Thinking about 2013 projects

We've had a bit of snow and more brrrr temperatures - 0 this morning. Minus 9 the other morning. Looking outside the window makes me feel even colder. I had hoped for deeper wetter snow but I'll take anything in this drought. Currently it's 10 degrees so it really warmed up. I had to dig through piles of cat fur to find the poodlets to put them out to go potty. I swear they can hold more liquid then you'd think for such small dogs. Then back in the house and swoosh - vanished under black and tan and Maine Coon cat fur. Amazing.

I've finished drumcarding the Gotland (I used a dog comb to open the locks first), then I finished blending dyed silk, Shetland and alpaca and combed and drumcarded that (maybe 10 oz) and set the drumcarder aside. I have grey alpaca (Bender's Lexus) to comb and the remainder of white Sugar and Spice Shetland fleece to spin then after New Year's my plate will be empty.

Well - sorta. Here's my project boxes and something to spin.

Spinning will be fun with the Shetland/alpaca/silk blend - I expect 2 ply fingering. I used Wilton's icing in the color delphinum - solar dyed a few months ago and set in stash til I could get it carded. I layered the Shetland (which came out purply/mauve) then the silk (which is blue/purple) and the alpaca (grey overdyed - came out green). I love it when the color breaks like this.

Now to organize the boxes:

Bought the thread for snowflakes. Metallic thread ought to be interesting - I have some small crystal beads I saved for the white thread. I bought the books from Lacis.

Bought the thread for some type of project out of these European mags from Lacis. I don't know yet what or how many and it's lovely to think about it while I spin.

I crocheted a small concentric arch (the doily pattern is in Magic Crochet #1 page 19) a number of years ago - it's too small for the arch window but I just wanted the small arch to hang upside down in my workroom window. Now I am thinking (since I took apart the copper frame) about enlarging the small arch. I need to hunt through the cedar chests (there are 3 + a chestnut chest + numerous drawers I stash crocheted things in) to find it, figure out what color of thread I used (white? ecru) and decide if I want to add on to it (because it has beads and buttons and embellishments I haven't been able to find in the intervening years) or do I want to rip it out and start over? I am learning towards adding to it for that almost instant gratification. I also intend to crochet a matching valance.

This is still in the project bag.

I had to set it aside for those hundreds of elf stockings I knit as well as little crocheted and knitted items (vests, scarves, hats, cowls, ear muffs etc etc) I made to stuff in those elf stockings. Let me tell you - I never want to look at elf stockings again. But, they were cute!! I added candy canes for the little kids and coffee sample bags for the big ones so the elf stockings were pretty stuffed. Yeah, I didn't get a photo of any of that but by the time it was time to ship, I was fed up with the whole concept. ;-)

Waiting for the Knit Picks order of sock yarn for 5 pair of tiger (and maybe zebra) socks. The pattern is in the Fall 2012 Creative Knitting magazine. I am also eying the Diamond Boots on page 72. I ordered enough yarn for 6 or so pairs of the Diamonds as well as the Tigers. That ought to take care of Christmas presents next year (along with the snowflakes). See, I am actually thinking ahead. I know I can take snowflakes to crochet when we drive to town.

And I have been reading but that's a whole 'nother post.

See you in 2013!!

 

Comments

[Chris]

Lovely bunch of projects! You are always so productive!! Helps motivate me so thanks! :)

[PJ]

Very nice projects to plan for! I had some gold metallic yarn, but I've been so sick through the Christmas holidays and just recently got over the stomach flu that I just never made them :( Maybe it will be nice in the middle of March ;) afterall, they ARE SNOWflakes..not nec. has to be Christmas!