Knitting 40 shades of green

Blog Anniversary

One year ago today I started this blog because my sister thought it would be a good way to keep tabs on what I was doing and to live vicariously through my knitting exploits.  I am not sure that I ever expected any other readers and am always surprised and pleased that people who I have never met read this blog and comment from time to time.  My knitting is not overly prolific nor is it all that interesting but I have enjoyed the people I have "met" and being part of the blogosphere. 

When I started, I had no camera and piles of unfinished projects that were staring in the face and taunting me to finish them.  Of that list of 6 objects that needed finishing and had been sitting around for ages -- well, I have finished 3 of them and worked on another.  But still have three left to finish and have added to that list.  Lets see, what is it that I need to seam or add fiddly touches:

• Aztec Sun Vest
• Polka Purl Dots
• Vera tank in silk
• Via Diagonale
• Trellis
• Ronnie

Items that have been sitting in the knitting basket without much mention in the past few months.

• Revena rug in Lopi
• Abfab Afghan wedding present (the wedding has now taken place)
• small Bobby Bear
• cable/lace cardigan from Vogue
• Rock and Weave Socks
• Socks in Cherry Tree Hill
• Kiri

It seems that I will have to put a little focus on some finishing around here.  I am going to try to not start anything new until I finish at least three objects.  Trellis and Vera will be first to get those finishing touches as they will be quick to finish.  Stay tuned...

blogging

I was browsing over at Life Begins at 30  and Jen mentioned that she hadn't been blogging as much recently.  She was going to join a challenge to post every day in November.  Well, I didn't post much in October and decided maybe I needed a little extra push -- this might be a little ambitious but I have joined NaBloPoMo, which will challenge me to post every day in the month of November.  What better way to celebrate my birthday month.  It isn't a novel but it is something.

My favorite thing to teach is writing, and when asked in workshops on the subject of writing I always put myself in the camp that considers themselves writers (always a minority of the assembled group).  But when writing for an audience other than my students or myself, I start to become overly conscious and perfectionist and freeze up.  I often start a blog post and save it as a draft, never actually publishing it.  They say that one of the best ways to improve writing is to write.  So be kind and expect some things that are a little different as I try to come up with a blog entry every day of the week.

knitalongs

Well, I seem to be a bit of a follower this week. I have signed up for a few knitalongs and maybe even lost my mind.

The first one that I signed up for was the 200sox knitalong sponsored by the purling ps I have ordered yarn for the Meg Swanson stockings and have been swatching up some stash which is much too fine but it has given me some practice in the color work which I haven't done in years.

Then I stumbled, gosh no one stumbles upon the Yarn Harlot, lets just say that I read about Stephanie's knitting Olympics and followed her link to the Allegro Yarn site and before I knew what had happened I had ordered this . And after doing a little more blog reading, I saw Erin had fearlessly thrown her hat in the ring and I threw mine in too, also not being able to watch much of the Olympics. But as I haven't yet been posted on the official page I keep thinking maybe I can back out of this insane endeavor. Maybe the Homer Simpson Olympics are more my speed since I haven't received the pattern and it may require lots of dreaded seaming .

Then Wendy points out the Hannealong and I just happen to have two (not one, but two) Hanne kits that I ordered with the check my mother gave me for my birthday (although I will say I had to throw some money in too -- they are a bit dear and I think I got a good e-bay deal). So here is the encouragement to get started on these two lovely jackets. I have the Mermaid #5 black, cypress and kingfisher and Ballerina #8 in black and camel. 

So it seems this week that I am a joiner -- lets see what it brings.