I suck at knitting along.
It’s September 30th and tomorrow my fellow “Knitting on the Road” knitalong-ers will be moving on to the next set of socks, “Conwy”. Me? I’m missing the boat. Here I am at the toe of the first “Friday Harbour” sock:
I even started right on the first day of the KAL, August 1st, and can’t believe it’s been two months and this is as far as I’ve gotten on this sock. Shameful.
These “time management” issues have been on my mind for some time, but I was confronted with them a couple days ago when Roxanne posted a comment asking “How do you find time for everything?” And the answer is, I really really don’t.
I try to spin a bit every evening; I knit in the car on the way to work and back, at lunch and when I get together on weekends with friends; I dye on free Saturdays and update the shop on Mondays; and I work all week at my design business. But all the to-dos from work, home, craft, etc. pile up — the unfinished knit projects, the unspun wool, the undyed wool — it gets overwhelming. The only thing I can do is work on a little at a time and whittle away at it.
So, here’s the plan. There are a couple things I need to finish off: the Electra vest, the Trellis baby cardi, the Harry Potter scarf, and these socks! I’m going to frog the pink mohair mess that was a “Hollywood Knits” sweater and re-knit it (eventually) with my own pattern. And Lucky? Well that will be on hold until springtime.
Then, I can work on my lovely fairisle cardigan (ala Meg Swansen), start Na Craga for the DH, and possibly Rogue for me. I thought about setting up some rules for myself. Something like:
>Maximum number of allowed projects at any one time: >* One sweater for me >* One sweater/big project for gifting >* One lace shawl for me >* Two pairs of socks
Hmm, I might still use that as a general guideline. But all I can say is, do a little bit everyday…
For naughty people who want to spin at work
Heh heh, here is the little spindle I made at work.
To make one, you’ll need:
- 1 free pencil from big name paper company
- 1 free cheese-shaped eraser from Babybel bag of round red cheeses
- some yarn to use as a leader (I stole some from my fairisle vest — that’s Rowan Felted Tweed! ooh, fancy!)
- 1 elastic band to hold the leader to the pencil.
I couldn’t actually get the tip of the pencil all the way through the eraser, but no matter, just as long as it doesn’t fall off! I could have probably used a paper clip as a hook and attached it to the pencil eraser, but I was in a bit of a panic (needing to spin that fibre that arrived from the postman) and didn’t think of it.
Enjoy your clandestine office spinning!
Tags: Friday Harbour Socks
The Friday Harbor sock is very pretty! I don’t know how to spin, but your office spindle looks very creative!
I LOVE the Spindle! I am off to find a cheese shaped eraser now. I’m always asked how I get everything done, and I usually say - I don’t sleep, ok I do sleep but I’d rather be crafting.
Don’t be too hard on yourself about the knitalong! The sock is so pretty, and you are nearly done with it.
That pencil spindle is too funny!
We all need a little catching up now and again. You do such lovely projects and always manage to find the time somewhere. I love the socks!
Fiber is not worth stressing over! Hobbies are fun! Fun! FUN!
You might consider joining the ProductiveSpinners group over on yahoo. It’s been really good for keeping me accountable. I finish stuff, with Nancy (ListMom)’s help and don’t start projects until others are nearing completion.
Too funny. I love the spindle. I am a designer too. Mohawk is my biggest client. I will have to forward your url to them.
Oh … I love that sock. Where did you find the pattern?
Clandestine office spinning! he he…
We might need a button for those of us who suck at KALing. I’m with you on that - I find that watching others’ progress just makes me feel slow, not inspired.
Love the free-cheese-eraser spindle. Now all you have to do is keep your pockets stuffed with wool and you’re all set.
The Sock is beautiful, who could blame you for lingering in Friday Harbor just a little bit longer.
Golly…I think it’s just beautiful. So don’t beat yourself up!
In fact, that’s the most inspiring sock I’ve seen to date–one that I’d actually make for myself. Yum.
It is a beautiful sock though. That is why I quit the sockalong. I couldn’t get them done with all the other things I was knitting!
Very cute spindle…very creative!
Felicia, My orchid laceweight arrived today — it is so goregous! The colours are even more beautiful in person, which I didn’t think was possible!
I love the little touches you used - the tag is so brilliantly designed, the sticker made me smile, and the card is already up on my bulletin board!
Thanks for a great shopping experience — I highly recommend you to everyone!!! (Really people, you HAVE to try this yarn!) Linz
We must figure out a way to market the Babybel Cheese eraser and pencil spindle to handspinners across the world. I believe that tons of money can be made! villianous laughter
That has to be the most beautiful sock I have ever seen! I never imagined I would call a sock “beautiful”, but it is almost an understatement in this case.
this is so awesome. you are tooo funny.
heehe - I love the “office spindle” - such fun!! Friday Harbor is looking beautiful, great colorway.
I can’t handle the pressure of KALs - LOL…Your sock is coming out lovely - what a beautiful pattern - where did you find this pattern?
I’m in the same knit along and well I didn’t even make the first pair, just couldn’t get gauge. But I love how your’s are looking and was wondering what yarn you are using?
thanks for leaving me a comment
love the colors of your friday harbor sock!
i often feel like you. i look around at the blogs and wonder how people get everything done and so quickly. i can’t decide whether i have poor time management skills or are just infinitely slower than everyone else.
i love your work spindle! classic.
Love the office spinning and your socks are looking divine
I really have to learn how to knit socks! Yours are so wonderful! Bravo!
The sock looks gorgeous! ehh, who cares about “deadlines”?
I suck at KALing, too. I have hosted KALs that I didn’t finish! I choose to believe that the reason I suck is akin to the reason I suck at book clubs: I’m an individual, I want to be able to knit and read what I want and when I want. If anything, group pressure sends me running in the other direction!
Who cares how long it takes? So long as you finish and you’re happy with the results, take your time.
LOL I LOVE that spindle! That’s awesome.
I just recently discovered your blog, you do absolutely amazing work. Keep it up!
Hi! I love the spindle! Very clever. How much have you spun with it! I learning how to knit socks as I always wanted to learn the secret of socks! Where did you find the pattern?