patelyne

 So the last WIP Wednesday of the month has been the one where I show how much I’ve gotten done on my WIP of the month. 

But this isn’t going to be one of those posts.

Why? Because that would be a terrible post showing a project not much further than the last time I shared it.

Instead, how about all the things I’ve done that aren’t that project

 

Around the start of week 2 I decided to learn how to double knit in three colors. Since then, I’ve gotten this far on that hat-

(pattern - falling blocks by Alasdair Post-Quinn)

 

Last week I fell down a YouTube/blog tutorial hole, and decided I should learn how to macrame. That led to this little test project (made in yarn, while I waited for the cord that just arrived yesterday)

(pattern from My French Twist)

 

Last weekend I decided to pull out the spinning wheel and work on the never ending grey-dient I’ve had on it for ages. Made a little progress, here’s what I have now -

(fiber from Frabjous Fibers, Too Much Pepper BFL)

 

Which brings us to yesterday, when I started a test knit for another designer.

I can’t share the pattern/link yet, just know it will be super cute (and I’ll link when it’s done)

 

I’m almost afraid to make a WIP goal for next month right now, so I think I’ll give it a few days and see how all these other things are going. I’ve basically been doing whatever I could to keep my brain busy, and I’m honestly not sure the project hopping is over yet.

(related note- Tomorrow afternoon is going to be a rough one, so any spare thoughts would be appreciated)

 

So this year I set a knitting goal to cut down on my WIPs, and to work towards that by picking one of those projects each month a focus on.

Last month I worked on my plaidness monster scarf, and ended up adding about 12” to it. That might not sound like much, but it’s basically doubled the size of it, so I’m counting it a win.

 

This month is my Hue Shift blanket. I only have three squares left before the color part is all knit, and then I’ll need to seam the quarters together and start the border. I’m hoping to finish this project before I lose steam on it again, because I’d really like to be able to actually curl up in it.

My other main knitting goal this year is to get at least two of the three patterns in progress finished and released out into the world. Some of that timetable rests on what happens with the independent designer program I was working with, but the least I can do is have the writing, sample knitting and testing done while I wait for news.  

 

I’ve done my edits and a second knit through on the pie potholder, and I’m really happy with how it’s working.
(original on the top, updated below)

 

Next up is to get my hands on the orange yarn I want for the pumpkin pie variation, and write-up/knit that. Then it’s down to typing the pattern and passing it on to my tester.  

 I always underestimate how long these steps take. I had hoped to be closer to done by now, but it’s looking like the end of this month is more realistic.

 

February is a short month and the second half of last month wasn’t very kind to me though, so we’ll see how much I can actually finish. 

 

For today I’m taking a lazy afternoon, and enjoying watching the snow fall.

Once I finished my holiday knitting, I realized that I had actually finished all my new projects for 2018.

I didn’t want to start anything new and ruin that, so I picked up a WIP from 2017 to knit on during Void Week (what else do you call that time between Christmas and New Years?)



The pattern is the Plaidness Monster (by Michael Vloedman) and the yarn is berroco vintage dk.

This project had been sitting neglected through no fault of its own, it’s just what happens when you have too many things going and a terrible attention span. I’ve knit about 4-5 inches of it since picking it back up though, and it’s nice to see it grow.



Once the first hit, I did start one new project. I’m working on a knit design for pie shaped potholders like the crochet ones linked in a post thursdayj made over on pillowfort (... if I were better organized, then I would have a link to that or the image itself. Alas, I am not and so do not) anyway, it’s a subtle-ish fanart nod to check please, since Bitty would absolutely need to have something like this in his kitchen. Since I also felt a deep need for these when I saw the crochet version, this project works about nicely.



So far I have the ‘cherry filling’ done, the crust knit and getting ready to wet block - just a little - and I’m about to start knitting the lattice strips.

There’s some edits I want to make, but it isn’t too bad for a first draft knit.

Having an anxiety day today, so I’m playing with my hobby that at least makes me feel like I have my shit together.

When you’re down to a week before gift exchange, trying to take the knuckle off of your thumb with a cheese grater is a bad idea. For serious. Don’t do that.

Without tumblr distracting me today I figured it was perfect time to finish this toy, but - even though it feels better than last night - my thumb is really not happy with the whole bending deal. This is about as much fun as when I punctured my finger with the sharp set.
Stupid small yet annoying injuries.

How is it that I can glide around on knife shoes without injury, then hurt myself finishing dinner up.
Wtf self.

Start with knife shoes -



( Click the clicky to see/read more )

So - Project Hot Mess
It’s time to answer the question - What is it??

The pattern is Owl Pillow, designed by Sol Maldonado

No one guessed exactly right, but honestly? I’m not sure it would have been possible unless you’ve seen the pattern before. It was a lot of fun to see you all try though if only to see how many active knitters are hanging around here - *waves* Hi All!

For the project update - I was hoping to get it finished by the end of the weekend and ummmm.....



I’ve still got a ways to go. But it’s not nearly time for bed yet, so there’s still a chance I’ll get close!

Only having two more gifts that needed knit sounded so damn easy...until I actually looked at the calendar and realized I was down to two weeks.

Most of the time I’m okay with not being the fastest knitter. Enjoy the process and all that jazz. But when it comes to a time crunch, I really wish I was one of those super speedy knitters that can crank out a project in a couple days. Alas, I am not.

If I can finish this gift by the end of the weekend though, I should be back on track for an early finish -



About 50 rows left before the main part of this project is finished. After that about another 30 (much shorter) rows. Any guesses about what this hot mess will become?

(I’m almost resenting the five hours (5?!?) I’ll be spending at Other Half’s work party tonight. I was already not really looking forward to it, now I’m thinking about all that lost knitting time too)

Edit: Is it mean to ask for guesses, when I’m pretty sure no one could? I am just really enjoying this part, since I’m missing out of the surprising the giftee part because I let her choose it!

So, it’s been checks last post about six years...how’s things? Anyone still here? Hello? Empty void? Is that you?

I decided to at least get my account access back here because Tumblr has decided to dial it’s dumpster fire up from 11 to ... somewhere around infinity plus. I’ve seen some people saying they were going to head back this direction if everything goes female-presenting-nipples up there, and it looks like where things are headed. And quickly.

Honestly I prefer pillowfort (mainly for the way communities work) BUT they’re already dealing with downtime and I don’t see a massive influx of users helping server issues any...sooo here I am. Kind of. At least for a bit?

This whole mess has me feeling old as hell tbh
I’m tired of moving platforms and starting over, but I’m not sure what else there is to do.