09 May 2012

My own little island

Finals are finally over and now the only thing between me and graduation is the completion of my final thesis draft.  I've been under a huge amount of pressure and haven't really had time to spend on crafting for the last few weeks.  So, for the next few days I've decided to have a mini craft retreat where I get to spend as much time as I want to on my various projects.

I have so much I want to do!  I feel like there is a whole host of ideas that has been piling up in my head for a long time and now they all want out at once.  I decided that I really need to start a fiber art journal (about time!).

I started by planning for some colorwork pillows I want to knit for my first apartment:

Next I reevaluated my WIPs, one project in particular was bothering me, a sweater in a Vogue Knitting pattern that has so many mistakes and frustrating sections that I was having doubts that it would be worth my time:

So, I frogged the silly thing carefully (this is the second time I have frogged this yarn and the cotton/silk blend is not holding up very well...):

After some clicking around on Ravelry, I found a new pattern that I think will work much better (Gaia by Kristen TenDyke) and cast on feeling much more confident.

Now for the rest of the day I'm going to spin some lovely Targhee wool and relax!

If you could have a craft centered week without distractions, what would you do with it?

19 comments:

  1. Good luck with the new project. It stinks that the first didn't work out.
    Also good luck with your thesis.

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  2. So jealous your finals are over! I still feel knee-deep in them. Can't wait to see how those color-work sketches turn out. : )

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  3. Your crafting journal looks so awesome! Hmmm....I think you've may have started something for me. I hate when I get a pattern that I practically have to rewrite the whole thing. Sorry to hear that you had to frog but, sounds like it is for the best. Good luck with your thesis.

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  4. It's a little maddening to have so many ideas and not enough time. If only we could sprout a couple of extra arms.

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  5. I have been day dreaming about a craft staycation week this summer. My husband and son are taking a road trip out west and I'll have the place to myself.....I think I want to play with a natural dye kit I have stashed away. I've been wanting to try out those little cochineal bugs.

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  6. Dare I dream? Let's see... I would cast on several different projects, knit to my heart's content, and probably try my hand at dyeing! You deserve this break so enjoy it.

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  7. Guess what? I pretty much have this week! I have been spinning and plying yarn, as well as working on my socks. If I could make it perfect, I would do some dying too, because I love it. I'm so glad you found a chance for a break!

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  8. I kind of have this for the next 15 days! My husband left this morning for 2 weeks of military duty and the only things I have to do til he gets back is take care of our 4 week old (he's an easy baby and I get plenty of craft time) and general house things like clean a bit and feed the animals. Anyway, I'll be spinning some and knitting a lot! I want to finish a few things to wear at our uncle's wedding Memorial Day weekend.

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  9. My goodness, a whole week? I'd try to do four rows every day of the lace stole I'm working on, and I'd have a full repeat done by the end of the week. And two stripes of the sock daily would get me past the heel and onto the leg. And spinning, and carding, and some guitaring too. :)

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  10. Good luck with your thesis! Your spinning is so beautiful... I think I've given up forever on trying to drop-spindle though, I wish I shared your skill!

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  11. Without distractions!? I dont think I know what that is since I had kids! SO I would give them away, then I would do some design work I think, watch copious series on dvd while I knit knit knit! I might do some baking too :)

    That green is gorgeous, good luck with the new project!

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  12. Sounds like a great idea! I'd just sit out in the hammock and knit to my heart's content. :)

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  13. The journal is a great idea! Love how you jotted down the ideas for your pillows. Seems like we both are not blessed with our green coloured Vogue projects...but the new pattern you have chosen looks awesome.
    Enjoy your crafty break :)

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  14. It's a shame the sweater didn't work out, but Gaia is gorgeous and I love the shade of green! I wish I could have a crafty week, but I don't know what I'd do with it, other than keep on with what I'm working on. I love the pillow designs!

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  15. Enjoy your break, a week of crafting what I wouldn't give for that. What would I do, knit, sew just enjoy myself. Gaia is lovely, my daughter would love it. Look forward to seeing how your pillows work out.

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  16. Good ways to destress during such a big, academic time. Glad you were able to reuse that green yarn for a happier project.

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  17. Oooh, love your fiber journal - what a great way to plan out future projects! And taking a fiber retreat sounds like the best possible way to de-stress during the end-of-college craziness. Gaia looks lovely, and I'm also really excited to see your colorwork pillows!

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  18. The Gaia sweater is so pretty. A craft retreat sounds wonderful and I love getting a glimpse of your fiber journal. I have that exact same yarn winder.

    If I could have a craft retreat (which I totally could if I just made the time) I would work on several knitting projects, both new and old, and spend time coming up with new designs of my own.

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  19. The Gaia looks sweet! ...a whole weekend? a baby sweater...I have one in mind for my best friend (It's going to be brown with little green turtle buttons)....can't wait to see what you accomplish!

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