Life and Yarn or Yarn and Life: 2020

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Year of Projects: Week 52

So I have not blogged since November 1! I have been vlogging on my youtube channel, especially during vlogmas....

Since my timeline is January-December, this is my wrap-up post for the year.

The last thing I completed was the Put a Pom on It...but I have been crafting...I've been working on some advent calendar projects, along with the never ending sock WIPs....I'm not going ot update my list here, as I will for next week.

I hit a slump with my Boxy when I realized it was twisted, so I am pulling it out.....I am also frogging some long held WIPs, like the Nordic mitts....I have no idea where the pattern is....I have other patterns I can use....so going to frog those and start something new...

I finished one of the spouse's mittens. but since those are with Malabrigo Rasta, I have to take breaks from that project. It hurts my hands.

I'm also going to be joining my friend Angela of YarnNYarns and doing a 12 castons for 2021, so I will have a separate column for that going into the new year.

I do plan on continuing this, as I like being able to see my projects all in one place and the progress on them...but I doubt it will be weekly...

2020 Completed Projects:

Merry Knitmas - 1/25/2020
Box O' Chocolates - 2/23/2020
Sunny Skies - 2/29/2020
Dobby - 2/20/2020
Gnomes - 2/20/2020
Wow Factor - 3/22/2020
Wow Factor 2 - 3/24/2020
Chrono Hat - 3/24/2020
Showoff - 3/27/2020
Breeze - 4/9/2020
Wise One Hat - 4/18/2020
Lightsaber - 4/18/2020
Snoopy and Woodstock -5/9/2020
Candy Corn Zombody - June 7, 2020
Patons Blue Ragg - June 14, 2020
Cloudy Rainbows - June 15, 2020
Beekeeper Cardigan - June 28, 2020
emPower People - July 9, 2020
Grinchmas Socks - July 18, 2020
Shortie Socks - August 22, 2020
Beach Bag - August 22, 2020 (finally lined, bag was finished in 2010!)
Seasside Espadrilles August 23, 2020
Slushie Cowl - September 4, 2020
Kai-Mei socks - September 6, 2020
Perfect Pockets Shawl - September 20, 2020
Zombie Hat - October 3, 2020
Pumpkin Hat - October 12, 2020
Rhinebeck Rainbow Socks - October 24, 2020
Stripey Goodness - October 31, 2020
Put A Pom on It - October 31, 2020

Works In Progress:

WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden is now a senior..so maybe I finish it for him to take to college?
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I'm not even sure where this is at the moment, with projects in two places. I'll think on this.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this. Don't think this is at the Homestead, will have to check.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Venetian Cowl (July 1, 2018) I love this, but the stitch just takes a Loooong time!
Billy shoes - Jan 1, 2019

Knit:
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- still working on them, again cabling, review these, maybe done for St, Patrick'S Day
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Took it out, at the separation of arms, looks really big!
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, frogged the mitered and changed the pattern (jan 12, 2020)
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18
Wee Cria - 3/18/2020
On the Go-veralls -
Boxy - 9/1/2020

Socks:

Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Arne & Carlos - September 13, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

Splashy Flowers: (May 2011) - add a motif scarf, don't see that being finished soon...
Light in Shadows (1/14/14) - I love this so much...need to start the new direction, so need to sit down and figure it out..

Garter Path Shawlette (5/30/16)- I have frogged this a couple of times...
Swinging with Winkle (6/4/16)- I love this so much! Just need to finish it! Added a few rows
Knits4Comfort Advent Shawl 12/13/18
Zomboni - January 1, 2020 (restarted Jan 18)
Van Gogh - January 18

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Year Of Projects: Year 7, Week 45

Hey two weeks in a row! And I have some more finishes!!! WHAT!!!

2020 Completed Projects:

Works In Progress:

Socks:

Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Arne & Carlos - September 13, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

My first finish is my Stripey Goodness fingerless mitts. I started these in 2015!!!! So no pattern, I just k2p2 around....The yarn was a kit from Quaere Fibre and The Purple Purl. The color is called Modern Christmas. There is actually enough left for me to make a pair of socks too....I had to fix the Ravelry page, as the wrong yarn was listed.

I just started this this past week......well I actually cast on awhile ago...I pulled it out of the bag and there were some cast-on stitches....The hat is Put a Pom On It by Nancy Ricci...it's a free pattern...The yarn is Dragonfly Fibers Super Traveller in Stone Circle. I actually have two other skeins, that I'll be making a cowl with, they are the grey and the copper color in this colorway.

So I took back two project bags and a couple of sets of needles. I'm really trying to clean up some WIPs...some are not even on my list.

I have 5 days for Thanksgiving and we tend not to go anywhere on a good year, so I'll have more time to craft

I also made some last minute Halloween jewelry. I ended up channeling Charlotte from Charlotte's Web for my "costume.".

My completed Hexed Halloween Calendar....I loved this so much, I plan on buying another next year. It was by TeenyButton Studio....all the colors were fabulous!

So that is it for me this week....I do have a couple of short daily videos posted of opening the calendar, but not longer vlog this week...

I'll catch you all next week....Oh I tested negative....and am going back to work on Monday...even with the negative test, I had to stay out for 14 days.....this month is a short month for us....only one week is a full 5 day week of school....

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7: Week 44

Good morning! It is October 25th here and I have not blogged since September 6th! Wow!

I've had some health issues and actually right now I am quartining.........I was exposed to someone who tested positive. I cannot go back to work until November 2. I was tested on Friday, but have not received the results yet....and the testing was....unpleasant...

I didn't craft for awhile, but started working a couple weeks ago.....so here goes...

I have finished 4 projects since I last blogged, but only 1 of them was on the list:

This is the Perfect Pockets Shawl, this is my friend Deirdre. She has been battling cancer for the second time. She seems to be clear right now, but has a really bad case of the shingles. I knew she would love the shawl...it's got POCKETS!! All the info is in the link to my project page on Ravelry.

I made a trio of hats for a baby of a previous student. I had previously made the Yoda hat (and they just posted pictures of him in it on Facebook...so cute!) But I also made him a Zombie hat and a Pumpkin hat. His father is a fan of The Walking Dead....

The last finished object was my Rhinebeck Rainbow socks. The yarn is White Birch Fiber Arts. I bought it two years ago at Rhinebeck. I started the socks in October of 2019, so a year later I finished them....the heels gave me some trouble as I started a FLK heel and didn't like it. So I changed to s slipped stitch heel. But I got some big holes in the corners....So I sewed them up when I finished them. I completed them yesterday...so another pair of socks down...but so many more to go...

These are showing up a bit darker than they actually are, but the colors do run dark. The heel is West Yorkshire Spinners in a grey....

I also started a pair of socks with some yarn I bought on LYS day in September. I will show that one next week. I will also give a stash update....

I have been posting short videos for the Hexed Halloween Calendar from Teeny Button Studio. I received 12 mini-skeins and a full skien to open on Halloween....these are very short

I also posted a new podcast video yesterday...it's from October 11...and it took this long to finally get it uploaded...if you are interested.

If you watch a video, please give me a like, and maybe a subscribe.....I'd love a comment...

I'll see you next week!

2020 Completed Projects:

Works In Progress:

Knit:
Shark in the Woods (11/27/14)- I really love this, but it's a lot of cabling and I'm not a fan..about 1/2 done.
Vanilla fingerless mitts (12/25/15) - Started the second one, past the thumb point..
Zombie Vixen mitts (10/17/15)- still working on them, again cabling, review these, maybe done for St, Patrick'S Day
Meandering Top (5/20/16) - Took it out, at the separation of arms, looks really big!
Bulky Cowl - this hurts my hands to work on...think I need slippery needles...
Splediferous Blanket - (4/15/17) Roald Dahl club, frogged the mitered and changed the pattern (jan 12, 2020)
Selbu Mitts - 3/26/18
Wee Cria - 3/18/2020
On the Go-veralls -
Boxy - 9/1/2020

Socks:

Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Arne & Carlos - September 13, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 37

Good morning!!!!! Last night I finished one of my longest WIPs...my Kai-Mei socks!

These socks were one of the reasons I learned to knit. I'd been crocheting since I was a kid. But I really wanted to knit socks. And Cookie A was all the rage. So I bought her book, Sock Innovation, when I saw these socks. I loved everything about them. Even the yarn, which I also bought.

Happy Forest from Dream in Color on the Smooshy base. It's 100% merino, so no nylon. It feels thicker than most of my other sock yarn. It looks as if this yarn was discontinued in 2018 and replaced with a nylon blend version. I believe I have more in my stash. And I still have about a half a skein of this color.

I know the picture is a bit dark. I just took it this morning around 7:45, so not completely light out yet. They are obviously not blocked. I don't block my socks, but may with these because of the lace portion...the butterflies! (You should look at the pattern to see these better) There are so many mistakes in the butterflies, but whose going to be looking at my feet? Now my dilemma, what do I wear these in???

Kai-Mei by Cookie A

Cast on: April 8, 2012, they were ripped out and re-cast on a couple of times, not sure if that is the original date.
Completed: September 5, 2020
Yarn: Smooshy by Dream in Color in Happy Forest

The leg is just a rib and goes quickly. Yesterday, I had one butterfly repeat done. I picked them up about 1:30 and finished about 10:30 (there were breaks for dinner and other things)

I am so happy that these are done! They were my oldest knit WIP!

And, I have another finish! This is a cowl that I started on the train ride back from Vogue Knitting Live in 2018! I just cast on 100 stitches and then didn't do anything with it. I picked it back up in May and used the Cowl-A-Licious recipe from Sour Cherries blog.

I bought the yarn at Knitty City in NYC. It is Freia Handpaints in the colorway Dirty Hippie.

I'm calling it my Slushie Cowl, as the colors remind me of Slush Puppies...

The top and bottom is just row 1: purl, row 2: YO, K2Together, row 3: purl....

Cast-on: May 10, 2020

Cast-Off: September 4, 2020

Yarn: Knitwhits Freia Handpaints Ombre in Dirty Hippie, it's a sport weight

I have a bit left, as I was afraid of running out of yarn. I probably could have done another repeat in the blue.

This was never on my list.

So this week was pretty successful. One project from the list complete and another WIP complete....My room is all set up...and stark.....I posted pictures on my Instagram feed (graceysgoodies). Students start on Tuesday. We shall see how this all goes.....

Not sure how much crafting I'll get done this week. I still have two days because of our long weekend. I do have some school stuff to work on, but should still be able to craft.

But I am running into some physical issues because of my psoriatic arthritis. My elbows and shoulders are staring to be very painful if I craft for awhile. So I do need to take breaks, sometimes days before I can craft again.

I am hoping to vlog this weekend, so that should be up sometime this week, if you are interested. I had a giveaway on the last vlog that noone entered...and I will have another for this vlog.

Have a wonderful week.

ETA: I did start my JojiFallKAL project, my Boxy

That's 410 stitches my friends....and I'm on the stockinette section, so round and round I go for about 19 inches....Wish me luck and my sanity!

2020 Completed Projects:

Works In Progress:

Socks:

Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 36

Y'all, I made shoes!!!!! This was not a project that was on the list.

These are the Seaside Espadrilles. The pattern was in Interweave Crochet Spring 2006 magazine,
The jute for the soles was very hard to work with, but they crocheted up quickly. I just used Lily Sugar n' Cream for the uppers. These are not for me, so are really big. It was an interesting exercise, whether I make them again is a slight possibility. Reading others project pages, they double soled to make them less floppy. I'm not, as I don't want to pick up the jute again any time soon!

So that was my only finish. I continue to plug away at several projects and am getting ready to start a Boxy by Joji Locatelli. I'm going to join her Fall KAL. I didn't even know about the KAL until the Grocery Girls mentioned it. I had just bought yarn for Boxy, so figured, why not? The Grocery Girls are going to also have a Sweater KAl, so I can double dip....I may start a few other projects.

I have startitis....but school also starts this week....so probably not!

I think that is it today.....I will catch you all again next week. I have to catch up on reading some blogs..

2020 Completed Projects:

Works In Progress:
WIPS: Crochet:
Round Ripple: (Started 2006 (?) Aiden is now a senior..so maybe I finish it for him to take to college?
Around the World Afghan: (April 2010): about ¼ done - I'm not even sure where this is at the moment, with projects in two places. I'll think on this.
Sunrise Sunset Afghan: this has been hibernating awhile, 6 squares done. I still love the look of this. Don't think this is at the Homestead, will have to check.
Tabard Tunic (NW Diss 2/1/14) - Haven't made a final decision on this yet.
Venetian Cowl (July 1, 2018) I love this, but the stitch just takes a Loooong time!
Billy shoes - Jan 1, 2019

Socks:

Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - sock 1 done! 5/30/2020
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 34

Oh Goodness! I went a couple more weeks.....sheesh! Honestly, most of the time, I don't even remember that it is Sunday! This should change this week, as I go back to work tomorrow.

We start PD tomorrow and have been told that this week is virtual.. Students are suppose to start next Thursday - in-person/hybrid model. So I know I'm at school M/T/Th/F, we don't know about W yet. We know the students will all be doing virtual on Wednesdays, but we don't know yet, whether we are in school or at home. Everything keeps changing. We all expect to go fully remote at some point. I think even the superintendent believes that....even when in school, we are "distance learning." Kids will all be on computers and I'll be teaching from a computer at the front of the room.

I'm been having a tough time with sleeping...last night didn't get to sleep until almost 2:00am. Lots of things going on and menopause is also contributing to the sleeplessness....I just hope I can sleep once we get back to school.....

Grrrrr!!!! Just spent a bunch of time trying to figure out spacing on Blogger. The new interface, they removed to option to change spacing! I had weird spaces in my text....

So what have a I finished? Well I FINALLY sewed the lining in my "Beach Bag." It's not really big enough to be a beach bag. It's more purse sized. (There is a picture with my fingers, so you can see the sizing.) I had the lining hanging around the Homestead for awhile. Friday, I found the bag tucked into another bag. So I sat down after we got home and got my sewing on! It was all handsewn, as I can't use the machine at the moment. So sewed up the two sides of the lining and then sewed the lining into the bag.

Pattern: Jaunty Shells by Jean Leinhauser. It was in one of those small pattern books from a craft store called Trendsetting Totes
Yarn: Lily's Sugar n' Cream.

I also finished my shorty socks. No real pattern. Just cast on 56. made a short cuff and then continued on

Yarn: OnLine Supersocke in Emotion II

I started a Perfect Pockets Shawl for my friend. She is fighting her second battle of cancer in two years.
I first saw this shawl on the Needles at the Ready podcast. The yarn is Lion Brand Heartland.

I also joined an MKAL...I'm not good at them and am already two clues behind. It's called The Sharon Show by Casapinka...pattern written by her cat, Sharon....It's just a lot of fun....

The yarn is Skinny Bugga by Sanguine Gryphon and Cephlapod (both no longer dying)

I've also been working on the crochet throw/blanket round ripple for my friend's son. No picture of that this week. It takes an hour to crochet one row.

I also recently uploaded a new video, if you'd like to watch. There is a giveaway. I also have a previous one about my sock wips, if you'd like to watch that one...Thank you! And hopefully I'll see you next week.

2020 Completed Projects:

Socks:

Kai-Mei: (April 2012) - sock 1 done! 5/30/2020
Espalier Socks (Jan 10, 2016) - started and stopped...

2017Games Socks- 2/15/18

Snow Day: 3/4/19
Merfolk: 7/25/19
Monster Mash: 8/16/19 (cuff started awhile ago)

Rhinebeck Socks - 10/6/19

Whammed Socks Dec 7, 2019

Me Too - March 31, 2020

Blue Spruce Socks - April 1, 2020

Hello Sunshine - June 14, 2020

Scarves/Shawls:

KAL/CALs:
Fire and Blood (5/4/14) - not anytime soon
Outlander MKAL (8/8/14) - possibility of finishing this..the yarn is so yummy

Life and Yarn or Yarn and Life

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Sunday, December 27, 2020

Year of Projects: Week 52

Sunday, November 1, 2020

Year Of Projects: Year 7, Week 45

Sunday, October 25, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7: Week 44

Sunday, September 6, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 37

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 36

Sunday, August 23, 2020

Year of Projects: Year 7, Week 34

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