the blue blog archives: february is for finishing

Wow, both of my active projects are approaching the finishing stage. I finally finished the giraffe pocket for giranimals jacket #1 and managed to knit the small button band side of the asymmetrical front, which leaves only the large front panel to be knit. And the final steek has been cut on the first Dale bug sweater! I've begun binding off the shoulders to attach the sleeves. It's my first time using the three-needle bind off and I love, love, love it!

And now that I think about it, I've still got two old, long-neglected projects, native and elizabeth III, which are slowly becoming official unfinished objects. They will never get done if I don't somehow force myself to pick them up again, rip what's gone wrong, knit what's left and sew 'em up! So with all this finishing to be done and since all the other months seem to be dedicated to starting, I'm going to try to make February all about finishing. Here goes nothing: no new projects until these are done.

Exceptions: (You didn't really believe that up there did you?) I already started brown butter on Wednesday, therefore it's not really a new project and I could work on that. And technically speaking, the on-going giranimals and Dale bugs projects entail two sweaters each, so starting giranimals 2 or the second Dale bug sweater would also be kosher. But besides that no new projects. Come on people, that's still tough! That means no fuzzy feet felt-along for me. No Charlotte. No big, slouchy cardigan. No greensleeves. And no, no, no buying yarn for that as of yet undiscovered perfect project that I just know will turn up in a week or two.

posted by alison at 9:38 am | in bugs! , giranimals , just blogging 03

Comments

thanks for visiting the blog! Don't you just love it when you know you had visitors. Love the Giranimals!! I must get that booklet. The giraffe is too cute. So where did you get it from? Is the yarn really that soft? Great blog, I hope to get to that level one of these decades!

Posted by: Chris at February 1, 2003 10:47 AM

It's cold outside.
There's a gale force wind whistling round your toes.
I hear a distant call...''Fuzzy Feet,Fuzzy Feet,Fuzzy Feet...''.
Ah the joys of a quick,easy project ,using big needles. And so much fun as well . ;-]

Posted by: Emma at February 1, 2003 11:49 AM

i think i am on a buying yarn ban until april so i am a big supporter of your february plan. i have two little current projects to finish quick, and then february and march are about finishing big things that have been laying around while i worked on christmas gifts, etc.

Posted by: carolyn at February 1, 2003 12:39 PM

Great progress on the sweaters for the boys.

I'm with you on making February official 'Finish or Frog' month. Instead of participating in the Fuzzy Feet fete, I'm going to finish a felting project I've had sitting around for awhile. I'll take my motivation where I can get it.

Finally, you know I like intarsia; so I'll try and send some good weaving in vibes your way so Native comes together like a dream. :)

Posted by: michelle at February 1, 2003 1:05 PM

BLASPHEMY!

February is for Fuzzy Feet Felt-Along!

(which will leave plenty of time for finishing anyway)

Posted by: kate at February 1, 2003 3:29 PM

so cute, that giraffe! it has embroidery, too, yes?

I am also v tempted by the fun knitting camaraderie of the feltalong, but my pregnant feet are SO HOT all the time that just the thought of felted wool slippers practically makes me swoon (in the bad, Victorian way, not in the good, best-chocolate-ever kind of way).

anyway, I admire your stern moral fibre when it comes to no new projects until old ones are finished. but if you already *own* the yarn, does it really count as a *new* project?

Posted by: daria at February 1, 2003 3:59 PM

Kate and Emma, you are sooooo mean! ;-) But I will resist your evil temptations. Daria thinks I have strong moral fiber and I can't let her find out the truth about me! And if I'm ever going to make admirable projects like Michelle's Checkers, I'm going to have to develop more admirable habits.

On the other hand, Daria has a point that yarn I already own shouldn't count as new and I do have some leftovers from other projects that would be perfect for felting.... Carolyn, you may have to jump in as my sponsor here and help me through these moments of weakness!

Posted by: alison at February 1, 2003 4:11 PM

Alison, if it helps at all, I love the Elizabeth I(II) sweater, and would take great vicarious pleasure in its completion! :)

Posted by: ann at February 1, 2003 9:45 PM

You never fail me. I always laugh when I read your blog, no matter what.

I'm not doing the FFFA either. No suitable facility for doing the felting. I like the February Finishing Fetish Alternative idea. Maybe I'll get motivated by your virtuos example. If I used the "already have the yarn" excuse I would have to buy more needles.

Posted by: Larry at February 2, 2003 12:16 AM

Don't feel bad! No Fuzzy Feet Here. Fuzzy Feet = Sweaty Feet chez moi as our apartment is heated through the floors. Stay strong, Alison. Think Tweedy Rubis and Polaire on its way to you ;-)

Posted by: Becky at February 2, 2003 9:00 AM

Fuzzy feet or no fuzzy feet you have ambitious plans for February. I like it! I am impressed with anyone who has the patience for intarsia!

Posted by: Melissa at February 2, 2003 2:58 PM