stash, knit, repeat

It’s a pretty nose-to-the-grindstone weekend here in foggy CA, but the good news is that having a stockinette sock actually helps me concentrate on the reading.

What a relief, because I was pretty worried I’d make a shameful showing for the knit-along! I’m sure I’ll have the lowest number of FOs given how prolific my fellow crafters are, but two pairs of socks and a baby sweater isn’t *so* bad.

I’m really loving the J. Knits yarn, although I do notice the nylon content. The colors are blending beautifully, and the pattern (I’m using Wendy’s generic toe-up) is great! I’m not sure whether I’ll do another short-row heel except in variegation-saving situations–it doesn’t hug my foot the way a heel flap does. But I’m totally in love with the toe. For them’s that don’t know already, a short-row toe is done like this:

First, a provisional cast-on for half the number of stitches. This is the worst part, for me. I hate provisional cast-ons, because I hate to crochet. I just can’t seem to make it work right for me.

Then, you knit shorter and shorter rows to the end of the toe, and then longer and longer rows (picking up the wraps) until you’ve basically gotten back to where you started.

Unravel the provisional cast-on, slap those babies on a needle, and knit in a tube until the heel. Brilliant!

The first sock is done, and the second going strong. I’m really hoping to finish these up in time to close out the knit-a-long… we’ll see. I am hoping for three projects in May, too: An indoor cap I owe my grandpa, the Shetland Triangle from Wrap Style, and Tulip. Oh, how I long to wear a spring knit!

The problem is, even when the pattern is quick and you love the yarn and you’re flying along, it’s tough to make progress when you have next to zero knitting time.

(Yes, folks, she even multitasks during a photo shoot.)

When we moved to CA last year, one of the major reasons we did so was to allow me to stay home with Jacob. Still, I saw no reason to burn bridges and I told my old employer that if they found themselves with a short-term project matching my skills, I would probably be willing to do some contract work for them. Last week, they offered me a contract to write a short-term report, and I took it. It’s my first outside employment since we moved here 7 months ago, and while I’m enjoying it, it’s sure cut into my knitting time! We still don’t have a babysitter here yet, so I’m squeezing in the research and writing when I can. Hopefully someone will answer my ads at the child development programs of local colleges… we’ll see.

I guess I picked a good month to focus on short-term projects… nothing else would get done!

Happy holidays to those who are celebrating!

One of the elements of the Passover seder is a recital (and non-answer, but that’s a different topic) of four questions, ostensibly from a child, asking why this night is different from all other nights. I’d like to add a fifth:

On all other nights, Mum-mum relaxes over her knitting for a few hours. Why is that on this night, Mum-mum doesn’t get to knit a stitch?

Which is to say that my “quick fix”? Isn’t so quick.

I’m working on the heel flap of my Jaywalker, but only because I decided to shorten the sock by 3/4″. I also tried out something that may not work–I knit the leg in the larger size, then decreased just before starting the heel flap. My calves are pretty huge, so I knew I wanted the extra room there. But my feet are pretty normal. We’ll see!

One of the potential benefits of the quick fix is happening, though. Since I don’t need to concentrate in the slightest, my mind is free to wander to the ever-inspiring list of Things I Want To Knit for Myself. Today’s happy daydream is Salina from Rowan’s Vintage Style. What projects are dancing around in your mind, these days?

While going through my morning blog ritual, I noticed Aija’s reminder that today is Flash your Stash day. I’ve never done it before, but I’m thinking about a stash photo page (a la Ashley), and this seemed like a good way to ease into a public admission of the size of my stash.

(Plus, the good knitting progress fodder for the day, such as it is, will be over at the knit-a-long. There’s still time to join us!)

So anyway, here’s my stash. I wanted to take a picture of it all at once, but aliens threatened abduction if I did so it only barely all fit on my table. To appease the aliens make it more manageable, I photographed groups instead.

The sock yarn (21 pairs):

The lace-weight (10 shawls):

Sweaters for me or Jacob (14):

Gift sweaters (5):

Small amounts (8 small projects):

So there you have it. Amy’s stash, as of April 1 2007. Show us yours!!!

Seriously, show us yours! Would a gratuitously cute baby picture convince you?

C’mon. How could you say ‘no’ to that face?!

*****

(Seraphim is blocked and unpinned and lovely, and I chose to start off the Quick-Fix month of April with a pair of Jaywalkers. I’ll post all of the info at the knit-a-long blog, with occasional cross-posts here.)

Know what I mean? Days when you look around at your stash, at magazines, at your works-in-progress, and all you see is the same project, stretching from here to eternity, blah blah blah. The only antidote is the rush of a quickly-finished item. Baby hats whipped out in a day, socks that fly off the needles, a one-skein wonder…

Sometimes we all need our FO fix to keep us motivated and happy. This spring is an especially good time to give into the urge: Roza’s Socks, Acorn Hats, Monica, not to mention all of the old favorites!

So join me in making April the month of the quick knitting fix. I’ve set up a knit-a-long blog and a flickr group to share experiences and photos. And if you don’t have anything in your stash that tempts your tummy, consider asking Ellen to hook you up–she has some really unique and beautiful yarns, including the yarns I’m trying to decide between:

(That’s JuJuKnits, CTH, and J. Knits sock yarn.)

Leave a comment here or at the knit-a-long blog to join, and spread the word!