Yarn-Along

It's been a while since I properly shared with Ginny's yarn-along, as work and baby have kept me busy. Oddly enough, I don't have any pictures of finished gifts. They were finished just under the wire, and gifted to my family out of town.

because I need more cosy blankets

My mom and sister have a tendency to pick up Lion Brand Homespun for me, for my craft show projects. So although I just started my 2015 Stashdown-- with the Knit Picks (and more!) Stashdown group - 6000 g net loss by Dec 2015-- I got a few **cough**8**cough** new skeins of yarn. To counter the yarn gain, I started another Rectangular Sampler Blanket. This pattern is great in any weight yarn- for the homespun, I just take out the bobble rows and do more granny rows. Also, since this is a bulky weight yarn, I may do fewer rows-- or just keep going for an adult sized blanket. 

My little one is getting so big!

My little bundle of love is four months old now, and loves chewing on things, wiggling, and standing. He's not crawling yet, but with the way he's moving, we expect it soon. I still have a few WIPs for him, but hopefully will get them finished before he gets too big.

Linking with Ginny!

My Weekend in Photos

I had a busy weekend! I take lots of photos, and never share them properly, so be prepared for some crazy stuff :)

Work-in-Progress all weekend

Practical birthday gifts from Mom & Dad- mugs, coffee, contact solution.

More practical, but also fun. Birthday phone from fiance and new wallet from sister.

"Birthday" Lunch- Chinese buffet is one of our favs.

Can you tell that fiance's food was "less healthy"?

Dad took me & sister out for dinner on my birthday- birthday beer!

I love Applebee's appetizer sampler.

Mom knows I love buttons for my craft show hats. I don't think I'm going to run out any time soon.

WIP shown with Birthday yarn. Brother #1 actually listened when I said I wanted Candy Skein yarn!

As you can see, lots of goings on.
I'll be back on Wednesday for more WIPs.

Feeling Unaccomplished

This past week has been a busy one. I worked every day except Friday, the weather has been unseasonably warm, my room went from messy to clean to messy again, I switched over to summer clothes, packed my winter clothes and read at least 2 new books. However, because I have neglected my blog, I somehow feel unaccomplished.

Unaccomplished is definitely not a good state of being. It is also incorrect. I finally finshed putting together the afghan for my parents, and am waiting for Around the Corner Crocheted Borders to come in at the library so I can put the finishing touches on it. Two more infinity scarves were added to my stash for the fall craft shows, and I'm halfway through a third. I have my next half dozen or so projects planned, while still having too many WIPs.

1. Baby afghan for C's September baby-- will probably be a Christmas gift
2. Wedding afghan for me! (I told E we would get a blanket...)-- I have 100 or so days to finish this on time... The last one took me 6 months. I think I'm cutting it close
3. Fjaril cardigan-- the Cold Sheep CSAL just finished up, and I won a prize. I picked out this cardigan, and excited to expand my knitting skills- Probably going to use Knit Picks Palette in Whirlpool after frogging my Blue Pineapples shawl that just wasnt working
4. Chevron Cardigan-- a less ambitious project than the Fjaril, because it is crocheted, but still will be one of my first proper garments. I dyed the yarn for this project over a year ago, and it needs to get out of my stash and into my wardrobe before I move.
5. Infinity scarves by the dozen-- A few weeks ago, I posted about a great deal I got on some Lion Brand Homespun Thick & Quick. I want to use it up as quickly as possibly, so I'll have more merchandise for my fall craft shows, and so I won't have to transport the excess yarn when moving.
6. More hats! Scarves have been my primary focus, but I still have quite a bit of yarn for hats. I need to use it!
7. Shawls for the mothers for the wedding. I have no yarn, no pattern and no plan, but I know I want to make something. (Ones for the bridesmaids are out, as they wont appreciate it)-- I'm thinking of Knit Picks Stroll Tonals, but am currently undecided- I would need to buy yarn, which I dont really want to do....

Yeah.... These plus my WIPs will definitely keep me busy... I should stop worrying about feeling accomplished and just start knitting :)

Finished and Unfinished

As per usual, I have quite a few projects on the hooks or needles. But do not dismay, I have finished some of them to share with you today.

After my fall off the sheep, I determinedly got back on and started using the yarn. My test cowl shows that using a Q hook (I think that's the size. Basically, whatever size the ginormous plastic hook is...) makes too loose of a fabric, so I'm trying different sizes to get the drape I want. I finished the test cowl though. It is nice, but way too hole-y for my tastes.

#1

Another project that has been waiting to be completed is another wreath. This isn't really a crochet/knit project, but it involves yarn! Wednesday afternoon, I got out my hot glue gun and finally glued the pieces together. I actually completely finished two wreaths, though one of them had just been waiting on the glue for a while. Although I really like the inexpensive-ness of the pipe insulation, I don't feel that it makes the most sturdy wreath. I'll be on the hunt for something on the sturdier side if I want to continue to make these wreaths.

#2

My unfinished stuff consists of a cowl for my sister's birthday, which was yesterday; a knitted commissioned item that I finally unlocked the key to making the pattern simpler, so am finally making visible progress on; Steph; Blue Pineapples; and a number of dyed yarns that are waiting to be transformed. But HOORAY! I finish my student teaching today, so my life becomes my own again. (I mean, I'm hoping to get some subbing jobs between now and the end of the year, but I will not be working 5 days a week without pay anymore.)

Linking with Tami's Amis for FO Friday.

Oops!!

I had a yarn binge this month. Now, don't expect really nice expensive yarn... There was a sale...

One doesn't expect the grocery store to have yarn. Our Meijer does, a very small amount, in their little itty, bitty craft section. When labels change or whatever, they mark down their yarn. I've scored some great deals this way. While I don't go grocery shopping at Meijer every week, my mom does. She mentioned this markdown, and I said if the yarn goes lower, to like 75% off or something, go ahead and pick some up. This time (and nearly every time) it was Lion Brand Homespun Quick & Thick. This is a newer line of the same colors, etc, of the Homespun yarn that I use for my infinity scarves for my craft shows.

160 yards per skein is no big deal, right?

Wrong. I added nearly 2000 more yards of yarn to my stash. Granted, this yarn will probably not make it past the New Year, if it makes it past my wedding. Or so I hope. 12 skeins total, in a variety of colors.

Expect to see more infinity scarves in between all the fancier stuff I'm making! :)

If the internet actually worked.

Of course, the internet gets super frustrating when I am home for a whole week, on and off my computer for school and crafts. Its slowness can't even be blamed on too many laptops using internet in the house because neither of my brothers are home, and my sister and I are only doing super basic stuff with our internet. All this to say that I am super sorry for no pictures today. I uploaded a few to Rav early today, but forgot to grab my WIP pics.

So, in progress this week I have Ananas Crocheted Shawlette, a LB Homespun infinity scarf (color Tulips), and yarn drying for Stephanie's Wrap. Also, a few plain hats for fall craft show stuff, but those usually get pushed to the end of the list. I am honestly trying to stash-down, and all of the projects are using stash yarn-- I even had to make do with what I had on hand so I could start working on Stephanie's Wrap. Both of the shawls are part of CSW's Support a Designer CAL, where all those participating in the CAL pick a pattern made by a member designer. A few of the participants are crocheting the same pattern, but the idea is more to get project pages attached to patterns that might not have as many projects.

My Cold Sheep progress for March was pretty good, especially with help from the CSAL. I was able to use up 2400 yards of stash. I'll admit that some of it was new yarn, but the out was greater than the in. My goal for April is to only use stash yarn, no purchases at all, and to beat my yardage total from March. Since I'm already nearing 500 and it's only April 3, I think my chances of surpassing 2400 yards used are pretty good. We shall see.

I'm linking up with Tami for WIP Wednesday and Ginny for Yarn-Along, as both share lots of yarny goodness on Wednesdays!! :-)

Papercrafting and Last Minute Orders

My FOs this week are mixed media-- I have crochet, like normal, but also papercrafting. You see, I have been on the hunt for a circular paper punch, with the little scalloped edges, for several weeks. However, the stores don't seem to be re-stocking, so they've never had the size I wanted. Yesterday, my JoAnn's had the one I wanted, and it was on sale. I used it as soon as I got home, make new ornaments for our Jesse Tree. So now, my family is celebrating a mix of old and new as we prepare for Christmas and the birth of Christ.

new paper punch!

my ornaments for next week

this week's, up close

ornaments from years past

our Jesse Tree, preparing us for Christmas

I have made some crocheting progress, though sadly not with Christmas gifts. I had a woman who had purchased one of my scarves at a craft show contact me (2 months later?!) and wondered if I had any left. (I really wanted to tell her to go away, but business is business, right?) So I graciously offered two of my WIP scarves, since I would have the rest of the week to finish them. Those are now finished, and I'm waiting to hear back from her. For those of you who work craft shows, is there any good way to let people know that you won't take orders after a certain time? Because, I update that information on my Facebook page regularly, and people still think they can order stuff the week before Christmas. Like, I made the FB page so people could find me later, and contact me. Am I doing something wrong?

two new scarves

I'm looking forward to the weekend-- we're cutting our Christmas tree tomorrow morning, have a party in the evening, and on Sunday I'm going dress shopping with my flower girls. Anyone else have exciting plans?

Anyway, linking up with Tami for FO Friday.

Wednesday!

Wednesdays are fabulous days, especially when my semester is OVER!! It's been a really stressful semester, but it's over and I get to spend next semester with a variety of high-school students, teaching them about my favorite subjects: Government and History!!! All while planning a wedding and looking for a house and a job in a different city. Yay me!

In Progress

But for now, I'm in a Christmas gift-making frenzy, hoping to finish orders for a few close friends (who ordered ages ago and deserve to have their stuff finished) and FINALLY spending time with some books.

One done, 2 to go!

Even though I swore off infinity scarves, I actually am supposed to be making some for people. So, I have more Lion Brand Homespun in my bag for my 5 hour shift at work. It's okay though, because I like the mindlessness of making them.

For my reading, our priest recommended I look for something to read and reflect on as I prepare for marriage. So off to the bookstore I went yesterday, and found Chosen and Cherished: Biblical Wisdom for your Marriage, by Kimberly Hahn, which reflects on Proverbs 31. It looks really good, and since Fr. Dan told me not to look for stuff about being a mother, and go more towards reading about being a wife, I thought this would be a good fit. Though I am totally open to other suggestions, if people have them.

Excited to be reading new things!

My other 2 reads are also non-fiction: In the Garden of Beasts (about the US Ambassador in Germany pre WWII) and Six Armies In Normandy.  As you can tell, I'm on a WWII kick. I'd welcome some historical fiction, but 1) I haven't actively searched, and 2) I don't have that much free time.

I'm hoping to have a few more interesting crochet projects soon, so stay tuned for those!!

Linking up with Tami and Ginny today!

Thinking about the Future

It's  December, and I'm thinking of goals for the new year. Right now, I live with my parents, in the room I grew up in. It's tiny, and my yarn overwhelms me. But in less than 9 months, I will be moving into a new apartment with my new husband!!! However, I don't really want to start married life with a whole slew of WIPs and lots of yarn that I will never use.

I really want to get a head start on my craft show stock, something that I NEVER do. Let's face it, we all have goals that we never follow through on, or that remain incomplete for a while. Truly, I want to make it a goal to get through all of my Lion Brand Homespun yarn before I move out of the house. I definitely need a count of how many skeins I have-- I bought 9 skeins a few weeks ago, but am not sure where that puts my grand total. It takes me about 3 hours to crochet an infinity scarf, and some days I've been able to make 3-- especially when I'm sitting through several hours of lecture. Though, without hours of lecture in the coming semester (*me* lecturing, instead of me sitting through someone else lecturing), and more hours of lesson planning, it might not be as easy as I want it to be.

However, I do plan on keeping track (to the best of my ability) of my "Cold Sheep" progress. I joined the Cold Sheep group on Ravelry, and they are an inspiring group. The Nov-Dec "Cold Sheep Along" is helping me keep track of my stash reduction. BUT, it's only been one week since I last bought yarn. At the beginning of this year, I stopped buying yarn, and I believe that lasted about 6 months. i'm not really sure if there is a best method to solve my yarn-buying problem, especially since I work fall craft shows.

So far, the best method I can think of to effectively reduce my stash and still build up my craft show merchandise supply is to stick to my yarn budget. Like, really stick to it. And to do that, I really need to watch sales and clip coupons. Even though the *really* good sales tend to happen around this time of year (especially on yarn) if I only buy yarn with Michael's and JoAnn's coupons-- which would be 2 skeins of yarn a week, at the most--I think I would be keeping under budget. And it's also a matter of knowing my stash, so I can buy yarn that will be the most helpful for my projects. (If you're wondering, my current yarn budget is about $10 a month-- but I'm also working minimum wage/part-time, and going to school).

A List-- because lists are easy to look at--

1. Use 250 yards a week (minimum)
2. Make one craft show item for every personal item
3. Make one afghan square for every skein of yarn finished
4. Keep within monthly yarn budget

I'm not sure if I do better when the goals are broader or narrower. (I shall re-assess in 3 months)

Stash Bash-- off the Wagon

New Homespun- Hiding in the trunk of my car!

I've fallen pretty far from the Stash-bashing Challenge that Tricia started earlier in the year. Just this week I bought 13 skeins of Caron Simply Soft for a wedding afghan (mine!) and 9 skeins of Lion Brand Homespun for craft show items.

Yes, this is hiding in my car too.

But I have been making something close to progress in the moving out at much yarn as I bring in. I've made these four scarves since Sunday. They are all in Homespun- from top to bottom: Cherry Blossoms, Painted Desert, Olive, Mixed Berries.

 

Now, they don't quite cancel out all the yarn I brought in this week, but it is a start.

In: 9 skeins @ 185 yards= 1665 yards
Out: 4 scarves = 740
Total: + 925 yards in stash. (not counting the wedding blanket)

That's all I have right now. And yes, the yarn will stay in my car for a bit. Probably until I have used 5 more skeins, then the new nine can replace the empty space in my yarn bag :)

Holiday Stashdown Challenge Week 27

So, I'm so off track with the Challenge. Again. Or maybe it's still?

Anyway, I have a craft show Thanksgiving weekend, and because I did really well last weekend (Nov. 3), I wanted to be prepared for this coming one. It does put me a few weeks behind, but I know what I need to be making for my people, so that will go really quickly. My merchandise was just really depleted at the last show. I have 10 or 11 days to get everything ready. After that, it will definitely be back on track for me with gifts.

I have been making stuff though, I promise!! I just wrote the other day about all the yarn I "consumed" in a week of crafting. That was impressive, to me.

But, pre-Christmas sales are always my downfall. Yesterday I stocked up on Homespun for the craft shows, as well as enough yarn for a wedding blanket for me and fiance, plus a few extras.

Really, Truly Attempting.

I have no idea what my total stash measures at. There is yarn all over my room, maybe half of it loosely kept track of in my Ravelry stash. Lion Brand Homespun yarn moves so quickly through my stash, it's hardly worth tracking.

But I am going to start to attempt. Wednesday, I bought 4 skeins of Homespun. At 185 yards per skein, a total of 740 yards. One skein was used up nearly immediately, half of it in a commissioned scarf. The rest was used to start my Ripple Mania CAL piece, a blanket of Homespun leftovers. Also used up this week was an older skein of Lion Brand Tweed Stripes, in colorway Orchid-- another scarf. 144 more yards gone. My Pearl Wrap was finished, using up 1.5 skeins of Knit Picks Stroll Fingering (693 yards). It still leaves 231 yards remaining, but I can figure something out.

In: 740 yards
Out: 185+ 144+693= 1022
Overall: -282 yards this week!!

WOOOOOO I think that is some form of progress!

Taking a Break

I've been on a bit of a break from blogging for the past week or so. I'm still here, I've just been really busy with school and everything else. And then a craft show snuck up on me, and I wasn't as ready as I thought I was. So I spent a week trying to prepare more items for the craft show, and I took a pause from personal knitting as I suddenly had a list of commissioned items.

6 new skeins of Homespun, plus one in Thick & Quick

A friend of my sister's ordered a pair of crocheted slipper-socks for his girlfriend-- luckily the picture he saw was attached to a pattern-- this one from Drops Design. My cousin asked for a frog hat for her youngest, to look like a tree frog with red-orange eyes and everything. My boyfriend wants a Viking hat for his godson, modelled after the characters in How to Train Your Dragon. Barb from my women's group saw a cool poncho in a yarn shop window 'Up North' and the woman at the shop gave her the pattern-- I was asked to make it. Anne, Barb's daughter (also in my women's group) found a cute child's tunic pattern (more like a hooded sweatshirt, but the pattern said tunic) that she would like made for her 2 youngest boys. One of my co-workers, Kelly, saw my Toothless hats and requested one for her goddaughter. She also keeps finding ideas on Pinterest-- I think she wants me to remake her entire wardrobe. Bri, a woman I worked with at summer camp, wants a sweater for her husband. Luckily, she understands the time and effort, and is willing to pay. So my list grows longer, and my personal time shrinks.

Due to that huge list of commissioned items, I simply *had to* buy more yarn. Well, actually, I did have to buy more yarn. Last week, I  purchased quite a bit of Lion Brand Homespun for craft show items-- if I haven't mentioned it before, it's my favorite yarn to use for scarves. It required a trip to JoAnn's, even though I currently hate our store because they are remodeling and everything is a mess, but the yarn was on sale, and I had a 20% off everything coupon. I also was able to buy a skein of the new Homespun super bulky, in Purple Haze, this beautiful purple/blue color that they don't make in regular Homespun. (Yes, none of this yarn actually has to do with commissioned items).

Bernat Super Value

My next stop was Meijer, oddly enough. It's the only store in my area that stocks Bernat Super Value yarn, which has a nice range of colors, and one of the nicer acrylic yarns that I've used. Their prices are also really decent, considering they only carry a small range of yarns. Even though I was only after Carrot orange for the "Crochet a Pumpkin Pin" class that I'm teaching next week, they also had a lovely green- "Lush"- that I thought would be good for the frog hat, and a rich red- "Berry"- that would work for the slippers. And because I apparently have no self control and wanted a few more color options for craft show items, I also bought a skein each of "Peacock", "Super Pink" and "Light Damson". I can probably get at least 2 child sized hats from each skein, along with numerous flowers. (I still have this thought in the back of my head of this epic scrap yarn afghan, but with everything else, I don't have time yet.)
And then, last week Friday, my Knit Picks order came. I had to order yarn for the sweater- she asked for natural fibers- and more yarn for the poncho. Barb and I discussed the yarn possibilities, and she wanted something in a natural color, and a bit finer, since it was lacy. I had on hand some Bare Superwash Fingering that fit the bill. But, since I did buy that yarn to dye for projects, I ordered 2 more skeins for Barb's poncho. I wound one skein so if I wanted to, I could start before the yarn came. (I didn't get to it). I also order 2 skeins of Stroll Tonal Sock for me, in Pearlscent. I want to knit this for a formal event in November, but I don't know if I will have the time.

Our booth

I keep seeing things that I want to make, and I keep noticing defiencies in my wardrobe-- you know "If only I had a scarf in x color..."-- but I don't really have time to craft for myself. And school is demanding a good portion of my time, leaving even less for crafts. I'm hoping to make good use of my time at work, being efficient and finishing my homework so that when I go home and relax in front of the TV, I can be knitting or crocheting. Well, and between craft shows and custom orders, I have my hands really full.

Speaking of craft show, I worked one this past weekend. It was only one day, but in that one day, things went really well. My aunt sold a lot of sweatshirts, and even got an invitation for another show at the end of November. We're still deciding about that show.

A closer look at my crochet table

Last show, I sold out of my infinity scarves, so I was determined to have a good supply for this show. I started with 9, and took home 2. Many people came back and wondered if I had more stock, but I was not prepared for the interest that I received. I hope to have more items available for the show at the beginning of November. I'm trying to better sort out my priorities, trying to evenly divide my time between this- my "second job"- my actual job, and my full-time schooling. My boyfriend's been pretty impressed with me so far, so I must be doing something right. I'm definitely buying more yarn this week, as I know if I load as much business crafting as I can in this first week or two, I will be able to move back to personal crafting sooner. This month will definitely be a busy one, though, as all the commissioned items that I mentioned before need to be started and finished in an efficient manner.

I did have more to talk about, but I'll spare you all right now. I'll try to be back on Wednesday, but my WIPs will be similar and boring for the next 2 weeks.

Holiday Stashdown Challenge: Week 11

This week for the Holiday Stashdown, we're reassessing our lists. Over the past week, I spent a great amount of time on my Ravelry queue, looking at patterns I wanted to make. Then, I wrote out my original list of who I wanted to make handmade gifts for. From there, I flipped back and forth between my list of "projects I *have* to make" and "handmade gifts for...". I think I've matched many of them up quite nicely. (note: this list has been *at least* a week in the making.. I've edited it several times already)

The List
Mom & Dad: Autumnal Afghan, various afghan blocks, Vanna's Choice in Honey, Rust, Cranberry, Dusty Purple, Eggplant, Dusty Green and Toffee.
Mom: fingerless gloves, in KnitPicks Felici Hummingbird
Dad: still unknown
Bro #1: that vest that never gets finished
Bro #2: Jayne hat, most likely in misc. acrylic that has been floating in my stash (He recently watched Firefly, & hats for him are a good standby.) If I have time and inclination, I will make him a beard hat.
Sister: Divine hat in easy care acrylic (finished!). Age of Brass and Steam Scarf in KnitPicks Shadow Deep Sea, fingerless gloves in KnitPicks Felici Tyrian Purple (maybe)
E: He wants a beard hat- go figure. Such a guy. Not sure if he will get anything else handmade.

Aunt #1/Godmother: bulky slippers in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes Bulky that I dyed myself, T-yarn rug
Aunt #2: A Touch of Gray, in a in between width (not scarf, but not stole either)
Aunt #3:  button socks in Bernat Jr. Jacquard (it's a sock weight and has some nylon in it)
T (my favorite cousin): Starlight Tunisian scarf (in yellow)(no yarn yet), possibly Smorgasbord blanket BMDAO (T's 5 kids): slipper socks in the yarn they helped me dye last winter (Basic Sock)

Friend B: Slip Stitch Shawl in a scarf size- tried this pattern, realized I hate slip stitches. Now I'm using the Soft Waves ripple from Jan Eaton's 200 Ripple Patterns with a hand-dyed wool yarn.
Friend K: infinity scarf in Lion Brand Homespun- She loved the one for her birthday, and requested another one. (personal pattern)
Friend A: Up to You Scarf (Re-dying the yarn from my first Juliana)

E's nieces & nephews: an activity rug with 6 amis
E's mom & sisters: fingerless gloves (maybe) (3 pair) or scarves
E's dad & brothers: hats (maybe) (5)

Coworkers: Cards with crocheted snowflakes on them. (if time)

And I found this ornament and this ornament that I would also think about making if any of the above ideas don't work out. I also keep finding cute ideas that would be fabulous for scrap yarn, which means I need to stop browsing patterns on Ravelry.

I feel loads better now that I have ideas for patterns, as I had felt a bit disorganized without a completed list. I also have the list separated into sections, where the first two need to get done, and the second two depend on time and inclination.

I hate and love this stashdown. My yarn supply feels limited. I'm trying to avoid placing another KnitPicks order, as it defeats the purpose of this adventure, so I've seeking out dyeable fibers in my stash. So far, I have found a few already dyed fibers that I forgot about, and I'm re-dyeing some others that are leftover from other projects. Yesterday, I figured I would try my hand at solar-dyeing, since it is too hot to use microwave or stovetop. I still haven't checked the results... I also know that I have multiple skeins of Bare KnitPicks yarn hanging out in my stash. Guess what else is going to visit the dyepot in the next few weeks?!

I have just received several Christmas orders for hats, and one of them needs to be done by October, so I'll be putting some of the above aside to work on those orders come mid-August.

Holiday Stashdown: Week 6

Reflection is always good. Marie's Holiday Stashdown prompt this week has us reflecting. Celebrating success, re-examining our goals, and setting new ones.

Our challenge has been going for six weeks.  Let’s celebrate our successes so far.  For each of us, success may be measured differently: stash organized, list made, awareness of our potential recipients, finished projects, etc.  What have you done so far for the Holiday Stashdown Challenge?  If you’re not feeling successful, what’s preventing you from getting started on reaching your goals?  Or, are your goals unrealistic?

My success has been in finishing (or nearly finishing) 2 of the bigger projects that were getting in the way of smaller projects.

My 8 skein ripple afghan wedding gift is nearly complete, and will be out of my room as of June 30th. Over the weekend, I had 3 nights in a row of nearly uninterrupted crocheting, and I can see the end in sight. There are 2 sections left to be finished, 5 rows long, with 2 transition rows in between. This is how it looked Saturday evening:

My 7 skein 12" block afghan is nearly complete. I have to weave in all my ends, and check all the blocks once more, then put them all together. I don't know if what is left of my 7th skein will be enough  to join all 20 of my squares, but I know where to find a 40 or 50% off coupon to get a spare skein if I run out. And as this is my first blanket made of squares, I want to do it properly.

As I finish those 2 projects, smaller projects are leaping into my lap. I have a huge grocery sack (one of those awesome reusable ones) full of Lion Brand Homespun yarn that is all destined to become infinity scarves for the fall craft shows. I also plan on a few pairs of fingerless gloves, because they are quick, and maybe a knitted scarf or 2. I'll definitely stay out of large project territory for at least a few weeks. Especially since I still have some hibernating projects that need to be finished so they can leave my room.

OMG, I ramble. A lot.

The point, I need to get to the point. Yes, I am feeling successful, although I have purchased yarn that I never originally intended on purchasing at the beginning of the year.

WIP Wednesday: Scarves

Started working on more scarves for the fall/winter craft shows, even though they are ages away. I am such a procrastinator, so I need to work on building up an inventory now, while I'm actually thinking about it. One regular scarf in blue, and one infinity scarf in cream. The blue is one of my favorite colorways in the Homespun yarn (Delft). This is my first time using the cream colorway- Pearls- and I'm not sure how I feel about it yet.

These projects are continuing to fuel my stash bash, as I have a HUGE bag of Homespun that I got on sale before Christmas at Michael's. Last weekend I made 3 infinity scarves from this stash, but when they are one-skein projects, my bag is still full. It's a slow but steady process. Wish me luck! :)

Also: more progress on my Citron:



Linking up to Tami's Amis today!