How's It Going?

 

Here's my progress with my WIPs:

 

I've been pretty damn good about not starting any new projects. I have, however, allowed myself to THINK of new projects, like window shopping, totally harmless and so much fun. Honestly, thinking about it is kind of a hobby all on its own. 

I did accidently do an extra craft that wasn't on my list, and that's because it had been on my mind for a long time and until I was looking at the finished product, I didn't realise it was a craft. I made a really lovely hanging garland with white paper hearts of different sizes and I love it. I wonder if you're thinking, this is obviously a craft? What deceived me is that it was primarily to hang my flashcards (white with a small pink border, it matches beautifully) so I can see both sides and have them near my desk, not in a pile. OK, that's my one hiccup, and I didn't even realise until it was too late. But I did it all in like one sitting so it's not even an extra project that I've started and feel dread to finish now! I've let myself off the hook, let me have this one. 

As for the real list: I have 13 on the list and 4 achievements to report back!! accumulated over 8 months and now I'm crossing them off. It feels wonderful. The first to be finished was the balaclava commission, it took a few times to fit just right, but we're both really happy with that and now I don’t even have it anymore, it's gone from my life (as all the best finished projects should be). 

The second was the knitted slash top, ironically I think I'll mostly be wearing it backwards. I like both sides and they turned out really well, this just suits my style better most often, especially if I want to get the most out of it and wear it to class, although I can still wear it slash side out when the occasion calls. The hardest part felt like tying in the ends, I plowed on because I was so sure I'd love to have it finished most, even though there are imperfections I didn't start again and I focused on finishing it which makes me proud. 

I often think to myself when in the midst of a project, it is basically better to frog and go back while I'm still making it because I'll probably keep it for a long time so pain right now is far better for the long run. It's helping my future self and I'm often thankful, but it does mean that projects can stretch on forever. This time, I'm moving on; with my slash top there were some unforeseen imperfections that I’ve kept this time. If I want to change them, I'll have to make a whole new top, and I have decided I'm quite happy with that compromise otherwise the result is a never ending project that I can't really do much with. For example, I don't love the final feel of the wool as a shirt, even though I liked it in the ball. I think a stretchy bind off would've been better than a regular bind off on all edges and I want a wider neck, I didn't do that this time because I wanted more support for part of the slashes at the top which is thin and I didn't want it to stretch and pull, but next time, I might not do any slashes which will in turn let me have smaller straps and a wider neck. I also think I could reinforce the armholes so they don't roll as much. Part of the shaping actually comes from the knitting's natural roll and I did lessen the extremes when blocking so I really will have to see how it holds up then make a decision for next time. Did you catch that? see how it holds up when wearing it. you see if id never finished and kept going back then id never be able to test this now for next time. 

I finished the couching embroidery tote bag with stars, well one star. The plan was three, in yellow, red and blue all secured with black to make it cohesive, but honestly couching wasn't as fun as I first anticipated and my drive was really to finish the project and I did get into a groove and an embroidery hoop made the world of difference but when I finished I looked at the bag and the patterns were just so busy, I think really I should have a plain background before adding anymore decoration on top. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it either. 

Last one so far and it's kinda craazzy. It's the picnic tote bag, the sewing project and I didn't finish it but I have decided to remove it from the list anyway. I'm just not going to do it. I think I might also get rid of the scrap fabric I cut into shape for it. My hubris hurt me here. I thought I could do a sewing project without a sewing machine. I might be able to, but the fabric is big and it will be slow and I'll need to go back over myself a lot to reinforce it if I ever want it to hold anything substantial. I thought about switching gears and crocheting the seams instead, and I like that idea but then I thought about all the times I've gone to the park and had a picnic and almost every time, it has been spontaneous, so I'm likely not to have this bag on me, instead I bring small foldable bags. The crochet option is so appealing because it feels feasible and I think I'd really like it and of course I'd love to have the bag but it would still take ages and I'm just not sure it's worth it right now. This has been a hard decision but it is a decision that feels good. I might actually make the decision again and decide what I really need in my life. I think I should also get rid of the supplies because it's all just stuff that's clogging up my house. 

I think the next thing on the chopping block is the star wand, I'll give it maybe an afternoon actually ill give myself a deadline too: if I don't do it by the end of this weekend then I have to get rid of the unique supplies for it and not attempt it again until next year if I really want. next after that is the dragon, I was doing it with a friend who has since moved away and a friend who is really busy so I’ll see where they are with that, it's a fun thing to do together and keep each other honest on progress but I never really desired a dragon plushie in my life. It's finicky to make which also puts me off because there's a lot of complex assembly but maybe if I can get through that and go back to the knitting I'll enjoy it more?

We'll see. That's all for now. I'll check back in when I have some more progress.