This month I did a lot of knitting. Everything that I knit this month has been knit in the past, so there were no new techniques. I am pretty stoked that I emptied my scrap basket. That has been a long time coming. I set a goal this year to knit at least 3 hats per month for charity. I intend to donate them, and any other useful knitted things, to the Homeless Action Coalition. I have a lot of yarn that can be knit into hats and a metric ton of classic cotton yarn for washcloths.
- Finished makes:
2 pairs of vanilla socks for Feebs- 52 stitch socks (7 years old). I used Duren Dyeworks for the body, and Marigold Jen Rainbow Connections for heals and toes.
9 vanilla hats for charity- 60, 70, or 80 stitch hats. I used scrap yarn held double or triple to create a bulky weight yarn.
1 scrappy cocoon- pattern is Cozy Cocoon, by Kate Jackson. I used my entire basket of scrap yarn held double or triple to create a bulky weight yarn for this and my charity hats. I love this pattern. This is the 3rd one that I have knit. It is a very easy knit and is warm and comforting to wear.
- New cast-ons:
Calliope sweater, by Espace Tricot. This was my NYE cast on.
Vanilla man socks for the Husband
Worsted weight socks for me
- Works in Progress:
Knitting my memories blanket- no pattern, simple chevron blanket made from left-over sock yarn. You will see this on every WIP section till the end of time.
Jameson Sweater- pattern by Baby Cocktails
- Goals for next month:
Start a gift pile
Use up more stash yarn for gifts/ charity.
Organize sewing cut outs and SEW THEM!!!
Make every recipe that comes in the January Yummy Crate
January was a very weird month. It definitely felt like a new beginning, but not necessarily a comfortable one. I think I am going to find myself pushing through a lot this year. You know what I mean, right? Like, “I have to do this, but I don’t want to. So, I am just going to square my shoulders, put my head down, and push through till it’s done.” I am also trying to adapt to the motto of “done is better than perfect” with sewing. I have gone through my yarn and reorganized and updated my Ravelry stash page. That took a hot minute, let me tell you. I have a… significant sized yarn stash. I don’t think I am up to more yarn that I can knit in a lifetime size stash, but definitely a I could knit solely from stash for a decade or two before I needed to buy more yarn size one. I have also acquired more fabric than I really should, considering how scared I have been of sewing. I am making a plan to use up a lot of the fabric that I have. Even it isn’t perfect and beautiful, I am going to make it, and wear it, and be happy with it, dammit. I also FINALLY pulled out the serger and tried it out. It is a really cool tool, and I look forward to getting over myself and using it.
Life stuff has been pretty much more of the same. We survived the holidays, which is good. School and work have resumed. Feebs is having some struggles with getting back into the routine and has been very disorganized and sassy. I’m working with her teachers and school counselor to help her get back on track. Sadly, the husband’s dad has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He is stage one, which is good (?). There isn’t much more info at current. Feebs and I got to see Sister #3 and her family, which was fantastic. They are going to come to our house in February, for the first time. It’s really ridiculous that they haven’t been here before, considering we have lived here for 3 years, and they are only an hour away…. We are planning to attack our incredibly overgrown back yard in the last week of January, before we end up with Audrey 2 taking up residence and eating the neighborhood cats (kudos to you, if you got the Little Shop of Horrors reference). I am going to weed and renew last year’s veggie box so that the husband and Feebs can plant their new crops in March. My birthday is in February, so I guess that means I get to splurge and buy myself some yarn (that I completely, totally, 100% don’t need). We also signed Feebs up for the Yummy Crate (www.kiwico.com). I absolutely DO NOT cook. Like, at all. “Do you cook?” is the first question on the application to date me. Those that don’t, need not apply. Luckily the husband is a phenomenal cook, so we eat well. However, … it has occurred to me that Feebs should learn how, and it won’t hurt me to learn as well. So, when her Atlas Crate expired, she asked to get the Yummy Crate instead. She and I will do this crate together, as we have with all the crates that she has had in the past. Goal #1: don’t set your kitchen or yourself on fire. If I can do that, the world/ kitchen is my oyster.
Loves,
M
Mrs. Collins Makes Stuff 