YOP Week #45

Only 7 more weeks to go?  I am getting excited to get to YOP 2018-2019!  I am busy making plans and this year I am already ordering materials!  I've even signed up for a class.  I am usually caught off guard and low on funds but this year I was prepared to start off the next YOP year with a bang!
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FO's - (Finished Objects) - none this week but getting close!
I thought for sure I would have my felted slippers done by now but my luck being what it is....it won't be happening this week.  I checked the instructions and to sew the top of the loafer onto the foot part I needed a bunch of removable stitch markers.  I did not have but 2 or 3.  The Knit Picks sale was on until May 2 for the wool I was using so......I ordered removable stitch markers and the wool for 3 more pair of slippers not knowing how mine would turn out.  But I trust Amber of the Yarn Hoarder Podcast so I took a chance.  Then I got the receipt for my order and it was way out of whack so I called them and they corrected it and gave me the sale price even though the sale was over and also gave me free shipping!  Now that's customer service!  It was most probably my fault too as in talking to them I realized I had used the back arrow button to go back and order things and let me tell you people.....that will get you in trouble every time if you are ordering things.  That is what goofed up the amounts although I must have had my eyes closed in reviewing the order or I just didn't see it.....who knows, but I am pretty sure it was my fault.   Anyway, I should receive my order this week with the removable stitch markers so I can finish my slippers and felt them and hopefully they will turn out and I can move ahead with the other pairs for Christmas.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it! LOL!   
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 WIP's (Works in Progress) -
1)  I finished square #4 on my daughters Frida Kahlo basket............I even wove in the ends this time.  Only the base square to go now...........

2)   I Spy quilts - I managed to get the strips of 8 squares each sewn together for quilt #2 of 3 and now I need to sew the strips together to make the 'flimsy'.  A 'flimsy' is a quilt top that has not been attached to the batting or the backing yet.

3)  I'm beginning to think that 3 WIP's at a time are about all  I can work on regardless of what they are.  I worked on my cowl when I took breaks from housework during the week and I am on round 65 color #9 of 24 and according to Helen Stewart, the designer, I am 35% finished at this point.  Not bad for something I only work on sporadically.

4)  I know I am jumping the gun here for the next YOP but there is a reason.  You know how people have mentors in their life either for their career or a hobby or just someone they admire and would like to aspire to be like?  Well, I have decided to have a few mentors of my own.  I have noticed 2 pod casters that started knitting about the same time I did and yet they are way beyond me in skills acquired and not only do they have pod casts but one has been designing her own patterns for awhile now and the other is learning how.  Hello!  So, it dawned on me that maybe if I follow their projects along the way that I might gather the same skill set and become a better knitter.
The 2 pod casters I am referring to are Joanna of Stitching the High Notes and Mena Phillips of The Knitting Expat.  I also adore and will follow Amber of the Yarn Hoarder podcast but I think she has been knitting a lot longer but I will still use her as a knitting mentor regardless as we have lots in common... except for our yarn budget! LOL!     
So, to that point I saw Joanna make a lace work scarf and she mentioned that she learned a lot by taking a class for it on Creative Bug from Debbie Stoller (she wrote the Stitch  n' Bitch knitting books of which I have the first one....in fact, it was the first knitting book I purchased as it was recommended to me when I started knitting).  They have a free trial membership at Creative Bug so I signed up for the class and I have already ordered my supplies.  When I listened to Debbie talk about what we would learn in the class I was 'in'.  Not only lacework stitches but problem solving your knitting mistakes and also how to use a lifeline....yes, I need this class!  I may be starting this ahead of schedule but only because of the free trial.  They have lowered their monthly subscription price.  When they first came out it was $15 a month I think and now it is $8 per month.  I still prefer Craftsy where you pay for  a class and it is there forever for you but I will check Creative Bug classes out.  I want to improve my knitting skills and some others too and I think this is a wonderful way to do it for a visual learner such as myself. 

5)  I got my sewing book in the mail and also my new printer which is such a treat to be able to print out patterns etc. and other crafty plans I have.  Here's the book....it was recommended by Simply Summer Street and I have already read the 58 pages of great information leading up to the 12 projects which are the 'lessons' that progressively teach you sewing skills that build on each other.  I've already learned some things I did not know and some useful tips.  I used to sew when my children were little but it has been so long except for quilting that I thought a  'refresher course' would get me off to a good start and build my confidence and this book is perfect!  I'll be working on the first project this week and maybe have an FO by next week!  Oh, that would be so nice!

6)  As an aside, I think I am going to frog my Christmas Eve cast on socks where I ran out of yarn and plan on doing some toe up socks for that yarn.  In the meantime though, I want to cast on some plain vanilla socks to get back in the sock knitting mode. I have been missing making socks and I only have the 2 circular needles for them.  I will be ordering more needles to cast on lots of socks as my grands are coming the end of this month and plain knitting is the only thing I will be able to manage while they are here! LOL!  I have to do handwork every day or life is just not worth living!

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What's in the Queue -
#1 - Some Valentine's Day socks - I'll be dyeing my own for this!
 #2 - Something for St. Patrick's Day...socks or cowl...not sure.  I think I found a cowl pattern with a Celtic design but I would like socks too!
#3 - Still more washcloths as I have plenty of Dishie and Peaches and Creme worsted cotton
#4 - Some leaf book markers

There won't be anything more added to the queue now since it is getting so close to YOP Year 2018-19 that any new projects will go for next year. 
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What I'm "wishing upon a star" for -  These will also be going on the YOP2018-19 list if they 'make the cut'! This is way more exciting then the NFL Draft!

#1 - My Valentine and St. Patrick's Day yarns for socks or cowls and mini's for cowl and Granny Stripe Blanket.  I'm thinking I can dye my own now!  How exciting!!!!
 #2 - Susan B. Anderson has her 2 kits back in stock..........The Loopy Sheep
and her Spring Chicken kits  just in time for Spring but where do I get the dough for all these great items?
#3 - my new over the top obsession I discovered from Little Bobbin's mother who does the most beautiful stitchery from Jesse Chorley
I'd like to do her Friendship Quilt  if I live long enough! LOL!  I may try just a little sampler on my own but check out her website for lots of other wonderful and unique items and projects.
#4 - Knitting at the Library Cowl - a pay for pattern on Ravelry.  I'm thinking this may be the year of cowls or slippers....we'll see who wins out! The cowl looks like different shelves of books!  So cool!
#5 - A crochet square blocker either a DIY or to buy.......anyone have any experience with these or recommendations?  I saw this Crochet blocker with instructions to make and it looks pretty simple
You just need wooden shish-kabob skewers and a gardening knee pads

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 YOP Goals from last week:
*** Partly*** 1) pin I Spy quilt #2
2) cut binding for my sampler quilt
3) work on Spring cross stitch
4) Cut out tunic pieces
5) order bias tape and Swedish Tracing Paper for patterns
6) Sew tops on slippers and felt
***Done but really ongoing*** 7) order supplies:  yarn , needles etc
***Done*** 8) do block #4 of 5 on Frida basket
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 YOP Goals for this week:
1) finish sewing top for I Spy quilt #2
2) sew tops on my slippers and felt them after markers arrive
3) work on Land of Sweets cowl as permitted
4) sew first project for Sewing School
5) frog Christmas Eve socks and cast on a new pair
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   Podcasts:   I watched Stitching the High Notes Episode #22, 23, and 24.
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To see other fabulous projects from YOP members click here
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 Happy Trails!!!