Saturday, March 19, 2011

Definition of Spring–Startitus

So, Mary Kay on my Lone Star State Knitters Group sent a “WIP Wednesday” post to our group.  It got me to wondering about spring and how it effects knitters.  Well, maybe not all knitters…but at least some of us. I’m usually more content working on one major project and one small carry around project. I finish and go on to the next project because one of the quirks I have is “completion complex”.  I like to get into things and get them done and move on to the next thing. But, I’ve discovered in recent years that every spring – Startitus happens.  I sometimes buy lots of yarn and for some reason can’t wait to get it on the needles and so off I go.  My history is that not all of these projects actually come to completion and some get put on the back burner in favor of others and then eventually graduates to “in time out”. If time out lasts too long, I decide I’m so over it and it goes to the frog pond.

I think this spring will set a precedence.  I  like all that is on my needles and I want all of them finished. Three of these things are for ME!  (Those are the normal things that get frogged).  I don’t knit for myself real often…so to have 3 things on the needles for myself is a record.

So, first is the cape that I started for my Darling Daughter Cristi. I have a little more done on it than when you last saw it. I had to put it on hold for a bit when the Husbank had his little medical emergency and then I crashed my knee. (I see the surgeon on Tuesday to find out the results of the MRI). So now fast forward to Spring. This is of heavier yarn in Cotton Fleece.  It has gotten a little warm outside and this yarn is harder to work with in the warmer days.  I can only work with it for so long at a time or the 20% wool that is in it starts to bother me for some reason. This is a new thing. <sigh> It’s too warm for her to wear it now anyway so I will continue to pick it up off and on and will definitely have it done for her birthday which is when it will start getting cool enough for her to wear it. (Happy Birthday if  you are reading this, Cristi.)Be right backAs always click on the picture for a larger view.

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Next on the needles is the Vernal Equinox shawl.  I started this because I had ordered some gold yarn and searched for a pattern for the new yarn. Then, being the patient person I am, found some gold yarn in my stash passed to me by my knit sistah, Nikki and started the shawl.  I have enjoyed this so far. It’s soft and I like the yarn. Free yarn is always fun, right? Winking smile

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Meanwhile, the above said Nikki is an enabler.  She’s almost as bad as Alice who is a pattern enabler. Nikki is a yarn ho and will recruit her sistahs into her stable. She sent me a link to this yarn and me being just a bit of a yarn ho (is that like being just a bit pregnant??) grabbed up the last 4 skeins Webs had left.

IMG_2916This Berroco Comfort Sock is very soft and very nice yarn as I’m sure anyone who knits socks knows.  I don’t knit socks if I can help it so I decided to design a vest for this yarn. I used my Sweater Wizard software to help with the math and I’m pleased with what is happening so far. I’m sort of a “design as I go” type of Gal. I’m calling this Vicki Vest because it’s for me and the designs I’ve picked are V’s. This is the back. It will be a v-neck cardigan vest.

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I love Endless Summer Connemara yarn. Elann discontinued this yarn a while ago and even though I have asked very nicely, they aren’t going to bring it back.  I did the Victorian Lace and  Beloved shawl with that yarn. I have a small stash of it left and just purchased a lot of 7 that I found on EBAY. I haunt EBAY for it every once in a while. I bought some Super Cable Aran from Elann to see if would be a little like Connemara…but it’s not at all.  It’s really coarse yarn.  I’m hoping it will soften after washing, It is 100% cotton so maybe there is hope.  It’s a little like knitting with jute at the moment.  I decided to do the Victorian Lace Poncho with it when I bought it.  I bought this green color and some pink. The Aran Super Cable is on top.  The bottom green and lavendar yarn is Sonata. Then in the second picture some more Sonata.  I did mention I have a bit of a springitus retail thereapy problem, right? And yes…I’m having a bit of a green thing. All these greens are different. Really…they are. Who me?

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So, today I started the Victorian Lace Poncho because you know…there’s a lot of naked needles in this house.

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I haven’t been bored while laid up with this knee. I know I will finish Cristi’s cape. I’m hoping to show finished products of all of the things I’ve started for me.  I like all of them and also the yarn for them…with the exception of the Super Cable…but I think I will plan on it softening up with washing. If you have experience with this yarn, please comment.

Off to knit!

5 comments:

Brenda said...

Ha. Love the naked needle comment. I have that startitis problem often. Right now its a naked bobbin problem I'm having. Enjoying my spinning wheel a bit! Loved reading your blog!

Unknown said...

There won't be any 'froggin' since you have told the world that you will finish....but you knew that.

Knitrageous said...

Wouldn't that make a great bumper sticker..No Naked Needles! I love the V vest. And green is my favorite color! You're on a roll!

Robyn of Coffee and Cotton said...

If YOU have naked needles then you must have a LOT of needles!
All your projects look lovely

Merry Karma said...

Hey Vicki - Thanks for the shoutout!

If naked needles cause startitis, I am in BIG trouble!!!