End of December Update

 WIPs (new ones are bolded)

Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)

Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)

Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)

Musselburgh II, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started October 6, 2024) - Car knitting!

Orchard Harvest Beanie, Lion Brand Heartland (Started December 2, 2024 - finished December 7, 2024)

Orchard Harvest Beanie, Lion Brand Heartland (Started December 7, 2024 - finished December 9, 2024)

Oranje, Estelle Yarns Andean Heathers (started 2017, frogged and restarted on smaller needles 2024)

Hibernating

Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)

Havannah, Sublime Yarns Eden DK (Started  July 16, 2024)

End of month yarn stats:  64 entries, 91.16 skeins, 28104.90 yards.

Well, look at that.  I sort of made my goals this month.  I sharpened the knife, but it still needs more.  I also finished the cowl!

December's goals:

1.  Survive December mentally.  There's a lot going on (playing in two concerts, one work party, bunch of work extra stuff).

2.  Only buy the yarn required for the gift.

3.  Sharpen the knife more.

4.  Finish a couple of small stashbusting projects and bring out Oranje to work on exclusively.

"My main goal for 2024 is to finish two of the hibernating projects and three of the current WIPs."

Remember that?  From last December?  I did it! (Sort of.  Does frogging count?  Probably not.  In which case, I didn't do it for the hibernating projects.)

I did buy yarn that wasn't for the gift, but the recipient asked nicely and I didn't have the appropriate colour in my stash.  I also bought yarn for a little guy who wants another sweater.  I haven't done any stashbusting projects, but that's because I've been working on Oranje exclusively!  I've completed the sleeves and I've joined them to the body and I'm almost at the colourwork part of the yoke.

So here we are, end of year, and I've been consistent each month.  I can do this.  I will do this.  My goal for 2025 is to refine my stash further.  I have a lot of stashed yarn from years ago and I want to finally use it.  Here's my stash (minus one laceweight ball):

And for January, the mini-goals:

1.  Finish Oranje - the knitting part.  I'm sure I'll stall out on the sewing, blocking, and steeking.

2.  Sharpen that reed knife and work on some reeds.  It'll never happen if I procrastinate.

3.  Use the planner my friends got me.  I failed horribly at using 2024's weekly planner and I still feel bad about it.

4.  No yarn!  (Unless a trip to a new yarn store happens.)

End of November Update

 WIPs (new ones are bolded)

Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)

Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)

Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)

Slumber Cowl, Madelinetosh DK (Started September 28, 2024)

Musselburgh II, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started October 6, 2024) - Car knitting!

Hibernating

Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)

Havannah, Sublime Yarns Eden DK (Started  July 16, 2024)

Oranje, Estelle Yarns Andean Heathers (started 2017, frogged and restarted on smaller needles 2024)

End of month yarn stats:  61 entries, 90.5 skeins, 27838.90 yards.

Hey, I finished three things!  I did buy yarn, though, but Walter wants me to knit him grey socks.  And then we saw the glow-in-the-dark chenille yarn.  But other than that, nada!  And my total yardage went down (by not a lot, haha).  Please, no one talk about the camping stuff.  I just added it to my phone, so there's hope for November.

Here are November's goals:

1.  Y'know that camping stuff still in my car?  I'm going to put it away.

2.  While I'd love to make a goal to finish the cowl, I'm not going to risk hurting my wrist too much before the Christmas concerts.  My goal instead is to get to the third ball needed for the cowl (there are four balls).

3.  Don't.  Buy.  Yarn.

4.  Maybe I should add 'sharpen reed knife' to my phone, too.  Okay, it's in there.  That's the goal.

Well, look at that.  I sort of made my goals this month.  I sharpened the knife, but it still needs more.  I also finished the cowl!

December's goals:

1.  Survive December mentally.  There's a lot going on (playing in two concerts, one work party, bunch of work extra stuff).

2.  Only buy the yarn required for the gift.

3.  Sharpen the knife more.

4.  Finish a couple of small stashbusting projects and bring out Oranje to work on exclusively.

End of October Update

 WIPs (new ones are bolded)

Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)

Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)

Stormy Day Jacket, Briggs & Little Heritage 2-Ply (Started August 17, 2024)

Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)

Musselburgh for Walter, Debbie Bliss Botany Lace (Started September 8, 2024)

Slumber Cowl, Madelinetosh DK (Started September 28, 2024)

Musselburgh II, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started October 6, 2024) - Car knitting!

Super Striped Scarf, x3 different yarns (chenille, and two glow-in-the-dark) (Started October 17, 2024)

Hibernating

Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)

Havannah, Sublime Yarns Eden DK (Started  July 16, 2024)

Oranje, Estelle Yarns Andean Heathers (started 2017, frogged and restarted on smaller needles 2024)

End of month yarn stats:  61 entries, 93 skeins, 28403.60 yards.

September.  September was wild.  I actually only bought 12 skeins (three entries) on the 14th.  One entry (of six skeins) is mine, one (four skeins) is my husband's, and one (two skeins) is my son's.

I also decided to frog some of the projects started earlier this year (Ceciliana and the Goblin socks).  Ceciliana's yarns weren't playing well together, and the yarn for the socks wants to be a hat (probably a third Musselburgh - that's a fun one to knit).

For September's goals, I got through 3 and 4.  I'm so close to finishing Walter's jacket.  It's currently blocking and needs buttons, but it's otherwise done.  The camping stuff is half put away.  It was a wild month.

Here are October's goals:

1.  Put the freaking camping stuff away.

2.  Finish Walter's jacket and his hat.

3.  Don't buy yarn.  Seriously.  I don't knit that fast, really.

4.  Sharpen the reed knife and keep practicing.

Hey, I finished three things!  I did buy yarn, though, but Walter wants me to knit him grey socks.  And then we saw the glow-in-the-dark chenille yarn.  But other than that, nada!  And my total yardage went down (by not a lot, haha).  Please, no one talk about the camping stuff.  I just added it to my phone, so there's hope for November.

Here are November's goals:

1.  Y'know that camping stuff still in my car?  I'm going to put it away.

2.  While I'd love to make a goal to finish the cowl, I'm not going to risk hurting my wrist too much before the Christmas concerts.  My goal instead is to get to the third ball needed for the cowl (there are four balls).

3.  Don't.  Buy.  Yarn.

4.  Maybe I should add 'sharpen reed knife' to my phone, too.  Okay, it's in there.  That's the goal.

I Lied!

 I started another project on September 28 and didn't include it in the update.  It's a cowl for my husband, using the yarn he picked out.

Carry on.

End of September Update

WIPs (new ones are bolded)

Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)

Musselburgh, Gedifra Lana Mia (Started July 16, 2024)(Restarted August 28 - too large)(Finished September 7, 2024)

Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)

Stormy Day Jacket, Briggs & Little Heritage 2-Ply (Started August 17, 2024)

Goblin Socks, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started March 2, 2024 and I truly don't know why it wasn't added) FROGGED

Bright Stripes Throw, Caron Anniversary Cakes (Started September 5, 2024)

Musselburgh for Walter, Debbie Bliss Botany Lace (Started September 8, 2024)

Hibernating

Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)

Daughter of Thrain MKAL, Crystal Palace Yarn Lace (started 2017)(I think I'm going to frog this one)

Ceciliana, madelinetosh Tosh Sock, madelinetosh Twist Light (started March 19, 2024)FROGGED

Havannah, Sublime Yarns Eden DK (Started  July 16, 2024)

Oranje, Estelle Yarns Andean Heathers (started 2017, frogged and restarted on smaller needles 2024)

End of month yarn stats:  57 entries, 93 skeins, 28642.90 yards.  I bought more stuff.

August, how are you over already??

Alright, so yeah, clearly I did buy more yarn, thereby not achieving my mini-goal #4.  But, I did complete the other three!

Camping was fun (hit up a yarn store in Newmarket on the way - Serenity Knits - and grabbed two skeins I haven't seen before).  I also had to purchase another Briggs & Little Heritage for Walter's sweater (the Stormy Day Jacket) as I ran out during the first sleeve.  That was yarn originally purchased at Romni in July.

Earlier in August, I bought two skeins of jumbo yarn for a circular needle holder, so that's already in and out of stash, project completed.  Of course, there was also that trip to get jumbo yarn for my MIL that resulted in my also purchasing another ball, and then last week Walter wanted me to make him another blanket with the massive Caron Anniversary ball, so I got one of those, too.

I think some of this buying may have had something to do with the medication I was on (coming off it now), but likely not all!

Here are September's goals:

1.  Put the camping stuff away.

2.  Finish Walter's Stormy Day Jacket - it only has 1.5 sleeves, the button band, and blocking for completion (and I suppose it'll need buttons, too).

3.  Finish Musselburgh (again - I ripped it out because it was too big, but I'm halfway again).

4.  Survive the medication withdrawal symptoms.  This vertigo is ridiculous.

September.  September was wild.  I actually only bought 12 skeins (three entries) on the 14th.  One entry (of six skeins) is mine, one (four skeins) is my husband's, and one (two skeins) is my son's.

I also decided to frog some of the projects started earlier this year (Ceciliana and the Goblin socks).  Ceciliana's yarns weren't playing well together, and the yarn for the socks wants to be a hat (probably a third Musselburgh - that's a fun one to knit).

For September's goals, I got through 3 and 4.  I'm so close to finishing Walter's jacket.  It's currently blocking and needs buttons, but it's otherwise done.  The camping stuff is half put away.  It was a wild month.

Here are October's goals:

1.  Put the freaking camping stuff away.

2.  Finish Walter's jacket and his hat.

3.  Don't buy yarn.  Seriously.  I don't knit that fast, really.

4.  Sharpen the reed knife and keep practicing.

Escitalopram Update

 I think it's out.

I no longer feel exhausted all the time.  I'm not clenching my jaw constantly or yawning.  I don't feel numb anymore.

It took a while to start fading.  A good two weeks went by with no improvement, then the dizziness hit.  It was pretty constant some days.  It's down to mild brain zaps in the evenings, and even those are getting less day by day.

I want to go to work again.  I've cried again.  I don't ever want to try another SSRI.

End of August Update

 WIPs (new ones are bolded)

Ten Stitch Blanket, Caron Cakes (started 2019)

Sockhead Slouch Hat, Wandering Cat Yarns Solo Cat (started 2019, frogged and restarted 2024)

Liesl, Cascade Yarns Color Duo (started February 18, 2024)

Little Drops of Water MKAL, JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18 (Started July 4, 2024)

Musselburgh, Gedifra Lana Mia (Started July 16, 2024)(Restarted August 28 - too large)

Walter's Blanket, Lion Brand Mandala Sparkle (Started July 16, 2024)

Needle Holder, Lion Brand Wool Ease Wow! (Started August 4, finished August 5)

Stormy Day Jacket, Briggs & Little Heritage 2-Ply (Started August 17, 2024)

Goblin Socks, Hedgehog Fibres Sock (Started March 2, 2024 and I truly don't know why it wasn't added)

Hibernating

Dancing Bees MKAL, Debbie Bliss Rialto Lace (started 2015 - oops)

Daughter of Thrain MKAL, Crystal Palace Yarn Lace (started 2017)(I think I'm going to frog this one)

Ceciliana, madelinetosh Tosh Sock, madelinetosh Twist Light (started March 19, 2024)(I think I'm going to frog this one)

Havannah, Sublime Yarns Eden DK (Started  July 16, 2024)

Oranje, Estelle Yarns Andean Heathers (started 2017, frogged and restarted on smaller needles 2024)

End of month yarn stats:  54 entries, 83 skeins, 26,704.00 yards.  I bought more stuff.

Oh, boy.  Okay, I know y'all are looking at the three projects started on July 16 - I swear there's a reason.  So, I was going to a concert (Red Hot Chili Peppers) on July 17, but I didn't have an appropriate knitting project, so I had to start one.  The first one (Havannah) was too complicated, so I started Musselburgh (which was perfect).

The only problem with Musselburgh was my needle, so I went to my LYS the next day (before the concert) and grabbed a better one.  And while I was there, I saw a shiny and got it, too.

Then there was the trip to Chinatown in Toronto, which was so close to another favourite LYS, so I got yarn then.

As for my goals . . . well, I didn't do any of them.

Here are August's goals:

1.  Put the camping stuff in my car for the camping trip at the end of the month.

2.  Block Liesl and the hat.

3.  Work on the MKAL (I'm four clues behind).

4.  No more yarn buying!!

August, how are you over already??

Alright, so yeah, clearly I did buy more yarn, thereby not achieving my mini-goal #4.  But, I did complete the other three!

Camping was fun (hit up a yarn store in Newmarket on the way - Serenity Knits - and grabbed two skeins I haven't seen before).  I also had to purchase another Briggs & Little Heritage for Walter's sweater (the Stormy Day Jacket) as I ran out during the first sleeve.  That was yarn originally purchased at Romni in July.

Earlier in August, I bought two skeins of jumbo yarn for a circular needle holder, so that's already in and out of stash, project completed.  Of course, there was also that trip to get jumbo yarn for my MIL that resulted in my also purchasing another ball, and then last week Walter wanted me to make him another blanket with the massive Caron Anniversary ball, so I got one of those, too.

I think some of this buying may have had something to do with the medication I was on (coming off it now), but likely not all!

Here are September's goals:

1.  Put the camping stuff away.

2.  Finish Walter's Stormy Day Jacket - it only has 1.5 sleeves, the button band, and blocking for completion (and I suppose it'll need buttons, too).

3.  Finish Musselburgh (again - I ripped it out because it was too big, but I'm halfway again).

4.  Survive the medication withdrawal symptoms.  This vertigo is ridiculous.