A Slump

I've been knitting like crazy on Frontenac. It looks more like a scarf right now than anything else, so I'll just save you the progress shot until it's done next week. It better be done next week!

I had to cut so many roots off this guy!

Today, I worked on my repotting and watering my orchids and now that I'm thoroughly worn out, I'm debating whether to restart my boot sock or move on to a dog sweater. The dog sweater sounds pretty good because I haven't started it, and so, haven't messed it up yet!

A red dog sweater! So cute! Should I start?

Last week was just an epic knitting failure week for me. To begin, I had the gauge trouble with Hayward. I still haven't restarted it. Then, I ran out of yarn halfway through the foot of my boot sock. I had to frog the whole sock so I can modify it to be shorter and fit my foot a little more snugly. Then, I ran out of black yarn on my Frontenac three rows too soon (if I hadn't done the long-tail cast-on, I would have had just enough! Curse you, long-tail cast-on!) and now I'm worrying whether I have enough of the white to finish the sweater. I'm trucking on. One of my LYSes should have a white skein if I need it.

But there is good knitting news, too! I finished two projects this week: a months-old pair of socks and the test knit I've been slogging away on for a month and a half. I'll show you the socks Friday. They are probably my favorite!

How do you get through knitting nightmares? Just keep going or give it a rest for a bit? Do you have a no-fail pattern that helps you through when nothing else seems to be working? I'm totally at a loss and would love some advice!

Green

Oh man, I wish I had some new knitting to show you! I'm working on a test/sample knit that I'm not allowed to share. I will as soon as I am able! That means I've been tearing apart sweaters and picking up an old work-in-progress here and there. I'll share a couple I have finished on Friday (though they really aren't that old...).

I've also been busy cultivating my green thumb. John redecorated my corner, so I've moved all my plants to the empty spots in my bigger bookshelf. Now that I see them daily, I realize they need a little attention! Remember my terrarium? Still going strong! Our Ben Franklin is closing and I scored a couple cheap LED lights that happen to fit perfectly in the top of my terrarium jar! It brightens up my dark shelf at night as I slave over grading and Greek. :)

I'm also trying to revive an orchid John gave me for Valentine's day this year. It's just thirsty, but I'm not sure how many of the roots are still viable, so I'm sprouting new ones. Trying to, anyway. I'll give it a couple of weeks, then put it in a proper pot.

My other orchid, which John gave me on our first date (awwww!), is doing well! I discovered yesterday that it needs to be repotted and to have some of its roots trimmed too. It's going to be a busy month for the plants.

What are you working on that's not knitting-related? Getting any late (or early, depending where in the world you are) gardening done? Of course, I want to hear about the knitting too! I'm ready to cast on five projects as soon as this test knit is in the mail. Inspire me! :)

I'll get back on this blogging horse slowly but surely. Thanks for not completely abandoning me last month. :)

For more WIP Wednesday posts, visit Tami's Amis!

I declare today...

Finished Object Friday!!!

I have three, but I will share just one with you today:

Timothy Hay and Fluffy Bunnies

Pattern: Earl Grey Mitts

Yarn: Lion Brand LB Collection Baby Alpaca, superwash wool handspun by CompassioKnit (AllisonJai on Ravelry)

Needles: US 5
Project page

In January, I received this lovely hank of green superwash as a swap gift from a fellow Ravelry bunnyowner.  I'm  definitely a sweater-knitter, so I was stumped about what to make with so little wool!  But I found the perfect project in these mitts.  I typically dislike fingerless mitts because my fingers are always cold, not my hands, but I wear these very often.  I did not deviate from the pattern, but I might for my next pair, which will be gifted to my dear friend Anna. :)

The superwash was spun think-and-thin, which created an interesting result in the finished object, especially paired with the mechanically even Lion Brand.  They look as though they were knit by a beginner knitter because they pucker in different ways where the yarn is either thick or thin.  Admittedly, I haven't blocked these guys yet.  I want to, just to see what will happen, but I do fear losing the character a little bit.

So named because the green is about the color of the timothy hay my bunnies eat and the alpaca is the same color of my bunnies.  These are the only garments I own that successful hide the fact that I have messy bunnies, haha.

The handsome leaf belongs to my lovely Spot, the beautiful orchid my boy gave me when my former orchid, Bunny, died.  Spot just gave me some stunning blooms!  I've never had an orchid rebloom.  My green-thumbed, orchid-loving mother would be envious. ;)

Next week (maybe before Friday): A running hat!

Oh!  P.S.! If you want a chance to win a stunning project bag, hop on over to the lovely little blog: A Playful Day.  I have a thing for robots, so that's the guy I'm hoping for. :)  Thanks for stopping by!