Sometimes you just have to be ruthless...

Ok, so, after taking inventory yesterday of my remaining 11 WIPs, I posited that I might just frog the Not-So-Basic-Black Cardi. I looked at it today to make sure there wasn't some little redeeming something about it that might stay that fate. 

Nope. I'm just not feeling the love. The Hacho yarn itself has a lovely feel, but this particular colorway? Ech. And then I looked at the front, which I'd re-engineered (who, me? redesign something midstream? heh...)...eh...it wasn't quite what I'd been going for. Thus, I'm sorry, Not-So-Basic-Black Cardi who was about 40% complete...consider yourself frogged. Riiiiiiiip.

There is something empowering about deciding to rip out a knit that isn't working, you know? It's not all bad to admit that the hours we put into something don't make it right...and that maybe those hours were needed for us to learn something apart from what the finished object itself could have shown us.

With this in mind, I braved the deep, dusty recesses of my bedroom -- basically known as that mysterious space under the bed -- and pulled out my box of hibernating UFOs. These are the projects that I either got bored with or just didn't want to feel the guilt they induced as they looked at me from their place in the knitting basket, so I banished them. Only I called them "hibernating" because "hibernating" is a much kinder word than "banished." (Plus "hibernating" is an option on the Ravelry project page, whereas "banished" is not.) 

The thing is, much like the cream-colored lace blouse that seemed just perfect when you bought but ended up being itchy and uncomfortable, or the pair of 5" lime green heels that seemed like they'd be a fun addition to your footwear only you can't really walk in them...like those things that languish in corners of closets, threatening to remind you of your ill-fated impulses, these hibernating UFOs can start to haunt you. You know they're still there, but you don't really love them anymore, and you know you should do something about them, but...but...it can be hard to make that final decision, you know?

Until you do it once. One little taste of ruthlessness can be all that is needed to set you free. MWAHAHAhahahahaha....!

And so we say goodbye to the crazy tank top that I decided to design, after spending an untold fortune on the yarn because I bought it on sale, returned it and then bought it again after the freaking sale...

 

...you were a nice idea, but you just aren't working out and at this point, I don't even remember what I was doing with you. So...riiiiiiiip!

And we also bid a half-hearted farewell to you, rough organic cotton ponchette...

You were the first "big" project I ever started to knit...and it shows...you have errors, my friend, many horribly wrought stitches. Even at 65% done, I'm afraid there is no redemption for you in this life. Thus...riiiiiiiip!

And you, lacy shawl that I started at my MIL's request, for a Christmas gift that never was to be because I just don't knit lace that fast, and frankly, the acrylic yarn she requested? Gah...! :P

You're a pretty pattern, and perhaps some day I'll revisit you, but in a more deserving yarn and at a time when I have the ability to really focus on you. For now...riiiiiiiip!

Oh, and then there is you, Noro sock...I so, so wanted to love you! I really did! I waited in great anticipation for your yarn to come to the shop! But when you arrived and I cast on, I was so disappointed...

...it wasn't your colors that let me down, for Noro colorways can never disappoint. No, it was the feel of you...you were not pleasant. And you were loose and horrible in stockinette, so I cast on again, and even again, I believe, finally landing on a 2x2 rib, but even at that, you brought me no joy. It was a case of too-high expectations that brought our relationship crashing down. I'm sorry. I feel I'm at least partially to blame for this. But nevertheless...riiiiiiiip!

There is some light in this ripping darkness, though! One lone project, a silk/mohair tube scarf, escaped unfrogged. Nevermind that mohair is a total bitch to rip out, but I really like that project still. The yarn and its colors still make me feel warm and happy and fuzzy (how not to feel fuzzy with mohair?). It's banishment came about simply because I was distracted by newer, more exciting projects, but I will not frog it. No. I will finish it because I know I will love it when it is done. But I will leave it in official hibernation for right now because, dude, I'm not adding another active WIP to the list before the end of January! LOL

Is it February yet?

'Cause I am SO getting the itch to cast on something new! Enough of this finishing, already! So many pretty patterns! So much yummy yarn in the stash! Ahhhhh!!!

:::sigh:::

I am, however, determined to get my WIP list into the single digits between now and 11:59 p.m. Saturday. I can do this!

I added about 8" to my Scarf on a Whim last night while watching the movie Expelled. (Interesting movie, if a bit disturbing. I'd recommend it, though, if you're interested in the intelligent design vs. evolution topic.) This is an easy scarf to knit when your brain power is focusing on something else. (Oh! Did I mention that I finally FOUND the other ball of yarn for this scarf? Yeah! It's been missing since November, and suddenly...poof! It shows up downstairs in my office! I was so happy! The prodigal yarn returneth, and there was much rejoicing...) This one should be an easy one to finish. 

(Sorry...I'm too lazy to link to these projects, but you can click on their names in the progress bar over to the right and that'll take you to their projects pages at Ravelry if you want to see pictures...I've probably posted the pictures here before at some point anyway.)

If I pulled out my sewing machine, I could finish up the Green Purse, because all it really needs is a lining and zipper, and that shouldn't take more than an hour...just gotta do it.

I'd really like to finish my Socktoberfest socks, and they shouldn't take too long if I'd just work on them. 

Lastly, I'm seriously considering frogging my Not-So-Basic-Black Cardi. As much as I really want an nice, all-purpose cardi to wear, and I have most of the back and one front done on it, I'm just not loving how this one is working out. The colors are reminding me way too much of the crazy-colored prints that were so popular back in the late 80's/early 90's. I kept thinking, "Maybe once it is all done, it will miraculously NOT remind me of that," but we all know that knits rarely heal themselves in that way. If I'm not liking it now, chances are that won't change, and I could be using that time to knit something else that I like better. So.

So, that would take four more WIPs off the list, leaving me with seven! The two swap afghans are going to be in progress for a few more months yet because of the swap. My Swiftly Turning Afghan, as much as I love it, I just haven't felt compelled to work on lately. The Blackberry Jam sock (still on sock #1 of the pair) has been one of my take-along projects so it is being worked on in fits and starts, though I am at least past the heel now. The February Lady Sweater...sigh...perhaps I'll make it a goal to finish the damn thing in February? The Liberating My Lace scarf (which is really the Ribbon Lace pattern from Knitty) is wonderful and fun to knit and I love the yarn...I just can't knit lace if I'm distracted, so my time with it is limited because it doesn't work well for TV or waiting room knitting. But it will get done eventually. 

And the Malabrigo Ribbed Pullover? Well, the back is just about complete, and I'd like to think I'll finish it to wear this winter, but honestly, it gets a little boring...not as boring as knitting an all stockinette sweater, but close. Also, I'm not nearly as excited about it as I was when I cast it on over a year ago. I chose the pattern because it was easy, and I was still pretty new to sweater knitting. I prefer things with a little more shape to them now, though this will be a nice warm, comfy sweater if I ever get it done. The color variegations of the Purple Passion yarn do rock, though. That's pretty much the only thing that keeps me from poking my eyeballs out with my needles out of sheer boredom.

(Ok...confession time...I actually DID cast on a new project the other night. It was another two-row scarf. But as I got into it, I realized it was turning out way too dark and drab for the person I was thinking of giving it to, so I ripped it all the way out down to the first two rows, because I may still use that skein. But I haven't added this project to my WIPs yet, and I am not touching it again until AFTER January! I'm trying to be good...really...)

Shout out...

...to my first-born, who made his appearance in this world at 12:57 a.m. exactly twenty-three years ago. (I swear he'd still be in there if he hadn't been evicted, first by induction, then 17 1/2 hours later by c-section!) My baby is now an adult. He's a husband and a dad. And he's a Marine, who is slated to deploy to Afghanistan within the next month or two. I can't wait to see him next month when he has leave before he goes. It's been a crazy, adventurous life with that boy in a lot of ways, but I love him beyond words. And while I know it's unlikely he'll be reading this, I just have to put this out there.

Happy birthday, my dear son! You bring my heart joy. I love you so. 

And in fiber news...

Lest you think my gym obsession has unseated all things fibery in my life, think again! We're still in the wool here and going strong!

My latest FO (bringing the WIP count down to 11!) -- the charity hat I started back in November:

I used up a lot of yarn leftovers on this one, and the color work design was completely done on the fly, so I'll never be able to replicate it. LOL 

I love doing left and right leaning decreases on hat crowns because you can get this cool star shape on top (I wonder if there is an actual name for this technique?):

And there's some spinning going on, though not that much. I started working with the Bunny Patch merino/angora last weekend:

Oh my goodness! It is soooo incredibly soft! It feels lovely! However, it is much different to spin with than anything else I've done so far, so it is taking some getting used to. Hopefully I'll have some time to play more with it this weekend.

And can I just say that buying roving is an addiction in itself? Holy cow! The Lime & Violet's  Daily Chum blog has become a major enabler for me, too, because they feature so many great fiber vendors on there. I know I should just avoid looking...but I can't. :::sigh:::

So, new rovings that have come to live with me this week (I mentioned some of these before but now I have pictures!)...from CJ Kopec Creations:

A totally delicious wool/bamboo blend, colorway Secrets...honestly, it may be softer than the merino/angora! I can't wait to play with it just to stare at the color as it goes by! Also:

A masham roving, colorway Candy Corn. Fun! :)

From SlowCOLOR, I got this awesome, color-tastic sampler box of plant-dyed wool and wool/mohair blends:

It reminds me of sushi! Roving sushi! It's so pretty, I hate to think of disturbing it by taking it apart and spinning any of it. But I will. Eventually. LOL

Lastly, this BFL prettiness, from Briar Rose Fibers:

I guess I'm not completely over my teal obsession. I kept going to the BRF site and looking at these two, and then I'd say to myself, "No. You don't need more!" But then I finished spinning that other BFL from them and it was so nice, so I'd go and look at it again, and tell myself, "Wait a few days...if it's still there when you come back, then you can buy it." I did that to myself a couple of times. And, well, you see what happened. I'm glad I did it, though. It's beautiful, and Chris is just a the loveliest person to do business with. I highly recommend her business to you! (She sells lots of beautiful yarns as well as the roving, and she's got a wonderful collection of handmade buttons, too.)

Now here's my big dilemma...what do you do when you've got all these pretty fibers staring at you, wanting your attention? See, with yarn, when you get something new and pretty, you can just sit down, knit up a swatch of it just to play with it and see what it will look like...no problem. With roving, though, it seems a bit more of an endeavor to just spin a sample of a new fiber, just to satisfy the whim, you know? Do you other spinners do this? Or do you just behave yourselves and wait until you're ready to spin up the whole batch?

Anyway, it's the weekend...unfortunately, its going to be a busy one, I think. Not sure how much knitting/spinning time I'll be able to get in. I also have a non-fibery assignment I need to finish up by Sunday, so that will be taking some of my time. Honestly...I wish I could learn to function without sleep. It would solve so many problems. LOL 

Healthy obsession...

If you know me well, you know that what I'm about to say is one of the least likely things you'd ever hear come out of my mouth (or off my fingers): 

My life has been overtaken by my obsession with going to the gym.

Yes. Really. I go four or five days out of the week for at least an hour. Thursday and Sunday are the only days I definitely don't go, but when I'm not there, I'm thinking about being there. I want to be there. I love it there. I love the hour-long kickboxing and martial arts classes wherein I push my body to the point of exhaustion and leave feeling so incredibly good. And on the drive home, I'm already looking forward to the next time I'll go back. I love breathing hard and feeling my heart pump and the sweat running off me (and in general, I really hate the feeling of sweating). I love learning the new things I'm learning there, and I love finding that I can do things that I didn't think I could possibly ever do. I love the environment, the people, everything about it. I love what is happening to my body as a result of this experience. In two short months, I've come to feel better in my body and about my body than I have at any other time in my entire life. 

Obsess much? Yeah. :}

See now, the downside to this obsession is the risk of completely burning myself out. This I know from past experience with other things. But somehow, this all feels different. I mean, I've struggled with my weight and with living a healthy lifestyle my whole adult life. I've tried so many things, but nothing stuck. Nothing clicked. Nothing interested me long enough to really made a lasting difference. Not so this time. Rather than my interest starting to wane after a couple months, I feel it continuing to build. I'm holding my breath and almost afraid to say it, but it seems that maybe I've finally found the right thing for me, in the right place, at the right time.

So here I am, after eight weeks of this crazy adventure, 19 pounds lighter, feeling insanely good about myself, and praying that it never ends. 

ETA: I feel compelled to clarify: when I started doing this, it was largely because I wanted to get off my arse and do something active. And this is active! However, at this point, my enthusiasm for it is as much (if not more) for the learning as it is for the fitness benefits. And I'm pretty sure it is going to be my passion for learning that motivates me to continue with it all in the long term.

What is a knitter to do?

Imagine this if you will: a certain knitter is getting ready to go on a wintry, outdoor adventure for the afternoon. She's gathering the clothes that will keep her warm and dry. Wool socks? Check. Long underwear? Check. Hat? Hat?? No check!

After digging a little more into the recesses of her drawers, she unearths a creamy, cabled hat. Old, store-bought, acrylic and snagged. Yikes. She recalls wearing that in, what? Junior high? (The fact that it is still in her possession is rather shocking, frankly. She doesn't put it back in the drawer but instead adds it to the Goodwill pile in the corner.) That will not do. She digs more, but to no avail, which brings us to this important question: How is it that someone who has knit umpteen hats does not actually have a hat of her own to wear when she needs one? That is a rather ironic conundrum, don't you think? The knitter's version of the shoemaker's children going barefoot, or whatever that saying is.

This was my story yesterday, as I prepared to head out for an afternoon of snowshoeing with my friend Myrna. So, what is a knitter to do in this circumstance?

The knitter asks her friend if she minds driving, hits the stash and finds what she needs to knit a hat in the car on the hour-long drive to their snowshoeing destination, of course! LOL

As it turned out, even choosing the bulkiest wool I could had on hand for a hat (Ellyn Cooper Woolly Bear -- which, by the way? Never, EVER have I had a hank of Ellyn Cooper yarn that did not tangle profusely when trying to wind it into a ball. Never. No matter what care I take with it, it tangles. And the fact that I was in a hurry yesterday only assured that there would be sufficient tangles to add frustration to the task.), using US 10.5 needles, I only managed to get the hat about 2/3 knit on the way there. Oh well. I tried!

The thing is...I really hate wearing hats anyway, which explains why I don't have any hats of my own. I knit them for others. But me? No thanks. The tight fit of the standard winter cap on my head is So. Not. Attractive. I keep meaning to knit myself a slouchy hat or beret, because I think I could like one of those, but I have yet to do so.

As it turned out, it wasn't a particularly cold day yesterday. Snowy, yes...

but I had a long scarf that I wrapped around my head and neck, and a hood on my jacket, and that served to keep me quite warm and dry.

Me and Myrna, waiting to get started!

It was such a beautiful day in the Laurel Mountains. We'd gotten a good five inches of snow overnight at our house, but there was at least a fresh foot of powdery goodness on the ground at Koozer State Park where we were. Absolutely stunning.


I'd never snowshoed before, but it turns out it was a lot of fun! And I much prefer it to skiing at this point in life. This was a short trip just for beginners, so we didn't go far, but it was good to get the feel of it. It really is little more than walking, just easier in the deep snow with the snowshoes on. And about those shoes...who knew that snowshoes no longer resemble over sized tennis rackets? Srsly!
Anyway, I did end up finishing the hat in short order on the drive home, and while it is pretty (totally love the colors), I know I'll never wear it, so it becomes my January charity hat.

(I have enough yarn left over to probably make myself a pair of mitts from it, so I'll still get to enjoy this colorway again!)

And while I know that knitting this hat technically violates January-is-for-finishing mandate, since I cast on and finished it in the same day, it had no long-lasting effect on the WIP number, so it's all good. Right? LOL

PS - Lest I be remiss, let me just add: YES!!! The Steelers are going to the Super Bowl! That was one freakin' excellent game last night, except for that horrible McGahee-Clark head-to-head clash near the end. That hurt just hearing it. But Polamalu? How fabulous is he? OMG! That interception and ensuing touchdown? Even my husband yelled on that one, and he's usually the quiet one when we watch games. So...yeah! :)

More yarn, another FO...

I'm just moving right along! I finished off another WIP last night...my narrower version of the Noro Two-Row scarf...

The scarf and I were having a disagreement this morning on how it should be photographed. You'd be surprised how persnickety something with such pretty colors in it can be. Inside wasn't going so well, so I tried...

...outside. It really didn't like that. It wanted to come back inside and have it's Saturday morning coffee. So, that's what it did. Er, ok...that's what I did. The scarf was happy, and so was I.

(See what happens when I don't get enough a) sleep or b) coffee on a Saturday morning? I start personifying my knit goods.)

(And about the sleep? Yeah. I was up -- wide awake -- before 8 a.m. today. I'm never awake that early without an alarm. Ever. WTF?)

I moved on to the rest of the Briar Rose BFL that I'd finished plying yesterday. It was so much more cooperative about the pictures than the scarf...

...it just perched prettily on the piano and smiled...

...and so I did not make it go out into the 1 degree F. air and sit in the snow. 

The scarf is pissed. I may have to keep the two separated.

Ahem.

As I mentioned the other day, I'm really pleased with how the rest of this BFL spun up. Using my handy-dandy new little WPI tool, I've determined that this hank (about 160ish yards) is a fairly consistent DK/light worsted weight, which is exactly what I was going for, so, yeay me!

I got some delicious fiber in the mail yesterday from CJ Kopec Creations. I didn't take pictures yet, but the one is a Masham roving in a colorway called Candy Corn, and the other is Merino/bamboo/Colonial blend in a vibrant red colorway called Secrets. And oh my goodness...that latter roving? It is so soft and so beautiful that I just want to hold it and pet it and do unspeakable things to it, it is that lovely. I can't wait to spin it. But I'm going to just let it sit where I can ogle it for a while. Mmm.

I think my next spinning project is going to be the Bunny Patch merino/angora Storm Clouds roving I recently got from NewHueHandspuns. I keep telling my kids I'm going to "spin the bunny," LOL and my daughter keeps imagining naked bunnies hopping around after they've been shorn. Hence, I had to explain to her that angora is harvested by plucking it from the bunnies, not shaving it off them like a sheep. I think she was relieved. (Ok, that is my understanding of how you get fiber from bunnies, but my knowledge of this is limited to what I read in Barbara Delinsky's novel, The Summer I Dared. So I could be wrong.)  

BTW, my WIP count got down to 11 after finishing the Noro scarf, but then I remembered that I needed to reactivate my afghan square project, which I'd previously marked off as finished but is really not because I agreed to join in with a group of girls who want to make eight more squares to swap to end up with a bigger afghan. So. I'm still at 12. Will this WIP number ever get to the single digits?? The weather seems to have no problem with that. My knitting, however, isn't getting it. But there is still the second half of January left to try and make a dent. :::sigh:::