I’d like to do weekly Wednesday check-ins, not only about what I’m working on craft-wise, but other things “in the works”.
January is going to be a busy cast-on month, although I decided to split my 31 starts between this month and February, so “only” 16 started things this month. I currently have the following projects started:
- New-to-me/30-day learning project of a sashiko kit. I’ve added 4 threads to mine, using 15 or so minutes in the morning with a cup of tea to do something easy and meditative. I’m finding I quite like that and while the technique isn’t particularly difficult if you’ve done other hand-sewing, I’m still getting used to the big needle to stack the stitches on.
- A new spin – the next gradient color in the Hilltop Cloud wool/silk roving pack I’ve been working on for a while. I’m using this to get back into my 15 minutes a day spinning practice.
- Several new knitting projects: A fluffy pink hat (using the Evening Dew Hat pattern) for our pet-sitter, Cliff Walk socks by Helen Stewart for my Socks A to Z challenge, and a pair of self-striping socks using yarn from Desert Vista Dyeworks for my mum.
Additionally, I also cast on the Lunenberg pullover from Savory Knitting. I’m using the called-for Lichen and Lace Rustic Sport in the original colorway of a dark gray with ochre, light gray, moss green and sky blue for the yoke. I hadn’t worked with this yarn, which is a single ply, before but I’m enjoying the wooly nature of it quite a bit.
I’ve started a buddy read of the final Shadowhunters book (YA fantasy), City of Heavenly Fire, by Cassandra Clare with my friend Tash. We’ve been reading this series together over the past 5 months and I’m excited to get to the final book in the series. It’s an entertaining read, but a long one at over 600 pages. Additionally, I’ve been listening to the audiobook The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by CW Gortner, a historical fiction set in the mid to late 16th century, which I’ve been listening to on my daily walks with the dog.
Finally, I have been working on my focus cross stitch piece, Winter’s Encounter, although that’s been a bit slow-going. We have a new family member who is fascinated by threads and yarn and anything that moves, and I haven’t wanted to lug all of my stitching supplies up and down the stairs to avoid her “help”. I try to sneak in a bit here and there while she’s napping, but she is awake and terrorizing the dog with every one of her 6 pounds. Here’s Hannah. She just turned 8 months and is from our local shelter. She’s quite the personality and a bit of a whirlwind at this stage, but she’s already figured out all the good napping spots and where to watch the birds out the window. We’re delighted she’s here.
Knit One, Spin Too 
Once again you have many items on the go and I am fascinated by all of them. Hannah is adorable. I am sure she has livened up your home.
LOL “livened up”. We all forgot what a kitten’s energy level is like, having had only geriatric Emma for many years. She’s a whirlwind!
Just imagine how big an accomplishment it will be when you can craft with Hannah by your side ignoring what you’re doing! Good luck!
It will be a while but I am looking forward to it! Thanks! 🙂
Oh my gosh, 31?!? I’m glad you decided to split them up, and I’m glad they’re not all knitting. Having so much variety sounds like a lot of fun. Congrats on your new furry family member. Hannah is lovely!
Definitely more than I usually cast on at once, but it will be nice to have some variety to pick and choose from when I need a change. Thank you – she is an adorable tyrant 🙂
Oh my goodness you’ll be juggling a lot of projects. Why 31 I wonder? Hannah looks very sweet and I hope she doesn’t get a taste for chewing yarns or threads.
I found an old friend online who is hosting a craftalong where you do a new start every day of the month in January. But another group I’m in is ALSO doing a bunch of new starts – in February, and I wasn’t going to do 31 + 28, so I’m “just” doing 31 but will break it up over those 2 months.
She’s not really into chewing them but she’s into catching them. Anything that moves, she’s on it like a huntress. So I’m having to craft either during her naps or standing up over a table where she can’t quite see what I’m doing. She’ll get through the kitten stage in the next year or so, I think.
Hannah is adorable! I’m sure you’ll find a way to craft with her around before long. I love the colors in that sweater! Is that an all-over colorwork pattern, or just the yoke?
We’ll get there. I had a lot of years with Emma, who wasn’t particularly interested in participating in crafting beyond the lap-sitting.
Just the yoke. And I like that it’s both knits and purls, like a bohus pattern – very fun to knit.
Yup, I’ve had cats of both natures, too. The “play with all the yarn” kind, and the “just let me sit on the knitting” kind. 😉
Hi Hannah! Our cat JoJo has “rediscovered” the joys of chewing on yarn and needles. It makes it challenging to knit while she is in my lap.
Ugh – I’ll say! I was very spoiled as our previous cat was content to sleep on my lap whilst everything went on around her with zero interest in it. Hannah is more of a huntress so while she doesn’t chew things particularly, she does like to snag them with her claws.
Awww pretty kitty! I’m going to tag along with you in 31 projects, but I can only handle about 10 and some of the will be wips to finish. first I have to complete a few deadline items. Interested to hear some tips on how you choose which to work on each day. Our guild had Roc Day (annual day of learning with a fresh start to the new year). One of my classes was Sashiko, are you using a palm thimble? Great little gadget.
Hooray! It will be fun to have you along and I like the idea of WIPs too. Right now, as I’m doing a new start, I’m just putting in about an hour on the new project and then still focusing on some of my other WIPs so I can make progress on them. I am trying to at least finish some small-ish things while casting on lots.
I’m not using a palm thimble. I don’t find I actually need a thimble at all (although I usually stitch with one), since it’s more like lacing the fabric onto the needle for me and then the pull through. I am using a pretty long needle so maybe that’s what’s helping me out? Glad you had an opportunity to try that craft too – that’s a great guild idea.