On the Needles, November 2014

I have been knitting for about five years. A friend gave me some needles and yarn for Christmas, taught me how to cast on, knit, and purl. The rest I learned by watching tutorials on youtube. The needles and stitches were familiar--my aunt had taught me when I was nine years old. I knit a doll blanket, then forgot the difference between a knit and a purl stitch. This time, knitting stuck.

Creating something useful (and beautiful and fun) satisfies something in my core. It still amazes me that by just tying knots in yarn, I can make clothing and fabric; I can keep people warm. I'm finally picking up my knitting needles again (pregnant exhaustion for much of the last year kept me from doing much knitting, or anything else). Currently, I have five projects on needles--two are relatively new, two have been there for quite awhile.

I started this blanket when I first began knitting five years ago. The pattern was free at JoAnn Fabrics, and I picked it up, thinking I had the skill to dive in--I almost did. I knit about half of the blanket, and was disappointed in my mistakes (LOTS of dropped stitches), and the pattern was too busy for me. So I ripped it all out and started over, spacing the white stripes further apart. I like it much better, but it isn't finished yet. Turns out I bore easily. I do like the colors and pattern and will get back to it. The blanket has become my between projects project.

My most recent project--Charlie's Christmas sweater vest from What to Knit When You're Expecting. I love this vest; the pattern is really easy and fast to knit (baby clothes are tiny!). And? I'm so close to finishing, he'll actually get to wear it! (I'm also counting this as my first sweater, even if it is pint-sized).

A scarf for my own neck! I loved the Noro Scarf from Brooklyn Tweed as soon as I saw it. I used a different, softer yarn, but stuck to the pattern as written. Easy. No curling. Super thick and warm. I made one for Ethan in different colors the first winter we were married, but didn't get mine finished...maybe this winter? It's really, really close to being done. The slow color progression created with two striping yarns is beautiful.

This pattern is my design! A Charlie Brown inspired bib for Charlie. Again, this one is very simple and almost finished. He's starting to eat solids this week...I better get crackin'.

I cast on the Stripe Study Shawl right before I found out I was pregnant, then promptly placed the project on pause. While knitting it did find the pattern to be fast and quite fun--I love watching it come to life. I'm knitting it in Rowan Cotton Glace in Blood Orange and Umber (Umber has been discontinued...let's hope I bought enough. There's a chance I'm a skein short, which I should *probably* check before I continue). The stripes are simple, but the asymmetry adds visual interest. The name of the pattern also makes me swoon--of course I want a shawl to wrap around myself while I study. Who wouldn't?

Do you have too many projects on knitting needles? Or do you finish one project dutifully before beginning the next (it's okay to be honest...I'll still like you).