Desperate measures

It is -5 outside right now, and that will not be the overnight low. I bundled in a full length wool coat, long skirt suit, wool scarf looped twice around my head and talk leather boots for the walk to the courthouse. Even still, I nearly froze my ears off.  

If I start an ear warmer tonight, can I have it finished by the morning?  

Perhaps, though I would have to forego sleep. This cold weather makes me want to snuggle under a warm quilt and sleep like a rock, so that isn't likely. (It also makes me hungry all the time, but that is a different point.)

Today, it is all about the race between the new ear warmer and the polar vortex. 

More wool, more wool!

As I was walking to the courthouse in single digit temperatures, not counting the wind chill factor, I found myself dreaming of wool accessories. Hats, scarves, mittens, anything that I could put between my skin and the wicked cold, biting wind.

I have been a knitter for twenty years, how do I not already have these items? I have lived in Indiana for twenty years, a state with only a chain link fence between it and the North Pole, and today, someone left the here open. How do I not already have warm woollies to protect myself string the cold, much less my darling small boys?

Some knitters can make adorable trendy accessories: purses, and teeny tiny fashionista scarves. I have a couple of those. Today I was reminded of the original purpose of knitting, from countries that don't have sunlight year round: to keep your loved ones from freezing to death, especially in weeks like this.  By the weekend, the temps are supposed to get up to the 20's, which compared to today will feel positively balmy. 

Meanwhile, I need to start planning some new projects, warm ones, in wool. I daresay Indiana will have another cold winter in the next few years. 

Today, it is all about bracing from the cold.  

And then there were 18

 

Sea foam Stripes is finally finished. I don't remember how long I have been working on this shawl, but I do know it is counted in years. I also know that the shawl outlived its appeal before it was off the needles. 

I started this shawl before I knew how to knit lace. Before I knew the value of quality yarn. Before. 

So the new plan is to donate the shawl. Somewhere, someone will love the style, color and warmth. 

Today, it is all about the other someone out there. 

How many is that?

As we did our usual " what's on your needles?" circle around the room at Knittervention last night. When it was my turn, I proudly held up Celtic Sage: a lace shawl. 

"How many do you have now?"  Lace shawls? Um, four. I didn't bother asking if they meant finished or unfinished, because the answer is ironically the same. 

Is that excessive?  Have I become a one trick knitter? I have other techniques In progress. Color work. Shaping. Socks. Afghans. Sweaters. Yet I keep coming back to the lace. I am sure there is a symbolic message in there, but I am too tired to identify it. (Long story. Mother in law. Middle of the night phone call. Emergency visit to treat a fever. Not fun.). 

Tonight, it is all about the single focus. 

Last possible minute

The Christmas knitting was timely this year. Mostly. I finished both sets of fingerless mitts with time to spare. That triumph made me cocky. 

I started the coffee mug cozy and nearly finished it, weeks ahead of schedule. Plenty of time before Christmas Eve, so I let myself get distracted by other projects. Working ahead of schedule is usually when the wheels come off the wagon. 

So fast forward to Christmas Eve. There I was, knitting on the drive up. And knitting before the meal. And after the meal. I did finish just before the bingo started. Good thing, since this was intended to be one of the bingo gifts. I think that was the closest I have ever cut to a knitting deadline, and still made the deadline. (The Christmas present that was finished the following July doesn't count.)

So now we get to my distraction.  

Celtic Sage. Six inches long, and already breathtaking. I have only completed the border, and started the stockinette center section. Eventually, there will be an intricate center motif. Something tells me I am long way from that point. 

From past experience, I am starting to worry about whether or not I will have enough yarn. So far, I still have a ball of yarn that is five inches in diameter. (Diameter, not circumference.) and I still have two more hanks.  I will worry about screwing up the center motif. Plenty of time to worry about yarn later. 

Today, it is all about choosing the worries. 

A Revolt

I have been very good about focusing Christmas knitting and 2 for 1 vow.  Four fingerless mitts completed (except for the weaving ends) and one coffee mug cozy nearly completed. So it was only predictable that such focus and monogamy would result in a rebellion.  

This isn't Christmas knitting, and it is not nearly finished, so isn't rushing to be a finished object for the 2 for 1 vow. It is actually the least completed of all of the works in progress. And yet, this is what I have been working on for the past week. 

Today, it is all about being a rebel. 

Unworthy knits

Two project nearing completion.  So close . . .

Seafoam Stripes is down to the last half skein.  The last few inches.  Which has me thinking more and more what to do with it, when I am finished.   I started this shawl years ago, before I learned how to knit lace.  The design is very simple, but not in a classic sense.  Just boring.  And I am not even all that wild about the color anymore.

I may keep it for a while, to decide for certain, but I am leaning towards donating it.

I want me knitting to be something that warms my heart, as well as my body.  When I wear something I have made, I want it to make me walk a little taller, and feel like a compliment of it is honest, not just polite.  A couple weeks ago, I wore Aurora Borealis to the theatre.  A woman in the parking garage complimented me, and asked where I had bought it, or if someone had made it for me.  You can imagine my pride when I said that I had knitted it myself.  And I believe her.

I don't think Seafoam Strips will make me feel the same.  I don't think I love it, so I don't think I will wear it like it deserves to be worn.  But someone out there may fall in love with it, and I feel like the best thing would be to release the shawl, for someone else to find.   

Btw, I almost wore Fuchsia Wave to the theatre, but it was too scratchy on my bare arms.  How did I not notice that with the knitting?  Are my fingers less sensitive than my arms?

Today, it is all about the release.