Merry Christmas to all and a blocking update

Here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and I hope you are enjoying the day. 
It is beautiful and sunny here and just a little chilly.  We survived the ice storms and the high winds from last weekend and all is well.

Did you receive some fibery presents?  spinning goodies?  Did you make time to spin or knit?

I've added to my fiber stash.  I finally purchased some Rambouillet. I keep hearing what a dream it is to spin, so I broke down and bought some.  I bought it in the natural color, so I have to decide if I want to try to dye it prior to spinning or after I've spun it. Decisions, decisions.  The other addition to the fiber stash is a merino/cashmere blend. yummmmm.  I pulled it out of the bag after I received it and OMG!!! it is yummy. I can't wait to spin this one.  It too is in the natural color.

I have been doing some knitting. I did finally frog the Love Me Tender cardi I mentioned in the previous post.  After casting back on last weekend, I have now knitted past the point of where I was when I frogged it.  I have found that the woven stitch hurts my hands.  Once I finish this project, I will probably not do that stitch again. I like the way it looks, but it's not worth the pain to the joints in my hands.  I'm also going to town on Claire, the stole/scarf.  It's looking beautiful so far.  I think once it's blocked, it will be stunning.

 I've also finally been blocking.  It's funny, once I finish a shawl, it sits in a basket until I get a chance to block.  I use that phrase "get a chance" very loosely.  I always have a chance to block, I just choose not to.  It's not like it's hard to do, it's just not one of my favorite things to do.  So, the first one to get blocked was the Summer Flies Again Shawl that I finished oh......earlier this year.  I originally started this late last year as a competition item, but then other things took priority and I didn't finish it in time for the competition.  (I just looked at my Ravelry page and I finished it in May and I'm just now blocking it.  Shame on me!)  It will be a retirement gift for Brenda who retires the last day of this year. 

 
 
Next up on the blocking stack is the Trousseau shawl.  Another shameful act, I finished knitting this one in December 2012. 1 year ago!!  Argh.  It's such a beautiful shawl and it's in an off-white color which I really needed in my wardrobe.  I'll get a pic of it later today.  The last one to block is the Multnomah shawlette.  I can't tell you how long this one has been finished but it's been a couple of years. I was bored with it after I finished it. Sad, I know.  I am turning over a new leaf in 2014 though. All this will be behind me. :-)
 
I've not thought about New Years resolutions.  I know I have goals for the new year and they are in my little red book I carry with me.  Speaking of my little red book. 
 
 It measures 3.5" x 5.5".  This has been a work in progress and I've gone from a letter size binder that I kept on my desk at home, to a junior size binder I carried in my large bag that I carry to work, then to a smaller binder notebook and finally to this little red book.  The red book is small enough to carry in my purse and the little post-it notes are perfect to keep me and my thoughts organized. 
Inside the binder cover are extra notes for a quick jot. 
 The thing I like best about the post-it notes method is that once something is done, you toss the note.  You don't have to keep re-writing To-Do lists because part of the items are done and scratched through and others items are left to do.  My knitting list is still with the old method and you can see that example.  It makes we want to re-write the list but I'm not going to. :-) 


This is just a sample of one of the pages, I won't show them all. :-)

My knitting list is still with the old method and you can see that example.  It makes we want to re-write the list but I'm not going to. :-)   

I also have a page where I keep track of my spindles and how much they weigh.  The weight of the spindles is very important to me as I really, really like the lighter weight ones.  I also have this information in my cell phone, but sometimes I like to look at paper while I sit somewhere.



 
Yes, I do utilize my phone to keep information close at hand and also to keep me  organized.  I love my calendar and use it religiously.  Is it duplication? In some ways yes.  But this book is something I peruse and update quite often. I don't have to re-write to-do lists, I don't have to remember where I wrote it down or what I did with the note.  I keep a running list of music I want to download, or an author I need to check out or a dish that I want to try.  Post-It notes are great. I use the larger ones when I need to write more and I've got those located on the back cover when I need one.  OK enough on that subject.
 
I hope you all have had a very happy holiday and I'll chat with you next week!

UPDATE ADDED:
I am blocking the Trousseau!!!  I am using my flexible blocking wires that I bought a year or two ago and they are fabulous.  The wires made blocking this lace shawl so much easier and my DH helped in eyeing it to make sure it was even.


 


Comments

LeAnn said…
Everything is beautiful, as usual!
captainhook said…
So gorgeous! You're inspiring me to block the shawl I just finished... two or three weeks ago... or has it been a month already?