It's January already? What...we're halfway through?....ohhh...

Many things to update! I am frankly shocked that we are already more than halfway through this month, but I am trying not to panic.

First, I wanted to publicly list my New Year's Yarn resolutions, so that it is a matter of public record. I am currently experiencing stash overload, so to combat this I have made the following rules to help reduce/manage stash and learn new stuff:

Stash Reduction Resolutions:

• No new sock yarn purchases unless 300 grams have been used, so for each 3 pairs of socks that I knit, I can buy one new ball of sock yarn. This shall hold until I reduce my current sock stash of about 46 pairs to at least half, about 23 pairs or so.
• I cannot buy new non-sock yarn unless I use at least twice that amount. The goal here is to half my non-sock yarn stash.

Organization:

• Build an Access database to hold current projects, stash, and "I want to knit" list all in one.

Want to Learn:

• I want to improve spinning ability
• Learn entrelac
• Learn how to do mitered squares
• Take a finishing class
• Make a cardigan so I can learn how to do a button band (Bristow?)
• Steek!!!

Also to help reduce stash, I joined the Knit a Sweater a Month KAL!!!! I think I may be a bit crazy, as I am trying to finish up my dissertation this semester and get my house ready for market, but I really want to work on knitting from stash this year. So....we shall see. My current list of the twelve sweaters that I want to knit this year are:

1. Hourglass in Rowanspun Aran color: Heath
2. Erin from Hot Knits book in a variety of worsted yarns
3. Cheesy Puffs in a green Merino/Cashmere blend that I have from School House Products (For DH)
4. Rogue in either an oatmealy Cascade 220 or sage green Jaeger Shetland Aran
5. Rachel from Hot Knits in Rowan Cork
6. Joseph Sweater in Rowanspun Chunky color:Excaliber (For DH)
7. Elsie Cardigan in Jaeger Luxury Tweed color: Blue Sea (For Aunt T)
8. Cyd Vest in Jaeger luxury Tweed
9. A simple turtleneck in Rowanspun DK color:Mouse
10. V-neck in Jaeger Luxury Tweed color: Fern
11. Zara Sweater in Big Wool Fusion
12. ? Wicked? Bristow? Hardangervidda?

The great ( and a bit disturbing) thing is that for all but Hardangervidda, all of the yarn needed to make all of these sweaters is in my stash. All. of. it. I do not need to shop at all. Wow.

As for current January status, Erin exists in the same condition as last year, body done and sleeves not done. I will be working on that as soon as I finish my January sweater:

Hourglass....mostly done. I did the mods and used the same yarn as doggedknits, and am very pleased with it. I ripped back both sleeves (too long), have finished one and am working on the last (6 more rows). The body may also be too long, so after I get the sleeves done I am going to assess the length and decide if I need to rip back the bottom a few inches. I will definitely finish it this month. Yeah!!!

Other things that I am working on/finished this month:


Bad Juju! I made it for a friend of mine who is having a rough time with her boss. Very quick knit, I used Lion Brand Wool-ease from the stash.

I have finished 1 pair of socks this month, and have three pairs on the needles. Fleece artist Ebony colorway using the 3x3 cable with moss stitch pattern from SKS, and some plain vanilla socks in a lovely self-striping:


Some lovely sparkly Socka Disco in the ribbed lace pattern form SKS:

I'm mixed about these, but I haven't ribbed them out yet. I am just putting them away for a bit to see how I feel in a few weeks.

I also want to introduce the newest member of my family:

We'll talk more about him later.....

Good luck to all my fellow Sweater a Month crazy knitters! We can do it! Really. I think....