When I signed up for the first Year of Projects I had a really clear idea of the things I intended to make over the 12 month period. There would be a mixture of knitting and crochet, some more challenging items to help develop new skills, and a whole host of random patterns from my Ravelry favourites. Half way through the year I had a major cull, removing things that I no longer needed or which no longer inspired, but I still didn't make everything on the revised list. For this reason, I'm keeping this year's list more flexible and for the majority, rather than listing specific patterns, will commit only to making certain types of items and using up certain yarns without specifying the patterns. Where possible I'll use patterns from my library, but certainly don't want to be restricted to only using these.
PART 1 - THE 'PROJECT' LIST
PART 2 - STASHBUSTING
PART 1 - THE 'PROJECT' LIST
2nd YoP Inspiration Board |
- Knitted cardigan or jacket for Little Miss. I have all the Spice Girls patterns by Elena Nodel and also like My Honey.
- An item of clothing for My Boy - not sure what yet...?
- At least one toy each for my children - possibly something from my Book of Knitted Monsters - Little Miss likes this one
- Something for D. This will be tricky. He says he'd like a big baggy jumper but he's very tall and broad and I'd be knitting ALL YEAR to make him a jumper, not to mention needing several sheep's worth of wool... and then it'd accidentally end up in the hot wash or the tumble dryer. (D, if you see this post FORGET IT, it'll be something smaller than a jumper but that doesn't mean I don't love you!)
- Cardigan for myself - I have lots of cardi patterns but never seem to find a yarn that's inexpensive in large quantities yet nice enough to make something special (it's got to be something nice to be worth all the knitting involved). Finding suitable yarn will be the first mission. I may go for something "matchy matchy" with Little Miss from Elena Nodel as I think she'd love that, or I could just pick something from the already extensive list in my queue/favourites like Caramel or Carlyle.
- Hat for myself, possibly a quick crochet version (because I'm fed up of everyone asking if I made my hat and having to say no, when I've made hats for everyone else!)
- Crochet cushion cover (carried over from last year's list)
- Complete the Crochet Circles Throw I started last year
- Tea cosy (carried over from last year's list)
PART 2 - STASHBUSTING
Ideally I'd like to use the yarn from my "stash" before buying more but in particular I'd like to use:
- 150g/600m Kauni Effektgarn EQ (rainbow) which was purchased to make a Whippoorwill like this one ... or maybe I should buy more and use it for a Nuvem like this one...?
- 100g/400m superwash wool/nylon 4 ply in greens and yellow from Dye Spin Knit - an impulse purchase
- 100g/400m merino 4 ply 'Spectrum' from the Yarn Yard which I bought after seeing a sock FO made from this yarn and knew I had to have some... but have no plans yet on what to make with it.
- 300g of 'Armonia Multi' from Little Knitting Co was a gift from my sister in law and I haven't found the right pattern for it...yet!
- 1+ skeins of Ruth & Belinda "Thick Wool" left over from my Bella Wrap
- 2 x 50g of Regia sock wool in bright 'kid' colours
- Wendy Sorrento DK 50g - 3 x blue, 3 x pink, 1 x cream
- King Cole Merino Blend DK - 3 x 50g in various shades of green, 1 x 50g in purple
- LOTS of mini-skeins which were bought for the Beekeeper's Quilt (far more than pictured). They need to be made into hexipuffs or something else that is suitable for lots of small quantities of 4ply/ sock yarn (I have a few ideas for this and am still contemplating)
- 2 different 100g/400m skeins of Superwash BFL from Juno Fibre Arts.
So there you have it! If last year was anything to go by, there will be lots of other 'off-list' projects over the next 12 months, but I'm planning to get through as many of these as I can. As I'm not working exclusively from this list, I'll post Sunday updates when there is something to report and will be checking out the other posts too. If you haven't already signed up to the 2nd Year of Projects but think you'd like to, pop along to the Ravelry group for lots of information and a weekly thread to you can share your blog link. I can't wait to see what everyone else is planning!
I've found the Rowan Wool Cotton I bought for Eleonora to be a lovely yarn for cardigans, it wasn't too expensive (although admittedly I bought it in John Lewis and got my discount), but it's soft and the stitches are well defined, and it feels far more luxurious than it ought to.
ReplyDeleteOh great tip - thanks!
DeleteYour list is perfection, and like me stash busting is top on my list!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think between the yarn and patterns I already have, there could be quite a lot of great stuff to make! :)
DeleteI think you're wise to organize your list this way! Dark Matter Knits is supposed to have wonderful patterns for little boys (I've never used them, so I can't say for sure, but the photos are lovely!).
ReplyDeleteThanks Marie, I'll go and have a look now :)
DeleteWhat a great list of projects and stash busting yarn, brilliant idea and I'm sure will leave a wonderful array of made goodies for your year. Looking forward to seeing some. I really love the look of some of the Elena Nodel patterns and will go have a look at some of those in greater detail. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteThey look great - I can't wait to get started on one of those, although I am trying to hold out a few months in the hope that we actually have some summer first
DeleteOh that yarn looks lovely. Your list is interesting and I'm glad you'll be making things for yourself as well. Look forward to seeing the pics.
ReplyDeleteThanks :)
DeleteGreat start to the Year of Projects. I love your pile of stash too - is that ALL of your stash or just want you want to use? I have quite a bit of the Wendy Sorrento and I'm using it for my One a Day project.
ReplyDeleteHi Carole, no this isn't all my yarn but it's the stuff I really want to use up this year - I'm hoping that being on the list will make me remember it's there :)
DeleteI LOVE your list! Flexibility definitely is the key isn't it? I think last year I had all these things I wanted to make but then I just wasn't "in the mood" to make any of them. Good luck! Can't wait to see updates :)
ReplyDeleteI love that you added the yarn that you want to stash bust to the list. What a great idea. Can't wait to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteYou've got some lovely stash to use up so it will lots of fun to see what you make. I love those Spice Girls cardigans, I might see if I can have a go at one myself if my knitting improves.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, and I am very jealous of your stash yarn, it's all beautiful!
ReplyDeletewhat a wonderful list & awesome stash too.
ReplyDeleteGreat list and I love your flexibility! Your stash yarn is beautiful and I can't wait to see your progress.
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Lots of options with all that yummy yarn. The way you have done up your list makes me think you will be very successful in reaching your goals. Oh and by the way, the My Honey sweater pattern is now in my ever lovin' and growin' favorites list! :)
ReplyDelete*smiles and cheery thoughts*
I bet little miss would LOVE a matching sweater to Mom's. My older sister and I really got a kick out of dressing alike when I was five and she was ten. So cute :)
ReplyDeleteNice list and nice colorful stash. Best of luck as we all embark on this mission together.
ReplyDeletei love that you included a picture of your stash! that is awesome! this looks like a great list!
ReplyDeleteI love your list it seems very achievable :) I have the same problem trying to find yarn I can afford for cardigans, but I'm determined to manage it. My stash also needs to shrink so I made that a part of my list too :)
ReplyDeleteDo I dare ... committing to things always seems to guarantee I won't complete them!
ReplyDeleteFascinating to read all about your list of projects and stash busting possibilities. I need to think about this!
All of that beautiful yarn makes me want to run up to my stash and stroke it to remind myself of its beauty! hehehehhehehe
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing what you make ove the year... I've almost got a year of WIPs to complete. My goal is to finish all WIPs on needles before I start a new project... we'll see how that pans out!
XXX
your stash yarn is gorgeous. I love the Saffron and the Paprika sweaters. I'm so glad you are continuing the circles throw, that was one of my favorites on your list last year.
ReplyDeleteI love how you're making projects for you and the ohana! I totally LOL'd at your husband's part. I totally feel ya on that. I won't knit my husband a sweater; he's 6 ft. tall and wears XL as he doesn't like tight clothing. It would take me forever too!
ReplyDelete