Making it my own

This knitting gig has taught me many things - patience being the biggest (and I still have lots to learn in that department). The other thing I'm learning is to trust my instincts, and that's what I did with this little item.

My Greengable hoodie, without the hood.

The more I read about the hood on Ravelry the more I was uncertain if I really wanted one. I wouldn't say I'm the hoodie type anyway. And if I wanted to wear this sweater to work, I likely would not with a hood on it. So I took a leap, and trusted in my abilities and I winged it.

And it turned out great. I'm happy with the neck line and the collar. It feels much more like me.

I'm learning that the pattern is not written in stone, and that I'm a good enough knitter to figure it out myself.

The Itch is Back

I got it again. That annoying and nagging itch. I was doing soooo well in controlling it. Taking appropriate precautions. Thinking the condition had relapsed.

Then

BAM.

It's back.

Startitis. Back to haunt me again.

I worked through my Christmas list well - got everything done on time. Heck, I even have a couple of extra projects in the gift basket that weren't given away. They're good for next year.

Then Christmas past.

And it started.

Innocently enough, as these things do. I brought out some socks from the retreat and restarted them. Then, I bought a new bright red coat and realized I had absolutely no scarf to wear with it (with all my orange and browns and greens, there was nothing in the red spectrum). Then I decided I needed mitts to go along with the new scarf and the new coat. Then I decided that I should really restart that sweater I had been working on in the fall.

Bam.

It's back. I got 47 things on the needles and they're all calling my name.

And don't forget all those January birthdays.

I'm a few days into the new year and already I'm drowning in projects. I guess there could be worse things.

Now where did I put my hydrocortisone cream?? I need to soothe this itch.

Acceptance of Facts

Fact #1: My Greengable Hoodie will not be done for the Fall Fiber Arts Retreat.
I have hit a few road blocks including needle issues (don't ask) and screwed up cables (don't ask) requiring frogging. I really wanted to have it done, but unless I don't sleep, don't eat and don't play with my kids for the next 10 days, I am NOT getting this baby done. I'm sorely disappointed.

Fact #2: I will not have Princess Leia ears for Halloween.
I was winging this baby, and given that I used no math or measurements or pattern or anything, shockingly, they haven't worked out. I have wasted precious time on something that will not come to be; this is the most frustrating part to me. My knitting time is limited, obviously. When I waste time on something that will never be, I am pissed. I can't get that time back for another project. But it wasn't working and sometimes there is no point in forcing the issue.


Fact #3: My husband rocks.
This isn't really hard to accept as fact, because, well, I did marry him. But, I do like to complain about him sometimes - his absent-mindedness, his inability to know what's going on when, and his general un-organizedness (is that a word?). But really, I got it good. He is ready for his 4 day abandonment while I got to the retreat. He takes it in stride. Hockey with 2 small kids and no extra help, no worries. Birthday preps, bring it on (in an itemized list from his wife of course). Everyone always says "What will he do while you're gone? What about this, that or the other thing?". He just takes it as it comes. Oh, I'll still worry about everything while I'm gone, but I know he won't. Guess that's why we're a team.


Fact #4: I need no more yarn.
Ugh. I had accepting this fact. I think I'm going to make some hard rules about yarn accrual in the new year. I need no yarn. None. I could happily knit what I have right now and be good for a long time (and by long time, I mean up till retirement). And it's not that I have a ridiculous amount or anything, but I just don't go through it that quickly. I need to accept this fact. It's the hardest one by far.