Time to Work from the Hoarde

 I started keeping a notebook a short time ago in an effort to keep track of available potential knitting projects.   It's not fancy,  nor horribly well organized.  What it does do is help remind me what yarn was bought for what project as well as the wide selection already at hand.

There are 17 pages like the ones below.  This incomplete catalog has 144 different potential projects.

In fact, I recently did some (exceptionally) rough math to figure out how long it would take me to get through the project kits (that I put together myself) currently residing in the craft room.   Averaging fifteen completed projects a year (typically my average is about 20), not counting multiples I may make of a single pattern, there is a solid ten years of knitting.  Ten years y'all!  Not including most sock stuff or random fiber goodness just hanging out waiting to be useful, ( most from early knitting endeavors that didn't quite work.)  I used to make jokes that I was stashing yarn for a "retirement fund".   I think I'm good for a fair bit.

The knitting pattern library is even more extensive as it includes every tiny toy, freebie, book and magazine pattern compilation I have collected over the last almost twenty years.  Honestly, most aren't that great, frequently painfully dated or something I had plans to modify heavily until something closer to what I wanted came along.  Will I knit all of them?  Goodness no!  I have spent years curating, collecting, and buying yarn for the pieces that appeal to my personal aesthetic (i.e. member of the Addams family who has run off to live in the forest).  Are they all timeless, classic pieces?  Decidedly not.  Where would be the fun in that?  Are there more plant, raven and Halloween themed motifs than a fairly conventional closet?  Well, of course!

The best clothing is the stuff that makes you happy when you wear it.

Things that take the edge off...sort of...at least temporarily

 Unsurprisingly, I knit another sweater.  Another Felix pullover, it's my third.  This one in some Lion Brand Fishermen's wool I had in the Yarn Hoarde.

I started another Chuck sweater, this one for Daughter's birthday.  Also in yarn from the Hoarde; Northampton in the nebula colorway, edged in black Deerfield.  I realized yesterday as I was casting on that it's magpie colors.  When I mentioned that to Daughter, she squealed and grinned from ear to ear; Magpie is one of her Critters.

I've been drinking even more tea than usual, non-caffeinated by 5pm.  Usually a combination of Tension Tamer and Rose mint; by the quart.  Alcohol consumption has pretty much stopped.  Husband and I would split a bottle of wine or have a beer once, maybe twice a week (if it was a feeling fancy week).  Honestly, I drink mostly in social situations because it's an excuse for me being odd or weird...and people tend to stress me out.  It's not a great solution, but it is a socially acceptable one.  Knitting works almost the same way, though then a lot of people get the impression I am not paying attention. *sighs*  I'm not being rude, I am just not poisoning myself on your behalf and managing to make a sock at the same time while holding a conversation.  

The other thing, that has worked as long as I can remember, is reading.  Burying my nose in a novel grants (decidedly) temporary reprieve from my clenched stomach and agitated state.  I started the Magical Midlife series by K.F. Breene a couple of days ago.  Is it great literature?  No.  Is it nice to read about someone who is not in the same age range as my kids have exciting paranormal adventures and a magical house?  Yes!  (The main character is a 40 year old woman from California, who also happens to be an Aries with hazel eyes, making her much more relatable for me personally).  Sadly, there are only two books out and I am 65% through the second one already, in three days.  I did stop to read a Halloween novella in between them, just to try and stretch things out.  The third won't be out till November. *sighs*  Do I have more books to read?  Of course!  I just dislike waiting.

I'm tryin' y'all

 

My stress levels are through the roof the last few days.  Today, for some reason unbeknownst to me, is exceptionally bad.

Spent the morning shaking like a cold, agitated Chihuahua without a sweater.  Stomach clenched for three days straight.

My house is getting highly ordered and clean.  And my Halloween wine holder arrived today!

The Cassandra thing is loud and unnerving right now, shouting that the week won't end well, worse than previous ones apparently.  Other people are involved though, so it could just be me being ridiculous and a little too highly strung.  Here's hoping!  Take care of yourselves everyone!

It started innocently enough...

 I found a pattern that I thought was amusing.  Showed pattern to Husband, he thought it amusing as well, while making mention his Mom totally needed one.  Saying I am fond of my mother in law is an understatement, so I bought the crochet pattern.  ( I may have used it as an excuse to purchase Deerly Departed and Mr. Wednesday as well).

While perusing yarn for said crochet project (as well as a couple of others, a friend is apparently desperately in need of hats), we came to the realization that many people would likely appreciate said fiber endeavor.  Guess what all y'all are getting for the holidays? (In case you were wondering why I may not have linked the pattern.)  Hopefully it remains a good choice as the yarn has already been ordered.

I finished my Salal, complete with buttons!  It does need a final blocking after I picked up the button and neck band.

It makes me look like a very fancy She-Hulk.  This pleases me greatly.

I picked my lone pumpkin.  It looked done, as I did plant the small or pie sized variety, it wasn't supposed to get very big.  And as I have decided it is Halloween already, it is a lovely addition to the decor, until we get around to roasting it.

When I realized that our kitchen was in need of new spatulas, I may have perused the holiday section at JoAnn's, they may have been having a sale....and I may have gone a wee bit overboard.  It truly is Halloween everyday in this house.

It should be evident; I am well and truly done with the first half of this year.  It's not that I think the second half will be better (quite the opposite really), but at least it will be partially done in the comforting colors of fall and all the trappings that go with the season.

Which is why I got mini cookie cutters too.