalker pattern, finishing this was like slogging through partially tried concrete. The left sock was finished before Olga helped “correct” my knitting technique so it’s a much smaller gauge than the other sock. Of course, I didn’t realize this and made both socks using the same number of rows, so the result is a much larger right sock. Oops. These have been essentially relegated to use as socks to wear during ballet class. (I am unusual in my ballet class sock-wearing but it helps correct the stretching out of my shoes which has occurred since I purchased them.)

2) Beth’s Nanners: I had every intention of making myself a squishy pair of KPPPM socks to replace my first pair I ever made (they sort of got destroyed in the move). Then I started knitting and was really unhappy with the result. Thankfully, Beth from my knitting group LOVED them. Now, they’re hers and I swear she’s worn them every time I’ve seen her which is probably on purpose but it tickles me to no end. The woman is going to be the recipient of probably every third pair I make in the future. There’s nothing like knitting for another knitter cause only a knitter really “gets” how much work it takes and can follow the directions regarding hand-washing. Plus Beth is a great friend who deserves to be showered with gifts. Anyway..these took just over a month to complete due to my distraction with a baby sweater for a family member (which I’ll talk about later) but I’m very happy with the result. I will certainly be making another pair using this pattern.

In Progress:
1) Baby Cardi: Making another Garter Stitch Baby Cardi for Rachel’s baby. The knitting is all done, just needs buttons sewn on. For some reason I keep putting this off, despite the fact it’s so easy. Just seven little ladybug buttons and I can send it to her. Here’s an old WIP shot:

2) Devon Socks: I was all excited when I bought Cookie A’s sock book but now, not so much. While the designs are gorgeous, they’re just too complicated for my taste. I knit socks because they’re slightly difficult construction with a simple lace or cable pattern. If I wanted to have to think, I’d make lace shawls. The book is still inspirational for me, I just think it’s going to remain a book I won’t be knitting from. That being said, here’s what these socks looked like before I frogged them last night:

3) Dream Swatch: I’ve always wanted to make this pattern but previous attempted failed horribly. I had a single ball of Frog Tree Pima Cotton Silk leftover from a previous project and, with no ability to get more skeins of it, was looking for a quick project to use it up. Quite happy with how it’s going so far. Unsure of final recipient as I’m not the headband type. No WIP photos though I’ll snap a pic later.

4) Van Dyke Socks: Making these for Alison using the very squishy sportweight yarn Beth gave me. Not sure why I decided Alison needs heavy socks in summer but whatever. They’re just a quick knit – I finished the first sock in five days! The second sock, well, it’s about 3″ and I’ve stopped working on it. Photos to come later.

5) Andromeda: I decided at the last minute to attend Maryland Sheep and Wool yesterday and one of the things I picked up was some mill ends of Cherry Tree Hill Supersock Merino. In the brightest bright pink, ever. After seeing Jocelyn’s gorgeous rendition of this shawl, I decided to make one, myself. Likely recipient is one of Matt’s aunts. I think I want to make a lace shawl for all of his aunts and maybe mine (though I’m not sure many of them are, well, the type to wear lace shawls). Yes, this was an idea that came to me during my migraine so it’s crazy people talk.