A Few Sheep Shy of a Farm

I got my confirmation email today! I’m going to the Knitter’s Review Retreat!!!!!

I can’t tell you how excited I am! I went once before, a few years ago in Virginia with [Mari] and we had a blast!

This time, since its driving distance away will work out perfectly and I should be able to arrange a couple of people to drive out and back with once people get their travel arrangements made . . .

This will be the first time I’ve been away since the toddler came along and I’m not sure how he’s going to take not having me around for the weekend.  Nonna is going to be taking a bit chunk of the child care duties though my parents and possibly his favorite baby sitter will all be taking shifts as 3 days with him might be a bit much for Nonna . . .

I’m really looking forward to the chance to sleep in, to relax, to knit without anyone climbing on me and to just be around other grown up! Oh, I wonder if they have internet access?  Perhaps I can even bring the laptop and post from there?

and priorities.

Now that it is September I’m thinking hard about my knitting projects and trying to prioritize what I really need to get done.  Its hard because I’m torn between wanting to work on what I consider my own projects and the things I’m designing . . .

I’ve got several patterns that are waiting for decent pictures to be taken and to finalize writing them up so I can post them to the site or submit them . . .

I’m also evaluating what the toddler needs for the fall & winter in terms of sweaters, socks, hats and mittens.  Since he just keeps growing he is going to need more . . . several of last years sweaters may still be big enough for this year but we need to dig them out to try on before I’ll know for sure.  I think his hat from last winter will still fit but as I expect we’ll play outside more this year a 2nd one probably wouldn’t be a bad idea . . . and I figure he’ll need at least 3 pairs of mittens to allow for drying time.  And of course, he’ll need more warm socks.  Those silly cotton ones from the store just won’t cut it when things get cold and wet . . . and he does love his handknit socks.  Luckily at 2 most of his stuff is still relatively small.

And with everything else that is going on I’ve got to reevaluate how much knitting time I’m going to have.  I don’t think I’ll wind up being able to finish all 3 of the larger projects I have going on right now: Prairie Blanket, Prairie shawl and Fern.   I think perhaps I’ll get 1 or 2 finished but not all 3.  I need to finish the blanet as I think the little guy is actually going to need it soon (the other 2 blankets he’s using are getting small) and of the shawl or the sweater which are both for myself I have a feeling I’ll use the shawl more often . . . therefore I think I’m going to return Fern to the UFO pile until next year . . .  I’d really like to keep working on it as I’ve finally been making progress but I just don’t think its the priority right now.  Perhaps I’ll do another couple of rows before I relocate the project box back to the storage area . . .

I’ve also decided to stop doing the baby gift sweaters . . . for the time being anyone we really need to get a gift for will get something purchased . . .  and I do need to do a sweater for the other niece for Christmas and finish off Megan’s but its basically done.  And it wouldn’t hurt to make them each a set of mittens as well . . .

Time for a new list!