Ah, the glorious post-Christmas, pre-New Year week during the October-January holiday whirlwind! Like much of 2020, I don’t know what day it is, and there is no schedule to keep me grounded. Luckily virtual learning resumes January 4, so this haze of candy induced delirium won’t last forever.
This week I’ve been working on a pair of commercially dyed, big box craft store available yarn for my pattern: Say Yes to Pie Socks (coming soon). I wanted to see how the design would work up on something accessible and inexpensive, Patons Kroy Socks FX was hanging out in my stash- it works like a dream! I love the original more, but every pair of handknit socks doesn’t need its own investment portfolio. I also found some ambiguity in my pattern, bonus!! I started them on 12/19 and am starting the 2nd heel tomorrow. I had hopes of finishing today, but alas.
I knit these two-at-a-time, toe-up in the magic loop method. I still started them on DPNs, simply because the first few rows feel like you are wrestling an octopus. Managing 2 socks, and the twisty cable of a circular isn’t my idea of a good time. I will say, doing both socks at once is REALLY fast, I feel like I finished quickly! Once I finish the second sock in the morning, I will have used up 100 balls of stash yarn for 2020!! Go me!! I’m going to make a victory lap here and proclaim item #14 crossed off my list (use 100 balls of stash yarn in 2020).
With the new year approaching, I have another self-imposed round of projects to do and blog about. There is some crossover, but I need something to talk about next week. Other things coming up for this week: Start a sweater dress for my daughter (requested). She’s a little kid, so it’ll be finished pretty quick. Unless I get sidetracked. I have been trying to work the socks up quick, so once those are done, I’ll have daylight hours to work on pictures for a few patterns (oddly enough, my main hang-up for release!) and refine formatting for some other ones.
Miscellaneous Design Studio 
9 responses to “Year of Projects: Week 19”
Congratulations on achieving your target of using 100 balls this year. With that being nearly 2 a week that’s some fast knitting. It’s a great feeling to tick something off your list. Happy new year when it comes,
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! It was a good challenge to work with what I have, even while adding some new stuff (which is irrelevant to what I’ve used). I’ve created a lot of FOs this year, which feels REALLY good!
Happy New Year to you also!
LikeLike
100 balls from your stash is impressive (I am pretty confident I must have added as many to mine) – looking forward to your sock pattern!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I hope to one day have a very small stash, mostly buying for projects as I work/design. For a number of years I got into the bad habit of buying a few skeins at a time of yarns I liked without a plan. I like to think I’m older and wiser now.
LikeLike
That is very impressive! I hope you get time to write or finish off the patterns. I look forward to seeing them all done! Have a lovely new year.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks! My socks are done, and I was able to get in some usable photos! I think it’s time I built a collapsible lightbox! Pattern release is part of my YOP list, so I can’t wait to finalize and start on new creative endeavours!
LikeLike
I love your idea of setting a stash goal in addition to setting knitting goals. I will need to consider it. I know not to set a goal of not buying new yarn as I plan to visit at least 1 yarn festival in fall of 2021 as well.as a girl’s visit to a local yarn marker and will but new yarn. Since most of my stash is tied to a planned project, I mainly need to execute projects. I’m looking forward to your sock pattern. I love to knit socks.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I still buy LOTS of yarn… I just TRY to work with things I already have. This year was easier than most to not impulse buy materials!
LikeLike
Wow! 100 balls of stashed yarn used? I am very impressed. Way to go. It always feels great to reach a goal.
LikeLiked by 1 person