Time of reckoning

A review of my fiber resolutions for 2024 was a bit disappointing. I achieved NONE of my fiber goals, although one I tacked on at a later date did get done: having my hand-pieced quilt top quilted by a professional. "Buy no fiber" failed from the get go; no work was done on the Accidental Poncho; and I lost interest in dyeing roving, as it is very easy for the dyeing process to felt the fiber.

Where does that leave me for 2025? Well, I would still like to buy no fiber, but I realize that is not a very achievable goal. The challenge for the spinning guild is going to be to finish unfinished objects (UFOs); according to Ravelry, I have about a dozen of those, so perhaps the goal of finishing at least one per month would be doable.

When the owner of a semi-local yarn store (LYS) retired, she said she was going to tackle her "bucket list" of fiber projects. I have a couple of those that are sweater-specific: knit an adult-size Baby Surprise Jacket (BSJ), using some acid dyed Cascade 220, and knit a sweater based on one I saw on the cover of the fall edition of the Fun Times (published by the local parks and rec department).

And I think that is good enough. New projects will come along, I'm sure, especially portable ones like socks (see below). There is plenty of fiber activity to keep me busy throughout the coming year.

Knitting: I started a new pair of socks, using some "ice dyed" sock yarn.

My laptop is acting up - it may be a failing video card - so if I am offline for a while, blame technology. Happy New Year!

Goals for 2024

The new year is one of my favorite times of the year. When I worked, I would try to save some vacation for the week between xmas and New Year's Day, to put things in order (especially paper - whatever happened to our paperless society?!?) Now I'm permanently "on vacation" but I still like the idea of a fresh start.

I frequently mention how much fiber I have and how I don't need more. Sticking to a goal of not buying any roving or yarn for at least this year feels doable... if I can refrain from browsing the offerings at the Little Shop of Spinning when we have spin-ins there.

There are also a lot of UFOs around here. The yarn of the ones I know I will never finish could be recycled. For 2024, I would like to complete a self-designed poncho I started in 2015. The bulk of the knitting is done - I just need to do the finishing.

Dyeing has fallen by the wayside. In the past, I dyed yarn, but there is an embarrassing amount of undyed roving in my to-be-spun cupboard. I'd like to get that dyed, one way or another.

So, I have three goals for 2024:

1. Buy no fiber this year
2. Finish the poncho
3. Dye roving

That feels doable.

Knitting: The ends of the Lempi sweater all woven in! It took about four hours, as each stripe had two ends. (Note to self: No more striped sweaters!) Now I just need to add pockets and buttons.

Spinning: Still on the orange portion of the current roving mix. Since I plan to 3-ply this yarn, I'm spinning fine thread. Fine spinning takes a l-o-n-g time.

According to placemats in Chinese restaurants, I was born in the year of the dragon. Next year (tomorrow!) a new year of the dragon starts. Recently I read that it will be a year of bad luck for all us dragons. We'll see, but I'm hoping not!