NaBloPoMo 2016 Day 6

Sixth Year of Projects - Week 19:  It's been a while since I posted...  I have been busy with school and keeping up with teaching and grading, but have also managed to get some crafting done (not a lot, but some!)

1) Coffee Cantata (Sock Madness 10 Round 6 socks) - Zero progress here.  I have not touched these in over a month or longer!!  I might frog these as I am just not feeling the love.

2) Celtic Myths Shawl - this is coming along nicely,  I have added several repeats on the edging and it is coming along nicely.  I have spent a bit of my spare time on this one the past couple weeks.

3) Sock scrap-ghan - I have added a few more little squares to this project. I have 89 squares now and am still a long way fro being done! 

4) Scrappie - I cast this on in the beginning of October and have not worked on it much in the past several weeks.  I need to get back to it and get it done - it is a fun pattern and great for using up scraps!

5) And I have been working on a new sock design.  It is getting closer to completion and will hopefully be ready for testing in the next couple weeks!

Sixth Year of Projects - Week 12

So I am back!!  I have been back at work (University professor) and am settling into my new routine.  I have less time for crafting lately...  Oh well, work keeps me in the lifestyle I have become accustomed to!

And a side note - my eyes have healed up perfectly and the doctor was pleased when I had my one month follow-up appointment a few days ago!

So my crafting updates:

1) Coffee Cantata (Sock Madness 10 Round 6 socks) - Zero progress here.  I have not touched these in a month!!

2) Celtic Myths Shawl - this is coming along nicely,  I have added several repeats on the edging and it is coming along nicely.  I have spent a bit of my spare time on this one the past couple weeks.

3) Sock scrap-ghan - I have added a few more little squares to this project. I have 89 squares now and am still a long way fro being done!  And I have a few ends to tuck in - I need to keep up with those so that it is not a daunting task later!

4) Bubbles Blanket - All done!!!  This was finished back on September 3rd!  It is so soft and squishy!!

Here is a close-up so you can see how squishy this is!!

Sixth Year of Projects - Week 3

Week 3!!  I made some decent progress this past week.  I spent some time working on several projects and got some things accomplished.

Baby Blanket #2 (Bubbles Baby Blanket) - I frogged this one and restarted with a shorter foundation chain.

Before - I frogged my first attempt after deciding it was too wide.

I managed to get a fair bit done!

After - I am at about 9 or 10 inches now!

Baby Blanket #1 (Bouncy Ball Baby Blanket) - I made great progress on this one!!  I initially thought I would make 25 squares but once the 25 were done I thought I would increase the size to 36 squares - I thought I would have enough of the cream yarn...  BOOO I lost at yarn chicken while finishing the last round of the last square!!

So I started scrounging around to see if I had more yarn and thankfully I did!!  I got that last square done, got all the squares sewn together (I like to join squares like this using a simple whipstitch.  I like the way the fabric lays nice and flat and I like how there are no ridges at the joins.  I also find it quick and easy to do!), and then added a small border on the whole thing!  My first finish!!

Scrap-ghan - I added eight little mitered squares.

Tune in next week and see how much I get done!!  I doubt I will be as productive as this past week but who knows!!

A Year of Projects - February 14th 2016

Time for a Year of Projects Update!  I have made some progress this past week although I have been quite busy with work and did not have as much spare knitting time as I would have liked!  My progress was on two of my projects.

1) Sock Scrap-ghan - I added several squares to this scrap-ghan this past week and am now up to squares done.  I also think I am on my last scrap skein/ball of yarn.  I accidentally used on scrap twice but otherwise every square so far is different!  After this square I will be going back and using up the same scraps again until I run out!

2) Double Flake Squirrel Socks - I finished one sock last night!  Now to get the second cast on and done as well!!

This week coming up I plan to spend time on each of my WIPs - one per day and some will repeat since I have fewer WIPs than days of the week.

WIP-it Wednesday February 10th 2016

This is my WIP-it Wednesday and Year of Projects Update!  This past week I have focused on two projects - Hitchhiker and my Sock Scrap-ghan.  I finished Hitchhiker!!  I will post about that on Friday.  I also added several squares to my Sock Scrap-ghan.  I am onto square 44 now (up 6 or 8 from my last update).  I also have quite a few ends to tuck in so once I finish this diagonal (two squares left to complete) I will get onto that again.  I need to make sure I keep tucking in the tails as I move along so that it does not become too daunting!

Here is what the Sock Scrap-ghan looks like now:

WIP it Wednesday January 27th 2016

Here I am for another WIP-it Wednesday update!  I am down to a total of five WIPS!!  I have also managed to spend a little time of each one of them over the past week and I have hopes of getting some of them finished in the next while.  I also have not cast on anything new in 2016!  Yet - I am seriously twitching to cast on something, anything!!

1) Summer sock design - this is a new design I have in the works. It is part of my Four Seasons Set.  I am starting the third repeat on the leg of sock #2.  

2) Sock scrap-ghan - I tucked in a bunch of tails over the past week and I also added two more squares - at least it is some progress - not much but some!

WOW this is a tad out of focus!!

3) Hitchhiker - I shook the dust off this over the past week and added five more "teeth"

4) Double Flake Squirrel Socks - these are from TdS 2014 and have been hibernating for a long time.  I almost finished the first sock this past week.

5) Far Into the Forest - these are the Stage 2 socks from TdS 2015.  I had the first sock completed and never got around to continuing with the second sock.  I now have the toe and the next few rounds completed on the second sock and hope to keep plugging away on it.

FO Friday January 15th 2016

Finally I am posting a FO Friday collection!! I have been neglecting this recently and there are a few things I finished up in the end of 2015 and already in 2016 (mostly carry-overs from 2015, but finishes none the less...)

First to close up 2015 I finished up (mostly) both of the Advent knits I was doing.

1) My Advent socks.  I ran out of the cream color for the base yarn so I ended them early and gave them to my sister for Christmas.

2) My Advent scarf - I finished this by the end of 2015 but it still needs blocking.  I need to get that part done!!  I'll post some blocking before and after pictures once I get that done!

2016 is off to a good start!

1) My first finish is 2016 is a new design that I completed the knitting on and now have the pattern up for testing on Ravelry.  This is the first of four designs that will be part of an e-book (and individual designs) which will be available later this year (hopefully not too late!)  The first design is The Four Seasons: Autumn.  This design is top-down and includes a mirrored cable design on each sock.

2) The second finish of 2016 is another design in The Four Seasons group.  This one is Spring and I still need to finish writing up the pattern and get it tested.  I am aiming to get the testing started this weekend!

3)The third finish to start off 2016 is a scrap blanket that I began in 2013 (nothing like taking things at a leisurely pace!!)  I had all the squares made up quite some time ago and began putting them together a few months back (and then put is aside again...)  Anyway a friend of mine at work is expecting a baby in February and some others at work planned a baby shower for her - perfect incentive to get this done!!  (and she loves it ♥ )

WIP Wednesday Update - Advent Calendar Knitting

And my Advent knitting continues!  I am enjoying this very much although I am falling behind...

Right now I am complete up to the end of Day 12 (half done).  With the end of the semester, grading final exams, and entering final grades I am a bit swamped!  Throw into the mix serving on two search committees at work, going through several phone interviews, and meetings I am a bit swamped.  And Christmas shopping (thank goodness for online shopping!) and preparing for the holidays, well I am - wait for it - a bit swamped!  Spending a bit of time each day working on some of my Advent knitting gives me a nice break, although doing two Advent projects was likely biting off more than I could chew.  I still hope to finish both before 2016 arrives!

Sock progress:

Scarf progress:

Unblocked, crinkly, and upside down...

Advent Calendar Knitting - Days 4, 5, and 6

More Advent knitting!!  I am having so much fun with this!  It certainly is a nice way to set aside some down time each day.  I haven't had a chance to update in a couple days so I am updating with my progress over Days 4, 5, and 6.

Socks: 
Day 4 - Sock A - We chose our color based on when we first joined Ravelry.  I joined in October 2007 (wow 8 years already!!) and the color for that year was red.
Day 5 - Sock A - Chose a color based on your favorite charity.  Two of my favorite charities (Doctors Without Borders and Samaritan's Purse) use red as their color - and since I just used red I needed to choose something else.  So I closed my eyes and grabbed a scrap stash and got a variegated lime green yellow. Lime green is a color for Mental Health Awareness - another good charity!!
Day 6 - Sock B - Today we were asked to watch a bit of the Norwegian Independence Day Celebrations and Ball. The first gown we saw was to be the color we use - I was late and didn't get to watch the live streaming version but clicked one of the links posted and watched for a ballgown. The first one I saw was a bright blue - I had just the scrap in my box of scrap stash!

Here is what my socks look like now:

Scarf:
Onward!!  I have five skeins of yarn that I bought for this project and I was not sure if it was going to be enough.  So I decided if one skein of yarn lasted through the end of Day 5 I would be safe since there are only 24 days.  So I ended up playing yarn chicken with my skein and I managed to win by 4.5 inches!!  So I am happy to know I will have enough yarn!!  Here is what my scarf looks like at the end of Day 6!

Advent Calendar Knitting - Day 3

The third clue for the sock was released the night before last.  Our color choice was selected by picking two colors we were wearing and then using an online guide to find a color that came from combining them.  I was wearing my pjs - bright pink with white and black sheep on them.  I selected the pink and white - combined just tones down the pink.  I have some extra yarn that is a bright and light variegate pink - perfect!!

The third clue for the scarf was also released and I happily knit through that!

Advent Calendar Knitting - Day 2

Yesterday was Day 2 of my Advent knitting.

Scarf: Today we added another 20 rows

Socks: Today we worked on the second sock.  I cast on, knit the toe, and then completed the clue.  This clue was fun - you entered a date (most people are using their birthdate) and then convert the numbers into binary code - use the base for the 0 and your color for the day for the 1.  To choose the color we had to convert the binary code into a hexidecimal which was then converted into a color.  I ended up with a dark tealy green.

Advent Calendar Knitting - Day 1

Yesterday was Day 1 of my Advent Calendar knitting and I am excited!!  I can not wait to see how these two projects grow!!

I got my tea brewed and settled down to knit for a little while before it was time to head to work and then came back to knitting in the evening once I got home.  I did manage to get my Day 1 completed on Day 1!!

Scarf: Here is my progress after Day 1

Socks: Here is my progress after Day 1

Advent Calendar Knitting - Preview

I managed to get myself signed up in time to take part in TWO Advent Calendar knitting adventures!  I must be crazy!!  The first will be a cable and lace Estonian scarf and the second will be a pair of colorwork toe-up socks.  I am so excited to get going.  The scarf is an off-shoot from the Sock Madness knitting group and the pattern is Cables and Lace Advent Scarf 2015. The socks are Sock Scrap Yarn Advent Calendar.  We will get daily pieces of the pattern each morning beginning December 1st.  

For these projects I have the following yarn:

1) Scarf - Frog Tree 

The true color is more blue. I hope to capture the color better later!

2) Socks - scraps galore!!

Some of my sock yarn scraps!  I probably have more...

We also have one early clue for each.

1) Scarf - the initial cast on including the first six foundation rows.  Here is what mine looks like:

Yes those are toothpicks pinning the edges down :)  LOL

2) The socks had the instructions for beginning the toe.  Since I just found the sock group yesterday I have not had time to complete the preliminary part.  I'll get that done today!

One of the goals of these projects is for each of us participating to spend a little time each day to relax and do something just for ourselves during this often hectic time of the year.  My plan is to spend some time each morning (preferably) with a nice cup of tea and my knitting.  I imagine it will allow me about 30 minutes each day to relax and enjoy my yarn.

WIP-it Down Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 10

So yesterday this was what I accomplished:

1, All my yarn is now photographed.  I still need to get it posted into my Etsy store.  That will have to wait for a bit.  I need to double check that my pictures are a good representation of the true colors!

2. I got some good pictures of the two samples and the ten swatches for my book idea.  I got the patterns for the two samples all written up and got the first draft of the proposal written!  I want to let it sit for a day or two and I will go back to it in a few days to proofread it before I send it away!  Wish me luck!!

3. I got some more work done on my Herding Cats design.  I just have to bind off and finish the thumb.  I may work at finishing this off today since I am so close!

Day 10: Today is the final day of my WIP-it Down week (well, week plus a couple days) Tomorrow I am back to work, but today (after we get home from Church) my plans include:

1. Frogging my Advent Scarf and reclaiming the needles, yarn, and beads for something else (this has not been touched in ages - check the date in the picture - July 24th 2013!!).  It is time to let this project go.

2. Tucking in the tails on my Sock Scrap Blanket and maybe adding a few more squares.  I have quite a few tails already tucked in but I have several more that need to be tucked in.  I have not done anything with this project sine July or so.  Time to shake the dust off it!

3. Finish my Herding Cats Mittens and get the pattern written up so I can get it out for testing.

4. Adding more squares onto my charity afghan.  I got some work done on this one earlier this week and I want to get some more squares added on today!

WIP-it Down Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 4

Considering that Sunday is usually a busy day in our house I managed to get a goodly amount done on my WIP-it Down projects!!  Here is what I managed to finish yesterday:

Five squares that need more to finish:
Yesterday I managed to crochet four extra criss cross squares so that I could round out the five flower petal squares I had made some time ago.  Once those were crocheted I was able to stitch them all together and add a single crochet border.  Another project complete and another baby blanket to add to the donation pile!!  Here is what it turned out like:

Day 4:  Today we will be out quite a bit of the day so I won't have as much time to work on my original schedule.  So my new plan is to spend the spare time I do have today adding borders to the 16 baby yarn squares to get them all to the same size.  Once those are all bordered I will sew them together and add a single crochet border to the whole blanket.  I posted a picture of the squares a couple times already in earlier posts.  Hopefully tomorrow I can post another completed baby afghan!!