When I look back over what I've knit this year, or for that matter last year, I don't feel as if the accomplished knitter I purported to be has come through. It is true I've knit 4 pair of mitts and 2 pair of mittens in the last couple of months, but there hasn't been anything of real substance. Last year I only knit one sweater, the year before (2009), I knit 11. ELEVEN! Maybe the drive and desire for sweaters hasn't been as strong since but, I think the desire is there, just not the drive.
This excellent yarn will make a lovely pair of mitts for moi, as every pair of the mitts I made were gifted away. Now, don't get me wrong, I am very happy about that. Giving the gift of mitts is like holding hands with a friend but, I'd like my own pair of Susan's Ragtops. Maybe it's time to be a little more selfish with my knitting, just for awhile. The color is Victorian Gothic, which in no way describes me, but I love the mix the pink and black. As luck would have it, the color will not go with any of my outwear but, I try not to sweat the small stuff.
On another selfish note, I have salvaged just enough knitting desire to stay focused on the Henley. This poor sweater has been an unintended slog but I'll enjoy wearing and, if all goes well, it will fit. One sleeve is finished, the back is very near its second completion, and soon I'll be frogging back the front (just part of it). Hopefully, this second time around will bring a better end result. I'm ready!
My knitting goes in spurts - sometimes it's big stuff like shawls and sweaters and sometimes it's little stuff like mitts and hats. It's all good!
Posted by: Carole | March 04, 2011 at 05:43 AM
I'm in a less-than-productive mood myself these days! Like everything else in life, though, there is an ebb and flow; a balance to our knitting. The mitts will be lovely -- and Henley will be, too!
Posted by: Kym | March 04, 2011 at 06:03 AM
Is it ennui, or is it just a more relaxed approach to your knitting? You didn't garden the year you knit 11 sweaters, dearheart. You have diversified;-D Happy Friday!
Posted by: CindyCindy | March 04, 2011 at 06:03 AM
You know what? I think a little selfishness every so often is a good thing. Go you! :)
Posted by: Anne | March 04, 2011 at 06:05 AM
Cindy hit the nail on the head! Diversity is good. ; )
Posted by: Vicki | March 04, 2011 at 06:15 AM
Having many interests is a wonderful thing...I cringe when I hear people say they're "bored"...can you imagine? Life's a wonderful smorgasbord...enjoy as many samples as you can!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend...try something you've never tried before and have fun!
Posted by: Maureen | March 04, 2011 at 06:39 AM
Maybe you just knitted your share of sweaters for a few years in that 11 sweaters year and now you have to fill the small things quota!
I love the color of your own mitts to be, it reminds me of the color of Kim's yarn you gifted me :)
Posted by: Rachel | March 04, 2011 at 06:42 AM
Knitting diversity isn't a bad thing. I hold myself to lower standards...any knitting is good, any FO is even better. ANd yeah, I do not hold to the matchy matchy thing all that much. YMMV. Thank you for holding hands with me!
Posted by: Laurie | March 04, 2011 at 06:50 AM
You're still knitting and purling and knitting and purling...it's all good!
Posted by: Suzy | March 04, 2011 at 07:22 AM
Oohh....love that yarn and I am so not a pink lady.
Carole's right....any knitting that we do is all good. This year was not much of a knitting year for me either, but that's ok. :-)
I can't wait to see you in your Henley!!!
Posted by: Kim | March 04, 2011 at 07:28 AM
Oh, that Tosh is GORGEOUS!
Do you think maybe those 11 sweaters burned you out a bit?
Posted by: Chris | March 04, 2011 at 07:49 AM
You caught my attention - "Ann-wah" is as close as my little Siamese can come to "Nana", what my grandchildren call me.
Piteous cries of "Ann-wah!" come around 9 pm when she wants me to quit knitting and go to bed (she won't go without me).
11 newish sweaters in your closet - how many more could you need right now? Perhaps you are supposed to spend this year knitting accessories. Just enjoy the knitting!
Posted by: Barbara-Kay | March 04, 2011 at 07:53 AM
We are mitt twins!!! I have the exact same colorway for mine. Am knitting the second one now.
Posted by: Heather | March 04, 2011 at 07:55 AM
The 11 sweaters was in preparation for the lack of big knits. Enjoy the process of the "little" knits. And be kind to yourself. Please?
Posted by: Manise | March 04, 2011 at 08:20 AM
Your black vest! They will go with your black vest!
Posted by: Cheryl S. | March 04, 2011 at 08:21 AM
I've gifted about 30 pairs of mitts since November...I think knitting a few of anything is accomplishing...because it can be rather boring. The ragtops are really cute!
Posted by: Jamisyn | March 04, 2011 at 08:23 AM
2010 was pretty unproductive for me too, I think all those sweaters in '09 did me in. I'm not feeling terribly inspired this year either. I can't lose my knitting mojo - I have too much stash!!!
Posted by: elizabeth | March 04, 2011 at 08:33 AM
1. It's not a race.
2. Do I really need to remind you about what's been going on in your life over the last year and a half?
3. No matter what some people may think, there really is a limit to how many sweaters a grrl can have.
4. Please stop being so hard on my friend.
5. Honey, it's just knitting.
6. Did I mention it's not a race?
xoxox
Posted by: Cookie | March 04, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Love the comment from Cookie.
Take it easy. Enjoy some tea. Knit what and when you like and Lord, please let the sun shine!
Posted by: jill | March 04, 2011 at 04:55 PM
What Cindy and Cookie said. I was thinking about all the new things you have accomplished this year, WoW.. you had different sort of knitting going on (your sweet heart) and the garden, and the chicken grrrls, and and.. and you still knit a LOT. All knitting is good, the gifts to friends and to self. xox
Posted by: marianne | March 04, 2011 at 08:41 PM
You knit ELEVEN sweaters in a year????? Even in my sweater-knitting heyday of the 80s, I never did that well. You are my yarnish hero, Margene!!! And I've added those mitts to my queue as well. :-)
Posted by: Laurie | March 05, 2011 at 08:50 AM
As always, Cookie hit it right on the head.
(And which would be better - having yet another sweater or having gardening and chickens?)
Mitt knitting is knitting. Knit on with joy!
Posted by: gayle | March 06, 2011 at 09:16 AM
I feel like knitting should be about what we want and need at the time... I love this quote from Annie Modesitt's website, "We don't knit to make things, we knit to make ourselves happy!" You have a lot of sweaters and shawls, and maybe what you need right now is mitts and the joy of making them to connect with friends.
Posted by: Birdsong | March 06, 2011 at 01:06 PM
You are an amazing knitter - whether it's a dozen sweaters or a handful of beautiful mitts. You inspire us all every step of the way and never bore us. You delight us with your knitting, sunsets, and comments - no matter what the final product is. I think that the journey traveled with your knitting friends is the best possible FO of all.
Posted by: Jennifer | March 06, 2011 at 06:45 PM
Awn-wee, eh? I like that. I also like the thought of gifted mitts being the gift of holding hands.
That yarn is going to be a great pair of mitts for you. I can see you wearing them on of your early morning walks.
I do think it is interesting to look at the changes that happen in our knitting lives. Some seasons are filled with productivity and massive fo piles. Others are all about the social aspects--the knitalongs and swaps. Sometimes it is a season of learning--the new techniques and constructions. It can be a time of knitting for others, or for ourselves, and that can change what and how much we knit, too.
Ah, but once again I am rambling. Thank you for being a part of my fiber-y life.
xo
Posted by: Sarah | March 06, 2011 at 10:41 PM