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I'm also still plugging away on the Town Square Jacket. If anyone is thinking of making this, I would suggest starting with the sleeves. They are the biggest pieces in this sweater! I have maybe about 5" to go on the second sleeve. If I have the concentration ability today, I should get it done. Then I can sew it up and do the collar.
So I'm already looking at the September Challenge and I did throw a couple of WIP's on the "current" list to be sure I have some variety to try to finish. As long as the project was started before Sept 1, I'm allowing myself to include it as a potential challenge project.
I already have an idea for a "theme" for the October challenge... more to come on that next month.
Today's goal:
Finish the second sleeve on the Town Square Jacket. Easy as pie (which if you've ever made one, know it's not so easy...)
Cropped Cardigan Redux
Town Square Cardigan
Flyingdales Cardigan
Scoop du Jour
Marnie
Cable O's Vest
Sampler Pullover
Ribby Cardy
Marilyn
Leisure Arts Sampler Afghan
Leisure Arts Crochet Sampler
Project Linus Sampler Afghan
Cozy Shawl Collared Aran
Cross Over Top
Denim Socks
Fair Isle Tote
Part of it may be because I'm working on the same projects and I'm tired of talking about them? The second Fair Isle Tote still needs to be lined. I'm still working on the second sleeve for the Town Square Jacket.
I am sort of picking up other projects here and there just to give myself a little break. I've done a little more on the Scoop du Jour and I've decided to go forward with the Spring Forward (but, dang, now that I'm in the body, one row takes forever!). I've even started some fun projects here and there. I've cast on the Ribby Cardy for Matt and I've also started a Sampler Pullover for me. Both of these projects are being done in acrylic yarns so that they can be abused.
I'm going to do a bit of a defensive rant about why I knit with acrylic yarn. I know some of the yarn snobs out there don't get why some of us are willing to use acrylic. The main reason I am willing to knit with acrylic? Practicality. I can't have every sweater I make (and I make all my sweaters) to be high maintance and expensive. Just as I wouldn't buy jeans that need to be dry cleaned, I can't have handwashable sweaters to do messy work in. I can't clean toilets in a mohair sweater. I need something comfortable and easy care. Something that I can toss in the washer and dryer, just like a favorite sweatshirt.
If I only had the time to knit one or two sweaters a year, yes, they would all be done in lovely fibers and be works of art, and I would buy my cheap around the house sweaters. I do use lovely fibers for projects, but I just can't justify it for all of them. End rant-sorry, just feeling a bit defensive..
So today the Fair Isle tote will be finished. I absolutely must line it today and get it off my list. I also want to get a few more inches done on the Town Square Jacket's second sleeve. I really want to get that done this week so I can get a head start on the September Challenge!
Crowing Ram
for the button.
Donate to the JDRF Walk For A Cure
This one went soooo much faster than the first one, but I'm done with bags for a bit. Time to get back to my sweaters.
I'm also about hafway thru the increases on the second sleeve for the Town Square Jacket. Hmmm, let's see if the trend continues and it will go faster than the first. Probably not.
So that will finish up my August Challenge goals, and I'm already looking at my September Goals. For those that want to sign up, just head over to the August page and leave a tag. The rules are simple: pick 2 projects that you want to finish by the end of September (this is flexible, if you only want to pick one, that's okay too). All I ask is that you leave tags on a regular basis. Set mini goals and give updates often. These Challenges only work if we participate and encourage each other.
As for my own goals for September, I'm adding a few extra perimeters to my Challenge. I must chose 2 projects from the Current WIP list from the side bar. No starting quick easy projects just so I can finish them up (as I did with the August Challenge). So 2 things from that list must be done by the end of September. I'm also going to shoot for 2 afghan squares done by the end of the month.
In non knitting news:
First, Matt is officially a Cat 4 rider! He now will need 18 points to get to Cat. 3 (he's already received 2 points for his Mt. Nebo placement... he needs a total of 20 points to move up to the next Cat).
Second, my Xbox died over the weekend. I did get a new one, but all my game saves are gone, which for some games is annoying, but not terrible. Actually, it's nice as I'll go back and play some favorites just so that I have access to the level selects.
Happy Monday and Happy Knitting!
However, I did get my freaking sleeve done yesterday. One more sleeve to go.
I thought I would have the first sleeve done on the Town Square Jacket on Tuesday. I even took it to Stitch n Bitch and finished the increases. I figured once the increases were done, I was almost done. Nope. I had 6 more freaking inches to go!!! So I thought, well I can get that done on Wednesday. Nope. I now have 2 more freaking inches to go.
I will have it done today. There is no stopping me. I can handle knitting 2 more freaking inches in one day. At least let's hope so.
Then I have to go thru all this again for the other sleeve. However, I think I'll take a little break before I tackle that sleeve and do the button bands and the collar.
If all else fails, I'm going to cast on an other project.
Today's August Challenge Goals:
Knit 2 more freaking inches on the Town Square Jacket.
Anyway, I did forget to give specifics on pattern/yarn etc. I know I've mentioned it in my blog while I was working on it, but here's a summery:
Pattern: Knitted Fair Isle Tote Bag
Yarn: Black Water Abbey
Purchased as a kit directly from BWA.
Colorway: Old Genetian
Needles: size 7 US (4.5 mm)
Changes to the pattern: none, but I did use a different button than what came with the kit. Oh wait, the second color on the handles is different than the directions (I was supposed to use moss, but I used the Autumn instead)
Problems: none. What??? no fitting problems? no gauge problems, no mistakes in the pattern? that can't be right. Only thing that didn't workout well is my top stitching on the pocket (and since I was going for sturdy, I used a small stitch length and I'm not ripping it out!!
So the August Challenge was very beneficial on getting this done. I probably would've continued to procrastinate on the lining if it hadn't been for the Challenge.
Speaking of the August Challenge, I will be hosting a September Challenge as well. Same thing, 2 projects with mini goals, etc. This time I must chose 2 projects already started. I cheated for August, both projects were started in August. That's not really what I want to do. I want to clean out some almost done things...
However, the Town Square Jacket is moving along well. I'm halfway thru the first sleeve and expect to have it finished today. That's today goal.
I made an inserted pocket in the lining. I haven't sewn in a couple of years (apart from just a little project here and there). It shows. It's not as neat as I would like, but it's okay.
So that's one project done for my August Challenge, one to go!