clean slate

Well, I could pretend that I was traveling all summer and couldn't update. Or, I could say that I was working my ass off at work, and was so tired I couldn't update. That's closer to the truth, but the truth of it is that I hit a low point this summer where I just couldn't make myself do anything. I was just barely getting through the days, and the way I did it was to just ignore everything. I know there are a lot of people out there out of work, and don't get me wrong, I'm glad I have the money coming in, but sometimes, I think I just can't do this anymore, and that nothing is worse than having to go back in to work each and every Monday morning. I took a few days off around Labor Day, and I think that was what has helped me get a grip. I am a bit better now, and things are becoming a bit clearer. At least I have a bit of hope now. We'll see what happens, but anyway, I'm back!

I've done a few projects over the summer. I participated in a Stash and Burn knitalong to finish a sweater made of stash yarn. In my case, I'd already started a Girl Friday sweater, so I just concentrated on finishing it. Tada!


It only took four skeins of Shepherd's Wool, so I used one of the remaining two that I had to make a hat:


I'm going to use the last skein to make matching fingerless mitts. Probably toasty. Easy, plain ones to counteract the frenetic hat. Also those kind of plain mitts are good to put over plain black gloves when it gets really cold. The thin kind of gloves you get at H&M or Target.

I also made a teddy bear for my mom's birthday back in June:


He's kind of wonky, but he's only my first try, and I learned a lot. I got the pattern from The Knitted Teddy Bear, so I have lots more to try. My mom loved him though. His sweater is made out of leftover sock yarn, and I made him from some Blue Sky Alpaca 100% alpaca I got from a trade years ago. I didn't think I was ever going to use it for anything, but look, it made a pretty decent bear!

Anyway, I've done about a million other things, but it's all gone now, so why don't we just call this a clean slate, and move into the fall, with our heads high, and hearts open?

Next up:
1. finishing spiral socks from hell
2. remaining THIRD knee sock (tell you later)
3. those toasty mitts
4. baby sweater for my cousin's pregnant wife (boy)
5. baby sweater for my pregnant co-worker (girl)
6. starting my niece's one-shoulder sweater
7. next pair of socks from my sock yarn knit down...

I think that's enough, don't you? It's good to be back!