Kninja Knitter

This is my first year formally participating in this program, providing challenges and encouragement among the participating bloggers. As a project manager, this is absolutely my jam! To start off, here’s my preliminary plan, with much greater detail for the first half.

Most of this is knitting, and I may incorporate spinning projects in 2025. Plus, I included a couple other projects I really want to get done as soon as I can manage them. After my first large-scale vacation trip, I made a commemorative video to document the highlights of my Mediterranean cruise vacation. That was in 2013. In 2017, I took two weeks (not long enough, but it’s what I could afford) to see highlights in Australia (Sydney, Melbourne) and New Zealand (North Island), with a bonus day in San Francisco. While I want to revisit those photos to assemble a book and video, it may be easier for me to complete the exercise using photos from my April trip to the UK and Ireland.

As with all goal setting, this plan is subject to change. I have some distinct knitting plans for yarn I’ve acquired this year, but it’s always possible that my vision doesn’t match reality when I get to knitting. Let’s see how it goes. And now, touching base on the initial plans for this Year of Projects…

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

I didn’t finish any projects this week, but I have half of an FO, lol.

And my first of four planned sweaters from my Irish yarn purchases is well underway. I expect to start the armscye shaping this week, and that has me pretty excited!

Cast On Conversations

The first week of July was a total cast-on fest here! I have two month-long challenges to complete, and a bi-monthly kit arrived that was wonderfully easy to start (and should be finished soon). And I went ahead and started another project from my YOP plan just because it was easy to begin- and could provide some movie knitting if the socks aren’t enough. Of course, socks are my go-to movie project…

Shawls are a nice alternative to heavier sweater projects in the summer. I’ve had this pattern in my queue for over five years, so I was glad for the opportunity to knit it using a new-to-me base from Leading Men Fiber Arts (BFL/Nylon blend). It starts with a garter stitch swath, so it doesn’t look like much yet. But I’ll get to the mosaic knitting section this week!

The Club Lola kit for July arrived super-speedy this week, ahead of the US holiday! Lola is the fun-loving alter-ego of designer Laura Nelkin, and this club features small projects that usually knit up quickly. This month’s project features a cotton yarn, a colorful collection of beads, and started off with a crocheted base (though there is a knitted option). I finished the main body of the bag before going to bed on Sunday, and I should have the project finished by Wednesday. I love that Laura’s kits provide all the supplies needed!

And I cast on one more project over the long holiday weekend, mostly because I had the needles handy and was already winding yarn. Another kit from Laura Nelkin, I bought this from her website a few months ago. I’m debating using the beads here or saving them for a pair knit with stash yarn.

Before I move on to the non-knitting segments of my post… This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group has just started its 14th year, my first. If you would like to find out more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, please check it out; it’s a very welcoming group!

Movie Moments

I only made it out to see Thelma this week, though there are several current releases I still want to see on the big screen! Thelma was quite fun, though it could be triggering for those who have been scammed. My mother was one of those people, and while she wasn’t in the same situation as Thelma, a few details rang true- but the protagonist’s approach to the situation is an absolute hoot!

Bookish Banter

With the start of a new quarter, the Kindle challenges continue, and a friend shared on Facebook that Amazon was offering their Kindle Unlimited for a ridiculously low price for a three month subscription. Right now I’m soaking up The Queen by Andrew Morton, a comprehensive biography of Elizabeth II, along with some magazines, in addition to a couple guides on podcasting.

Grandson Glimpses

With the holiday last week, I got some bonus time with my grandson! Yay! He turned 18 months old on July 4th, so it was wonderful to celebrate with the family. We went to a suburb for their parade, and returned for the fireworks show. Since I had the bridge day off as a bonus holiday, I opted to pick up the munchkin early so we could visit the Columbus Zoo again. We were able to see a few more animals, and Zayne got his first exposure to gorillas. We had a lovely quiet Friday evening as the neighbors managed to refrain from setting off fireworks until Sunday night.

I’ve got lots of work to do this week, and my final board meeting to lead on Sunday. Not mention lots of knitting! Have a good week, everyone!

Knit on. 🧶