Spring WIP Inventory
Oh man are the project lists on my sidebar outdated…
Over the past year I’ve gotten into the habit of casting on for a new project every time I manage to grab a bit of free time. If I’d put that energy into working on what I already had on the needles, I might have actually finished some of these things. The WIP bags have multiplied steadily around me and I realized today that I wasn’t even sure what was in some of them. With spring allegedly beginning tomorrow (and today it even felt like spring is around the corner), I decided tonight would be as good a time as any to dig through those WIP bags to see exactly what I had going on, to prioritize them, to perhaps decide to frog one or two… The following entry might very well be as dull as dirt for you. Sorry. It’s more for my own purposes than for bloggy entertainment.
1. Aran Hoodie in Patons Classic Wool from the Patons Street Smart pattern book.
I cast on for this one ages ago. Maybe over a year ago? As you can see, I didn’t get too far. You’re going to see quite a few projects that consist of nothing more than four- or five-inch backs as we go through these. I’d like to finish this one in the next couple of months. Since it’s a cardi it could still be worn on a cool day in May or June.
2. Debbie Bliss Ballerina Wrap sweater in baby cashmerino
This one’s been on the needles for a long time too. Crawling along on size threes. I love this yarn and want to own the sweater, but somehow I’m never in the mood for black yarn combined with the small gauge. Still, I’d like to finish it fairly soon.
3. The Lizard Socks. 
The first one was fun but then I lost interest. I promised a number of you that I would post the pattern, so I guess I should do that soon. I’ll probably bang out the second sock one of these days, but I’m not feeling in much of a hurry to get to it.
4. Debbie Bliss Ribbed Jacket in cotton cashmere.
Man, does this thing want blocking. It’s been stuffed into a project bag for months and it certainly shows. I was toying with the idea of frogging this, but it’s so close to done (just a sleeve and a half and the collar to go) that I think I’ll see it through. This would be a good sweater to have for overly air-conditioned offices in the summer, so I’m going to try to get it done relatively soon.
5. Texas cardi using Brooks Farms mohair.
This baby’s getting frogged. No reason in particular except that it bores me to tears. I think I’ll use this yarn for that sweet little Rebecca wrap instead. No rush on this one. Maybe I’ll get to it in the fall.
6. Meadow Flowers shawl in Fiesta Yarns Heaven.
This is one of those projects that I started one night on a whim and never picked up again. It’s been sitting around since December. It will probably sit around a while longer. No rush on this one. After I finished Clapotis I kind of lost the urge to make other shawls.
7. Syncopated Ribs from Fall 2004 IK in Cascade 220.
Yep, you probably guessed it. Started this one day on a work break and never came back to it. I’m trying to focus on cardis and jackets more than pullovers now, since my wardrobe is crying out for cardis, so this sweater is low priority. I may get back to it after the summer.
8. Lola cap from the Mission Falls Decade pattern book in Mission Falls 1824 Wool. (Noticing the influx of green? The greens are giving the reds and oranges a run for their money in my knitting these days.)
Too late for this baby. Winter’s come and gone. Maybe next year.
9. Little Leaf scarf in Celestial Merino.
I want to have this to wear when it gets to be too warm for Clapotis but still cool enough for a little something around my neck. That may not happen. Who am I kidding? There’s no way in hell that’s going to happen. Maybe I can finish it this summer to wear in the fall.
10. Corset Pullover from Spring 2003 IK in Rowan Calmer.
Don’t ask me why I posted that picture… There’s barely anything there to see. I’ve been meaning to knit this sweater since the issue was published. Today I finally started it. This one hopefully won’t spend too much time languishing in the project bag. I really want to wear this sweater. I suspect the Calmer may prove highly addictive.
11. Isa in KnitPicks Merino.
I’m just not interested in knitting wool pullovers right now. I’m so sick of winter and this sweater makes me think of snow and days cold enough to require the wearing of two hats. I think I’ll be tucking Isa into the WIP basket until fall.
12. Lopi Fair Isle Cardi in, well, Lopi.
This is the top priority project (gifts not included). I started this last week and I’m really hoping to get it done soon. I can see myself wearing it a lot while the weather is still on the cool side.
What isn’t pictured here? Any gift knitting, for fear of giving away the surprise. There’s a pair of gift socks on the needles and an alarming
number of baby gifts. SO much baby knitting to be done right now… That’s really all I should be doing, but I get so little knitting time at all that I get rather grumpy if I don’t spend some of it on projects for myself.
Oh…and that machine-knit cardi? Still haven’t touched it to do the ribbing. I need to do that soon and then I’ll take pictures of the machine and the sweater and share them.
Are you still here? You’re very patient. Need I mention there are probably twenty other projects calling to me from the stash right now? And of course I’m dying to start all of them. I’m really going to try to resist, though. I want to work my way through some of these WIPs and all that baby knitting before starting anything new.
So here’s the plan:
1. Lopi cardi
2. Ribbed jacket
3. Corset pullover
4. Aran hoodie
I want to finish these four projects before starting anything new. (And what’s waiting around, you ask? Two projects from the Rowan Vintage Knits books whose names I’ve forgotten at the moment. And Salt Peanuts for AGES now, and my Hanne Falkenberg Tokyo kit. I also want to get back to the tartan jacket, but that can wait till fall. And about a million pairs of socks. And my AbFab afghan kit. And a ribby cardi. And a flower basket shawl. And four or five retro preps in various yarns. And and and… Well, you get it. And you’re probably the same way. Admit it. Our eyes are bigger than our needles.)
All of this, mind you, is subject to change on a whim.
awesome post. enjoyed every minute of it.
i myself purchased more yarn yesterday and would love nothing more than to cast on for both projects. instead i am doing nothing. 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Geez, girl. You’ve out-rivaled even me for WIP that must get done soon. Looks like we have to schedule a lot of knitting dates 😉
Posted by: Jackie
It’s perfect time for some spring cleaning. And to put away some of those wintry projects. I’m amazed at everything you’ve got going. Your stash must be amazing. That Lopi is gorgeous, can’t wait to see yours 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
You’ve just made me feel worlds better about my paltry 6 or 7 current projects (counting gifts). And also inspired me to get cracking so I can shift into knitting cardigans…and finish my flowery shawl.
Posted by: naomi
Wow, I think you have almost as many WIP’s as I do…
Posted by: Jon
awesome post. enjoyed every minute of it.
i myself purchased more yarn yesterday and would love nothing more than to cast on for both projects. instead i am doing nothing. 🙂
Posted by: carolyn
Geez, girl. You’ve out-rivaled even me for WIP that must get done soon. Looks like we have to schedule a lot of knitting dates 😉
Posted by: Jackie
It’s perfect time for some spring cleaning. And to put away some of those wintry projects. I’m amazed at everything you’ve got going. Your stash must be amazing. That Lopi is gorgeous, can’t wait to see yours 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
You’ve just made me feel worlds better about my paltry 6 or 7 current projects (counting gifts). And also inspired me to get cracking so I can shift into knitting cardigans…and finish my flowery shawl.
Posted by: naomi
Wow, I think you have almost as many WIP’s as I do…
Posted by: Jon
This post put a major smile on my face. I have to admit I don’t have nearly as many WIP’s staring at me – I start hyperventilating with more than 3 things on the needles! However, there are 35 pairs of socks and 20 complete projects calling me from the stash bucket(s). I hear you pain – but I just keep finding more things to knit!!! .
Posted by: jacqueline
this post has struck a cord with with me and i’m sure many others. i have a feeling many (including myself) are about to take stock of those wipssssssssss (yes, there is a need for multiple s’s and then some. great post!
Posted by: froggy
I like your spring inventory !
Good news : I’m not alone !
Posted by: Françoise
It’s so true! See a pattern, want it, start it, and then the initial excitement wears off! You might be better off doing tension squares; you’ll be playing wiht the yarn and the pattern stitch! I’ve done a little bit of spring cleaning this morning (sorted through my wips basket, restashed yarn, reclaimed warm weather stash and reaquainted myself with the stash distribution!)
Dawn
Posted by: dawn
what a list! mine has grown tremendously also. when to get it done? how? and it’s still growing. at times, that’s how i feel – cast on for them all. good luck.
Posted by: lynette
You’re so right… my eyes are much, MUCH bigger than my needles! I haven’t cast on for quite as many projects, but enough… and I’ve bought yarn for way too many things I haven’t started yet. And my want to do list is big enough to last me at LEAST 2 years, and of course, great new patterns keep coming out. I’m in big trouble.
Posted by: Leisel
This post put a major smile on my face. I have to admit I don’t have nearly as many WIP’s staring at me – I start hyperventilating with more than 3 things on the needles! However, there are 35 pairs of socks and 20 complete projects calling me from the stash bucket(s). I hear you pain – but I just keep finding more things to knit!!! .
Posted by: jacqueline
this post has struck a cord with with me and i’m sure many others. i have a feeling many (including myself) are about to take stock of those wipssssssssss (yes, there is a need for multiple s’s and then some. great post!
Posted by: froggy
I like your spring inventory !
Good news : I’m not alone !
Posted by: Françoise
It’s so true! See a pattern, want it, start it, and then the initial excitement wears off! You might be better off doing tension squares; you’ll be playing wiht the yarn and the pattern stitch! I’ve done a little bit of spring cleaning this morning (sorted through my wips basket, restashed yarn, reclaimed warm weather stash and reaquainted myself with the stash distribution!)
Dawn
Posted by: dawn
what a list! mine has grown tremendously also. when to get it done? how? and it’s still growing. at times, that’s how i feel – cast on for them all. good luck.
Posted by: lynette
You’re so right… my eyes are much, MUCH bigger than my needles! I haven’t cast on for quite as many projects, but enough… and I’ve bought yarn for way too many things I haven’t started yet. And my want to do list is big enough to last me at LEAST 2 years, and of course, great new patterns keep coming out. I’m in big trouble.
Posted by: Leisel
That was fun !
You are not alone !
Posted by: Emma
Now that you’re organized, you should just whip thru all of those. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
I wanted to say “Thanks” for the photo blog on the Clapotis. I don’t knit, but I’ve been bitten by the bug and am converting the pattern to crochet. Your pictures helped immensely in doing this, much clearer then the ones at Knitty. So, thanks.
Posted by: Pam
Yes, thanks for sharing all your WIPs. While I appreciate your prioritized list I want to make a case for the lizard sock pattern. I have been lusting after these since the first one was finished! These are going to be perfect summer knitting for lots of us so I’m encouraging you to FINISH THE PATTERN!!!!! Thanks!
Posted by: Bonney
I *love* that Lopi cardie. Oh, my god. When you get a chance, can you tell me what Reynolds book it’s in?
xo
Posted by: Rachael
Oh! You’re making the Lopi cardi that is circled and starred in my Patternworks catalogue! I love it, and all that green is the perfect complement to your yarn hair. Which I’ll be seeing very soon…
Posted by: sarah g.
You’ve got some great projects started. Seems like pulling them out and examining them and if you still want to make them is a great creative step. It’s like spring cleaning of the best kind.
Posted by: Silvia
That was fun !
You are not alone !
Posted by: Emma
Now that you’re organized, you should just whip thru all of those. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.
I wanted to say “Thanks” for the photo blog on the Clapotis. I don’t knit, but I’ve been bitten by the bug and am converting the pattern to crochet. Your pictures helped immensely in doing this, much clearer then the ones at Knitty. So, thanks.
Posted by: Pam
Yes, thanks for sharing all your WIPs. While I appreciate your prioritized list I want to make a case for the lizard sock pattern. I have been lusting after these since the first one was finished! These are going to be perfect summer knitting for lots of us so I’m encouraging you to FINISH THE PATTERN!!!!! Thanks!
Posted by: Bonney
I *love* that Lopi cardie. Oh, my god. When you get a chance, can you tell me what Reynolds book it’s in?
xo
Posted by: Rachael
Oh! You’re making the Lopi cardi that is circled and starred in my Patternworks catalogue! I love it, and all that green is the perfect complement to your yarn hair. Which I’ll be seeing very soon…
Posted by: sarah g.
You’ve got some great projects started. Seems like pulling them out and examining them and if you still want to make them is a great creative step. It’s like spring cleaning of the best kind.
Posted by: Silvia
Really really really entertaining post! I loved seeing your projects, and cannot wait to see them finished. Happy knitting! 🙂
Posted by: Terhi
Oh dear. That is a lot. I have a similar problem in buying books and patterns, but thankfully haven’t fallen prey to startitis just yet. Good luck!
Posted by: melanie
I really like that corset pullover. I have some grey calmer that might want to be that..now that I’ve figured out that it doesn’t want to be Belle Epoque (tooo much drape/weight…)
Posted by: Amber
Way to spring clean! I’m trying to do the same and what I’ve discovered is that I need to keep much better notes. I have sweater in the stash that I know I did some modification too, but can’t remember what exactly, and another where I had to decide A or B and then couldn’t remember what I decided.
Your post helps me get off my butt and figure it out!
Posted by: Steph
You have enough knitting to do for some time. Fickle knitters unite!!
Posted by: margene
Ho Lee Crap. That’s alot of knitting….I know the feeling.
a warning about that Paton Merino- I used that very same yarn in that very same color to knit my first rogue,
and that first time I wore it out, it pilled like nobodys buisness. I wish I were kidding.
Posted by: Julia
first, I loved seeing all your projects…and at the end I felt better about my 3 wips. hehe I stand in awe…how you remember them..whew!
Posted by: heather
My stash looks very similar–including balls of yarn meted out for stuff I haven’t even started yet that keeps yelling at me when I dig thru the bags. Like the backdrop for all your pics, by the way.
Posted by: rachel
You are a very, very…um…prolific starter. Seriously, pick one wintery thing, finish it and move on to spring!
Posted by: claudia
Really really really entertaining post! I loved seeing your projects, and cannot wait to see them finished. Happy knitting! 🙂
Posted by: Terhi
Oh dear. That is a lot. I have a similar problem in buying books and patterns, but thankfully haven’t fallen prey to startitis just yet. Good luck!
Posted by: melanie
I really like that corset pullover. I have some grey calmer that might want to be that..now that I’ve figured out that it doesn’t want to be Belle Epoque (tooo much drape/weight…)
Posted by: Amber
Way to spring clean! I’m trying to do the same and what I’ve discovered is that I need to keep much better notes. I have sweater in the stash that I know I did some modification too, but can’t remember what exactly, and another where I had to decide A or B and then couldn’t remember what I decided.
Your post helps me get off my butt and figure it out!
Posted by: Steph
You have enough knitting to do for some time. Fickle knitters unite!!
Posted by: margene
Ho Lee Crap. That’s alot of knitting….I know the feeling.
a warning about that Paton Merino- I used that very same yarn in that very same color to knit my first rogue,
and that first time I wore it out, it pilled like nobodys buisness. I wish I were kidding.
Posted by: Julia
first, I loved seeing all your projects…and at the end I felt better about my 3 wips. hehe I stand in awe…how you remember them..whew!
Posted by: heather
My stash looks very similar–including balls of yarn meted out for stuff I haven’t even started yet that keeps yelling at me when I dig thru the bags. Like the backdrop for all your pics, by the way.
Posted by: rachel
You are a very, very…um…prolific starter. Seriously, pick one wintery thing, finish it and move on to spring!
Posted by: claudia
You are a woman after my own heart! In my free moments this weekend I was looking through the bottomless pit of WIPs, not to mention contemplating which spring projects to cast on next. All in the name of avoiding “must” finish projects.
Posted by: Anmiryam
Thanks for sharing your WIPs! I especially love the corset pullover. I’m curious…the blue/green circle background…is that a table or something else? It’s gorgeous…!
Posted by: Heather
so, you know that you’ve got me adding to my list now, right? 🙂
gret projects, great yarn too.
Posted by: mrspilkington
This is absolutely amazing. It’s like a Wonder Carrousel of Works in Progress!
Posted by: Becky
I must say I absolutely LOVE the table!
Posted by: Rebekah
Damn, what a list! I only have two unfinished projects, but about 5 projects on the needles and 3 tempting me so badly I don’t think I’ll be able to resist. If you can get all those done, you’re gonna be one well dressed woman! Best of luck. 🙂
Posted by: alison
I’m flabbergasted! A whole range of pretty things! And, can I have your table?
Posted by: Strikkelise
You are a woman after my own heart! In my free moments this weekend I was looking through the bottomless pit of WIPs, not to mention contemplating which spring projects to cast on next. All in the name of avoiding “must” finish projects.
Posted by: Anmiryam
Thanks for sharing your WIPs! I especially love the corset pullover. I’m curious…the blue/green circle background…is that a table or something else? It’s gorgeous…!
Posted by: Heather
so, you know that you’ve got me adding to my list now, right? 🙂
gret projects, great yarn too.
Posted by: mrspilkington
This is absolutely amazing. It’s like a Wonder Carrousel of Works in Progress!
Posted by: Becky
I must say I absolutely LOVE the table!
Posted by: Rebekah
Damn, what a list! I only have two unfinished projects, but about 5 projects on the needles and 3 tempting me so badly I don’t think I’ll be able to resist. If you can get all those done, you’re gonna be one well dressed woman! Best of luck. 🙂
Posted by: alison
I’m flabbergasted! A whole range of pretty things! And, can I have your table?
Posted by: Strikkelise