Getting ready for 2007

The past week or so I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about my fiber projects and stash organization for 2007. I’d like to go into this new year with a clean fiber slate, so to speak.

I’ve also been thinking a lot about what motivates me, what keeps me going. Obviously, I live for my darling little boy who just does his best to keep me laughing. The down side of spending my time home however, is that every day is like the one before it. The endless shovling against the tide of laundry, the cleaning up from one meal just in time to make the next meal and of course the 2 hour ritual of bedtime. Sometimes I’m not even sure what day of the week it actually is, afterall, unless we have a Dr apt why would I even need to know?

When I was in school I had a focus, structure. Each semester provided new challenges, deadlines and goals with the ultimate goal being to graduate. All those tests and papers, reading assignments and midterms kept me on track. I had firm boundaries for what I needed to do with my time and when I needed to complete things. Now my biggest goals are getting the diapers washed (we use cloth) before we run out of clean and getting the dishes done before we need the kitchen to fix the next meal. Not a very motivating senario folks.

So I’ve decided to do something about this, something being better than nothing, right?

After a recent inventory of the stash I found that I had not one, but two 70 qt tubs filled with unfinished knitting and even a few spinning projects. Now I can understand having a UFO or two and perhaps even an object discarded in disgust that just hasn’t been frogged yet, but really, 2-70 qt tubs is a bit beyond ridiculous.

Realizing just how many unfinished objects I had floating around and re-evaluation how much spinning fiber and yarn I have on hand I’ve decided that I really should do something about using some of it up/finishing things off. I asked Santa for a dry erase calendar with a least 3 months worth of spaces and was pleasantly surprised with the calendar that arrived. It has larger spaces for 3 months worth on one side and smaller squares for 4 months worth of time on the other. Since most of the projects are multi-day affairs I’ve done with the 4-month side and it is now hanging from some lovely littly sticky hooks on our bedroom wall, on my side where I can jump up and add to it any time day or night.

I haven’t quite finished mapping out which projects are happening when yet, but I’m working up a schedule for both UFOs and the things I want or need to do this next year.

One obstacle is that I’ve had a major case of startitis for the past month or so and while I’ve been fighting it I haven’t always won. I just keep adding to the things I want to do, to a point where the list is probably 2 years long, easily. I’ve got several things I’d like to make for DS, though at last count, between the 3 I’ve made him, the 3 his Godmother made, the 2 his Nonna made and the one that is a loaner from a friend, he really, really doesn’t need any more sweaters for this winter! 9 handknit sweaters are a lot for an adult to have, let alone someone who will not get more than 2 years at most out of any of them. So, no more baby sweaters sized for this year, and since at least 4 of the ones he already has should fit next year and odds are good that his Nonna and his Godmother will each make him another for next year, he probably doesn’t need more than 1-2 from me by the end of the year. That would give him 7-8 for next winter as well . . . lucky little kid.

I’d also like to make a sweater for DH for next Christmas (and by planning it now perhaps I can actually finish it in time?) and I’m considering doing something with cables and perhaps a Father/Son sweater set. I’ve got a couple of patterns in mind, one actually is a set, the other I’d have to make up the baby sweater myself but I think I could do it. Here’s the kicker. The pattern calls for a yarn I don’t already have and since I’m going to try not to buy this year (more on that in a minute) I’ll need to spin enough for the both of them before I can start knitting.

Okay, enough rambling, lets have a few lists:

Current UFO collection, the things that survived the rabid frogging:

Granny Square Afghan (GSA) - a few squares done, centers started for a bunch more, hasn’t seen the light of day in who knows how long. Current thinking is to plan for a one day/one square approach.

Handpainted Baby Blanket (HBB) - this is a FT pattern that I dyed the yarn for with DS in mind and worked on while I was pregnant. It is a big blanket but if it isn’t done soon he won’t get to use it. Good chance it will go to the next little one, if there is another.

Baby Gansey (BG) - Started in 2005 for DS, pretty sure it wouldn’t fit now but I need to check the pattern. I was doing the front and back at the same time and it may be 1/2 done so I might finish and put in the gift pile?

Patons Divine Garter Scarf (PDGS) - Not the kind of thing I do often, but I was between real projects and only did 1/2 of it before I dropped it again. Another good gift pile item.

Lavold Sweater (LS) - I did this one while I was pregnant with the hopes of wearing it after. I’m not sure what happened, if I chose the wrong size or if my gauge was off but this sweater turned out too large for me. However, as of yesterday it is going to be for the Godmother as it fit her just fine. She’s a full 6″ taller than me . . . I just have to finish the trim around the neck, not more than an evening worth of work to go!

DH’s Gloves (DHG) - These were to be the holiday gift 2 years ago (I think it was 2, maybe 3) and they are mostly done. The one that was “finished” the fingers are too short and the second the fingers haven’t been started yet. So just rework/work the fingers and he will have a pair of glovves. These should be near the top of the pile since he might get to use them if I just get them done.

Handspun Kids Hat/Mitten set (KS) - These need thumbs on the mittens and the ends woven in. They aren’t for any kid in particular and will likely be in the donation pile. Should take an evening or so to finish.

Fair Isle Star Mittens (FISM) - These were started as a swatch-in-the-round for DS’s Christmas stocking and I’ve got the first one about 2/3 finished. They are out of Shetland 2-ply and will be a nice pair of mittens for me to have on hand (pun intended) if I ever get them done.

Dark Blue Baby Socks (DBBS) - These are finished except the toe and end on the second one, though I’m not sure they will still fit him. Guess I should do that Kitchener Stitch thing and find out! Another single evening project.

Bulky Felted Mittens (BFM) - These were started 2 years ago for a pattern for the shop. Unfortunately the yarn isn’t available any longer so they are just going to be my playing in the snow mittens if I get them finished. The hands are done and felted, I just need to pick up and knit the cuffs. Probably 1 evening each if I work at it.

Scarf pattern for shop hat (SS) - I just need to do some math from the swatch and add this to the hat pattern that I have for the shop to turn it into a set. Another 1 evening? project.

Lush Water Bottle Cozy (LWBC) - I started this, must be about 4-5 years ago now. It has been sitting around waiting for me to finish it forever. I’ve picked it up a couple times over the years and done small amounts of it but I’ve got the last few inches to go and now I’m not entirely sure where the pattern went . . . . so figure one day to track down the pattern and 2-3 to finish it since I have to figure the whole thing out again.

DS’s Fair Isle Christmas Stocking (FIS) - Last year I stared a very elaborate stocking, done with 26 colors of shetland wool for DS. I’ve got several inches of the top of it done and the charts are done so its just a matter of following them. I had hoped to add a few inches before this Christmas but never got a chance. It would be nice to have at least the leg of it done before next Christmas and to do the foot before the one after that . . .

KP Socks (KPS) - Started back in August or September I think. One sock is done and the other just has a cuff. Since I could actually use another pair of socks it would be good to get these done.

Estonian Garden (ES) - Started back in November but I haven’t worked on it in weeks so I’m including it in the UFO list. I decided I needed something nice for the once in a while that we go out somewhere and actually get dressed up a bit so I’m doing the wrap size in a black spun silk. I love the way it feels and the way it looks in the silk. I’ve done a few repeats of the center section so far but there is a long way to go.

Currently in the work basket

DH’s Cable Scarf (DHCS) - Started as the Christmas gift for this year out of Patons Classic in an olive green. The pattern is from Scarf Style and works up relatively easily. I’ve finished 26 out of an anticipated 60 repeats of the pattern so I’m nearly 1/2 way done. This is easy enough to be the default easy, no real thinking required project that I work on regularly for a while.

Ali’s Sweater (AS) - another intended Holiday gift. This actually hasn’t been started but the yarn is in the basket. I did do a hat from some of the yarn as I was told she could really use one. I hope to cast on for the sweater this weekend.

Megan’s Sweater (MS) - The almost finished Christmas gift. I’ve got one sleeve left to attach and the sleeve seams to sew up. If I can get it done today than she can have it tonight since her father (my brother) is coming by to pick up Ali’s at after work. Wish me luck!


Planning stages/ Things I want to start soon.

Father & Son sweaters - probably an Aran pattern and likely to be handspun in 3 ply so this will start as a spinning project.

Father & Son Felted Clog slippers - I had hoped to do them for this Christmas but got the idea far too late to actually do it. Of course, I ran right out and bought the yarn for them . . .

Handspun Shawl - I’ve got about 3lbs of fairly bulky grey handspun from the first full fleece I bought and washed myself. I’d like to do something like a garter stitch prairie shawl with a lace border (the new FT pattern?) and this will be a keeping warm around the house shawl for me.

Baby Blanket - We have a niece (DH’s Stepbrother’s Daughter-in-law) who is expecting and due, I believe, in June so I need to choose a pattern for a baby blanket. I’ve got a couple of bags of nice washable baby yarns in the stash to choose from so yarn isn’t a problem. Either white or mint and since they know the baby is a boy that will work.

Mom’s Handspun Shawl - I can’t start this one until the yarn is spun so it may be a while yet but If I can get the yarn done this spring it might make a good summer project. Ideally, I’d like to actually give her the finished shawl for Christmas next year.

Nieces’ Christmas sweaters - the plan is to make matching sweaters for my brother’s two girls each year. This is one of the projects I would consider buying yarn for once I’ve chosen a pattern, if I can’t find something that works with a pattern I like within the stash.

There are actuallly some other ideas that I’ve been kicking around including doing a sweater for myself this year but at the moment I think this is enough of a list.

Spinning Projects - Started or needed for other projects.

On the Jensen - The handpainted NH Romney Mom picked out a few years back at NH Sheep & Wool being spun at lace weight for a shawl for her. I’ve got one bobbin full and another 1/2 full so probably about 4 ounces done and I likely need 6 or 7 to do the shawl we decided on.

On the Joy - Blended bits of assorted wools I dyed as practice. I’m sort of making a randombly patterned colorful yarn out of what I got carded together while I had M’s drum Carder a while back. The idea is to make a 2 ply that can be used for hats for the hat box project. Doesn’t get worked on often but goes quickly when it does.

Next on the Jensen - Brown Icelandic from a fleece I picked up at NH 2 years ago. I’d like to spin some to do as a 3 ply for a nice sturdy pair of socks.

Next on the Joy - NH Romney from the 20 lb pile in the barn. I started a bobbin a while back though I don’t actually remember what I was going to use it for . . . I’m sure I’ll think of something.

3rd on the Jensen - As yet to be determined fiber (perhaps the really nice Corrie I have out there?) to be spun 3 ply for the Father/Son sweaters. Since I’ll need a lot of this it will be good to take a practice swing at 3 ply with the sock yarn first.

Now the trick is going to be to get these all mapped out so I have a plan for when to work on each. If I really try perhaps, just maybe, I can actually do all this during 2007.

Oh, and I’m going to sign on to Wendy’s Knit from Your Stash for 2007 program. ‘Cause lets face it, I’ve got plenty of stash. For proof see the photos in this post from

Here are the ground rules as I’ve adapted them from Wendy’s site:

  • Knit From Your Stash 2007 Guidelines
    1. The Knit-From-Your-Stash-a-Thon will start January 1, 2007 and run through September 30, 2007 — a period of nine months.

    2. We will not buy any yarn during that period, with the following exceptions:

    2.a. Sock yarn does not count. What? You think we are made of stone?

    2.b. If someone asks for a specific knitted gift that we really and truly do not have the yarn for, we may buy yarn to knit that gift.

    2.c. If we are knitting something and run out of yarn, we may purchase enough to complete the project.

    2.d. - We each get one “Get Out of Jail Free” card — we are each allowed to fall off the wagon one time.

    3. We are allowed to receive gifts of yarn.

    4. Spinning fiber of any sort is not exempt. (Since I’ve got at least 60lbs of stuff washed and ready to spin and another 50-60 of unwashed wool I really, really don’t need more)

    5. Trading yarn for other yarn is allowed provided the only $ involved is the postage.

    6. Purchased made through my wholesale suppliers to restock things for Inspirations Yarn do not count as purchases for me.

Next step is to take the list of projects and plug it into the calendar. I’ll be doing specifics through April and generally by month after that with each month updated as a space opens on the calendar.

I’m also going to add this list and the Stash Guidelines to the sidebar as soon as I have a chance so we can keep track together of my progress with all of this. I’m hoping by setting up completion goals for all these projects that I can start 2008 with empty UFO tubs and go into Christmas 2007 with the gifts knit before Thanksgiving.

Okay, rambled long enough, time to make lunch for the munchkin.