Quarterly Reflections and YOP Week 39

As March is wrapping up, I’m reviewing my progress for both the calendar year and the Year of Projects (July-June). Since I haven’t actually set any concrete goals for the calendar year, I’m primarily looking at my financial status compared to when I started tracking my debt pay-down. Before I dive into the three-month look-back, here’s my week’s activity in the knitting realm.

Stitched or Still-in-Progress

I finished three projects last week, which means I also cast on three! The easiest item to finish was that second sock that only needed a few rounds of ribbing a week ago.

Patterns: SHaGS by Sarah Jordan; yarn: Good Noodle Yarn Co Everyday Sock in Are You Ready For Some Football? on US1 (2.25mm) needles

The scarf turned out wonderfully, and I didn’t even block it aggressively! It’s about seven feet long and a foot wide, and I managed to use up all of the yarn – these were leftovers from a shawl I knit last year.

Pattern: Da Light Scarf by Laura Nelkin; yarn: Kimber’s Cozy Creations Cozy Fingering minis (rainbow assortment) on US5 (3.75mm) needles

I also technically finished the tee I was knitting; but after I bound off per the pattern, I confirmed that the neckline plunges a bit low for my taste. I’m working on knitting an inset to fill in some of that space, so I’ll have another FO picture next week.

Pattern: Swooping Scoop Top by Jessie Maes Designs; yarn: MIss Babs Tarte in Blackbird and Red Moon on US11 (8.0mm), US10 (6.0mm) and US9 (5.5mm) needles

I’m also continuing to work on the cardigan I’d started in the prior week. This is a cone of fingering weight yarn I bought in Ireland in April 2024. I’m just a few repeats away from moving on to the back. I need to revisit the pattern to confirm how I’ll be using Stitch Saver since it will help me avoid having to pick up stitches.

Pattern: Fancy Cardi by Joji Locatelli; yarn: King Cole Anti-tickle Merino Blend 4-ply in Red on US4 (3.5mm) needles

Cast-on Conversations

Just as expected, I did cast on a shawl after I bound off the rainbow scarf. I’d worked out my spreadsheet to complete this in early June as usual, but then I realized that I had misread the pattern and I had expected a lot more stitches than needed – I set a per-day stitch goal to meet my deadlines, whether externally imposed (often for imaginary points) or internally set (otherwise I wouldn’t finish things). Once I realized the error, it turns out I’m a couple days ahead of target! That doesn’t mean I’ll slow down, but I can give myself some grace if life gets too lifey at some point in the next couple months.

Pattern: Sugar Pop by Lisa K. Ross; yarn: Leading Men Fiber Arts Show Stopper in Darkest Hour (black) and Bring May Flowers Gradient set on US4 (3.5mm) needles

And lastly, I have my next vanilla sock project. As soon as I bound off that last one, I went looking for the next yarn – and this skein was already caked up. That made the decision SO easy, lol!

Pattern: OMG Heel Socks by Megan Williams; yarn: Rock and String Creations Jitterbug Sock in The Royals on US1 (2.25mm) needles

And taking a look at my progress over the quarter, here’s where my YOP plans stand:

I may add another project or two. I have to wait for details on Camp Loopy before I decide if I’ll participate or not. The cabled sweater might not happen either, at least not before July. Socks and shawls are always in the mix, and I want to get back to the Go With the Flow wrap I’d started for the Pigskin Party but set aside. (I’d like to finish it during the Splash Pad Party if possible) The other big project I’ve tabled for a while is my Zig Zag Blanket. I’m thinking I need to bring it out of hibernation now in remembrance of Susan Hayes (the dyer behind Desert Vista Dyeworks) – I mentioned last week that she passed away. I don’t have any full skeins of her yarn in stash, so knitting from the remnants is my only option.

Grandson Glimpses

The munchkin continues to provide lots of entertainment – and this weekend I got some dedicated 1:1 time with him as his parents and sister went DoorDashing and I agreed that he could stay with me since he was playing quite nicely (I declined on Friday when he was behaving like a lunatic, lol). He had me read a couple books to him. His favorite is Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, and he’s starting to say some of the words with me. I’m looking forward to hosting his second Easter Egg hunt later this week!

“Fixing” my old computer with “drumstick” knitting needles

Financial Finesse

At this point, I’ve paid off more than half of the debt I started off 2025 with, and that’s amazing! Of course, I also took out another loan for the new windows, so my total debt hasn’t dropped that much. But the fact that I paid off my bathtub replacement project is huge. And I’ve also managed to get closer to zero with my credit cards.

I have travel plans coming up, so I’m taking some time this week to review what payments remain and what reservations I still need to make. I’m flying for two of those trips and driving for the other two, and three of them require hotel accommodations as well. The excitement for these getaways is building – I need to channel that energy into earning a bit of extra money since I’d like to continue making progress toward becoming debt free!

Random Ramblings

It’s taken too long to get this far and I want to post, so I’ll keep this bit short, lol. The UFL season started this weekend – I’m excited, particularly since I’m a season ticket holder for the new team, Columbus Aviators. They lost their opening game last night, but this Friday is their home opener. The head coach is a rookie in the position, as he was a star Ohio State and NFL player, and locally recognized. And his coordinators have lots of pro coaching experience. I take solace in the loss knowing it was to one of the best coaches in the UFL, though he moved from St. Louis to Orlando (quasi-retirement? 😁). Anyway, I’m looking forward to the next weekend of games, and Easter, and then the start of my travel days!

Knit on. 🧶