De-Stash and FO Challenge

I've decided that a challenge is in order.  A challenge to de-stash my yarn (and other materials) and finish as many projects as I can over the next month.  The challenge is for me...and anyone else who'd like to join in on the fun.  I'm going to start off by trying to complete and blog at least one item a day for the next few days.  I have several things that are almost finished....they only need to be blocked, have ends tucked in, or some other small thing to complete them.  This challenge should help me finally get to it!  Here's item number one....

I started this cowl before my road trip and finished it while I was gone.  This week, I finally got around to tucking in the ends.  It's made with yarn I spun myself.  It's the "Gaptastic" shawl...a free pattern on Ravelry.  I used size 11 circular needles and cast on 131 stitches.  The pattern says to knit for 15" but I only made mine 10" wide.  I felt like it was plenty wide with how thick it is.  My finished length is 27" (the loop laid flat).

I love this pattern and I've knitted it before.  It's comfy, warm, and versatile.

I like how it can be looped twice around my neck when it's really cold.

It can just be worn this way when it's not so cold...

The seed stitch texture is so pretty.

I think this pattern was a great match for this yarn.  It seems to really bring out the colors

It also works well with the unevenness of this yarn and the inconsistent twist.

It's a yarn spun up a few years ago and, even though I'm proud of it and love it, it's not as good as I could do now.  I'm so happy to have made something out of it that I love so much.

Here's a picture I posted when I started the project.

I love it because it shows the roving, the yarn, and the project.

If anyone else wants to join me in this challenge just let me know.  We can cheer each other on.  And, I'd love to provide links on my blog to the posts you create with your FO's.  Who knows....if enough of us get together to do this...we could even create something like FO Fridays or something!  :-D

UPDATE 8/10/2014 - I just found out about a stash-busting party at "Linda's Crafty Corner".  I've never done a link party but it sounds like fun.  So, I'm going to try to join in, starting with this stash-busting FO.  It's open to anyone.  So, if you'd like to join in on the fun, hop on over to her blog.

Startitis

I think I have a case of Startitis.  You know...the uncontrollable urge to keep starting new projects?

Yup!  That's what I've been doing!  I've got an extra strong love of all things yarny.

Then, add to that our upcoming road trip that I need to plan projects for and I've ended up

starting project after project and I have several more picked out that I can't wait to start.

Here's one that I started last night.  It's the GAP-tastic Cowl pattern.  It's a freebie on Ravelry that I've made before and love.  I had a bag full of yarn I'd spun up several years ago that I thought would be perfect for this.  I wound the skeins into pull balls last week.  I'm using size 11 needles.  Here's a photo of what the roving looked like, the pull balls (there are five of them), and my started project...

I've been trying so hard to find the perfect pattern to go with this stash yarn.  I bought it in Sedona a few years ago.  I love the oranges and pinks in it.  I finally decided to go with the Claudia Scarf.

I've made one of these before too and I love it.  And, this time, I'm thinking of turning it into a cowl.

It's a 460 yard skein of Ella Rae Lace Merino.  I'm using a size "H" crochet hook.

I think this stitch pattern is showing off the colors and lovely texture of the yarn quite well.

I've made some progress on the toe-up sock I started last week...

I've even made a couple of tiny, knitted gift projects over the past week too.

I'm having so much fun!  And, I'm doing lots of stash busting!

There's something about going on a trip that fires up my yarny passion.  I always get so excited about the possibilities of all the time I'll have and projects I can work on.  It's like I think there will be more hours in each day and more days in each week.  It never works out that way.  But, it's fun to dream!

As you may be thinking....I will probably be taking a very large bag full of yarn and projects!

P.S.  We'll be leaving soon on our trip.  I'm wondering if anyone has any can't-miss suggestions of things to see or do in some of the places we'll be.....Taos, New Mexico; Memphis, Tennessee; New Orleans, Louisiana; Dodge City, Kansas; Tucson, Arizona; Austin, Texas; Conroe, Texas; and Fredericksburg, Texas.  Awesome yarn shops and antique stores are some of my favorite things
to find but I'm open to lots of other great things to see and do too.  Thanks!  :-)

Tour de Fleece Finish Line

Here's my Tour de Fleece yarn...

I finished it up yesterday...on the final day of the tour.

It's 100% Merino and it's super soft and fairly even in thickness.

It's somewhere between a fingering and DK.  The color is Sandalwood.

I had hoped to spin up and ply at least 600 yards and get started on a project during the tour.

But, life got busy and I only spun and plied four ounces for a total of 213 yards.

But, for me and how little I usually spin...this is an accomplishment to be proud of.

I was even more proud when I took it off of my niddy noddy and held it up...

there was not even the slightest bit of twist in the skein!  Wow!

I've been told that is a good thing.  I guess it means my yarn is well balanced?

I'm so excited about it that I plan to spin up at least eight ounces more.

I can't wait to get started on a project with it!  

I've already started searching for the perfect pattern.

 Woo hooo...handspun yarn by me! 

Here's a question for other hand spinners...

When you're finished spinning and plying yarn do you wash it?

Do you let it sit for a while?  Do you just start right into a project with it?

Or....I just heard of this a few years ago and I don't quite get it...

do you wash it and beat it and how?  I'd love to hear what you do and why.

I was told years ago that it's best to wash it and hang it to dry to set the twist.

So, that's what I've always done.  I'm wondering if that's necessary or the best way.

Your stories, experiences and advice would be great to hear.  Please share.  :-)