What to do, what to do...

At some point, I thought that I'd make January the "Month of the UFO into FO". Why do I feel the need to have goals? Can't I just knit the way I feel like knitting?

No. Because we all feel that need, to make things a crap load harder on ourselves.

I want to be one of those knitters who starts a project, then finishes. No stopping because I hate *place something annoying here*. No stopping because I just HAVE to knit on *place something actually cool here*. I started as one of those knitters. And then, someone asked me to just look at this sweater they had knit most of...and would I be a dear and finish it for them? Folks, I know you're saying, no way in hell. But you didn't see this sweater. A perfect shade of navy blue, almost midnight, stockinette giving way to seed stitch, broken up by alternating garter and stockinette...

At that point, I hadn't really worked with wool. It was mid-summer, in an air conditioned hospital (and trust me, they CRANK those up), so wool was perfectly acceptable...it wooed me. Especially when I heard the words "You can keep whatever's left". Sold.

So I put down the Citrus Moon tank I was working on. And I knit on this lovely sweater for two weeks, happily. And then it was time to go home.

Where the air conditioning in the living room is crap.

Wool sticking to my needles, sweat on my hands, slogging along, I decided to put it down until fall and cooler weather. Did I pick up Citrus Moon again? No. I don't even know what I picked up, but it sure wasn't going to be stockinette in the round after that beautiful fun sweater front (I love Citrus Moon, don't get me wrong. But...it wasn't the right time). I've often thought about what if I had refused to take on that beautiful sweater...I'd have finished Citrus, making that hospital stay a two tank top accomplishment, and I would have started something else and kept on my merry little one project happiness. Or Christmas would have come, and I'd have ended up in this same place.

Christmas DID come, and still, neither the Citrus Moon nor the beautiful blue sweater were finished. They were BOTH shoved aside for Christmas gift making.

And there are others. Believe me, there are others.

The front of the blue sweater, just needing sleeves:

A snowflake illusion scarf:

I'm not sure what I want to do with this...I don't like it enough to keep for myself, can't think of anyone to gift it to. I don't really see any use for the colors at the moment, so it's kind of in limbo. The first thing I can think of really, is if I can work up some want to work on it again, make it long enough for a child and then give it to charity.

This is a Crazy Aunt Purl  "Magic Scarf". I'm making it in Peace Fleece- get this - for Andy's father for next Christmas. I bought the yarn intending to make it this year, but oops. No time. So I started after Christmas, with the Lantern Moon ebony needles Andy gave me. I like them, but they're the usual cat fodder for chewing. Plus, I was knitting so slowly on them, I just gave up on using them with the Peace Fleece, and switched to Denise Needles. This scarf is the next contender for finishing, as it's already grown to 46 inches...I only need another 25 to be done with it.

This was Citrus Moon on Friday night. Now it's done. When I pulled it out, I was working on the 34 straight rows in the pattern, and had gotten up to 16 according to my row counter. Although, I wasn't sure if the row counter was right or not...it just happened to be in my bag. Anyway, so I began thinking it seemed more than long enough to fit up to my armpits, so I got out my measuring tape, a tank I already liked, and my gauge counter (just in case). Gauge=right on, but length to armpits on my tank and the Cami? Also right on. I checked the pattern, and the shortest length from bottom to pits was 16 inches, which was what I had. Apparently, I'm short.

Seeing that, made me realize I ONLY HAD THE STRAPS LEFT. So during  two Lord of the Rings movies, and a good part of Monday night, I finished. Now to start weaving those damn ends in. But still...that does mean I have my FIRST FO IN 2006! *tosses confetti, blows horn*

And the Peace Fleece Lighthouse socks, that have roofs on them :)

So, those are all the projects on the needles (we're not even THINKING about dragging out what's on the hooks...best to leave that all alone for the moment). What should I do? I want to leave the Peace Fleece socks alone for awhile, as I'm going to gift them to Andy's mom next Christmas, too. I'm so close to finishing Andy's dad's scarf, that I'm going to. However, the snowflake illusion scarf, and the blue sweater that just needs sleeves and a collar...

But I really want to knit new stuff. I even still have MORE gift stuff promised. My mom wants a hat to match Liesel. And a sweater for their shih tzu (which, sounds really fun, actually). Dee's birthday is next month, and I want to knit her a quick scarf.

But more than anything, I want to knit the Rebecca cardi. I want it NOW. I've waited for so long. *sighs*

Now to end off this HUGE post, more pictures. I never showed you all the three new sheep I got for Christmas.

Where Fun Fur comes from.

And one last picture:

Comfy pj's, Lantern Moon needles, and kitties to warm me.

Comments

[Cookie]

Honey, I feel your pain. I've got quilt blocks from a class I took five years ago shoved in the back of a closet just waiting for me. *L*

Good luck working thru it all. Oh, and remember that Christmas will be here before you know it.

* runs *

[Stephanie]

I decided after Christmas that I have to finish the things on my needles before I start anything new. Luckily that's 2 things, but the blanket is taking forever. I just figured out that I don't do well with a lot of projects going at once. It stresses me out. Those sheep are CUTE!

[Dawn]

Okay, I just love the Magic Scarf. It is just to nice looking--finish it. Your sheep collection is just adorable and I love the last picture you posted. You look totally content. Way to go.
~ DAWN

[Lisa]

I love the scarf and especially the Citrus Moon tank, those colors are gorgeous!!!

[Vera H.]

I'm always starting and stopping projects. I would like to be able to start and finish a project one at a time, but it doesn't seem to be me.

All of your projects look great.

[Lolly]

Soo many lovely projects! wow!

You look so comfy on the couch in your PJs!

[Dana]

ufos - we all have them! i figure they are just on a slower track to completion than some of my other projects. :) i know what you mean about the need to set goals, even in knitting! perhaps it's the american disease. hope all is well -

[Tweed]

Dana,

I'm not sure if this would be something that would interest you, but I stumbled upon your pics on Flickr and hoped it might. Recently, I started a blog (knittedporn.blogspot.com) and I'm looking for people to submit sexy - not nude - photos of themselves that are related to knitting. I was wondering if you (or your friends/significant other/etc.) would be interested. I'm trying to get the word out right now. I'm putting up some of my own pics over the weekend, but in the meantime, if you would like to see the guidelines, please visit the site. Thank you and happy knitting!

xo
Tweed

[Jewels]

I'm always working on new things and yet want to start more too. I absolutely love the green sheep!

[carrie m]

hey -- we haven't heard from you in a while! i hope everything is going ok!