Marji's Yarncrafts

I'd like to say that the reason I haven't been writing is that I have been knitting like crazy. However, not so much. I have been trying to get some of my older projects done and did succeed in finishing my second Flyaway Cardigan. I also produced some silly things; a very ugly hat that will never see the light of day and the start of my new long-term project 'The Beekeeper's Quilt". I am excited about using my vast collection of koigu scraps for the quilt, though if the truth be told, I have made exactly 3 of the 350-or-so little puffy hexagons that will make up the finished product. A little over-confident of my knitting time, you might say....
I suppose you might have a point. ;-)

You would think that being out of power for 5 days, in the house, shop closed, etc. would be a real knitting bonanza. Nope. No TV, no knitting. I am such a creature of habit and I seem to need my junky tv shows playing in order to be able to knit, unless I am being held captive in a car and even then my attention wanders off and my eyes glaze over. 

This week, I am trying to catch up. I have finished all the knitting on the koigu jacket, just have to weave in the ends. Then,  will embellish it somewhat with a contrast color and be done. I have set a goal of finishing it tonight so we know it will be at least another week. I have some great stuff on the list for what I will knit next and all the yarn picked out and in a basket lest I forget my plans. Kind of overwhelming when I look at it, but I am telling myself that having it all sit there like that will keep me on track!?!?

I think, by now, those of you who lost your power must be on again. I sure do hope so! I hope that you found some time to knit or read and that your lives are getting back to as normal as they can be!

Really. I don't know what makes me think I have a ghost of finishing my adult size "baby Kendyl" jacket in one week's time! However, I am plugging away and have both sleeves done and with any luck I'll get the bodice finished in the next two days! Thank goodness most of the tv series are into the new season, because I sure have been sitting in front of the tv every chance I get.
Stitches is NEXT WEEK!! And, maybe I'll be ready! I'm starting to pack this weekend so I can be ready to load and start setup on Wednesday. I am really excited, Ellyn Cooper will be bringing some new models and I haven't even see them yet! All the stuff from Rowan will be arriving directly at the Convention Center, so that will be an exciting treasure hunt. Of course, I am also waiting on a last-minute shipment from Koigu to add to what is already going! Can't wait!

Okay, I got the body done on my second FLYAWAY and the sleeves are left but..... suddenly I am all in a panic because STITCHES EAST is in 6 weeks and I have to get some new stuff knitted!!!!!!! So, out goes the cardigan and I picked up another UFO: the BABY WRAP SWEATER from Churchmouse Classics. I actually started this one in anticipation of last year's Stitches and ran out of steam - as usual! Once I am done with that, I still have an adult jacket in Koigu KPPPM that is started. Well, "started" may be a bit of an overstatement - I have about 3" done one one sleeve - but it is on the needles so I guess that counts :-)

Hooray! I have finally finished my sumer linen top. Just in time to hopefully wear it once before I hang it in the shop! I don't know why it's taken me so long; perhaps it's because I haven't actually been at the top of my "knitting game" this summer! Every time I sit down to knit, I relax and fall asleep, nodding over my needles. One night I didn't even get a whole row knitted even though I jolted awake many times to knit a stitch or two. 
    It came out well, though (my top, not the row...). I like the drape of linen and it is a very comfortable fiber to wear. 
    So... on to the next project. This one is a UFO from last spring. I am knitting my second "Flyaway" cardigan. I have one hanging in the shop, but I thought I'd make a second one so that I would have one to use,too. This will work way better than my usual method, which is to come trotting downstairs to the shop , fully dressed but for a top, to frantically look around for what might go with the day's outfit!