Yarn Report - Week Ending 1/31/14

My numbers haven't changed this week. I have used 1.5 skeins on my current project, but I won't count that until the project is finished. So far I'm holding strong on not buying any yarn (despite someone's attempt at enabling this year....you know who you are). It's been 28 days since I last bought yarn! If I can get past Monday, I'll have beat my personal record of 31 days without buying yarn.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used/Destashed To Date: 3439 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added To Date: 1710 yards

Net Used/Destashed: 1729 yards

This week I've been looking at and planning potential yarn purchases for BlueSand (Ravelry link) Cardigan and Mango Smoothie pullover.

Visit Judy's blog to see other yarn reports.

On the Needles - 1/31/14

My Dianthe looks a little more exciting this week I hope. The waist decrease chart has been finished, and I'm starting on the increases.

This is my first time knitting with Knit Picks Capra and it's very soft.

Tomorrow is our next "Knitting Ninja" meeting so I should have a picture of my scarf next week too.

Visit Judy's blog to see what others have on their needles.

Yarn Report - Week Ending 1/24/14

I finished the Berry Thumbkin mittens this week which used 129 yards. (It really seemed like it used more than that. Funny how quickly it adds up when I bring it IN the house, but how slowly it adds up when I knit it.) Nothing new in although the new Madelinetosh colors at Eat.Sleep.Knit have been calling to me. I'm holding strong so far.

Used this Week: 129 yards
Used/Destashed To Date: 3439 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added To Date: 1710 yards

Net Used/Destashed: 1729 yards

It's been 21 days since I last bought yarn!

Visit Judy's blog to see other yarn reports.

One new sweater pattern called out to me this week but I haven't bought it. Brianna is a top-down, seamless pullover loaded with cables and texture. 

On the Needles - 1/24/2014

On Wednesday I cast on for the Dianthe cardigan. So far it doesn't look like much. I knit the hem and the first four rows of the chart. (The picture is just of the hem.) I think I'm going to write out the chart though because currently the charts are on three separate pages (left front, back, and right front). I'm constantly flipping back and forth and it's taking too much time. 

The pattern calls for 2 inches of hem but I don't like how that looks so I only did 1.25 inches. Since this is bottom up, I'm a little concerned that it may not be long enough. I'm short though and usually have to shorten patterns. Hopefully it will turn out alright, otherwise I'll just add to the hem later.

Visit Judy's blog post to see what others have on their needles.

To-Do List - Week of 1/19/14

This Week 

1. Cut dogs' nails - the not so cooperative one has to have his nails done yet
2. Sew buttons on Charleston Tea
3. Cast on Dianthe
4. Contact internet provider
5. Finish Thumbkin mitten #2
6. Dentist
7. Shave sweaters
8. Hand wash knitted sweaters

Coming Weeks

1. Finish sewing on the last rows to Washington Medallion
2. Fill out paperwork - February
3. Mail paperwork
4. Organize knitting patterns
5. Paint living room
6. Cast on Ravellenic's Meriboo Cabled Cowl - start date Feb. 7

2014 FO#2 - Berry Thumbkin Mittens

Knitting mittens has been on my "to-do" list for a while. Eat.Sleep.Knit's Quarter 1 challenge is to knit something new to you, so I figured it was the perfect time. The pattern is Just Thumbkin (a free pattern on Ravelry) and was very easy to follow! The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Berry.

Yarn Report - Week Ending 1/17/14

I finished Packer Baktus so I get to count 430 yards used this week.

No yarn has come in, nor has any been ordered! I hate to say I was tempted after I finished my shawl, but I did not give in to that temptation. It's been 14 days since I last ordered yarn. Baby steps!

I'm still waiting for my second Miss Babs package to arrive from December but that was counted in last year's report. The skeins didn't match so they are dyeing a new batch for me. How sweet is that?!?!

Used this Week: 430 yards
Used/Destashed To Date: 3310 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added To Date: 1710 yards

Net Used/Destashed: 1600 yards

Visit Judy's blog to see other yarn reports.

On the Needles - 1/17/14

Just like the Green Bay Packer's season, my Packer Baktus is done! You can find out more information about it at this blog post.

On Wednesday, I cast on my Eat.Sleep.Knit Q1 challenge "Try Something New" project. I have never knit mittens and it's been on my to-do list for a while so I decided now was the time.  I managed to get quite a bit knit in the one day. The pattern is Just Thumbkin and it's free on Ravelry. This also is my first time knitting with Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted yarn. It's super soft, but I think it's going to pill because it doesn't have a very tight twist. Hopefully I'm wrong. I'm still a little nervous about knitting that thumb, but hopefully it knits up quick without any issues. I'm hoping to finish mitten #1 tomorrow and cast on mitten #2 right away.

I also cast on a scarf last Saturday, but I don't have a picture of it. A friend of mine from Taekwondo asked me to teach her and her daughter how to knit. I found an easy free scarf pattern online that would teach them how to knit and purl. A couple other friends found out about our "Knitting Ninja Club" and asked if they could join us next month.

Visit Judy's blog to see what others have on their needles.

2014 FO#1 - Packer Baktus

My first finish of 2014 - Packer Baktus! The pattern is Corrugated Baktus which is free on Ravelry. The yarn is Zen Yarn Garden Superwash Sock Yarn in the Yellow Shoe colorway from the 2011 Art Walk Club. The pattern was super easy and quick.

To Do List - Week of 1/12/14

This Week

1. Continue knitting on Packer Baktus - should finish this week!
2. Teach friend how to knit
3. Cut dogs' nails
4. Clean upstairs bathroom
5. Sew buttons on Charleston Tea - after Packer Baktus is complete
6. Cast on ESK - Q1 KAL project - fingerless mitts or mittens
7. Contact internet provided
8. Fill out paperwork - Wednesday

Coming Weeks

1. Finish sewing on the last rows to Washington Medallion
2. Mail paperwork
3. Organize knitting patterns
4. Paint living room
5. Cast on Dianthe (January)
6. Cast on Just Thumbkin mittens (ravelry link)

To Do List - Week of 1/6/14 Update

This Week

1. Continue knitting on Packer Baktus - Yes
2. Teach friend how to knit
3. Sew buttons on Charleston Tea - after Packer Baktus is complete
4. Cast on ESK - Q1 KAL project - fingerless mitts or mittens
5. Sort through and post testing pictures from 12/14
6. Finish reading current short story, then start Doctor Sleep
7. Vet appt - Sonny
8. Go through catalogs
9. Contact internet provided
10. Fill out paperwork

Coming Weeks

1. Finish sewing on the last rows to Washington Medallion
2. Mail paperwork
3. Organize knitting patterns
4. Paint living room
5. Cast on Dianthe (January)
6. Cast on Just Thumbkin mittens (ravelry link)

Yarn Report - Week Ending 1/10/14

I mentioned last week that I would have some new yarn this week.  This is my Eat.Sleep.Knit purchase to help Team RoboKnits. Unfortunately it seems other teams have taken the task to heart as well because we are currently in last place.

From left to right:  Sweet Georgia Tough Love Sock in Glacier, Numma Numma Toasty in Fire Roasted, Lorna's Laces Shepherd Sock in The "L", and two skeins of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted in Berry.  The Shepherd Worsted will be used for my Eat.Sleep.Knit Q1 KAL challenge - try something new.  I'm going to try knitting mittens. The rest of the yarn will be used for cowls or scarves.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used/Destashed To Date: 2880 yards

Added this Week: 1710 yards
Added To Date: 1710 yards

Net Used/Destashed: 1170 yards

Visit Judy's blog to see other yarn reports.

On the Needles - 1/10/14

I never thought I'd be happy to see 20 degree temperatures, but after this week I can say it feels like a heat wave.  Earlier this week we had highs of -18 and wind chills of -43. Brrrrr.

I love mindless knitting projects. They knit up so quickly, and I can work on them while I watch TV.  I reached halfway on Wednesday (which is when this picture is from) so I've started the decreases. I actually knit about 1.5 more inches than the picture shows. Don't you like the spot where it pooled?

Visit Judy's blog to see what others have on their needles.

To-Do List - Week of 1/5/14

This Week

1. Sew buttons on Charleston Tea
2. Swatch for Dianthe cardigan
3. Continue knitting on Packer Baktus
4. Cast on ESK - Q1 KAL project - fingerless mitts or mittens
5. Sort through and post testing pictures from 12/14
6. Finish reading current short story, then start Doctor Sleep
7. Vet appt - Sonny
8. Go through catalogs
9. Contact internet provided

Coming Weeks

1. Finish sewing on the last rows to Washington Medallion
2. Renew subscriptions
3. Organize knitting patterns
4. Paint living room
5. Cast on Dianthe (January)
6. Cast on Just Thumbkin mittens (ravelry link)

Yarn Report - Week Ending 1/3/14

Here we are at the beginning of a new year. That means we get to set out totals back to zero. I will be counting yarn as "used" only when I finish a project.  Since skein yardage varies so much depending on the weight, my totals will be measured by yards rather than number of skeins.

I had destashed two sweater quantities of Madelinetosh Erin for a total of 2880 yards out! Nothing in (yet).

Yes, you read right. I had every intention of staying away from The Loopy Ewe's  rewards and Eat.Sleep.Knit's yarnathon this year.  Then Eat.Sleep.Knit decided they would have GROUPS where each group could win additional "yards or prizes" depending on how their group does. I am part of the "RoboKnits" group. Not to mention they have a quarterly KAL (knit-along) so I felt obligated to help the team out. Even though I did buy yarn, I contained myself and will still be in the black next week!

Used this Week: 2880 yards
Used To Date: 2880 yards

Added this Week: 0 yards
Added To Date: 0 yards

Net Used: 2880 yards

My goal is to use at least 11,000 yards this year and hopefully end the year in the black.

Visit Judy's blog to see other yarn reports.

On the Needles - 1/3/14

One of my goals for the new year is to use some of my older yarn stash, so I pulled out a Zen Yarn Garden yarn club colorway from 2011 called Yellow Shoe. I also pulled this yarn to qualify for the Q1 KAL for the Stashdown! group on Ravelry. The theme is "multi-colored" yarn. It's hard to tell, but the colors are yellow with a light green - perfect for the upcoming playoff game between the Packers and the 49ers. The pattern is Corrugated Baktus.

Visit Judy's blog to see what others have on their needles.

2014 Goals

Happy New Year! I have some goals that carried over from 2013 but also some new ones.

• Knitting:
• Only order yarn when I'm ready to swatch or start for a new project. 
• Knit with yarn other than Madelinetosh. 
• Knit with older stash.
• Knit from Ravelry queue.
• Do not order more of other brand yarn until I've knit with it to see if I like it.
• Knit (use/destash) at least 11,000 yards.

• Quilting:
• Finish Washington Medallion quilt top
• Quilt at least 1 top

• Reading:
• Read more, both kindle and paper

• Health:
• Cut back on soda and cake/cookies/ice cream
• Get back to smaller portions
• Continue exercising

Wishing you a happy, health and prosperous 2014!