Challenge: Ring in the New Year with all projects completed; plus Stash Buster Update

Here is my challenge to you - no matter what your craft of choice is, ring in the New Year with all projects completed.

Imagine the feeling of freedom and clarity you will have when, on January 1st, you enter your craft/hobby room and can start that project that you have always wanted to do but you had to wait until all other projects were cleared out.

Why not finish up those projects from years past and hand them out this year over the holidays to those they were originally intended for, or perhaps for that new person in your life or donate them to a local shelter/charity.  However they are distributed, what a great feeling you will have!

So the first step in this process is actually to admit what you have on the go . . . so I guess since I have thrown the challenge out there, I must be the first to step up on the podium to confess.  I am doing much better than that year when I had 18 projects on the go, no really I am!?

1. Evenstar Shawl - just started last chart - 100 rows, then the border is left
2. Crescent Shawl - on lace trim section (Stash Buster #7)
3. Lace Cardigan style vest - actually up to the armholes
4. Infinity Scarf (Stash buster #6)
5. Gift Item for Christmas (can't ruin the surprise)


Okay, so that is just under 2 months to complete 5 items - should not be an issue at all! LOL

Alright everyone - somewhere, whether twitter, facebook or just a note on your fridge; publically post your unfinished project list.  Trust me, crossing items off will be the best feeling ever!

And now on to a Stash Busting update. (red "x"'s are the yarn used, photo's of completed projects appear below)  See you next month for the next Stash Busting update.

Now back to knitting like the wind!

Show me the Stash

I am not speaking about the Movember Stash, but I will support you if you grow one!  No. . . I am talking about those bins under my desk and the cupboard drawer that I have to lean on to get it to close properly.

I have decided it is time to stash bust, so my goal by December 31, 2016 is to use up at a minimum - 50% of my current stash.

The photo below shows all stashed items that I have logged and tracked thus far, anything new will be added in.

When, and only when the project that uses a stashed item is off its needles will I place a red X over its picture.  I do plan on updating monthly so check back and see how I am doing.  There may even be some photo's of the finished items!

Finished projects will be posted to  http://www.ravelry.com/projects/kdmcreative  with the title Stash Buster #_____

It all started in November of 2013 . . .

I was on Ravelry reading the postings in the designers group  way back in November of 2013 when I saw a call for submissions for Little One Skein Wonders.  I am a fan of the One Skein books and was excited to have the chance to design for them.

Off to my stash I flew to see if I had anything that inspired me. Now I may have had one or two (ahem . . . okay maybe 5) skeins that would have worked, but we all know we love an excuse to go browsing for yarn.   I had an idea for a little boys vest, how adorable would that be!  And as soon as I walked into Spun Fibre Arts I knew I had found the perfect yarn!  There it was, Sweet Georgia Superwash DK in a lovely semi-tonal denim blue named Coastal.

Back home the designing began, first with the dreaded (but very important) swatch.  I loved the way that the semi-tonal quality of the yarn gave the textured pattern a well loved look.   The yardage was such that I was also able to add a hat to complete the ensemble.   

How cute will that special little man in your life look when he is sporting his new vest and hat, paired with a crisp white collared shirt and his first pair of blue jeans!  I know that this will be my go-to baby shower knit gift!

 

The Claredon Baby Vest and Hat is now available in the newly released One Skein Wonders for Babies. And I am very proud to be not only a One Skein Fan but now also a contributor!

Stash Busting

We all try it at least once in our knitting lives. To go on a yarn diet, promise ourselves that until we work through "insert pounds" of our yarn stash we will not buy any more.

Most of us know how that goes, we last a week or two until we jealously peer at our friends new sock yarn purchase, or happen to touch the new llama yarn at the store.

Well, here goes, I am going to attempt to Stash Bust (but refuse to diet).  My goal is to go through 50% of each weight of yarn by the end of 2016.  It may seem like a hefty goal considering the majority of my stash is lace weight, but I am willing to give it a go.

Step One: sort by weight class (Completed)

Step Two: upload stash to Ravelry.

I will begin Step Two this weekend and will also post the photo's here.

Step Three: knit like the wind.


Let the Busting Begin!

Back to original handle. . .

Got creative one day, made up a new blog name but there is nothing like the original.  If you wish to see previous posts they are still live at:

http://mollypurlz.blogspot.ca/

And they will return here as soon as I can figure out how to migrate them back.

Revisited - Louet North America Spring 2014

What would be more inspiring to look at when the tempurature is dipping to -31 with windchill than a lovely collection of Spring Knitwear. Louet North America released their Spring 2014 collection today and I am very excited to be a part of this amazing collection. The photoshoot took place in Boston with the very talented Caro Sheridan behind the lense.

The Selway is feminine pullover featuring Art Deco inspired lace will compliment many body shapes whether worn loose or with a belt cinched at the waist. Top is knit flat with armhole and neck edge detail knit as you go which means minimal finishing.

You can see the complete collection at: Louet North America - Spring 2014

Individual patterns are available at: Ravelry: Louet North America - Spring 2014

The Knitting F Word

(kids cover your ears) F-F-F-Finishing, yes, there it is, I said it, out in public for all to view. The one word we all live in fear of and say with disgust. How many times have you called your knitting buddy excited to share with them “Finally, I cast off that sweater, but now I have to “F” it.”

But really, what does that word mean and why are we so negative when we speak it. So what if it means you have to weave in all 36 ends in that Fair-Isle Sweater, sew miles and miles of seams, pick up and knit the endless button band. We need to stop cursing under our breath and realize that Finishing is a good thing and when done properly your project will be taken from Homemade to Handmade. That sweater in the boutique window is knit the same as yours, with the same materials, and is finished using the exact same techniques we all know and hate.

One of the first steps to ensure the project is finished properly will begin even before you cast on, by reading the pattern completely, and ensuring that you have the right materials for the job. And never underestimate the power of swatching and blocking, both will become your instant finishing friends. Swatching is going to let you know before even casting on the project if the yarn and the fabric it creates will even be what you imagined it to be. If not don’t fear, the project will still be made, you will just need to find another yarn and re-swatch to ensure you have the fabric you desire. Once that is all done and you have knit up all pieces, blocking will be the next important step in the process, this will allow you to size the pieces to match the schematic, as well as flattening the edges to make your seaming easier to complete.

If you don’t already own a good set of reference books I would suggest you go to your local yarn store and spend some time to find the match for you. The one that I can’t live without is the Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt. This is my reference for all things in the knitting universe including finishing, which is explained very clearly, covering seaming, buttonholes, etc, with detailed photographs. I also have on hand Shirley Paden’s Knitwear Design Workshop: A Comprehensive Guide to Handknits, when you look through the pieces in this book, each and every one of them could be gracing a fashion runway, and that is was drew me to this book. The detailed instructions in both these publications will help you to achieve your Boutique ready finishing. Another very comprehensive guide is Finishing School: A Master Class for Knitters by Deborah Newton, well laid out and packed with user friendly information as well as amazing patterns and a great section on embellishing with non-knitted items.

With the amount of time and money we invest in our knitting projects those few extra hours spent at the end are equally, if not more, important, so Just take your time and enjoy the “F”inishing journey.