SpringPlum

Every knitter is familiar with the siren song of Start-itis.  But this month, I have heard the swan song of Complete-itis.  Yes, it is true dear knitters–I have finished Boy Blue, a pair of  hibernating socks, and now my Simon Tam.

I started this hat back in December, 2008 and it has been languishing in the bottom of my knitting bag for a year.  But as I started picking out a project for the Olympics, I was startled at the number of unfinished objects that I in my bag; in fact, I’m not sure I could’ve stuffed another project in there.  Sure, I was tempted to stuff them in the back of my craft closet, but I was coming off the high of finished the blanket.  Even now, the thought of starting my Ravelympics sock pales against the desire to finish a red shawl.

I did start one little project.

I’ve never beaded before and I’m hooked.  Now I want to make some removable markers and ones with sparkly beads and ones with bigger hoops and…

Freya says, “Stop Mommy. You don’t need another craft.”  But she’s a dog.  What does she know?

All over the blogosphere–specifically the crafting blogosphere–are posts about how knitters turn on the TV as background noise while they knit or to make row after row of fingering weight stockinette more bearable.  My mother would always turn on Victor/Victoria while working on a long sewing project.  Or they knit while their spouse watches football or their offspring watches Elmo and Big Bird.  These crafters aren’t really interested in what’s on the screen.  To them, the show is for someone else or just so there isn’t dead silence.  On the flipside are the knitters who actually watch the TV and knit to keep their hands busy.  I suppose that this latter group is where I should be classified although I don’t pick up my projects because of itchy fingers–I knit during TV out of guilt.

I will start knitting so that I have an excuse to turn on the TV.  I will masquerade as a non-watcher while actually being engrossed in the program.  See, I come from a long line of doers and makers.  My mother sews and quilts and my father has his fly-tying and assorted fix-it-ups.  My sister loves wood-working.  Although TV watching was never forbidden in our house, it was never encouraged as a primary activity.  We were supposed to be productive.  This sounds admirable but it’s become a bit of a neurosis with me.

This Tuesday, I realized that I might have a bit of a problem.  The Lost season premiere was on and I really wanted to see it.  Matt and I sat down, turned the set on, and the guilt set in.  I was about to watch 2 hours of TV for its own sake and I didn’t want to do anything else during the show.  Now, I’m a grown woman and, my mother can’t ground me for being lazy–but I still felt awful.  Watching isn’t producing.  Intellectually, I know that there isn’t anything wrong with watching a bit of TV now and again–and Lost certainly takes more brain power than most shows.  My hands didn’t want to be busy, but I felt like they had to be.  I’ve got to break myself of this, or at least change my outlook.

The good thing about guilt-powered knitting is that I’ve finished up to projects this week.

Boy Blue is finished and fabulous.  And I also finished up some socks to clear the way for my Olympics project.

They are a bit small on me but that’s good since the recipient has smaller feet than me.  Hopefully she doesn’t mind a little bit of Freya kisses either.  On a bit of a side note, it is impossible to take an attractive picture of your own feet.

The Ravelympics start in 10 days.  I am competing in the Sock Hockey and the Designer Original Dance.  My socks will be toe-up anklets with a crocheted ruffle–all of my own design.  Swatching is finished although I am still wiffle-waffling on the stitch pattern to use.  I am also a co-captain for Team Woolie Ewe; we are representing the best yarn shop and community in Texas.

Our roster is posted here.  Candice-knits is the other captain (and creator of the banner above) and you’ll also notice that the Pirate Hooker–owner of Picklesnot Designs–is also a competitor.

It is also a distinct possibility that I will have Boy Blue finished by the time the Opening Ceremonies roll around thereby also meeting my goal of having it completed before the sprogling in question greets the world.

Halloween has been a dud holiday for several years now–people tend to frown on adults trick-or-treating with no kids and no trick-or-treaters ever came to our apartment.  Don’t even get me started on how pathetic it was, eating all that leftover candy that I bought even though no kids came to our door for the previous 3 years.  But this year we have a house.  In a nice neighborhood.  Where kids live.  Although my mom assures me that the thrill of jumping up every time the door bell rings does wear off, I’m excited.  Unfortunately, the school I teach at won’t let us wear costumes.  Poop.  I always like seeing my teachers all dressed up and lookin’ goofy.  So, I think I’ll knit myself a pumpkin hat.

Who cares that it’s a baby pattern?  Knitting yourself a baby hat isn’t sad at all.  Certainly not as sad as eating a two-pound bag of jawbreakers because no kids rang your doorbell.  Definitely not as sad as knitting Freya a matching hat.  Perspective.

Dear Knitting,

I know that I have neglected you recently, but do two wrongs make a right?  Sure, I only picked up my sock project because my video game wasn’t working.  I thought that you would be there for me, faithfull and true.  So imagine my dismay when I discovered your betrayal.  You decided to express your displeasure by bending one of my favorite DPNs into a C.  I’m going to take the high road and assume you chose a C because it was easiest instead of the C being the first letter of a nasty name that the other 3 DPNs would finish.  And after I bought you a nice new Namaste knitting bag to travel with me in!  You’re going to have to work hard to rebuild my trust in you.

With love despite it all,

springplum

P.S. Hiding my shawl pattern is not a good first step toward a healthier relationship.

Tomorrow is the DFW Fiber Festival in Addison.  The Pirate Hooker and I will be there for glorious shopping.  Hope to see you there–here’s the link for info.

I don’t regret frogging the Sheep Shawl.  I wasn’t very far into it and it wasn’t working out.  What I am having second thoughts about is casting on Juno Regina with that Baruffa Cashwool that I wound on Saturday.  The pattern is working out–I like it and it likes me.  Also, the yarn is both soft and sturdy–at least as sturdy as lace-weight can be.  The problem is that on Friday, I ordered the yarn for the Peacock Feathers Shawl.  As content as I am with Juno, I know that she will get tossed aside like a frumpy hausfrau for a sexy new vixen.  I wonder if it would be more fair to undo the very little (20 rows) that I have done and put her aside when I can focus more completely on her.  I am a bad bad knitter that knows nothing of knitting monogamy.

Also, Matt is still sick and has begun making a sound during the night like someone is attempting to have maritals with an undead goose; it is a very squishy honk.  I need sleep.

Let’s please have a moment of silence for the Sheep Shawl who suffered two critical and ultimately fatal injuries this Valentine’s Day.  Two yarn overs were missed.  Although the knitter diligently used a lifeline, the errors occurred in the lifeline row.

Here and here.

The knitter’s patience with the project ran out, and she made the difficult decision to terminate.  The shawl was reduced to its basic components.  Rest in Peace.

To make myself feel better, I made a cup of miso soup and wound 1500 yards of Baruffa Cashwool while appreciating the one year anniversary of my dear ball winder who I love more and more each time I use her. 

Sadly, this was the extent of my Valentine’s Day celebration because my husband is down with the flu.  Although I was give him props for going out despite his illness and getting me some chocolate-dipped strawberries.  I love you Matt (and not just because of the chocolate).

…one to go.

Please note that I have already started the second to avoid Second Sock Syndrome.  A three hour training session not only helps a knitter to avoid SSS but makes her darned happy to have a second sock to knit.

I also got yarn mail today.

Witch Bear approves.

Startitis got tricksy yesterday.  After I organized my stash, Startitis pointed out that a snow day shouldn’t have to settle for just any ol’ knitting project–such a fine holiday deserves a brand new project.  Perhaps Sheldon or that new blue sock yarn.  Luckily my chilly feet pointed out that if I work on the sockotta socks, they’ll be warmer sooner than if I start new.  A few hours later, Startitis suggested getting a head start on Christmas knitting.  I had called Mom to ask her sock size before I cottoned on to Startitis’s plan.  Then Lost started and I lost (haha) interest in taking my eyes off the screen long enough to cast-on.

At school, another teacher and I are looking at European locations for a possible school trip.  Is it wrong that I want to take the kids on the Ireland trip because it says we’d be touring a sheep farm?