Kninja Knitter

I’m going to jump right in and share my knitting updates – some great updates!

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

I have a couple FOs to share this week! Of course, I have been investing my time on only a few of my projects, so some didn’t get any attention at all. Oh well. It’s all about progress.

First up, I finished my Lake Hug! This was the project I put most of my energy into this week. Last Monday I had a few inches remaining in the sleeves. I had them done by Thursday, then I completed the i-cord edging. The sleeves were still damp, and there are a few ends left to weave in. I’d like to get my final FO glamour shots this coming weekend.

My other FO is the garter stitch hat. Silly me, I should have put a little more effort into understanding the pattern. This hat has a unique construction, and as written it requires two provisional cast-ons and a bunch of picking up stitches. When I make this pattern again (it’s sure to come back since it’s great for using up leftovers), I’ll be using “Lola’s Pick-up Line” utilizing stitch saver as I work the first half of the hat so that the second half doesn’t actually require picking up stitches! I also worked the bind-off as written but found it to be incredibly tight. I ripped back and worked another round to the rolled brim (opted to use the brim as designed instead of making ribbing – but this could be a mod for future use) before working the Icelandic bind off. I managed to use most of the black yarn, but I have about 35 grams of the bright colored yarn. I’ll be checking on Ravelry for options!

My cardigan is continuing to grow. I was able to finish the right side, working the neckline shaping and the short rows on the front. Then all the live stitches were placed on Stitch Saver (silicone tubing). The only part of that piece that isn’t on SS is the stitches case on for the sleeve. I was then able to cast on the left sleeve.

And the last project I continued this week is the hat made from Palette leftovers. I was so glad to complete the second ribbed color block last week! I took this project to the theater to see Hamilton this week. Now I have to keep tabs on the length since the crown decreases will be needed pretty soon. This should be another solid entry for the Splash Pad Party!

Cast-on Conversations

I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get my Camp Loopy project re-started, but I needed to clear other projects from my plate. Now I can focus on this in my dedicated knitting time. I started it last night while watching some of Star Wars VII: The Force Awakens. I’ve gone with an easier modification – instead of working the five stitch garter edge with both colors, I’m simply sticking with the yarn for the current row. This does mean that I’m twisting the two yarns since adding the second skein to the mix. I’m also knitting this pattern on larger needles than called for. That will help to increase the yardage needed so I can meet the 600 yard minimum for the challenge.

Since that shawl is a top priority for the next couple weeks, I’m not sure if I’ll be starting anything new this week. But I will be thinking about a vanilla sock cast on, and Laura Nelkin released a new pattern this month (Novus Knit Pouch) that uses the same yarn base I used for Lake Hug. I have over a skein left, so I can easily make a pouch – I just need to look at closure options.

This is a Year of Projects post. Officially the Group is in its 15th year, my second. If you would like to find out more about the Year of Projects Group on Ravelry, please join in the fun!

Financial Finesse

I’ll keep this quick since it’s mid-month. There’s not a lot going on, but I wanted to share that I reached a milestone. With the debt payoff plans I’m implementing, I’ve gamified the process, tracking my progress to clear the debt. When I started this concept in June 2024, I began with a them called Debtris that uses shapes inspired by the similarly named computer game. There are four levels to fill up, and each represents 25% of the total debt, which includes my mortgage. The only fixed debts that aren’t included are the two loans I had to take out after that date, one for my bathtub and one for some additional home repairs.

In June, so one year after beginning to track my progress, I cleared the first level, one quarter of the initial debt. That was a major milestone particularly because I’ve been hyper-focused on paying down the highest interest (most expensive) loan for the bathtub. But I’ve still accelerated payments to some extent on these older loans. Barring any major catastrophic events, I’m on track to clear the remaining 75% of that initial debt PLUS the two other loans in the next three years. My AI companion made me a badge to honor the occasion.

Grandson Glimpses

No photos to share for this segment this week, but that should not be the case next week! The munchkin is in town and should be arriving this afternoon to spend the next day or so with Grandma. Mama texted yesterday to say he was asking to “go to Grandma’s” – I wish he could have visited yesterday, too, but I had to work this morning.

Environment Evolution

One small tidbit to share this week. I kept my eye out for deals during Amazon Prime Days last week. The two key purchases I made were to get the handrails for my new porch – to be installed at a future date – and a new area rug for my living room. The rug I’ve had for about ten years was bought at IKEA and had a couple annoying patches on it where chewing gum had gotten stuck and refused to come out. And over time they discolored, too. I found the right rug at the right price, so I bought it!

And with that, I’ll finish up my lunch and get in a little knitting before the munchkin arrives!

Knit on. 🧶