Acquisitions/Stash Management
I had a bit of an A-ha moment this week after reading another blog. She wasn’t trying to convert anyone’s thinking, it just triggered a change in my brain.
It’s made me really think about what I want to make and about my current wardrobe and knitted items. I really think it’s going to help me stop buying yarn and fabric too! Time will tell if that’s the case, but I’m hopeful.
Knitting
Accessories
I have frogged the start of my Alaska hat as the yarn colours aren’t right. I may make a handspun one in future but for now I’ve removed it from my YOP list.
I have also abandoned the Advent MKALendar cowl for this YOP year. I’ve saved the instructions so may knit this next December.
Jumpers/cardigans
I’ve made a start on my pink Turtle Dove. I wanted to make sure Dolores was finished before starting it, so there’s not much progress yet.
Other/household
Oh my goodness I love Dolores. Her legs are slightly different sizes, they aren’t sewn on too well, but she’s wearing wellies and seated so no one would ever know…except I’ve just told you all 😂. I did a tail and limb a night and on Thursday did her hair and she was finished. I’ve done her a separate FO post with more details and photos. What a cutie she is! In the comments last week some spelt her Delores…she’s definitely Dolores and asked me to let you all know. A headstrong wee sheep she is. 😉
Spinning
I started spinning the 2021 baby camel and silk advent calendar from Coastal Colours. Some spinners in our Guild are taking part in a spinning challenge so that’s a good way to get back in the habit of spinning. Plus we are having some day and evening Zoom chat and spin which is nice.
I’m not sure what I’ll make with the minis yet, it may depend on their length and weight. It’s a while since I’ve spun so my first two minis are very different thicknesses. Doh!
On Friday evening’s zoom call I spun some Beltex I carded nearly 2 years ago. Beltex is Belgian crossed with Texel. Half way through the 2nd bobbin I switched from short forward to long draw spinning! So it’ll be interesting to see if that’s noticeable on the finished yarn.
As part of the Guild’s January spin challenge I met up Sue in the local park. This ticked off a few challenges in one go, spinning in public, spinning on a spindle outdoors and spinning whilst wearing hat, scarf, wrist warmers and gloves.
I have absolutely no idea where the “safe place” is that I’ve stored my drop spindles, so I ended up using my Russian supported spindle as a drop spindle! It did work but obviously not as well. The fibre was some unknown scratchy brown wool from a bag of lap waste, so I wasn’t fussed when it kept dropping on the playbark. We managed to spin for an hour and it was nice to get to know Sue a little better.
Other News
On the 1st I turned all my coat hangers around so I can track what I wear. I have too many clothes but last year only bought needed items. With no washing machine, it’s handy having more clothes, towels and bedding than we need. We keep things until they fall apart, so turnover of material items is very slow in our house. This makes the urge to buy new clothes nonexistent, not that I was ever into clothes shopping.
Samsung are dead to us and we’ve now ordered a Hotpoint washing machine from elsewhere that hopefully will arrive in the next couple of days and I can make a start on towel and bedding mountain!
I have made a small start on spring cleaning 😒 dusting ceilings, walls and the gaps in the radiators. I hate cleaning so much, I just listened to a book called The Maid by Nita Prose and started wishing I had the same urge to clean as the character does.
Finally I bought myself (and then my dad) a copy of the 2023 Almanac which was recommended by Ali from This Little Wonderful Life on YouTube. She’s had them for years, this is our first and I love it! It has a “bun of the month” recipe! I tried the Swiss 3 Kings one on Friday…total disaster but I’m going to try again next week.
Right, that’s enough waffling from me. See you next Sunday!
This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 12th year, but this is my 5th year participating. If you would like to find more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry.
HighlandHeffalump 
I love the pink of your Turtledove. You’re inspiring me to spin again! Maybe after I finish weaving my scarf.
LikeLike
The pink of your turtledove is glorious. I actually quite enjoy the deep clean and organising that comes with a spring clean I can’t be doing with the daily/weekly clean!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Perhaps once I really get going it won’t be too bad. I will try to enjoy it. I love the pink too. Hopefully it will suit me.
LikeLike
I forgot about the reverse the hanger tip. I have so many things that I never wear. I’m sure I could clear half my closest. I have clothes older than my kids (oldest is 32) in my closet. I too detest shopping. Can totally relate to “now where did I put it??!!” I always find it after I’ve bought a replacement (and after I could have returned the replacement). Delores is indeed adorable. What a fun knickknack. Sorry about your appliance problems. I know everything is on back order here.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh my goodness. I was an au pair in Michigan 32 years ago and wore a US size 4…the only thing I’d fit in from back then is a hairband 🤣😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Uh, I was never a size 4 so that helps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your Turtledove jumper is striking. Love that hot pink color. I did the reverse hanger trick once. It is amazing how many clothes are in the closet that never sees the light of day. I hope your new washer works well for you. I love Dolores. Her outfits is quite smart looking. Love her wellies too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Marsha. I was a wee bit disappointed her wellies were yellow but they do look cute.
LikeLike
Did you want them to be pink? Find some nail polish in the shade you crave and paint them! That’s what I’ve done on my cell phone case, so I could see it better in dark hiding places. Orange, though – I’m not a fan of pink. (Sorry – you obviously are!) Dolores is adorable. And with the skirt and Wellies, who will ever see her legs??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Red would have been better I think to go with her jumper. I may look out for some suitable nail varnish or paint that I could change them to red, but they are mostly hidden.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your sweater is going to be so pretty and cheerful! Good on you for starting your “spring” cleaning—it’s nowhere near spring here so I won’t even start thinking about that yet. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dolores is adorable 😍
I hope your new washing machine arrives quickly and you catch up.
Congratulations on looking at your wardrobe, hopefully the hangers will give you a clearer idea of what you are wearing. When clothing does eventually wear out you will be able to easily decide if you need to replace it or if you already have enough of the item
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, I’ve thought with my t-shirt drawer where they are stored vertically, I can put the folded side down. I also have a few with stains on or tiny holes that I should clear out. Apparently you can weave them once cut up so I may experiment and if that’s a disaster bin it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Weaving them sounds like an interesting project
LikeLike
Lots of fun things going on in your corner of the world. Dolores is truly wonderful – so much personality! Hopeful you will get your new washer in place. I am not a fan of Samsung things either. Our “new refrigerator” (one year old in November) has needed the ice maker replaced twice already. If this is current one doesn’t last, we have agreed to jettison the entire thing and start over with a different brand.
LikeLike
Dolores is darn cute!!! I love all her accessories! I want to make one although I remember making the giraffes for the grands and that was fiddly…especially attaching the limbs. She is just darling! Spinning while walking would make me dizzy! LOL! I am ordering that Maid book….I love to read about people cleaning….it motivates me. You’ve got a lot done on that sweater. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh it’s a crime fiction book, just she loves cleaning the hotel rooms but that’s a side point to the story. It’s a good book though, I enjoyed it.
LikeLike
I’m in the same boat as you. I hate cleaning, but love a clean house. Once I start noticing how much DUST is everywhere, I spiral into a cleaning frenzy. My dream is to feel like I personally make enough money to pay someone to do my deep cleaning for me!
That pink is so AWESOME! I think it’ll go well with your skin and hair colors. It will certainly be a bright point on drab days. Love your Dolores! She’s a character for certain!
LikeLike
I hear you on the washing machine – mine was to be delivered a couple of weeks ago, but I had to cancel when it snowed (long, steep, unplowed driveway). I said I’d come get it next time I could get a vehicle up – got the old one out, and a 4WD truck, and called to say I was coming to pick it up, and it wasn’t in the store, but in a warehouse in another state. Sigh. They haven’t called to say it’s in yet, either. Sigh.
LikeLike
Well I’ve had a wee disaster in that a pair of handknit socks with some alpaca content together with superwash merino and nylon have shrunk considerably in the first clothes wash I did in the machine…at 40C…oops!! But the towels, underwear and t-shirts are clean and I’ve got bedding in now. Hope yours arrives soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your spinning looks great! Love the pink yarn for your new Turtledove – so pretty! So glad you have your new washer – that’s got to feel good after so long without one. And I just love your Dolores ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks x
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] ✅ Dolores Transatlantic Travel Ensemble by Fiona Ellis in Valley Yarns 4 ply and Tahki Yarns Donegal Tweed started week 14 finished week 28. […]
LikeLike