The Last Last FO of 2010

This really is the last one. I promise.


Crap picture #1

and


Crap picture #2

Look, ma! No jammie pants!

Link to Ravelry project page.

Link to the other last FO's project page. (Since I forgot it last time.) I'm so glad I finished it time for yesterday and today's highs in the 70s. *sigh*

The Year In Review: July-December

July

• SPAIN WINS THE WORLD CUP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• I knit a lot of socks.
  
  
• I complete homework for 6 classes.
  
• Offspring takes in a stray (a feline one.) New roommate is allergic. We agree to foster the stray.
• 3 weeks later we discover the cat is pregnant. Joy.
  

August

• I got a new job!
• I blog less!
• I knit less!

September

• The new job is time consuming!
• Stray cat needs a c-section.
• One kitten survives.
  
  
• I finish a pair of socks.
  
  

October

• I manage two dishcloths and a coaster!
  
  
• I begin to feel like life is getting itself back in order.
• My team doesn't win Dish Rag Tag, but the contest resurrects my knitting mojo (as it does every year.)

November

• It finally gets cooler and feels like fall, then it gets warm and humid for Thanksgiving.
• I join NaBloPoMo for the second year in a row.
• I become a lemming and sign on for two reading challenges for 2011
• I get up to #23 in my book Challenge.
• I finish 4 projects (Technically, 5 projects but a certain kitten got to it.)
  
  

December

• Crafting Poetry!
  
  
• Hannukah!
  
  
• 24 Books!
• I quit 10kH!
• 2.0! 

Final thoughts:
I've been keeping FO photo sets since 2007. That year I had 34 items (but since I started mid-year that number may not be accurate.) In 2008 and 2009 I had higher numbers (in the 70's.) This year I had 60 items in the photo set, but there were a lot of duplicate pictures. Despite the lower numbers, I feel like this was one of my most productive years. I think because I made bigger items. (2009 was FILLED with dishcloths.)

Here's to 2011! May we all have a productive, happy year!

Damn droid.

Due to my fat fingers and poor droid usage I accidentally deleted a comment from Marushka. Thank you for your kind words and please accept my apologies. :-(

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The Year In Review:January-June

January

• I write my annual 365 List
• I decide to make monthly goals
• I decide to read 52 books in a year and read 5 during the month.
  
• I suffer from lack of knit mojo and end up not knitting most of the month.

February

• I make monthly goals.
• I enter the Ravelympics. Knit mojo is revived.
• I complete SIL shawl for a medal in the WIP Dancing event.
  
• I read three books.

March

• I finally get a clue and make only three goals.
• I fail at each...but not too terribly. They were all completed, but just not on time.
• I read one book

April

• I finish and block Brandywine (My March goal) She is beautiful.
  
• I starting posting in English and Spanish.
• I stop posting in English and Spanish.
• I discover the Harry Potter Knit/Crochet House Cup group on Ravelry. I waste a lot of time.
• I decide I'm going to become an expert at finishing projects and commit 10kH to it.

May

• Classes are posted to HPKCHC and I begin to panic. So much inspiration! How will I finish everything I want to do?
• Despite my initial panic, I finish assignments for all 6 classes.
  
  
• A malaise hits me and I stop making goals.

June

• The World Cup begins!! 
• I knit a squillion booties, a Circle Shrug, 3 Juliets and a Shalom.
  
  
• Yet I only complete 2 or 3 HPKCHC classes.

The Last FO of 2010 (I Think)

Finished this up this morning (confession- I wrote the WIP Wednesday post yesterday):





(I thought I would continue the tradition of modeling in my jammie pants.)

It could stand a little more blocking and perhaps I could have added an inch more ease, but I'm pleased. I decided not to do buttons because I rarely finish anything when buttons are involved. I still have the option of adding maybe toggle buttons...maybe....but I doubt it.

WIP Wednesday 12/29/10 (The Last One of the Year)

What a difference a week makes!

Last Wednesday:


Since I didn't have to work last week (Yay, teacher schedules!) I was able to work like a madwoman on this. I finished all the pieces on Christmas day and started seaming on Monday. It really hurt my back and neck so I took a break and started up again on Tuesday morning:



Just a few finishing touches, but I expect this will be the final FO of 2010...unless I finish this too:


It's the Bamboo Vest from Coats and Clark (link to their website.) It's really easy and I hope it lives up to the expectations I have for it.

Christmas Eve Friday Fill-In

1. These are a few things I like: coffee, chocolate...and yarn.

2. Tofurkey for holiday dinner.

3. What's that I hear in the bedroom...oh, yeah, one of the 6 cats.

4. I love quiet, quiet.

5. Some of my favorite holiday memories include family and food.

6. Not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _____, tomorrow my plans include _____ and Sunday, I want to _____!

AND

28. JOSNLYETW:
29. GKWLLOOTFOS: Good King Wenceslas looked out on the feast of Stephen (or is it Stephan or Steven?)
30. UOTRRPOJGOSC:
31. JBJBJBR: Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
32. IHABCWY:
33. WUNWTAGC:
34. JHTSBRTTTT:
35. CTTMPRPPP:
36. AWHHOH:
37. HAHJC:
38. AIAMNCFAB:


And wowzers they are hard this week...actually I'm more mentally lazy than usual.


I hope all my readers have an absolutely marvelous,stress-free, happy and wonderful holiday!!

The WIP Report

First up: Crochet Cardigan/Jacket 2.0


I lerve it.

Then: Haiku


I also had this going:


I finished the front, back and most of a sleeve....but I'm still not happy. I may have to lay this yarn quietly to rest. I'll decide by Friday.

Having a lot of time to myself just gives me time to put a bunch of stuff in my queue and get a case of startitis.

Watch This Space!

A WIP Wednesday post is on the way. I've recently suffered a bout of startitis...so I need a little extra time to take pictures.

If You Know a Knitter- A Mish Mash PSA

If you know someone who knits:

• Do not assume they want to knit for you.
• When you ask "how much would you charge to knit something for me?", do not balk when the knitter says "I charge $10 per hour. This garter stitch scarf would be perhaps 5-6 hours worth of work." You are offering to pay this person because they have a skill you do not possess--much like your mechanic or the lady who does your nails (both of whom you probably pay more than $10 per hour.)
• Do not ask to buy whatever it is the knitter is working on. Chances are  it has already been claimed.
• Especially don't ask to buy it if the knitter tells you it is for the homeless shelter.

Dear Knitting and Crochet

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways

• You make me feel productive. In a job where one rarely (if ever) sees the end product, I am glad there is you.
• You are unique. Even if I make something that a squillion other people have made, my variation will still stand alone.
• You are therapeutic. And much cheaper than prescriptions.
• You push me to explore and try new things. (Well, at least think about exploring and trying new things.)
• You are a great escape and you clear the mind.
• You keep me warm on a cold day.
• Sometimes  am not very good to you. I ignore you. I curse you. Yet, you remain loyal and true to me.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

Philosophical Mish-Mash

Holidays always leave me a little melancholy. They remind me of childhood. I had a happy childhood and as a year ends I am reminded that time flies and the world changes fast.

• I think to myself that so much has changed since I was a little girl. Kids these days are distracted by the internet, TV 24/7, cell phones, misogynistic-gangster rap. Not like my day: 4 channels (pre-cable) maybe 10 (post cable), no cell phone, no internet. Human interaction, songs you could sing along to and simpler times.
• Then I wonder what my parents were thinking when I was a kid: "Kids these days are so distracted-phones, TV, drugs, all that rock n' roll. Not like my day: a radio and no TV. We read. Human interaction, songs you could sing along to and simpler times."
• Do you think their parents thought the same things?

Friday Fill-In 12/17/10

It's my last day of classes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

*ahem*

Let's begin...

1. What in the world would I do without knitting (and coffee.)

2. I wish everyone in the world went to bed well fed.

3. Go home, Buddy (I've watched "The Incredibles" recently.

4. They sent my yarn on Tuesday.

5. I keep on truckin'.

6. Like it or not....

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting (Soy Tu Dueña isn't on), tomorrow my plans include knitting and Sunday, I want to knit and watch football!

AND

19. IDOAWCJLTOIUTK: I'm Dreaming of a white Christmas, just like the ones I used to know
20. CROAOFJFNAYN: Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at your nose
21. IBTLALLC: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
22. OLTOBHSWSTL: O little town of Bethlehem how sweet we see thee lie
23. SBRAYLITLSIG: Sleigh bells ring are you listenin' in the lane snow is glistenin'
24. IBHFC: I'll be home for Christmas (The world's most depressing Christmas carol)
25. WWYAMCWWYAMC: 
26. IHTBOCD: I heard the bells on Christmas day (I had a little help from google. I was able to figure out "on Christmas day" and went from there.)
27. FTSIAJHS: 


I think is one of my better weeks, but I'm still stumped by 25 and 27.


Sadly, I have no finishes for today. I do have...



This one isn't a surprise. I've already told you all about this "fracaso." Next Wednesday I'm hoping to show you the WIP that this became plus the progress on Crochet Cardigan 2.0 (If the yarn arrives soon....)

Sad

I am sitting at work...computerless. The kids are taking an exam. I decided to write out my revelry queue from memory. (Heaven knows why...) I managed to get 24 out of 31. The poor forgotten ones were: Gumdrop socks, Nati, Tree jacket, Easy lace stole, February lady sweater, Radiate and marathon socks. Sorry no links...I'm droid blogging. Please don't judge me...

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No-WIP Wednesday and Mojo Report

In addition to screwing up a project another sure way to kill my mojo is to sign up for a challenge or an X-along. In the last week I've signed on for the Pre-Process Stashdown, Stitching from the Shelf and 12in 2011. Then *POOF!* the desire to knit anything just disappeared.

However, when I finally stopped moping, I found a pattern I could use for the yarn from the defunct Crochet Cardigan (1.0). I've done a few rows, but I have no pictures to share. Kiama is still untouched and the blue scarf has maybe 8 new rows. I've also ordered yarn for Crochet Cardigan 2.0: Red Heart Super Saver in Aran Fleck.

I realize some of you are cringing right now, but hear me out. I want this to be more of a coat than a little sweater so I do want an element of indestructibility to it. It also meets my vegan criteria (though I guess it isn't very eco-friendly.) Plus it is cost effective-- the cardigan requires 2,300 plus yards of worsted weight yarn and I have a kid in college.

My last day of classes is Friday and I am determined to get the mojo back before the holidays start. I don't think my mojo is completely dead...but it is a little weak. I will power through this and recover it.  As they say in the telenovelas: ¡Te lo juro!

This Can't Be Happening

I am a boob. I am scattered and disorganized and can't remember what I have in my stash....despite putting it all on ravelry.

That's why I almost cried when I went to my yarn cupboard (Offspring's closet) and found it was bare. Well, not really bare, but I didn't have enough yarn to finish the crochet cardigan I've been working on. I know I'll be able to find another project to use the yarn for and I can just buy more yarn to make the cardigan, but I get so depressed when projects go awry. My mojo is a fickle beast and now I don't want to work on anything. I've got two weeks of vacation coming up. I can't have this happen!!

I'm going to nip this in the bud! I need a To-do List. Oh! How convenient...that's this week's Ten on Tuesday theme.

1. Pick yarn for Crochet Cardigan 2.0
2. mope.
3. Figure out something else to knit with the yarn from Crochet Cardigan 1.0
4. mope some more.
5. Go to the bank. Deposit check.
6. Order yarn for CC 2.0
7. mope just a bit more (almost done.)
8. Figure out something to knit, period. (Nothing appeals to me. *sigh*)
9. squeeze in some last minute moping.
10. Look for a dishcloth pattern. That always seems to help.

More Poetry Inspiration

Two Butterflies went out at Noon--
by Emily Dickinson

Two Butterflies went out at Noon--
And waltzed above a Farm--
Then stepped straight through the Firmament
And rested on a Beam--


And then--together bore away
Upon a shining Sea--
Though never yet, in any Port--
Their coming mentioned--be--


If spoken by the distant Bird--
If met in Ether Sea
By Frigate, or by Merchantman--
No notice--was--to me--




Pattern: Papillon Cloth
Yarn: Lily Sugar N' Cream (Hot Pink); Knit Picks CotLin (Creme Brulee...yellow)
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 MM; pink cloth); US size 4 (3.5 MM; yellow cloth)
Commentary: I enjoyed making the cloth with the CotLin more. Maybe because it was the second time doing it, but more because my knitting is so loose that when I use larger yarns and needles my stitches just look sloppy.

Friday Fill-In Etc 12/10/10

1. I wish it was next Friday already.

2. Coffee is good...that's what I'm thinking.

3. Please bring a smile.

4. Life is so amazing.

5. One of my fondest hopes is that common courtesy comes back in style.

6. All of my readers are awesome and I just wanted to say thank you.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Soy Tu Dueña and knitting, tomorrow my plans include a couple of errands and knitting and Sunday, I want to watch NFL football and knit!

AND

10. YKDADAPAVCACADAB: 
11. ISMKSCUTMLN: 
12. CSBSDIHS: 
13. HTHASGTTNK: Hark! The herald angels sing; Glory to the newborn king
14. GGROBAR: 
15. OHNTSASB: Oh holy night, the stars are...wait, that's not right...I thought it was "brightly shining?"
16. AIWFCIMTFT: All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.
17. DTTSIAOHOS: 
18. WTKOOA: We three kings of orient are

Aaaaand that's all I can figure out. (Actually, I'm just to lazy to think any harder.)



Last week our principal decided that there needed to be two teachers on duty in the back parking lot. She did a little rearranging and I got the "honor" of doing that duty. Originally, I didn't have duty until January. So I have it now and the first week of January. Just my luck, temps are at an all time low every morning this week (and afternoons, too.) I'm standing outside for about 30 minutes every morning in 20 degree temps. The wind is pretty bad too. Luckily, I thought ahead and made myself a little something to keep my ears warm. (Technically, this project isn't exactly in keeping with the spirit of Finishing Friday, but I wanted to be consistent with my Friday posts.)


Pattern: Ponytail Beanie
Yarn: Caron Simply Soft
Needles: US size 7 (4.5 MM)
Notes: don't you love my jammies? :-) But seriously, this little knit kept me quite warm (for a winter in the South. I make no claims about winter in Minnesota or other frozen climes.)

PS: Anastacia, you asked about the crochet cardigan I'm making. It's from a Leisure Arts leaflet from at least 16 years ago. Here's the Rav link.

Crafting Poetry

I mentioned before that I like the idea of a lot of things. A Read Along cum Knitting is one of those things.

In the past I followed the now defunct "Knit the Classics" blog and even joined the list, but neither read nor knit a thing. When I discovered the Knitting 19th Century Novels and Knitting 20th Century Novels on Ravelry I dutifully joined and then did nothing. The trouble is, I never know what I'll be in the mood to read. Sure, Like Water for Chocolate is a worthy choice. So is The Moonstone, but at the time I just wasn't feeling it.

So I think I've come up with something I can do: Poetry. I can integrate my hobbies and poetry. (I'm sure it's being done somewhere so I'm not claiming it's an original idea.) For the most part, poetry is short. I can read at least a poem a month. I never really need to be "in the mood" for a poem. I'm always in the mood for a poem.

This month I'm focusing on Emily Dickinson. (FYI: Today is Emily Dickinson's birthday.)

There is no Frigate like a Book

To take us Lands away,

Nor any Coursers like a Page

Of prancing Poetry -

This Traverse may the poorest take

Without oppress of Toll -

How frugal is the Chariot

That bears a Human soul.

And I was inspired to make a couple of bookmarks:



Pattern: Elegant Pineapple bookmark
Thread: Aunt Lydia's Bamboo Crochet Thread (This stuff is lovely. So light, airy and pliable.)

Would you like to join me as I craft poetry in 2011? I would love to have you.

You have three options each month:

• Option 1- Choose a poet from the official list (see below.)  Choose a poem and craft an item inspired by that poem (I just knit and crochet, but you are welcome to do anything you consider a craft: cross stitch, quilting, scrapbooking...even cooking!) Write a blog post sharing the poem and the item you made. Link back to me and leave your link on the official blog post each month.
• Option 2- Choose your own poet and follow the instructions above. Be sure to include why you chose that poet and poem.
• Option 3-Write your own poem and follow the instructions above.

To bribe you sweeten the deal, participants will be chosen randomly (random.org) each month (February 2011-January 2012) to receive their choice of a Ravelry pattern (up to $10) or a $10 Gift Certificate to Knit Picks! I'm also open to sponsors as well. Just drop me a line if you would like to sponsor a prize.

Feel free to use this badge, just please save the image to your own server and link back to this post. Thanks!


Poets for the 2011 Craft a Poem "Challenge"

January- Robert Burns, Lord Byron, Edgar Allen Poe

February-Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar

March-Robert Frost, Elizabeth Barrett Browning

April-(National Poetry Month)Maya Angelou, Robert Browning, William Wordsworth

May-Walt Whitman, Omar Khayyam, May Swenson

June- William Butler Yeats, Allen Ginsberg, Gwendolyn Brooks

July- Pablo Neruda

August-Percy Bysshe Shelley, Sara Teasdale, Alfred Lord Tennyson

September- T.S. Eliot, William Carlos Williams

October- e.e. cummings, Sylvia Plath, Dylan Thomas

November-Anne Sexton, William Blake, Pedro Salinas

December- John Greenleaf Whittier, John Milton

Are you in? Leave your link below! And be sure to check out the Ravelry group!

More for the Book Challenge-#24

As a special treat, I will attempt a mini-review as well.

Series: This is the 5th in the Crochet Mystery series. I've read all of them
Pacing: Good. The story seemed a bit slower than in the first four, but that is not saying much because the pacing of the other four could be described as rocket-fast.
Character Development: Good. Main characters are very well fleshed out while some minor characters are a bit flat.
General: I really love these books. I finally figured out what it is I like so much about them: They are oh-so-campy, tongue-in-cheek and satirical. I'm not sure if the author was going for that, but that's what I read into them.

I am so screwed next year when I have to outdo myself and read more than 24 books.

WIP Wednesday 12/8/10

I'm still plugging away at (and taking crappy pictures of) the crochet cardigan. Here's the progress as of Sunday:



Just another front, and two sleeves and I will be done with the parts. Then it's on to seaming (blech) and edgings. It's really a rather quick project, it's just a bit boring.

I also pulled this out of hibernation last week:


This isn't a current WIP picture, but trust me when I say a current progress shot wouldn't look much different.

Kiama still sits untouched and neglected. I need to get crack-a-lackin' and work on her. It's finally getting chilly and I don't see the point of working on a Spring/Summer sweater, but that is just plain dumb thinking because if I would just work on it now it would actually be ready to wear when warm weather rolls around. If I keep putting it off, I'll end up finishing it next fall when it's too cool to wear it.

Ten On Tuesday 12/7/10

10 Holiday Favorite Holiday Shows
Sadly, many of these aren't shown very often any more. When I was young some these were annual staples. (All hail Rankin Bass!)
1. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer (Thankfully still around)
2. The Year Without a Santa Claus (Usually on cable, but I always seem to miss it. I finally just bought the DVD)
3. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (Original Boris Karloff, if you please. I've never seen the Jim Carey version.)
4. A Charlie Brown Christmas
5. White Christmas (with Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye)
6. A Muppet Christmas Carol
7. In fact, any iteration of A Christmas Carol
8. A Wonderful Life (I hear it's pretty good, but I've never seen it. Please don't think less of me.)
9. Nestor the Long-eared Christmas Donkey
10. Guadalupe (usually on Univision)

Officially an Associate

An Amazon associate that is.

Now don't panic, I won't be hard-selling anyone. I only did it so I could share books covers with you quickly and easily. So for example, when I finish reading You Better Not Die (which I hope is soon) I can just copy and paste a little HTML and voila:

I have an image and a link. That is the only reason I did this. No high pressure here. No siree.

Throwing In The Towel

10kH is a no go.

1. There's no way I'm going to hit 10kH in the near future.
2. I always forget to keep track of time.
3. It kind of takes the fun away from my crafting time.

Farewell 10kH. Can't say I'm gonna miss you.

Oh! And thanks Emma and Amanda for you help with the Christmas carols on the Friday Fill-in.

I Haz a Toi

I am writing this post from my new droid 2 global. I will not be making a habit of this. Its pretty laborious.

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Worse Than Losing My Mojo

Worse than a slump...although it sort of feels that way...is being restless with my knitting. I can't decide what to knit; I don't know what I'm in the mood to make. I'm inspired by practically everything and I think about casting on every other pattern I see. Daily I fight the urge to buy yarn for projects. I'm obsessing over...

• Cobblestone
• Princess Squares Blanket 
• these socks.
• plain vanilla socks
• Ponytail Beanie
• Edgy
• Tree Jacket
• Liesl

Oh, and I've actually had a design idea. I know, I know, I'm not really a designer. I'm more of  a follower, but I really want to try to get this idea from my head to a real life FO. I've got a couple of free patterns  (simple, simple stuff), but I wouldn't mind having a few more. I have dreams of grandeur, obviously. Seriously, don't hold your breath or anything.

Plus I've got quite a few WIPs going on! And the quick little projects I've done have left me a bit dissatisfied. I'm thinking all this crafty energy may be pre-vacation nesting. You know, getting everything in order before I have 2 weeks off work.

Friday Fill-In 12/3

From the website:

This week, I'm going to give you a choice of fill-ins OR a different kind of fill-in (or both). A friend emailed me a list where you have to identify Christmas songs by the initials of the first words of the first line of each song. Each Friday until Christmas Eve I'll post 9 more of these songs and if you'd like to play along, great!

I'm going for both!
1. The best thing about a birthday celebration is cake.

2. I have a love/hate relationship with the passage of time.

3. I went shopping recently and the most interesting thing I bought was a gluten free baked ziti frozen meal by Amy's.

4. Uno is supposedly a  child's game, but adults love it too.

5. The reason is not important, just do it!.

6. I have a love/hate relationship with snow and cold.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to knitting, tomorrow my plans include knitting and the SEC championship game and Sunday, I want to knit and watch Tampa Bay in their throwback jerseys!

AND

1. HYAMLC: Have yourself a merry little Christmas
2. TFNTADS: The first noel, the angels did say(? or is it sing?)
3. GRYMGLNYD:
4. ICUAMC: It came upon a midnight clear
5. SNHNAICAIB:
6. OTFDOCMTLGTM: On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me
7. DTHWBOHFLLLLLLLL: Deck the halls with boughs of holly fa la la la la la la la
8. YBWOYBNC:
9. JTTWTLHC:

Ugh! Those are the only ones I can get! Can anyone give me some help? Thanks!

As for Finishing/Frogging Friday. I've neither finished nor frogged anything. Maybe next week.

Sound the Lemming Alarm!

I've joined another book challenge. This one, like all the others, is right up my alley because the challenge is to read books you already own. I will have plenty to choose from, but I think I'm only going to declare the "Trying" level.

My book stash is like my yarn stash. Poor Offspring is going to have a lot of stuff to get rid of when I kick the bucket.

I'll be back later today with the Friday Fill-In.

The Chanukah Post

For Chanukah I've changed the color of my background and added a snow effect. Chanukah ends next week...but I'll probably keep the changes until the end of December.

And you can file this under "Lemming" since I saw the snow on another site and had to have it.

Monthly Goals-December

Did you think you wouldn't be hearing from me after NaBloPoMo? Well, I've got monthly goals to share! I think I'm beginning to master the fine art of writing goals I can achieve.

• Leave work promptly at 3:45.
• Take time for me (I did pretty well with that one last month)
• Eat better than I have been.
• Smile often.
• Laugh a lot.
• Read The Minimalist Knitter's Handbook. (With many, many thanks to Worsted Knitt for sharing the link to this site!)