It's Not A Contest...

Good Morning Everyone!

Who hasn't been loving these temperatures? I go straight into overdrive, I can't knit fast enough!! If you need proof, you should check out my Florence Sweater, I'M ON SLEEVE ISLAND!! How did that happen? I can barely believe it myself, I guess I made some serious progress since Saturday's KAL. Then there's that feeling of panic, what will I cast on next? I'm absolutely torn, which project(s) shall I add to the queue? It sounds trivial, but it's not, it requires much thought, something I take seriously. I pulled my entire stash apart trying to make the best decision, what did I accomplish? Not much, I kicked my anxiety into high gear...where did I get all of this yarn? It never ceases to amaze me the number of projects I swore I couldn't live without that I rediscover during these manic episodes. Inevitably, I couldn't decide which big project to start, instead, I was left with an overwhelming mess. The struggle is real, friends, we know this...

Until I can make a sound decision, I guess I will continue to work on my Shifty 2.0, it is a lot of fun to knit. For some reason, my initial attempt was met with a bit of confusion, I have no idea why. Perhaps the second time around it made more sense? Honestly, I can't account for the lapse in my understanding, the pattern isn't difficult. I hadn't worked on this sweater for so long, I wasn't even sure I'd remember where I'd left off. Those pattern notes weren't helping too much, I did remember I was in the middle of tinking out a section where I'd changed color in the wrong place, still a mystery. My only option was to take it out until I knew where I was starting again, this actually ended up working to my advantage, for once...I wasn't exactly loving this sweater, the colors were off, it robbed me of motivation. That beautiful skein of Gold wool I bought at Harrisville Designs, on a whim, turned out to be the missing link in my sweater. It was the permission I needed to move forward, it was PERFECT!! I have almost finished the section that I'd frogged, it looks so much better, I finally understand why the universe put this sweater "on hold." Thank-you universe for showing me a better combination of color and for reminding me not to settle. If you don't like it, don't knit it...

I have been on a quest to introduce you to new fingering weight yarns, guess what? They're here!! I have a lovely selection of new colors and fibers by Fonty and Amano yarns, you're going to love them!! As I was rifling through my stash, I also stumbled across several patterns that I'd printed up but hadn't found the yarn for yet. I'd forgotten about Jenn Steingass' Thistlewood https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/thistlewood That of course led me to my Ravelry library thus reintroducing myself to so much more inspiration and complete sensory overload. Why do I do this to myself? It is simply amazing to me how rapidly I fall down that rabbit hole every single time I try to make a decision. Is there such a thing as too much inspiration? I think not... I may not be capable, mentally of casting on another sweater, but I'm pretty sure I can handle a new pair of mittens, stay tuned...

It is worth mentioning that in 4 months, Christmas will be over. You still have plenty of time to plan, cast on, bind off and wrap your presents if you start NOW!! I have lots of ideas, especially since I just went through all of my patterns lol...I have been giving you fair warning, apparently the only person who has been listening is my friend Sharon. She sent me an amazing photo of the beautifully knit and crocheted gifts her family will be receiving for Christmas. Kind of puts me to shame, in my defense, my boss doesn't afford me any extra time to knit for others. Plus, you all know how much I procrastinate, I will want to knit all the pretty things for gifts about 2 days before Christmas, DO NOT BE ME!! If this is your year to make your gifts, I CAN HELP!!

We will be meeting tomorrow evening, Wednesday 6-7:30 for Stitch and Bitch, I hope you can join in the fun. Make it a great day and I'll see you soon!

Katy