I have a Big Plan for my knitting this fall. Really . . . a kind of adventure for myself. (I’ll share more on that as the time approaches.) But before I start in on that, I need to . . . clear the decks, so to speak.
I have . . . let’s just say . . . many . . . projects in various states of “being” in my making-life. Knitting. Stitching. Sewing. Mending. I decided to pull them all out and do a little inventory for myself . . . with the intention of wrapping them up (or in at least two cases, starting them) in the next . . . oh, let’s say . . . month.
So I gathered my projects up . . . and spread them out on my sewing table. Here’s what I’ve got. And their current status. (You’ve likely seen most of these here on the blog at one point or another, but some will probably be surprises.)
Project 1 – Oh, this is a little Sashiko stitching project I finished over a year ago. It’s from a kit and is meant to be turned into a project bag . . . but I’ve never taken that next step. Part of the reason I’ve let it linger is that I didn’t like the all of the fabrics that came with the kit for the rest of the bag, and I’ve been (ahem) indecisive about my options. I think I’ve picked the backing fabric now (the floral in the background), so it really won’t take long to finish.
Project 2 – A needlepoint owl. All it needs . . . is to be put in a frame. Which I already have. And shipped off to Erin. (What am I waiting for? Who knows . . . )
Project 3 – A mending project for Tom. These are his beloved and much worn “guide pants” (fancy specialty fishing “performance wear” sweatpants) that he’s had for A Very Long Time. (They were a Christmas gift from my mom many years before she died, so he’s been wearing them for maybe 20 years?) Anyway. I “deconstructed” the stretched out (and very fancy) elasticized/drawstringed waistband (no easy feat, I’ll tell you) last spring. Now I just need to sit down and put it all back together before he needs them in the fall. But I am notoriously slow when it comes to mending, and so they sit.
Project 4 – Finished stitching project. I need to put it away with other finished stitching projects I don’t know what to do with (yeah; I have a collection of those) OR . . . decide to do something with it. Its fate TBD . . .
Project 5 – An almost-finished sewing project . . . a linen shirt I started making for myself . . . oh, two years ago? (Probably three, actually.) All it needs is a front facing, sleeves (simple sleeves; nothing complicated here), buttons/buttonholes, and a quick hem. I need to finish this . . . because I could wear it this fall, y’know?
Project 6 – This is my current “tv knitting” project . . . yet another Purl Soho Saltwater Bandana, this one in the same lovely Japanese Cotton Denim as my last one, only this one is in the “black” colorway (which is really closer to a deep navy blue). I’m smitten with both the bandana concept in general, and this pattern in particular. (Also, Purl Soho has their Japanese Cotton Denim back in stock . . . and it’s still on sale, too. Just sayin.)
Project 7 – An un-started little stitching project . . . for fun and not for hurrying along. It’s one of the many variations of the “100 Ladies” designs from Japanese artist Kazue Nakajima. I purchased the original 100 Ladies pre-printed fabric years and years ago . . . but my goodness! Those ladies are so very tiny I just put it away. But the notion of stitching them lingers, and when I saw this tiny bag, I thought . . . this might be a more manageable way to give these ladies a try. So I gathered a bunch of embroidery floss with plans to give it a go. (Slowly. No timetable.) (Besides . . . the bag is already finished!)
Project 8 – My linen stitch bandana. I’m making good progress here, and will be finished . . . soon(ish). Still completely enamored with this one . . . despite a recent set-back when I had to do a major un-knitting session . . . (it happens).
Project 9 – My other un-started stitching project . . . but with plans to get it started on Friday. This project is the MDK Summer Camp Make-a-Bag offering . . . that I could not resist. It will become a komebukuro project bag, which is something I’ve always wanted to make. The MDK “Summer Camp” workshop is coming up this Friday, and I anticipate making a good start with my bag. (Tom will be away this weekend – and it looks to be a rainy one anyway, so I’ll have time to stitch.)
And there you have it.
My current Project Inventory.
But . . . wait. What is that there under my sewing table?
Ah. Yes.
Project 10 – My almost-finished Waffle Pullover has started making some noise and calling my name. It’s nearly time for me to pull that out and start knitting again. Once those bandanas are finished . . . this one is Up Next.
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What do you think?
Can I get these projects wrapped up and off my sewing table in time for my planned fall Knitting Adventure?
Time will tell . . .
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And how about YOU?
What are you working on right now?
Oh, Kym, I am overwhelmed just looking at this, but then again I am currently overwhelmed with my craft room that is not this organized. No, I don’t think you will get all of this done by fall, but it depends on your definition of fall. I tend to think fall begins in October. I almost bought a tiny ladies project, and then I realized that I would go blind trying to do it. I love the end results, but the process might be too tedious and frustrating for me. My eyesight is not that great. Here are my worthless suggestions. Prioritize them according to how much work is left to be done and whether or not you can actually use them in the coming season. According to that reasoning, that owl needs to go first. Can’t Tom buy a new pair of pants? Good luck! You will feel so good when you get some of this off your plate, crafty woman!
I recently did a similar inventory and I have 9 in process projects – none of them will be finished before September but I am making peace with that 😂
Haha! I’m happy to know that I’m not alone with my collection of finished stitching projects! I started a little clean-out of the Little Working Museum the other day & ran across *one* of those collections. So many great things here, Kym! But I’m super excited to hear more about your Knitting Adventure!!
I know *I* couldn’t do it. But I also know there’s lots here that’s close to the finishing line, and crossing it is awfully satisfying. So actually, probably? I finally figured out what I wanted to do with a piece of fabric I bought on a whim (something uncharacteristic for me) and got out my sewing machine last week. Felt really good.
I have the komebukuro kit as well. I won’t be able to take the class on Friday, but I think you’ll enjoy it. I took a Page Sato class this summer. In fact, my little wrist band from that class incorporates one of your little ladies. Good luck!
This is quite the interesting inventory! I love seeing all the varied things you are working on, each lovely in their own way. I don’t think I could finish them by fall, but like Becky said, it might depend on when you think fall starts. Justin brought me a pair of pants to hem and I’ve already procrastinated a week and a half because they have to be cut first and John marked them with a purple Sharpie. All I’ve got going is an unhemmed pair of pants, two seed stitch dish towels, and a duplicate stitch badger on a hat. I’m looking forward to hearing about the Big Plan!
I bet it felt good to get those projects all sorted and now that you’ve outlined what needs to be done I predict you’ll be banging them out in no time. I’ve heard the call of the Waffle Stitch Pullover myself . . . but all I seem to want to do these days is crochet wind spinners out of cotton.
That’s an awful lot. Those self-assigned projects can weigh heavier on my mind than the extraneously (for lack of a better word) required ones can. I agree with Becky. Buy Tom a new pair of pants. You will both get over it! I myself tend to get more difficult chores done in the morning after a good night’s sleep. (Provided I actually get a good night’s sleep.) and only expect of myself one difficult chore per week. That’s four in a month! Progress! (And we’re still not even in official fall (September 21, still?).
I am glad that I am not the only one hearing squawk’s from the bag I stuffed my Waffle Pullover in! I love a good plan and when I look at this array of projects, I think most of them are *so* close to the finish line! They just need a small bit of attention to get them across! YOU CAN DO IT! And when you get those *almost* finished ones over the line, the momentum will build to carry you on with the rest. Like Vicki, I am so eager to hear about your new knitting plans as well! (and go you on Tom’s pants!)
This all looks like fun to me! I like that you have such an assortment of projects that you can work on…when you want to. I have a bunch of unfinished things…and I’m fine with that. Occasionally I will pull them out and look at them before putting them away again. You are reminding me that I need to look through my fabrics.
Wow….that’s a lot!
When projects linger for awhile around here, I do a reckoning on whether it’s time to fish or cut bait. Sometimes the project no longer interests me: I figured out how to do it, the process was interesting, but I’m no longer interested in having the finished product. Other times, the whim has just passed and there’s no getting it back.
You certainly have a lot of things to keep you occupied!
How wonderful to have a variety of projects that call to you! I love every one of them. I love the little scene on black (#4) and thought it would make a cute little bag, but then you have the 100 ladies bag so I thought a coaster? I love cloth embroidered coasters (I’m making them with sashiko). I can see why you’re stalled on #2 as framing needlepoint is time consuming and exacting. The fabric for #1 is so perfect! That will make a lovely bag to show off your skills. Everything is so fun! You have so many interests and you act on them, which is all the more beautiful. I predict you’ll have many of these wrapped up in your month timeline and have the others to while away some time in early autumn. Stitch on, Kym!
I am so inspired by all your projects and also that you took them ALL out. I can get myself to look at all the started knits, or all the started stitching, or started sewing or printmaking or or or …but not ALL the ALL at once. Brava! You cant go wrong finishing any of these. (also I have to wonder why we stop when something is almost finished, I do it all the time).
Oh we could start a club! Your projects look like mine. I may have even more, including some beautiful cross stitch items I finished 20 years ago. I always thought when I retired I would have lots of time but it seems it doesn’t work that way. Good luck!