Going Nowhere Fast

Even though I'd like to say that I am an awesomely fast crocheter, and I finished all my projects from last week, it is not so. I'm stuck in the middle of 2 big projects, and probably will be for the rest of the month.

The ripple's folded in half, in case you wondered.

Crocheting: I'm up to 6 skeins for my wedding ripple-- with 10 more waiting to be worked in. Stephanie's Wrap is going slow and steady. I'm about halfway through the second section, and I'd really like to get to the third by the end of the month.

Reading: Halfway through The Two Towers. Still getting through The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes. Really want to read something new....

Linking up with WIP Wednesday & Yarn-Along!

A Pile

A pile of WIPs, that is. And it looks something like this:

Are four things too many?

The pink is my Stephanie's Wrap, pulled out of hibernation. The cream is a knitted piece that makes me want to throw everything. The granny in the front is the beginnings of a Rectangular Sampler Blanket, part of a CAL that just finished over at Underground Crafter's blog. Last is my wedding ripple, and I am convinced that it will be finished by August.

It will be pretty when done, but I still dislike the rows upon rows of knitting

I'm listening to The Fellowship of the Ring still, mainly because I can listen and don't need to focus too much on learning the story, since I've known the story since 6th grade or so. I'm nearly finished, so Two Towers will be up next. Also, I love the voice of the narrator, which I am convinced can make or break an audio book.

In more yarn related news, I properly stated my June Goals in the Cold Sheep group on Ravelry.

1. Finish knitting poncho-- commissioned item, on section 8 of 20
2. Make Calorimetry for a friend
3. Finish rectangular sampler blanket from stash yarn
4. Use up at least 6 skeins on wedding ripple to be about halfway done-- not sure if I have enough yarn for this…
5. Get to third section of Stephanie’s Wrap
6. Make at least 3 dishcloths & 2 coaster sets from cotton that is hanging out.
7. Buy no new yarn, unless to finish any of the above projects.

So far, only 5 days into June, and I'm doing pretty good. I'm on section 10 of the knitted poncho, finished & gifted the Rectangular Sampler (pics on Friday), hooked 2 new dishcloths-- ready to make more!- and nearly used up 2 skeins for the Wedding Ripple. 

Linking with Tami & Ginny for the Wednesday Link-ups!

As Summer Draws Near

My weekend was super packed, so I didn't get as much crafting done as I would've liked. However, I am getting there. Making lots of lists really helps me stay organized.

E just went through all my boxes, packed up and resting at his parents' house, and I have close to 35! More than half are books, with craft & yarn coming in second.

Books:

• been listening to The Fellowship of the Ring on audiobook- I can clean or craft while reading!
• reading a bit of Sherlock Holmes on the tablet- I love Project Gutenburg!
• Helena, by Evelyn Waugh- future mother-in-law teaches English to several of the home-schooling families because her knowledge of literature is extensive. This book was on a list in one of the homeschooling programs, and the moms wanted her to teach it. The students didn't like it so much. She's asking me for a second opinion.
• study guide for the Social Studies MTTC- need to take this last test to be able to properly teach.

Sampler started on the left, ripple with barely any progress on the right. 

Crocheting:

• Wedding ripple blanket- less than ten rows still, and a bit more than 75 days to complete it.
• Wedding roses- they are looking amazing, mostly assembly left.
• Rectangular Sampler- started this one to use up a bunch of leftover yarn from other projects. 
• Stephanie's Wrap- still half hibernating, brought it out in hopes I can finish it before the end of June
• U of M afghan- mom forced this one out of hibernation so I can finish it before I move out. I am protesting, since it was never really my project to begin with.

Knitting:

• poncho- so close to halfway!
• Caliometry- need to start this for a friend, hopefully to finish before the fall.

Because the school year ends next week, the chances of me getting any more subbing jobs is unlikely. So, the projects listed above are definitely going to be getting more attention, especially the books. I really want to get more of my history books read, just in case I need them for teaching related reasons.

Linking with Tami & Ginny for the regular Wednesday link-ups!

Too Little Progress, Too Many Projects

I am terrible at project monogamy. When something gets too big to stay in my bag, it stays at home and I start something else. And then there are the projects that I can only work on when certain people aren't watching.

"In Progress":

Citron

Homespun Infinity Scarves

Autumnal Afghan 

Smorgasbord Mish-Mash

Azzu

Age of Brass and Steam

Toothless Hat

Plus, a dinosaur hat and a pair of fingerless gloves-- neither of which have a photo.

3 of the projects are knitted. The other 5 are crocheted. And these are the projects that I can see in my room right now. A few of them just need a bit of finishing-- mainly the hats and the infinity scarves. My Azzu needs more yarn. Age of Brass and Citron are both knitted in lace-weight yarn, so they are taking FOREVER. I just need a few more squares to finish the Autumnal Afghan, but I don't want to weave in ends on the squares that I have finished, so why should I make more? It's a toss up, which of the above projects I will finish first.

I think I just overwhelmed myself making this list. But then, you need to see my stack of books. That's overwhelming too.

It's been modified slightly since it was photographed. Swap out Slave Ship for Civilization: The West and The Rest, and add The Orchid House. I'm currently stuck on my 2 non-fictions, and really want to finish at least one of them before I start on one of my fictions. But, the only books that are NOT library books are the ones I am reading for school, so they all have a time limit on them. The DVDs on top are Castle Season 4 and Downton Abbey Season 1-- I'm getting geared up for the new seasons- a bit early for Downton, but Castle starts next week!! I know, I don't often talk about TV here, but if I were to pick my favorites, they would be Castle, Bones and Downton Abbey.

Enough of me-- head over to Tami's and Ginny's to see what everyone else is up to this week!

Cast off and Cast on Again!

Over the last week, I have finished multiple projects!! As in: I cut the yarn, wove in all the ends, blocked, added buttons where needed AND took photographs. Weeeeee! I'm excited, because this doesnt usually happen.

First up is my Shallow Waters Shawl by Anastacia Zittel in Knitpicks Shadow Lace- Summer Blooms Tonal. I really loved making this pattern, as it was a simple repeat that makes a light and lacy shawl. I repeated the border rows more than necessary, but only because after 4 of them I decided I didn't want to frog back (even though I should've). My little sister is modeling, even though it is a "me" project because I wanted a pink scarf.

Isn't she adorable?

Next is my Any Which Way Lace. I used a recycled sweater that I dyed myself for this project. The yarn is soft, even though it's harder to tell in this lace pattern. I love that the button band is worked into the pattern (a row of dc at the beginning and end of the pattern)-- I will probably use this method myself next time I create a cowl. I modelled this one, though not very well.

turn sideways :)

The final FO this week is the Soft Waves ripple scarf that I mentioned on Wednesday. I finished it, added a bright yellow button, and decided it would be more suited to someone under the age of 15, rather than one of my friends. It is more of a cowl size, and it still needs a good soak in conditioner, but I will do that closer to the time of its gifting.

Sideways and psychedelic!

Even though it's not really a FO, I did get photos of my solar-dyed yarn. I feel like it might be a bit too gray, but I'm really hoping that I'll like it more once I start knitting it!

yes, turn your head sideways, again...

And tonight I will "cast on" several new projects, as part of the Ravellenic Games- a child size hat for the Hat Dash event, and a pair of fingerless gloves for the Mitten Medley. If I have time, I will enter a project or 2 in the Shawl Sailing event, as I am participating as part of Team CSW (crochet shoulder wrappers).

I also have a question, nearly unrelated: I'm trying to decide on my next afghan project (yes, for 2013) and these are the colors I want to use:

Northern Lights color palette in Vanna's Choice

I'm still not sure if I will work it in Vanna's Choice yarn (I'm leaning toward Caron Simply Soft right now). My main question is what style should my afghan be in? The first 2 options I thought of were either blocks or some variation on the ripple. Any other ideas? Votes toward one of my thoughts or the other?

Linking up with Tami today!! Be sure to head over there and see what everyone else is doing!

A Time for Celebration!

Dorky picture of me that I cannot figure out how to rotate. 

This week I celebrated my birthday. I also celebrated finishing a really big project: the wedding ripple afghan.

My dad wrote me a birthday message, also sideways...

It took 8 skeins of Caron Simply Soft, and I used Lucy @ Attic 24's ripple pattern, which is absolutely lovely. I like that it does not have any ch increases in it, as the holes created have always been what I dislike about some ripple patterns.

Here is the ripple in all of its lovely ripply goodness:

Ignore all the ends that haven't been woven yet. Please :)

I'm also celebrating the end of the semester. This coming week I take my finals, turn in 2 research papers, and then freedom! I'm looking forward to free time, even though it will mean lots of cleaning. But it will also mean more reading time too! (I have a stack of books to read- to see if they are worthy of remaining in my collection).

Here's a look at my birthday haul:

Several skeins of Bernat, the nice self-fair-isle-ing type (I'm itching to try it)(from sister) A really lovely burgundy colored Scrumptious superwash 4-ply (from E) A basket of miscellaneous acrylic (from godmother)(the basket's really my favorite part)(she also got me these awesome earrings, that I forgot to photograph) Amigurumi Toy Box is finally mine! as is Aladdin on DVD (brother #1) a cute dragonfly travel mug and instant coffee (brother #2, not pictured) On the right is a photo album with a old world map print, and the far left is a Freeset bag from Better Way Imports, both from the parentals.   


Anyway, I'm looking forward to the week- finals, Idina Menzel Concert, WEDDING!!!

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.

It's not Wednesday...

...but there is progress!

I've missed a few WIP Wednesdays, being caught up with school and work and wedding activities. But despite being insanely busy, I'm still finding time to crochet in the evenings.

So, on to my progress:

Nearly twenty 12" squares, which started as my BAMCAL afghan. I've branched out and am using squares from 2 other Ravelry groups- Melinda Miller is hosting a year-long "Afghan Extravaganza" and shares a newly designed square each month and Vanna's Choice Fan Club is hosting a BAWL (Block-a-Week), so I've added squares from both of those groups to bring my number up. Since I was nearing the end of my yarn (I purchased 6 skeins of Caron Simply Soft, adding a 7th mid-March) I decided that I'll stop at twenty and join. I'm thrilled to be nearly finished with my first afghan made of blocks, but I'm not sure who to gift it to. My original plan was to be a selfish crafter, since it took a lot of work, and I didn't know if anyone would appreciate it... Not so sure anymore.

My second 6-month project is a wedding gift. I have 2 weeks left to finish it, so it's getting down to the wire.

This ripple is nearly as wide as the seat and back of our couch. It is a bit more than half way done, but if I don't get to the end of my yarn by the week of the wedding, I'll probably just stop and call it good. I just hope the newlyweds will enjoy it :)

That's all for this week. I'll be working furiously on the ripple, so probably wont be anything new to see next week... Unless I work really really hard :D

WIPW/Yarn-Along: New Things!

I'm linking up with Tami's Amis and Ginny's Yarn-Along today!

This week, I'm technically on "vacation". Winter semester is over, and my spring classes don't start until May 15th. And so far, my week has been really productive. I really enjoyed participating in Blog Week hosted by Eskimimi Makes, and was really inspired by all you who craft and blog! I was particularly inspired by those of you who manage to keep your WIPs to a minimum, usually only working on one or two projects at a time. However, even though I was inspired, I haven't quite gotten to that point. In fact, I started a new project on Saturday evening...

Encouraged by the chatter on the CSW discussion board for the May CAL for Eva's Shawl, I got home from work, dug out the yarn I wanted to use, and got started. This is some of my progress from during the Saturday night movie:



This is not my first attempt to work this pattern, as some of you may remember, I was attempting to work this pattern so I could wear the complete shawl to my cousin's wedding last November. That was not to be. The yarn was scratchy and my hook was too small. So it went into the frog pile. But this yarn, a silk and angora blend, I believe, is lovely and light and soft. I'm not keen on the pale pink color, so it may visit the dye pot before I can say it is complete. But I like it more than the first time. I also added an extra wedge which gives the shawl a more versatile shape, in my opinion. Basically you add another chain 1 and 2 more dc in the foundation row.

Where are the rest of my projects, you may ask. And I will tell you- on my bedroom floor, in one project bag or another, too large to take to work with me. I'm nearly halfway through the yarn I bought for my ripple, but it's not as big as I would like it to be (I measured last night, and the width is still bigger than the length-- 42" by 32" ). The rows keep getting longer on my Citron, so that's hiding too. And I really need to work on that vest... and more dishcloths... The list could drag on.

In other news, I started a new book: A Dab of Dickens & a Touch of Twain by Elliot Engel. I bought it several years ago at a used book sale and hadn't touched it since. But because I am on vacation, I figured I should try a new book. My eventual goal is to read all the random books I buy (used and dirt cheap) or get rid of them. I took 14 books to the library as part of my effort to clean up. (Many more stayed, but that is beside the point.)

I hope you've enjoyed hearing about my little world today! Stop back any time! :)

The Sunday Update

That title sounds like the name of a newspaper or something. But as I have not been able to blog as much as I usually like, I'm tossing in an update post to to catch up on everything.
During the week, things usually run quite quickly, with me attending classes, going to work, and driving 20 minutes one way for my field work. It was getting stressful, but as long as I got enough sleep, I was alright. And now it's nearly all done. I finished my last day of teaching this past Friday, and this coming week is my last of classes for this semester (I still have finals and spring semester though). So even though my list of homework hasn't gotten a lot shorter, the end is near, which is comforting.

My crafting has slowed down because of those few hectic weeks, but I am nearly finished with my Lenten blanket. These are the last few squares that I made for it: More V's Please, Forest Chains, Wooly Snowflake and Schoharie Spring.






I've been slowly working on the ripple for Allie's wedding present, and added another ripple project to my list, as I decided that I wanted another one from some of the yarn I just dyed. I'm making steady progress on both, even though Allie's is my only current project with a deadline.



Easter was a quiet affair with my family. We went to Easter Vigil, and on Sunday Mom cooked a big lunch. E came over, which was fun, since my brothers really like him. I caught him playing with my knitting halfway through the day:

You can't really see what was on the needles, but it was my never-ending Citron. (When I finish all these blankets, I'll come back to it)

And since Easter, it's been a huge variety of activities, but mostly school and work stuff, as mentioned before. In 1 1/2 weeks the semester will be over, and I will be able to reclaim my room which has fallen prey to the messy monster! Bags of yarn, half-finished projects, bits of reclaimed sweaters dyed with Kool-Aid, and all sorts of other stuff have built up, and I cannot live in such all small space with all the clutter.

Anyway, that's all for today! Hopefully things will be saner on Wednesday so I can actually share some of what I'm working on.

WIP Wednesday: Inspired by the Blog-o-sphere

This week I have been really inspired by all the crafting I've seen, done by bloggers who link up with Tami's Amis for WIPW and FOF and Ginny's Yarn-Along.

I have 2 'big' WIPs this week, not counting lesson planning.

First up is the Claret Cowl, inspired by Ginny, who shared her sunny cowl with us a few weeks ago. This is also semi-inspired by Liz [Yarnberry] who shared about a yarn bowl two Fridays ago. I am actually surprised that I like knitting in the round.


Second is my MSU ripple. One of my best friends is getting married in a few months, and this will either be a wedding or shower gift to them. (They met at MSU) I'm using the ripple pattern from Lucy @ Attic24, which I have used before and absolutely LOVE. I'm using Caron Simply Soft, so it'll be easy to wash but still super soft.

I have to get back to my lesson planning, so that's all for today! Thanks for stopping by!


<3 Mary

I've got nothing.

Nothing finished to show off, that is. I've been pretty busy, it being my first week back at school. And I already have homework that has not been finished. Gah. Luckily, I have Monday off, so I just need to do a lot of textbook reading to catch up.

I'm on a stashbusting kick, however. This means that nearly all of the new projects that I start are scrap projects. My log cabin scrap blanket is getting too big now to work on comfortably, so instead of adding more rows, I'm adding more panels. Each one is different- some are simply striped, others continue the log cabin design. But I'm hoping that by using this method, I won't have as many wonky edges. And, these pieces are quick and easy to make- I've done 2 in the last 2 days (And I'm not counting them as FOs because they are parts of a whole)

Once I get my homework done, I think I'll be starting my next big project: a ripple afghan, using this pattern from Lucy at Attic24. Hopefully, I'll have something to show off next week, but until then, enjoy a cup of tea.