Knit Once, Purl Forever

Clean Slate Update

Okay, I don't have a totally clean slate, but I did manage to finish six of my existing WIPs and I ripped two others. Here are the finished projects:

 

 

Erin at Yes I Knit is planning to keep the Ravelry Clean Slate Along going throughout 2008 and I'm thinking about sticking with it. I really do plan to finish two of the three projects that I have going before I start any new  projects this year.

I do feel a certain sense of accomplishment by finishing the six projects I mentioned at the top of the post. I feel as though I lightened my load as well. For one thing, I have less yarn in my stash. For another, it's nice to have clean and empty project bags. I had so many project going earlier that I misplaced several of them at various time. I can't count the number of times I searched for a WIP to pick up and knit during the Clean Slate Along.

Oh, and in the interest of full disclosure, I may not be able to finish the Fair Isle Hoodie. EVER. I can't find the pattern. I know think it was in the Winter 2006 issue of Knit It! magazine, but I can't find that magazine to save my life. I've searched high and low and have no idea what happened to it. I'm a little afraid that one of the boys threw it out by mistake. I might have to cry if that's the case because I searched around the Internets and could not find back issues for that magazine anywhere. The future of the Fair Isle Hoodie is not looking good...Here's a photo of my WIP in case you're not sure what I'm rambling on and on about:

I'm still searching for the pattern, but it's not looking good.

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Projects I may not finish right away: I'm planning to save the cotton socks for hot summer knitting. And I'm thinking about casting on for a X-mas stocking for The Hubby just to get it on the needles so that I will finish it before X-mas '08. Is it sick that I have to cast on for a project to ensure that I will knit it eventually?

Clean Slate 2008: Finally an FO

 

I finally finished a project for the Clean Slate by 2008 knit along. I was beginning to think that I might not finish anything at all. But I cranked out the dreaded second sock. And yay -- FO City!!!!!

The Specs:

Pattern: Basic Sock Recipe

Yarn: Trekking XXL in colorway 133.

Needles: US 1

Time: Way longer than it should have...I really had to push myself, but I managed to finish them. I'm sure that wearing them won't be a problem, but finding the motivation to knit these certainly was.

OMG! I've been knitting these socks forever. I started them the summer of '06 for the Trekalong. Normally, I love knitting basic socks, but for some reason I've never been motivated to knit these socks. Getting them off the needles is a major accomplishment for me.

Project Roundup

This project roundup thing is for the "Clean Slate by 2008" Knit Along. Here are the projects that are currently clogging up my needles:

1. Bernat Snowflake Sweater - I have the back and one sleeve complete on this sweater. Typically, I like to start with the sleeves and that's where I started this time; however, the first sleeve seems really loooong to me, so I thought I would knit the front and back and see if I still think it's too long. This way I only have one sleeve that is too long, instead of two.

2. Sirdar Denim Tweed Cardigan - Again, this project was pushed to the side when my life became crazy in preparation for the eldest son's graduation party. And then it was too hot to knit with this yarn. I am very anxious to complete this project and I can't wait to have the finished item on my sweater shelf.

3. Fair Isle Hoodie - I LOVE the Fair Isle Hoodie from the Knit It! (Better Homes and Gardens) magazine!!! I've never knit a hoodie before and I've also never put a zipper in a project before either. I might have to have that part done for me. We'll see. The zipper may not be in by the end of the year, but I do hope to get all the knitting and seaming done by then.

4. Monkey Socks - I love these socks! They were cast aside simply because my life became too complicated to concentrate on the pattern. I look forward to finishing them off and wearing them!!!!!!!!

5. Fake Isle-Inspired Scarf - I'm knitting this scarf to go along with my Fake Isle hat. I love the Silk Garden and I love the way the Fake Isle pattern looks like an owl. And I LOVE knitting scarfs. The only reason this project has languished in the WIP basket for so long is because I love casting on for "greener" projects even more than I love this scarf.

6. Trekking Socks - Need I say more? I love basic socks and I especially love them in Trekking XXL.

7. Mountain Peek Socks - This pattern was free with the yarn purchase. I couldn't resist casting on for the socks even though I had (and have) way too many projects going already.

8. Hopeful - This sweater has been in the WIP basket for way too long. I just need to knit the tie thing and weave the ends.

9. Seed Stitch Lap Blanket - If this blanket looks like a big mountain of seed stitch, it's because that's exactly what it is. Knitting this for me is also like climbing a big mountain--I've discovered that I'm not real fond of knitting seed stitch. I don't really want to knit this thing, but I can't stand the thought of ripping it, so I will finish it. I can do it. I CAN!

10. More Trekking Socks - OMG! I've been knitting these socks forever. I started them the summer of '06 for the Trekalong. Normally, I love knitting basic socks, but for some reason I've never been motivated to knit these socks. Getting them off the needles would/will be a major accomplishment for me.

11. Icarus Shawl - I saved the saddest WIP for last. Now I love this project in theory. I LOVE the alpaca yarn I used and I love the pattern. What I don't love is the quality of my knitting. It's the first time I've knitted lace with lace-weight yarn and I obviously need more practice. I really need to rip this and start again. But am I brave enough for that gutsy move? Tune in to find out....

Clean Slate By 2008: Here's the Deal

So far, we have 15 participants in the Clean Slate by 2008 WIP Along. Wooohooooo! It's not too late to join. You can join by leaving a comment here or by joining the Clean Slate group in Ravelry.

A few of you have asked about the rules and I'd like to keep it simple and not have too many rules. But since you asked, here's what I have:

• What it is --The idea of the knit along is to knit or rip all of your WIPs by the end of the year, or as many as you can. The ultimate goal is to have clean needles and a clean slate for 2008.
• Ripping -- That said, it's okay to rip a project if you must.
• The Prize -- At the end of the WIP along, we'll award a prize (some kind of yummy yarn) to the person who completes the most WIPs by the end of the year.
• More Prizes -- We'll also award two randomly drawn prizes  (more yarn) to two additional participants just to even it out--some people have more WIPs than others and I'd like to keep things fair and FUN!
• Reporting Progress -- Please post your status to your blog or to the Ravelry group at least once a week or as often as you can. I will check in with you (via your blog or Ravelry) once a week and post the status here and/or on the Ravelry group.

Here's the list of Clean Slate participants so far:

Dawn (DusktoDawn on Ravelry) (no blog) - No projects listed yet.

Donna at Knit One, Purl Too - No projects listed yet.

Erin at Yes I Knit! - Erin has 6 projects including a pullover; Cable Luxe; a gift; a sweater; Adrienne Vittadini Cables Pullover; and Patons Cabled Vest. She also found a pile of projects for the frog pond.

Gina at Lumay - No projects listed yet.

Karen (DrKatzzz on Ravelry) (no blog) - No projects listed yet.

Stephanie (Tilaturtle on Ravelry) (no blog) - No projects listed yet.

Tara at HalfAssedKnitter - Tara has four projects including the Mitered Square Blanket; a lace shawl; Garter Rib Socks; and a little Lap blanket that is now regretted.

Jaimi of Himeykitty  - Jaimi listed the following eight projects on her blog: Secret of the Stole; Mystic Waters Shawl; Baby Surprise Jacket; Icarus; Vintage Velvet; Stripey Baby Sweater; Sampler Stole; and the Fiona Bag. She did note that some of her projects are UFOs rather than WIPs and that she doesn't expect to complete all of the UFOs. Added later: Jaimi also has Leftovers (a wool vest) to add to the WIP list.

Jes at Out of Hand Crafts - No projects listed yet.

Meghan at Calamknitty - Meghan hasn't listed her projects yet, but she tells me that she has many WIPs and still counting; meaning she thinks she might cast on more than we can complete by 2008. Sounds like a challenge to me! =)

Mozemen at Mozemen's Blues - No projects listed yet.

Olivia (livviebrooke on Ravelry) (no blog) - No projects listed yet.

Lisa at Sillyricepaper of Ravelry (no blog) -- Sillyricepaper hopes to complete four projects by Christmas including a So-Called Scarf; Tempting Sweater; Baby Kimono; and Super Mario Villain Scarf. I think this is definitely "doable"! =)

Theresa at Knitting Underway - No projects listed yet.

Tam (me) at Knit Once, Purl Forever - I have 11 WIPs, which are listed in the order of most to least interesting (to me, anway): Bernat Snowflake Sweater; Sirdar; Fair Isle Hoodie; Monkey Socks; Fake Isle-Inspired Scarf; Treking Socks; Mountain Peek Socks; Hopeful; Seed Stitch Lap Blanket; More Trekking Socks; and the Icarus Shawl.

Please let me know when you have your list ready and I will add your projects here. Also, let me know if I left anything out from your list.

Clean Slate By 2008

It's official. We have a knit along or, as Erin says, "a WIP along". Feel free to join the Clean Slate by 2008 group on Ravelry. Or leave a comment here if you would like to join.

More details later...