“Always something happening…”

“…And nothing going on.”

Something that knitters on Ravelry seem to do is “Flash their Stash”, I’m not sure why exactly but I really enjoy seeing everyone’s yarn hoards.

And boy howdy are some of them big! I mean, taking up the whole floor of a room kinda big. I wish I had the time to knit all of that, or the money to buy it! But I know that even if I did, knowing I had such a huge quantity of unused yarn would make me anxious. I like using things up, I like keeping my possessions down at a sensible amount (based on storage space and need).

As I already feel my stash is a little high, I thought I would “flash” it here once a year so I can keep tracks on whether it seems to be growing and to see whether I have any repeat offenders (yarn that is in the stash year after year without ever getting used) that I can donate/repurpose/throw away.

So here it is:

(Not pictured: half a ball of sock yarn)

Which then gets bagged up:

Which all fits into stored in a medium sized box.

It looks like quite a lot there…Compared with some other knitters, it’s really not, but to me it looks like an unreasonable amount.

I worry about the six on the top left in the first picture (bottom right in second) as they are horrid acrylic and should probably be burnt, but they are usful in a pinch or to use a string, so I always shy away from the bin.

I am currently knitting a jumper with the dark blue skeins on the right in picture one (left in picture two) and have some rough plans for a few other balls…

Not much else to say, I guess we’ll see where we are in a year’s time!

*Quote from John Lennon

“A wizard is never late, Frodo Baggins. Nor is he early…”

“…He arrives precisely when he means to.”

I have to be honest, the main reason I decided to knit these mitten is the pattern name.

I mean. Wizard Warmers. Is there anything better than that?

The pattern is by Maire Martin who has generously made it available for free on Ravelry (link here)

I blogged previously about my disastrous first attempt where the needles snapped, so although I had to wait for new needles to arrive, I think it was worth it. CB certainly thinks so!

You can also wear them to cover your fingers in cold weather:

They can also be worn on either hand and (thanks to some only marginally messed up finishing) can be worn either side out as well!

I still struggle to knit with DPNs without creating ladders – only small ones, it’s true, but ladders nonetheless. I do not understand how other people do it. Or how I’ve done it in the past. I pull my stiches really tight when I move from one needle to another but I’m still left with an extra few mms of wool each time. SIGH.

*Quote from Peter Jackson

"Okay, campers, rise and shine and don't forget your booties..."

"...'cause it's cold out there today!"

Oh we are moving now!

As you know I’ve stated Navigate again (Ravelry link here), but this time I’m taking no chances. I’m reading the pattern a few times before knitting, I’ve reprinted the chart so it covers the entire jumper front, and I’ve colour-coded the cable instructions. It’s a large-scale operation now:

But (touch wood) it seems to be paying off. The knit makes sense to me. I can read my stiches quite well, and I seem to be staying in the right place on the chart.

And it’s looking fab:

I have concerns about the drape of the resulting fabric; I think the final jumper might be too thin and maybe too holey. But I’ll make my mind up on that once I finish the front. It might work in CB’s favour if it’s thin as he runs so hot usually and I know he’ll want to wear this as much as possible.
I think I’m going to knit the collar up an inch or two more, in the pattern photos the neckline seems to be a bit far down the shoulders which, although lovely, isn’t the look I’m going for.

I won’t lie, I’m not finding it easy. I have to concentrate quite hard and I worry about how to fix things if I do mess up. I worry my stitches are too loose or they’re inconsistent. This is a high profile and high pressure knit, and I really want to get it right.

Originally I thought I might be able to get this finished in a month or two, but I’m thinking it will be a long-term thing. I just don’t want to rush and make mistakes. I think I was right to keep it as a separate New Year Resolution!

I just hope it will be done in time to be worn come winter!

*Quote from Groundhog Day.

“And I've made up my mind…”

“…I ain't wasting no more time.”

Here we go again – welcome to 2019!

Let's look back on the resolutions I set myself in 2018

1. Read 26 books (one every fortnight).

Smashed it.

2. Knit myself a jumper.

Smashed it.

3. Knit CB a jumper.

Started it in August but found it too stressful and gave up. Have cast on again now so hoping to get this done early in the New Year (read: before April....maybe?).

4. Knit myself a pair of socks. 

Smashed it

5. Knit CB a pair of socks. 

URGGHH! This was infuriatingly difficult, I just had no motivation to pick them up. I did however have a day or so of dedicated knitting just before Christmas and so I can confirm I smashed this.

6. Remain the right size to fit into my wedding dress.

I should probably check this….I’m roughly the same size so I’m calling this a smasher.

7. Moisturise after showering.

Most times. Counting this as a smash.

Overall:

• I read 58 books 
• I watched 74 films 
• I knitted 16 items

Very happy I’ve trounced the book score – I do take a lot of enjoyment from reading, but it’s one of those things that I find surprisingly easy to fall out of habit doing. I’m keeping it as a resolution this year because of that reason.

Films are much of a muchness. I’d like to go to the cinema more regularly I think. It’s not the cheapest, but I really enjoy the experience.

Knitting is yet to find a state of equilibrium. I like to keep up with it, but my finger really needs a break! The skin is pretty hard and kind of swollen…

So, now we’re well and truly finished with 2018, let's have a think about what we want to achieve this year:

RESOLUTIONS

1. Read 52 books (one every week).
2. Bake the American Wedding Cake from Mary Berry’s Baking Bible.
3. Knit 12 items (incuding finishing CB’s jumper).
4. Go to the cinema 12 times (once a month). 
5. Generally take care of my skin and hair. 

*Quote from Whitesnake