Monday, February 20, 2012

And Lots More Knitting...

I'm proud of myself today. I worked on most of today's to-do list. However, I've quickly run out of time to complete the list. On the upside, I had today weighted heavily compared to the rest of the week, so hopefully tomorrow I can catch up.

I've made one shawl before, and there's something magical about them. For example, here's where my Malabrigo Lace shawl is now:



I'm to the point where I can't wait to finish it, because I can't wait to block it and see the pattern. It's at 68% completion, there are actually only 33 rows left before binding off. Of course with triangular shawls, you start with very few stitches and work your way out, so every 4 rows this shawl gets wider and wider. Unlike items knit with heavier yarn, you really can't "see" the pattern before you block it out. It's like taking a tangled mess of yarn, waving a magic wand, and transforming it into a beautiful work of art.

I had this magical lesson just over a year ago when I finished the Echo Flower Shawl. It's my go-to winter scarf. I need to re-block it, as it's had a good amount of wear, but I just love the lightweight baby alpaca.

I also worked on my half-square triangle quilt. Of 644 initial squares, I have 50 finished. I've chain-pieced a bunch of the initial squares, but then there's cutting, pressing, trimming, seaming, pressing, seaming, pressing, trimming on each one. I can finish about 12 squares a hour. It's going to be a long road. I'm very excited about this one, though. I have the feeling it will remind me of the "Babymaker" quilt from the movie, The Proposal.

Anyways, happy crafting!

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Yes, it's been awhile...

Honestly sometimes it feels like I do nothing, all the time.

I still have 12 totes of yarn. I'm working on it slowly but regularly. I've knit up 917 yards of finished projects so far this month, but there's at least 1000 more yards of projects on the needles, that are closer to finished than started. I've added more than that, through Christmas presents, but it's sock yarn so it doesn't count. Or so I'm told.

I've dedicated myself to working on the quilts this year and getting a couple tops finished. I currently budget at least a hour a day to quilts. I'm working on some 2.5" scrap squares that are easy and interesting. Just making half-square triangles, matching them up into 2x2 squares that are all the same combo, and I'll put them together into a queen-sized top once it's finished. I have way too many projects in progress, though. I really need the focus.

One new "hobby" that's not really new, we are going to begin showing Tonks, my parents' black Labrador, over the spring into summer. We are hoping to have a late summer litter of black & chocolate puppies. She's going in for her OFA's late in March. She's already got her cardiac clearance and just needs another eye clearance.

That's what's been happening. I hope to have enough interesting projects to start taking pictures soon.