WIPs Wednesday

It's currently 5am in the morning (I've had zero caffeine) and I'm taking a short break from knitting to share with you my current goal.

As some of you know I have requirements for when I cast on new knitting, I have to finish at least 2 items already on the needles.

Sometimes this leads me to actually hunting down something small and quick to finish (I'm notorious for knitting only one fingerless mitten) or I look critically at my projects and frog items which are not working out so I can free up a set of needles.

Recently I have frogged a hat that was bleeding dye so badly that it was rubbing off onto my fingers and needles, I have finished 2 fingerless mittens, a scarf, socks and a shawlette.

But I have casted on a baby sweater and some socks.

However, when I look at my knitting list I still have about 220 estimated hours of knitting on the needles right now.

So in light of this new event I have decided that on Wednesdays I will only work on the item is listed at the very bottom which means it needs the most work on it.

Currently at the bottom is the Crown Prince Square Shawl . I estimate that it will take me 60 hours to complete. I'm basing this on how fast I knit the Swallowtail Shawl, (40 hours), and how much quicker I am knitting now then when I knit that.

This is how much I have so far:

So in order to finish its deadline by May I'm dedicating 2 hours a day to this single knit in hope that it will magically be finished sometime next month and I can take it off the list.

Its Like a Virus

Earlier in the week I heard the word "Baby".

To me this can be like catching the flu when I hear the word and it causes me to start wanting to make tons of little things. I usually use the act of making baby stuff as a way to test things like lace patterns, and sock ideas (I learned short row heels on baby socks), and to try out new yarns, or to just get rid of yarn.

This time however I was surprised by the reaction because I don't even know the person having the baby. This might mean I'm a little odd, but its a reminder to me that there are tons of cute patterns out there that someday I would like to try.

While I'm still trying to get a hand on the projects I already have going, and not cast on a million things, I have realized that I still have goals to reach and that maybe I can use this to my advantage.

Currently I'm learning to use Intwined Pattern Studio to write patterns and charts. I already use sock wizard to do the math for sock sizes I'm not familiar with, but this one is really handy for creating charts. I love working with charts as its easier for me not to lose my place on them, unlike written instruction which I use post its to keep my place.

I'm also learning how to do stranded knitting this year and I want to try steeking.

So I went off and wrote a pattern that I'm now test knitting for a baby sweater:

The Joys of Being a Grown Up

The other night over hot pot we ladies were all sitting around the table and discussing living with our parents as one of our number has had to move back in with her mother. This now means that I'm now the only one who is not living under their parent's roof.

It also means that while my friends are trying to prove to their folks that they are grown ups and can make their own decisions, I've been on my own for nearly 8 years and have nothing to prove. I love taking advantage of the fact that those things my mother told me not to do, I can now do and there is no one to tell me no. Kind of reminds me of my favorite strip from Queen of Wands.

Ben saw evidence of this the other day when he was walking through the kitchen and asked me if I was making Easter eggs because I was making hard boiled eggs and dyeing them blue. I pointed out that it was really helpful to know which eggs are hard boiled when they share a container with raw eggs.

I then let him know he's lucky I can't find a crayon in the house.

What silly things do you like to do now that your on your own?

Improv Shawl

Yesterday Caren released her Improv Shawl Pattern!

Many of you have seen Caren around here on the blog as she is a wonderful and creative knitter that is always bursting with ideas.

Well here is her new shawl pattern!

Improve Shawl:

This simple-yet-elegant shawl can be quickly knit up and lets you be as creative as you desire! As you saw in the blog a couple of days ago, I am currently knitting this shawl and have been trying out a couple of my experimental stitch patterns as well as using Caren's suggested stitch patterns.

The pattern is free and you can find the suggested yarn in my shop.

Lets Try This Again

Sorry about yesterday's blog. I have been having some computer trouble that will be resolved in the next couple of months.

What happened on Tuesday was that Anna, Kendra and I went up to the city to spend a day at the museums. But first there was much fun to be had the night before with hot pot and anime all night long.

The Pope Squid hat

Teresa opening another bottle of wine.
We found that a bottle goes very quickly
 between 6 people 

I asked them to look excited while going through bart

The Jewish Heritage has this cool fountain with stepping stones
in front of it. We skipped across several times.

I love the architecture of the city.

The Black Sabbath exhibit that explores that use of Yiddish
and Jew themes in Jazz music sung by Blacks 

Anna and I listening at one of the tables and exploring some
of our favorite music. I'm also knitting a sock.

A poster at Coffee Choice that amused us.
The coffee and bagels were great and the price better

An instillation piece that is hung right above the lobby of the Moma.
When you get to the second floor on the stairwell landing you can see
that the lights go of and on to show two people dancing with what looked to
be a rope.

Where's Waldo?

The garden top of the Moma is like a playground to us

I'm watching the security guard that had been following us through the garden top as we posed around the statues and
explained to her that we were not actually touching anything.
I'm actually balancing there and Kendra is just pretending.

I returned home with a sock nearly completed and so tired I just about fell into bed after driving home.

Back

The last two days have been a little intense.... and then the program ate my blog.... I'll try again tomorrow...

The Care and Keeping of Your Manbeast When You're Away

There are times my fellow knitter that you may have to venture out of the house for a night or two. There are things like knit night, knitting retreats, knitting conventions and other very important events that might make us leave our husbands, boyfriends and significant others on their own for an evening.

These times I feel it is best to stock the house with the basics so that they will not do things that might lead to them ordering pizza and trying to eat all of it to be rid of the evidence, causing them to hurt themselves when they become overstuffed.

One of my favorite things to leave is Shepard's Pie and with the holidays just past I have most of the makings on hand.

Leftover Ingredients:

Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Vegetables
1 lb Roast Beef
Optional: Shredded Cheese

1. Cut roast beef into small cubes and place into the bottom of a  2 1/2 qt casserole dish
2. Mix in vegetables and gravy
3. Top off with warm mashed potatoes spread evenly over mixture. Sprinkle shredded cheese on top if desired
4. With lid on the casserole dish bake for 1 hour at 350°F.

Before the addition of potatoes

My man loves cheese

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be leaving for a night of Mongolian Hot Pot with Anna and my friends then a day of museums on Tuesday. This means leaving Ben on his own for 2 dinners and I know that if I leave him to his own devices that he'll be eating frozen burritos till he bursts.

I hope you and your family enjoy this recipe!