Talk about a rough week…

I had plans to share my #MarkItMonday updates on Monday, but work interfered. On Tuesday I was still playing catch up, and then received the news that one of my lead developers lost his mum. Wednesday was quite the kerfluffle thanks to an early morning wake-up from the tornado warning alert system. That cost me a couple precious hours of sleep that I’m still working on recovering. So it’s Thursday and I finally have a moment to put this together.

The photos were all taken on Monday, but I’ve gotten some knitting in, thanks to some meetings I neither led nor actively participated in. First, this is the progress I had made on the Sock Madness qualifier before dumping it.

I haven’t frogged the work yet, but that will likely happen tomorrow.

Then there’s the Bling T.

Bling T (long sleeve version) by Laura Nelkin using Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Don’t Fear the Reaper on US4 (3.5mm) needles

I finished up the first skein of yarn this week as the body slowly forms. I also bought a fourth skein after realizing I probably don’t have enough yardage in the original kit (which was designed for short sleeves). I’m knitting up the body alternating skeins with the helical technique, so I will add the new skein into the rotation 😉 soon.

The hat in progress grew a bit thanks to a night at the movies (Ordinary Angels, highly recommend!). I did realize that it’s bigger than intended, so I’m planning to modify the project. Instead of a full end-to-end tube with closed ends, similar to the Musselburgh, I will reduce the stitch count once I reach my desired length, and then add ribbing, similar to the Sockhead Hat.

(Based on) Same As It Ever Was by Sarah Jordan using Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce in the All Things Green and Gold colorway on US1.5 (2.5mm) needles

And the project that has seen the most love this week is, alas, a test knit that can’t be shared online until the pattern is released. I’ll be sure to share my FO picture when I’m able.

This week wasn’t a complete downer, though. Yesterday I received my annual bonus payment from work. That enabled me to pay down a good chunk of my debt! I’ve been reading a lot and listening to podcasts about Financial Independence, and with some tweaks to my budget, I’m in a good position to become debt free in just over two years. If I can line up enough “ducks” in that time, there’s strong potential for me to retire by the end of 2026. The thought of achieving that milestone is quite exhilarating, but also a bit terrifying, lol.

In the meantime, I will keep my eyes on the goal as the path is laid before me. And there’s sure to be a lot of knitting along the way. As we move into the last month of the quarter, I want to finish the projects currently on my needles, plus the March DVD socks, and then I can get started on my next round of projects. I have plans to knit another sweater this year, a fun pair of striped leg warmers, more DVD socks and at least one other pair of socks. Travel knitting is very important!

Knit on. 🧶

Responses

  1. Lucy Bowen Avatar

    I love the hat - it reminds me I need a new hat for gardening primarily!!

    Liked by 1 person

  2. highlandheffalump Avatar

    Best of luck with your plan for being debt free and retiring. Are you frogging the sock because you don’t like the pattern or the yarns used. I think without the turquoise they’d look lovely. I love turquoise just it maybe stands out a bit too much against the lovely deep wine colour. I hope the test knit is going well, we will wait patiently until it’s finished and we can see…it builds the anticipation. 😃

    Liked by 1 person

    1. roocmc Avatar

      Thanks very much. I like the pop of color, but the biggest issue was the size. Unfortunately the pattern didn’t give much guidance on the sizes. But as I said, I generally don’t wear socks with significant patterning such as cables anymore. The test knit is due at the end of the month, so look for it in April! 😍

      Liked by 1 person

  3. knittingissofun Avatar

    I can tell you retirement is wonderful so I hope all works to plan. We paid off our house when we retired which many thought wasn’t the wisest since we had a very low mortgage rate. But I’m still glad we did as it was nice not to have a mortgage payment. Sorry the socks didn’t work out. How wonderful to be able to knit at work. I never saw anyone do that at Procter & Gamble.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. roocmc Avatar

      Thank you! I will be glad to pay off the mortgage early if possible, as I DON’T have a very low mortgage rate. My credit has only recently improved substantially. I’m fine with the socks not working out- I’m glad I didn’t invest a significant amount of time in them. As for knitting “at work,” I work from home exclusively, so I have a good deal of flexibility. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. knittingissofun Avatar

        Ahh, that make sense about knitting at work.

        Liked by 1 person

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