Sticky Note Queen

I’m a saver.  That’s probably why my house needs decluttered.  I’m not going to be on Hoarders anytime soon but it bothers me.  I’ve posted about it several times.  I’m trying to get in the cleaning/decluttering mood so I do a lot of talking about it first.  Acting on it comes later.

I read many years ago that when you find something in a magazine that interests you, instead of saving the entire magazine, just tear out that article and toss the rest of it.  I tried it once then wished I would have kept the whole thing as my interests changed and I wanted something else from it.  Now when I get a book or magazine, I use sticky notes to mark things I want to remember, things I want to knit, things I want to research.  You get the idea.  My daughter used to call me the Sticky Note Queen.

My knitting magazine collection

Did you see all those purple, yellow and green stickies?

I was going to gather this pile of knitting magazines to put away last night but decided to go though them first to look for a sweater pattern that only takes 525 yards of worsted weight yarn.  Something with a short sleeve.  Yeah, I know, I’m dreaming.

I looked at all the patterns not just the ones I marked.  And some of the ones I marked made me wonder: what I was thinking?  Of course I had only knit one sweater that fit (sorta) when I poured over the magazines the first time.  With a few more knitted garments off the needles (three huge fails and you only know about one) I think I can make better decisions about what will work for me.  I found several things I liked so much more than the ones I marked.  I’m glad I saved all of them.

As for the short-sleeved, worsted weight, cotton blend sweater I want to make using only 525 yards of yarn, I might have to wing it.

Empty needles again

Since I finished the Peony Twist Cardi over the weekend (still minus the buttons), I don’t have anything else on my needles.  For some reason I have great ideas and projects I want to start but I just can’t get enthused about any of them at the moment.

Click on the link below for a preview.

Several months ago I bought Around the World in Knitted Socks  by Stephanie Van Der Linden intending to start at the beginning and knit my way through the book.  I love hand knitted sock but only have one pair to call my own.  For some reason I just can’t get the first one on the needles.  In fact I can’t get anything on the needles.

Maybe I need to take a break and concentrate on the decluttering aspect of my house.  I really need to organize my knitting, sewing, printmaking, paper, polymer clay, and painting materials.  Do I have enough hobbies?

Two done, many more to go

I found the box of felt ornaments I wanted to complete for Christmas last year.  I also decided what I was doing for Christmas card this year.  Why do I have Christmas ideas right now?  It’s cold, wet, and dismal outside and it reminds me of winter, not spring.  Plus if I get on with these now, I won’t be in the panic I usually am in December.

I have a “procedure” Friday morning and the prep involves laxatives.  Lots of laxatives.  And lots of sitting.  Then Mr. Aitch and I will be in the car for about 6 hours this weekend.  Maybe I can get motivated to get something on the needles to keep me busy.

Edit:  Happy Birthday, Mom.  I miss you.

Peony Twist finished

…minus the buttons.  I closed it with pins so excuse the front closure.

I know several people use Fridays as their day to post about finished things but I write about them when it happens.

I like the fit (see my Ravelry notes).

Peony Twist Cardi front

The color isn’t too bad either.

Peony Twist Cardi back

The little wave pattern is very nice.  I don’t think my shoulders are this broad.  I look like a linebacker!

Peony Twist Cardi side

Pattern: Tangerine Twist

Yarn: Knit Picks Comfy Worsted

Color: Peony Color #5606, Lot# 7595

Needles: US 4, 6, and 7

Size: Medium (39.5)

I used 7 balls of yarn but with shorter tales with casting on, I might have had enough with 6 balls of yarn.  I ripped out my swatch and used it as I thought I was going to run out of yarn.

According to the pattern, I should only need 8 buttons for this size.  Some how I ended up with 9 buttonholes.

Would I make this pattern again?  Yes.

I need to figure out what I’m doing for buttons first.

Sunshine, where are you?

It’s another chilly, wet, overcast day here in the mountains.  Maybe it will clear up enough for me to get some decent pictures of my Peony Twist Cardi and the Herringbone Neck Warmer but for now, it’s not happening.

I stopped by the only store that carries buttons in my neck of the woods and found some buttons for the Peony Twist Cardi that are OK.  Just OK.  Not loving them but they are the right color.  I might try to make some out of polymer clay today.

I found two buttons in my stash for the neck warmer.  I just need to sew them on.  Here’s a not-so-great picture of it before they are sewed on.

Herringbone Neck Warmer

I was going to take a break in knitting for a while to declutter my house and get ready for the installation of crown molding in the living and dining rooms as well as finishing a part of my basement for a craft room.  I’ll post before and after pictures, if I’m not too embarrassed of the mess I have now.

But that is a few months down the road.  Decluttering starts now.

Anyway, I have two fingerless mitt patterns I want to make.  Fetching and Treads.  I have stash yarn to make one pair.  Hmmm.