January Starts and Goals

So, here we are in January of 2018.  So much has happened in such a short amount of time!  Kelly and Jim were married in September.  They seem to be very happy with their three boys, Val, Jacen, and Abraham.  Baylor and Ashley got married yesterday, January 26.  It was a lovely little courthouse wedding, but I believe there were more people there than Ashley expected.  Our family was represented by Steve, Jay, Nat, Vern, Angie and I.  Her family was represented by Becky and Ron (her mom and dad) and her mom's parents.   We went to Red Lobster for lunch, then later to Mele's for a more inclusive reception.  It was very nice, but you could tell Harper and Ashley were both very tired by 8. So I guess I get to start the New Year with a Son In Law and a Daughter In Law.  Not too surprising, but wonderful.  Here is a photo of Baylor and Ashley:

And one of Kelly and Jim:

Well, this week I have received a lot of goodies in the mail.  I received this book in the mail.  I am really into Hygge lately and want to learn more about it.  

Also, the Multicultural Book Club is preparing for it's second book.  This time, it's a book from an African author.  I am not sure which one I want to read, but I will make a decision this weekend.

Stash Aquisition

I also received several yarns this week.  Since one collection is a gift, I will show you what I can.  Last Christmas, Ethan gave me a gift certificate from Backyard Fiberworks.  It took me a year to decide what I wanted to do with that gift.  This week, I finally figured it out.  The Stonington Socks 2018 group are making a pair of socks called No. 5 Union Street.  They are so pretty and fun!  Check it out:

So I purchased these colors to make a pair or two.  Ethan likes it and so do I, so maybe a pair for both of us.  There should be enough to make two pair with extra left over.  EEEHHHHH!!!!

 
  

WIPs

I've been busy working on so many projects and, in reviewing what I have in my Island of Unloved Projects, I have found so many items I really want to complete, but tossed aside for the next 'bright shiny project".  I am not going to give up starting new items, but need to complete a few items that I have on the needles.  

This weekend, I am making a few dishcloths.  I want to make 52 or so this year.  They make great gifts, everyone can use one or two and I have a ton of cotton I would love to use up.  I could probably make dishcloths for years and not use up all the cotton I have!

I am working  on a pair of socks for Box of Socks 2018.  These are the Hedgerow Socks in Seawall Fibres Laguna Agate.  It's a beautiful soft sock yarn.  The Box of Socks socks needs to be a fingering weight sock.  The idea is to knit a pair a month.  I am just over halfway completed with this pair.  I am really enjoying making them.  

Additionally, I am working on a pair of bulky weight slippers.  They are difficult to make because after using fingering weight yarn, the bulky yarn is like using rope.  I had a difficult time with the pattern, but now that I know how to read it,  it's a lot easier.

 

Finally, my LunchTime WIP is a pair of camp socks I started in 2016.  They are out of Cascade Heritage 150 Paints in sport weight.  I started them right after a trip to Lewisburg WV and got the yarn from Country Road Yarn House.  It's nice yarn to work with, but so PINK!!!  I finally decided the thing to do is to add white heels and toes to make this pair more palatable.  I think it will help a lot. 

The LunchTime WIPs are the WIPs I started prior to 2018.  I am using the ones that are in the Yarn Vault or the Room of Creativity.  This is the second I am working on since January 1. I am working on WIPs all this year during my lunch hours.  It's a good way to get a lot of these projects completed as it is 40 minutes about 4 days a week.  The first was Jacen's OSU Cardigan, which is completed and given to Kelly.  Which takes me to...

Finished Items!! 

As I said, I completed the OSU Cardigan for Jacen.  It came out lovely and is completely washable and dryable.  Perfect for a little boy to wear.  Pattern is the Lennix Cardigan and for the cost of the pattern, you get sizes 2 month to 12 years in 3 different yarn weights - worsted, DK and sport.  This one is made of Hobby Lobby Sport in Toy Elephant, Black and Cherry. 

 

I also completed a cowl.  It's the Obverse Cowl.  It is made of some stash yarn I bought at the Wool Gathering.  It is Queensland Rustic Tweed in Charcoal.  I still have enough of this yarn to make another, if I chose to, and may do it after the first of the month.  Here is the finished item, though:

Plans for future projects in February

As I said earlier, I would love to do the No. 5 Union Street Socks next month.  They will go in my Box of Socks.  I need to decide if I am going to make these or another pair of socks.  That's why I am making dishcloths this weekend.   Sometimes it's good to make something simple to clear your mind and make you feel accomplished.

I am hosting the Cold Hands Warm Heart KAL on Ravelry's Knitting for Boys group.  It's a chance to make some warm accessories for our wee ones.  I want to make the Yukon Blast hat for Val, maybe one for Ethan as well.  Val's would be acrylic or wool blend so it's easy to care for.  I am also going to participate in the Ravellenics.  Hard to believe it was about 10 years ago I heard about this idea through the Yarn Harlot!  I am hoping to participate in WIP Dancing, Ariel Unwind (frogging), Hat  Halfpipe, Sock Hockey, and Cowl Curling.  I know that sounds like a lot, but I believe it is doable.  

So that's all the news I have for this week.  I think that I will try to continue writing this blog weekly t get my goals and thoughts down so I know more of which direction I want my crafting to go.  I don't see me doing a podcast, but this... this I can do.