The Insanity Continues

 I went MIA there for a bit.  Actually, I went S.O.A.

The TV in my area died so I've been re-watching nothing but DVDs for the past several weeks.  I pulled out the Sons of Anarchy set and have pretty much done nothing but watch bikers and knit on the Insanity blanket ever since.  (Yeah, see all those post-its scattered everywhere?  They are reminders of the things I'm supposed to be doing instead of knitting.)

It's a good thing S.O.A. is six?? seven?? maybe even eight seasons long because this blanket is going to take me a lifetime LIFETIME!  It's 17 squares wide which means it will need to be at minimum 20 squares in length.  If not at work, I really have pretty much done nothing but knit on this monster since I started it and I've only just started the eighth square of the second row.  A lifetime, I tell you!

I did take a brief few minutes off from knitting so I could pick some daffodills. We have a bumper crop this year.  I guess they really liked all the rain we have gotten over the last bunch of months.  

And of course I took an afternoon off to attend Hayden's Elsa's Frozen birthday party.  I'm ashamed to admit, I still have not watched Frozen, but I feel like I have.  Hayden quotes it and sings the songs constantly.  Like father, like daughter.

Happy knitting!

Insanity

I know I've said it before but...  What is wrong with me??

Because I'm too lazy to wind the yarn for the project that I really want to make, I decided to start knitting another blanket.  I'm calling it the Insanity Blanket because, obviously, I've gone completely insane.  

I'm using scrap fingering weight yarn and US2 needles.  Have I mentioned I've gone completely insane??

I've based the pattern on Knit Pick's Hue Shift, but I've made a few modifications of my own.  I'm still using two colors per mitered square, but there's no plan for what colors come next.  I'll use one skein until it runs out and change the contrasting color for each square.  I'm also going to knit the entire blanket in one piece rather than in Hue Shift's four pieces that have to be grafted together.  I'm also using a differnt number of cast on stitches since mine is using fingering and Hue Shift calls for worsted. 

I also plan for this blanket to fit over a queen size bed.  

And all of this because I'm too lazy to wind one skein of yarn.  Good grief!

Yes, I'm pretty sure I've gone completely insane.

Meanwhile, spring has sprung here in Virginia and I've been thankful to spend some time outdoors.

Time outdoors with Hayden.  She loves her trampoline! 

She turned four recently and I can not get over how much more skilled she is this year than last.  Last year she couldn't figure out how to pedal any of her riding things and this year,  well, let's just say, Nana is taking up running again in an effort to keep up with her on that bike.  

Oh, and she blew out her candles on the first try this year instead of just spitting on the cake!  My little grandbaby is growing up so fast!

Working the WIPs

First, let me just say, I am so, so happy February is over!

Now, let's talk knitting.

I'm so proud of myself!  Remember my plan to finish something from the WIP pile then knit something new, then something from the WIP pile....?  Well, finishing the Rambling Rows afghan that had been hanging around since 2020 felt so good, I've just kept on grabbing WIPs instead of starting something new.

I finished a simple scarf made from Homespun yarn that was given to me a long time ago.  (Big box store Homespun, not hand-spun.)  It feels good to have it off the needles because it's been hanging around for a long time too.  

And the beaded cowl is finished.  Obviously still needs to be blocked, but it's off the needles.  It's an infinity type scarf without the infinity twist.  I used Palette yarn and randomly placed beads on it.  I really enjoy doing beaded knitting.  I'm slow as molasses with it, but I enjoy it.

By the way, if you shop at crochet.com, which is affiliated with Knit Picks, use coupon code CROCHETMONTH during the month of March and you can save 10 - 20% depending on the amount of your purchase. A $75 purchase gets you 10%, a $100 purchase gets you 15% off and $150 and up gets you 20% off.

I am trying very, very hard not to visit crochet.com because this coming Tuesday will mark 150 days (basically 5 months) without buying yarn.  My goal is to go six months.  We'll see if I can make it that long.

But back to today's topic.... finishing WIPs.

I've beaded eleven more pairs of socks.  Okay, they weren't exactly considered WIPs, but I did have the socks laying around plus some of the beads, and I desperately need to get my shop restocked.  Plus, Hayden's birthday is coming up and she asked me to make her some more.  She specifically asked for rainbow, but I am head over heels in love with that blue/greem combo.  Just looking at them makes me feel like I'm on island water.  I could use some island water right now!

Anyway....

Not exciting looking, but exciting to me.... I'm on zebra striped sock #2.  Just three days ago, sock #1 was only a few rows past the ribbing.  These socks have been in the WIP pile for quite a while too.  Not sure why.  The yarn is Patons Kroy Socks which I like so.... Maybe I found the black and white stripes to be too boring.  Or the US 1 needles too small and slow.  Who knows.  Whatever, I'm on a roll with them now.

Once those zebra socks are done, all that's left in the WIP crate is one more pair of socks, a hat, and 2 shawls.  I really hope I can keep motivated to get them all finished.  I would love to end up with an empty crate.  

Happy March and happy knitting!