2 years 7 months

That's exactly how long that darn sweater of death was on the needles.  And 1 week ago I was rejoicing and had such a huge weight off my shoulders!  I finished the darn thing.  Granted I still have to block it which might be time consuming but should be easy enough.  Then there is the dreaded installation of a zipper.  I'll be damned if it's not perfect though.  There's this voice inside me that just says "get it done!  who cares if its not perfect, you will be 100% done with it".  And boy do I want to give into that voice just a little - but I know better.  After almost 3 years of work on this sweater I don't want to screw up something so "little" as the zipper.  That's in quotes since really nothing about this sweater is even near little.  But I want it to be great!  I want my hubs to show it off.  I want him to boast "my wife made this for me!!"  If that zipper is half-assed I'd be hiding behind a rock somewhere when he says that instead!  So here it is -  the sweater off the needles and on a model way too small for it.  There will be a photo shoot when it is really DONE - that was one of the conditions in making this sweater.  I don't care how much my husband hates the camera!

This picture is so awful and was just meant for my hubs.  Feel special that I'm sharing it with you.  Very special.

 
Now that this is done and I have my sewing room back I'm been going crazy with sewing projects.  I've been doing well with my "finish what you start" theme for 2015 and have intentions of finishing one sweater and ripping one sweater.  Then the plan is to start the lovely Artemisia Sweater and follow the sister Craftsy class for it.  Hopefully that will keep me on track!!  I'll leave you with my latest FO and yes - that sure is some of the very coveted Frozen material (i found a steal on it!)

Talk about a 180

My last post I talked about how I have not knit anything this year.  I've done a 180.  Now I have finished one pair of fingerless gloves for my Grandma, one pair of tube socks for my daughter, ripped a shawl for my Grandma twice (started with a new pattern each time) and only have the border left (3rd times a charm right?!) and I knit the Drizzle hat.  I also pulled out the Owlet sweater I had hibernating because if I finished in the size I was knitting it would be way too tight for Miss A.  And the best part?  I'm almost done with the Sweater the Never Ends.

This sweater has a few names - the Sweater that Never Ends, the death of me, the $^%$*#()@# but mostly Hubby's Sweater.  I started this sweater in 2012.  Yes.  Over 3 years.  Granted a majority of the time has been spent in UFO bin.  I have finally finished the whole body.  I've knit the sleeves and now am half-way done with the hood.  I cannot tell you how much a relief this is to me, getting so close.  And now there is no way I will put it back into hibernation, because I can taste the finish line!  So far my year of "Finish What I Start" is well on it's way.  I've ripped one sweater, have another one I plan to rip and as soon as I'm done with Hub's then I'm finishing another for me.  That one will be quick and painless.  Then I plan to cast on!  I've been waiting patiently to cast on what I consider a "real" sweater.

So, in hindsight, I have one piece of advice for you all.  Never, and I mean never, knit a man size Large of an all stockinette stitch cardigan.  Flat stockinette the whole way through.  Guys, the only reason this sweater took so long; pure boredom.  Don't do it.  Just don't.

Such a Funk

I have not knit anything since the year started.  This makes me sad.  And I think it's because everything I'm working on is at a point where it needs concentration and I've been so busy I haven't wanted to think about anything!  They all need brain power right now!

Case and point.  I had a movie night with the Mr. last night and finally picked something up.  It was a simple hat at the decrease point.  I started the decrease, read the directions and thought "that doesn't sound like how the pattern looks" but went with it.  Forever later the decreases looked like I was making a giraffe neck warmer, not a hat, and I went back to the pattern.  Turns out the pattern said the exact right thing and I just read it wrong!  At no time did I think "i should reread that, it sounds wrong".  Nope, I just went with it and ended up pulling out about 4 inches.  What a pain.  So the little bit of knitting done has now been ripped.

Other aspects of this year are in fact going well.  I've hit day 17 of my 30 day Yoga Challenge. Erin Motz is amazing!!  I feel great!  I've lost 8 lbs. I'm less stressed.  I have more energy.  And I've started doing more workouts as well (Jillian Micheals Yoga Inferno was yesterday).  You would think with all that said I would not be in the knitting predicament I am.  Oh well. Hopefully my next post will have more knitting!

The Roaring 20s

Seems to be the common theme this year.  I'm loving a new tv show, all thanks to enablers on Ravelry of course.  If you haven't checked out Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries please do it!  If you love the crime shows, or the historical fiction I promise you will enjoy it.  It is set in Australia (also filmed and aired in Australia) and about a very smart, witty, rich and sexy female detective and all of her escapades.  There is a continual attraction between her and the local inspector. And there are several other characters who play very well off each other.  The wittiness in the show is great.  It has just the right balance of sex, seriousness, mystery and humor.  I can't get enough.  Catch it on Netflix.

The other of course is Downton Abbey.  Season 5 is about to start and I have been bitten by the bug.  I've heard its better than the last season and I have been so intrigued by the actions of Lady Mary and can't seem to stop wondering about what will happen to her this year!!  They are entering the 20's, the decade of jazz,  short hair and amazing fashion.  Will Lady Mary be partaking in the festivities of a flapper girl?  Doubtful but I also think she's full of surprises.

If you are just as excited about Downton as I am, please come join us for the annual DA Swap or in the Subway Knits group on Ravelry!  Still a little time to sign up!

Finish What You Start

I looked over my projects that I finished in 2014.  I thought I had done so much knitting and I still believe that to be true but I obviously didn't actually finish enough projects.  There are such a measly few and small ones too!  I'm going to be more determined to finish projects in the next year!  And one of them WILL be a sweater!  To go along with the Knitmore Girls Idea of a theme instead of a resolution, mine with be Finish What You Start.

Projects of 2014

That's not all.  There will also be a fiber diet in 2015.  No purchasing any yarn in 2015.  NONE.  Of course there has to be an exception right?  Every diet has to have a cheat right?  My only exception is "if" I run out of sweater quantities of yarn.  Considering I have enough for about 5 sweaters or garments of the sort I don't think it will be an issue but a girl can dream of a year of sweaters right?  Oh wait, that was supposed to be 2014!!!  

My 5 resolutions from last year:

1. I've already started!  Bought the Crochet Lab Craftsy class in their Black Friday sale.  Started learninv to crochet today!
2.  Knit at least 3 pairs of socks this year for myself (really because I need more wool socks)
3. Read just as much as I did last year, if not more.  13 books in 2013.  Maybe I will strive for 14 in 2014.
4. Run a 5k.
5. Last be certainly not least, finish an adult size sweater.  Whether it is one that is started or a new one I don't care.  I just need to finish!!

 Completely the first right away.  Never finished the rest.  I'll stick to a theme this year thank you very much....