first seven of 2006...

Gee, that title would be a heck of a lot catchier if it were the "1st six of '06". What do you think? Would it be cheating to change the rules? Really, I've barely even started my yarn diet...Okay, six it is!

And, here's my list:

Branching Out

Lace Leaf Pullover

My 1st Socks (technically a UFO, but I might start over)

Crinkle

Butterfly

My 1st Shawl -- either Flower Basket or Ene's Scarf

I'm not sure what order I will knit these in...I guess I'll decide as I go along. I'm pretty sure that I have yarn for each of these projects already in my stash. If I start a project and find that my yarn isn't working out, I will start looking for another project to replace it. (Depending on what happens this week*, I might go ahead and swap one of these for another project that I have in mind.) No matter what, I will not buy more yarn until I have completed six projects.

*I'm waiting for yarn that I ordered early in December, before I even started to think about another yarn diet. Hopefully, it's just a Holiday Season-related mail delay.

one last purchase...

I've made up my mind. I will be putting myself on another yarn diet this year. But, before I start, I couldn't resist making on more enhancement to the stash. Sometimes, there are deals that are just too good to resist. This time, it's Lion brand Kool Wool for $1.25/skein. I got mine, now go get yours!

I will be changing the rules this year. Instead of setting the day that my diet will end, I am going to pick projects to complete before I can buy more yarn. I am going to aim to complete seven projects, using only stashed yarn, before I end my diet. Why seven? Well, over the holiday, I started going through the books and magazines that I have, and came across at least 10 that I really would like to make (and wear). These range from small items like scarves and hats, to a number of sweaters. Sometime this week, I will be adding the seven projects to the sidebar.

I'm not really sure how long it will take to make my way through seven projects. However, if I stick to this version of a yarn diet, I think I'll actually see the size of my stash decrease. Isn't that the point?

happy new year!

I'm trying to start off the new year on a good foot. I haven't decided whether I want to list resolutions, since I didn't go all that well with last year's. I'll think about it this week and decide what to do.

Unlike Christmas weekend, this past weekend was very relaxing. I actually had a lot of time to sit and knit. I went back to work on Lucky and have made some progress. I'm done with both front pieces, and am nearly finished with the first sleeve. I keep trying to imagine this piece when it is complete...because the pieces alone don't really look like much.

I can't wait to finish this piece...First, I could really use a new top right about now. Secondly, Rowan has put up it's Spring preview, and I will need a clear palate to start new knits.

2nd annual yarn diet...

Moving has, once again, made me realize that my yarn stash is a bit larger than I would like it to be. The last apartment was full of closets, six to be exact. It was perfect for hiding storing things. My new place, on the other hand, has just enough closet space for two people. Well, AF and I aren't really two normal people. He has a collection of tools that has already occupied an entire closet. Plus, camping gear stealing away a third of another. So far, we have agreed that our clothes will share a walk-in closet in the hallway.

Guess where my yarn stash has been for the last month...in the living room! Yup, I've got my big blue rubbermaid tub, busting at the seams, sitting in the way. It's just waiting for a new home. I also have other bits of yarn under my bed. Ideally, I will be able to make room in the hall closet for all of the yarn...but, it's looking kind of grim in there.

So, in another effort to thin things down, I contemplating another yarn diet. Last year, my diet lasted from January 1st, through my birthday. I need to think about whether I will do the same amount of time...My other thought is to tie it to the amount of my stash that I actually knit. For instance, the yarn diet will be over when I complete X number of projects using yarn from my stash.

happy holidays...

I'm really enjoying this holiday season, and I think I know why...No knitted gifts this year! Yup, I just been able to enjoy the season.

I finished the two stockings for AF and I...just haven't figured out where to hang them. I have until Sunday. I got AF a couple of small gifts this year. Instead of wrapping them, I will put them in his stocking.

I haven't done much other knitting. Instead, I have been reading The Chronicles of Narnia. I'm hoping to see the movie this weekend. I have 4 days off, so I should be able to fit it in. I'm also trying to get the last few boxes unpacked. Since AF and I are in an apartment, we're hoping to not do too much damage to the walls and such. So, we still have to make some decisions about whether to hang shelving on the walls, or to buy another bookshelf. Until we decide that, there will be a few boxes with odds and ends to figure out...sounds like a good time to go to IKEA!

Well, it's shaping up to be a very busy weekend. AF's family will be in town. We will be spending Christmas Eve with them. Then, we're going to my brother's house on Christmas day...I get to see my new nephew! (that sounds so weird) Then we will go back to AF's sister's house.

Stash enhancement...

Who could possibly resist Rowanspun 4-ply? I think the answer must be no one, myself included! Elann, sold out of most colors in under an hour. I ordered 15 hanks of Swarm and 10 hanks of Lunar. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to do with them. But, I'm sure I'll be able to find some inspiration in the book that I ordered this morning.

Unfortunately, I haven't been making much progress on Lucky this week. I had said that I wasn't going to have any holiday knitting...I spoke too soon. In a fit, I have decided to make AF and I Christmas stockings. Since, we're still not sure if the new apartment will have enough room for a tree, I figured I needed some kind of decorations. I started the first one on the bus Monday morning, and cast off last night right before going to bed. Since I will not be blocking these, I should be able to seam the first one tonight and cast on for the second...I'm still hoping for a tree, though.

just in time for another weekend...

I'm trying to get back on track...AF and I successfully moved all of material goods into the new apartment. But, most things are still in boxes awaiting their new place in the world. Why, you ask? Well, two days after we moved, we jumped in a car and drove to Michigan for Thanksgiving. It was a long drive. We left last Wednesday at 5pm, and arrived at AF's father's house at 6:15 Thanksgiving morning. AF did all of the driving, through snow and white-out conditions. Our time in Muskegon was fairly enjoyable, but I'm glad to be back in DC.

I have made some progress on lucky. I have finished the right-front, after ripping back to the point where the shaping began. I still had some extra stiches this time, but the three extra look much better than 10 extra. I have also started the left-front and will be starting the neck shaping this weekend. I'm not sure how much time I will have to knit this weekend, since unpacking should really be my highest priority.