Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Short Attention Span Knitting

I've definitely been knitting. It seems like I've been knitting a lot actually. But between knitting on the traveling scarves that are making their way to my house and the other projects I've got going, nothing is getting finished. This is the lineup of my current in progress knitting projects. I think it's apparent why nothing is actually getting finished.

I wanted a small project available to carry around for when I have just a few minutes to knit. So I started another pair of ribbed socks with some yarn I broke into for one of the traveling scarves. It's great for the work carpool!

Last Wednesday I attended a knitting focus group meeting and the topic was old works in progress that hadn't been worked on for awhile. The idea was to bring a project to the meeting and make a firm decision on whether to complete it or just terminate the whole thing. I have to say, most projects brought to the meeting were frogged. But I decided to move forward with mine.

The project in question is the Weekend Getaway Satchel that appeared in an issue of Interweave Knits in 1995! And yes, That's when I started the project. It's been sitting in a closet all this time. I started this project before I had even started blogging! I picked this project, out of the several that are in the closet, because my Saturday book club meeting was focused on bags. So it seemed doubly appropriate. The project is back out and I'm knitting. I plan on finishing it this year for sure. I've just finished the base and I'm working on the back. Next up will be the front with the Intarsia and embroidery work.

I had to start another sock too. I'm working on a spin along project for March and April. I'm done with the spinning, but the second have is to knit the Primavera Sock pattern with the yarn. So I got that sock started as well. And since my main sock knitting needles are in another sock project and I had to come up with a solution. I found that I had a US1 circular needle that is 40 inches long. So, I'm learning magic loop on this project as a bonus.

I've been working on a sweater too! I'm knitting a February Lady Sweater in Socks That Rock heavy weight yarn. I love how this thing is turning out. The color is called Korppi and is a basic black with highlights of purples and green. I really just love this color. I'm actually really excited for this project. I've added my first button holes to a sweater and I've learned a twisted purl cast on too. The bad news is that I have to start over. I don't think I started with a big enough size. I could probably knit a few more rows just to be sure, but I'm pretty sure that frogging is the answer. It is a little disheartening; so I've set the project aside for a little bit.

But in the mean time, I started another sweater last Friday. I'm knitting a nice little open cardigan to wear in the office to beat the chill of the summer air conditioner. Our office is kept at deep freeze temperatures all summer, so this will definitely get used this season. I'm knitting it out of Noro Taiyo which is a cotton, wool, and silk mix. I love how the yarn feels and it has all the typical Noro characteristics. I'm to the point of splitting off the sleeves. The yarn is worsted weight and I'm knitting on size US 10.5 needles, so this project is moving right along.

I've been spinning too of course! I can't stop spinning. So I'll have a new skein of hand spun to share on Friday if you come back.

6 comments:

Monika said...

Wow- you have a lot going on! My daughter wanted me to knit the satchel, but I just laughed, no way! I'm so looking forward to see how yours turns out. Your sweater projects look great, and I really like how your handspun sock yarn looks. Noro Taiyo sounds like a wonderful yarn and the colorway you choose looks great.

Karen said...

Wow, you have a lot going on the needles. All nice projects! I don't know how you get as much done as you done. Where is your cape?

Anonymous said...

I really like that satchel - that's an awful lot of intarsia, though!

If it's any consolation, I have even MORE projects going than you - also not getting completed.
mdknitr

turtlegirl76 said...

Good for you for getting that Weekend Getaway Satchel back on track! That'll feel great when it's done I bet.

Zonda said...

Hehe..we are so funny, both of us getting moving on our WGS! I think a meet up and pics is in store when we are done! Love the new sweater oooh!

Anonymous said...

I love the color in your FLS! Just wanted to mention, though, that the yoke of that sweater is very stretchy because of the garter stitch and the weight of the lace section. If you want a fitted sweater, it's probably best to knit on the smaller side because it will grow quite a bit. Anyway - hope you won't have to frog it!