I’m turning over a new leaf. Yeah, I know, I’ve said it before, but I really mean it this time (stop laughing, I’m serious). Let me start by saying that I’m a planner by nature. I like to consider myself organized - I file and compartmentalize and dislike clutter (although Travis would scoff at the idea that I dislike clutter - he thinks I’m a pack rat). But, sometimes planning can just be too much trouble. Now, before you get all worried, I’m not talking about packing my bags and going to the airport just to see if any of the destinations strike my fancy. I’m talking about knitting. I have lists - lists and lists of projects I want to knit that are continually amended and abandoned and reinstated and reabandoned. And as of today there will be no. more. lists. Work with me here - let’s talk this through. I’ll admit, I have some stash. Not a lot of stash, but some. I have one of those little three drawer carts with sock yarn in the top drawer (and it’s full) and then random yarn in the other two drawers, neither of which is close to full, plus Mermaid, which is in her own box. So, some stash, but it hasn’t reached the point of needing it’s own zip code. Right now, as you know, I’m working on my Sockapaloooza socks, Clapotis, and Butterfly. Three projects is too many for me. I get ADD and hate when I can’t see progress on anything. I know it’s about the process, but for me it’s also about seeing progress and finishing things. Now, let me assure you that I am not abandoning any of my current projects. What I’m saying is that I’m going to be diligent in getting Clapotis and the Sockapaloooza socks done as soon as possible. When I started Butterfly I knew she was a long term project, and she’s just gonna have to hang out for a little while until I get these other projects off my plate. And even then, I really won’t be able to work on Butterfly unless I’m at home because she requires a lot of concentration on my part. But, the point of all this rambling is to tell you about my new plan. (deep breath) For me, a lot of the fun of knitting is picking the next project. I feel like I’ve missed out on that lately, and maybe that’s making the whole knitting process a little less fun. I’ve gone from one planned project to another without getting to browse and consider all the great stuff out there to knit and to really decide what I feel like knitting right now. So, as of today, my list is out the window. I’m knitting on the fly. Sounds scary, but who knows, it might be just what I need to get the spark back. There are a few things I know I’ll eventually knit - Rogue and Mermaid are absolutes, and one may very well be the next project, but they just don’t have to be. And Butterfly will continue to be a work in progress. So, there you have it. My latest crazy plan. I guess I’ll just have to see how it works and go from there.

In an effort to get some of these outstanding projects off the needles, I’ve been working on Clapotis quite a bit.

I’m still in the straight section - I’ve dropped 8 of the 13 stitches. So, I consider that progress. I’m staying in for lunch today and plan to make some progress on the sock. And if I can work up the nerve, I’m going to try it on. I’m really afraid it isn’t going to fit, but I guess knowing sooner is better than later. Get on with it, right?

As always, thank you all for your support and encouragement. You guys really are the best! Have a great day.

Oh, and I can’t believe I almost forgot! Sew? I Knit! is moving on to the next project. We’re sewing bags this time around. Sign-ups are running through tomorrow and this project will go through the month of April. If skirts aren’t your thing, but you’d love to sew yourself a new knitting bag or purse or overnight bag, come over and sign up!

As March draws to a close, I find myself thinking about the things I accomplished, and I have to be honest here. March was not very productive on the creative front. I had grand plans for my Project Spectrum projects, but didn’t get to them all. I did make some pillows for my living room, but I have yet to hand sew the bottoms.

I started a pair of socks, and ripped them out. Started another pair, and I’m not sure about those either. I finished a skirt, but didn’t finish a second one (and all I have to do is finish the hem - I’m seeing a pattern in the string of unfinished projects). I learned to spin! And I bought a car, which isn’t creative, but is pretty darned exciting. I hope April will be more productive. I’d really like to finish my Sockapaloooza socks in the next couple of weeks (May 1 is the deadline after all) and Clapotis and maybe start the Trellis scarf from the latest IK. And then there’s Rogue and Mermaid and all those socks I want to make. I keep seeing so many great sweater patterns, and my to-knit list just keeps growing and growing. How do you keep it manageable? My best intentions are really getting me nowhere.

So I’m sure you all know I have fiber addiction issues. But, it appears I also have book addiction issues. Miss Stephanie has been reviewing books, and they look so wonderful (and we cannot forget the must haveitness of her new book). So, of course, I must have them all. Inspired Cable Knits looks absolutely amazing. Judging from the pictures I’ve seen, there will be a few must-knits in there (my to-knit list is getting a bit out of control). And then we have Mason-Dixon Knitting which everyone says is wonderful. So, my budget is toast. And this does not include the fiber I will have to buy to support this new spinning habit. Plus the yarn… Yipes!

Speaking of spinning…

Lennie and I made this on Sunday. From some fiber Marcia sent me. Isn’t she sweet? It’s getting better. Now I have to figure out how to use the plying head on my wheel and I’ll attempt some plying.

And, I’ve turned the heel on the first Sockapaloooza sock.

My gauge appears to be on, but I’m not sure this sucker is going to fit. I thought I’d finish the heel and put it on some scrap yarn and see what’s what. If I have to frog it again, I may cry.

I bought a new car (and was kind of sick about it for a few days). A Nissan Murano - in red! I love it. Travis isn’t sure it’s quite as great as I think it is because, well, you know… it isn’t a truck. Which I can’t argue with. But, I think it’s better than a truck (and besides, we already have a truck - a big truck). My plan is to take it on a road trip and he’ll fall in love with it. We’ll see. I just got it yesterday, so I’ll try to get some pictures of it for you.

This week has been better than last week. We may have turned the corner of craziness - hopefully.

Lennie

Thank you all so very much for all the wonderful names you suggested. It took me a really long time to choose (obviously). I made a list of all the names and read them as I was sitting at my wheel - I wasn’t actually spinning, just considering, because goodness knows I certainly can’t do anything else while I try to spin. But, when I started spinning, it seemed like he was just a Lennie. Lennie is after all a simple wheel made of good solid Canadian maple. A simple name just seems to fit. So, thank you to Angela for suggesting it.

Angela is on a bit of a yarn diet, and she’s being really good (she has way more willpower than I do, I can tell you that). So, of course she must have yarn as her prize for picking the name. And since I’m in love with Sundara Yarn, she’s getting some sock yarn. I have to choose the color, but then it will be on it’s way to Angela.

Today is finally Friday, and I’m really ready for the weekend. I’m hoping that this weekend and next week will be a bit slower because it’s about time.

I saw this new meme over at January One and thought it looked fun. Here are the rules (you know there are always rules):

~ Your finds must come from knit blogs.
~ You may not use a blog for more than one item-all items must come from different sources.
~ Finds can come from current entries or archives.
~ You must post your answers with the title of the blogs they were found on and a link to the blog/item (permalinks where appropriate) on your blog. If no permalink is available, give us the post date.
~ Do not steal anyone’s bandwidth-which means you should not hotlink pictures.
~ You need to comment [on JenLa's site] and let [them] know when you have completed this meme.

My finds:

1. A blog which you think people have not discovered.
Leanne’s blog Happy Froggy Knits - she’s hilarious and shares my sarcastic sense of humor.

2. A blog whose author lives close to you physically. Just get as close as you can, it’s all relative.
Kristi of Fiber Fool lives about 50 miles from me, which in Wyoming is close! Kristi lives in Ft. Collins, Colorado, but still…it’s close. Trust me. However, we have yet to actually meet in person. We’re really going to have to work on that.

3. An unusual or weird animal picture.
Rebekah at Knit-Knack has a blue crown parrot named Basil. He’s quite handsome - this is one of my favorite pictures of him.

4. An entry that made you laugh and got you strange looks from family or co-workers.
Cara of January One’s furniture building experience. I did not think Cara’s troubles and misery were funny, but I could totally see myself in the exact same situation. But, she’s much better at writing about her troubles and feelings. I laughed because I could relate and felt her pain and frustration.

5. An idea you wish you’d thought of.
The Knitting Olympics. It was wonderful to see how knitters around the world all got behind the idea and really worked hard to complete their projects by the Closing Ceremonies (although I’m really glad I didn’t have to deal with the nightmare of signing up all those people).

6. Something you’d like to knit.
Oh, where to start… Rogue, Mermaid, and Trellis Scarf (from the latest IK)

7. A picture of something you consider beautiful.
The wonderful picture of the shawl Grumperina knit for her grandmother pulled through the ring her grandmother gave her. There’s just something about the tradition and love in that picture - the sense of family - that is breathtaking.

8. A blog whose author you’d like to one day meet in person.
Angela of yaiAnn knits!. We’ve gotten to be good friends and have discovered we have a lot in common. And I can think of about 20 other bloggers I’d love to meet in person, but I keep thinking it will happen - one day.

9. A blog of someone you have already met in person.
That’s easy because I’ve only met one blogger in person. Marcia of Spinnerella’s Attic. We met last fall when they went through Laramie on their way to SOAR in Utah and we had a great time together.

JenLa tagged everyone, so if you’re interested, go for it.