Fall 2020 WIPs

I have a few finished objects to post about that are waiting for photos, but I realized today that it's been a very long time since I posted about any works in progress. So today I will fix that :) I've been slow and steady with things I make this year, but I always have something going that I can grab when I have some spare time here and there. It's been a pretty good strategy and kind of the only thing that has kept me able to still knit and whatnot with the crazy pace of life. Anyway, here are the things I've had going as well as a few new things I have planned for the coming months.

First up - my Christmas Sweater! Every year I see all the adorable novelty sweaters people knit for Christmas, but I never think about making one until it's too close to Christmas to actually get done given all the gifts I usually make each year. I bought this pattern last year hoping to finally make my own, but it got set aside with only a gauge swatch done. After finishing my latest shawl project, I decided the beginning of October is the perfect time to get something like this started. This is the Betty & Judy Lodge Sweater by Poison Grrls and I have loved it since it was released. It's such a cute shape that I can definitely see myself using as a base for other looks after this one. I'm using admittedly crappy yarns for this since I've been on a major stash busting kick the past few years and I have a ton of Vanna's Choice in scarlet and white that was given to me a few years ago. Since this is just a novelty sweater and not something I will wear regularly, I think it's fine to use this type of yarn. Use what you have! So far I've knitted the back yoke, front colorwork yoke, and joined the body. It's so adorable! I haven't knit intarsia in years so this was a nice way to dip my toes back in just a little. This is worsted weight yarn, so it's knitting up really quickly, so I know I will be able to finish it in time for December. My novelty sweater dreams will finally come true!

Next up is the Barnivore by Anna Hrachovec of Mochimochi Land. This was a new design this summer and I bought it immediately (I did that with her latest pattern too, but it's almost done and I'll be showing you soon in a new post). My twins are very into animals lately, particularly farm animals they recognize, so I knew they would love playing with this. I've knit all the barn pieces and blocked them, but I still have to sew it all together and then make the animals. I plan on making 2 of each so the girls can't fight over them - or just making 2 of only 2 animals. Either way I'd like to avoid the toddler arguments as much as possible without making an additional barn, lol. I'm also debating whether I put eyes on the barn or not. Still undecided there. I've decided to make this a Christmas gift, so I have a little time to decide.

This is actually my latest finished project that I still need to photograph :) Yes, another shawl. What is happening to me? It turned out really nice though so I'm excited to show it off soon.

Ah, my poor, languishing Endearment sweater, lol. I started this back in February and I've had several spurts of progress where this was my main focus throughout the year. I was doing really well until I got to incorporating the 3rd and final skein of yarn. I only have about 1/3 of the second skein left but I am working with a very finite amount of yarn and wanted to make sure I got the sleeve length I wanted before I make the body longer. So I stopped knitting the body and started the first sleeve with my final skein. I knitted several inches before I realized something was up with the color. The skein for the sleeve was much darker than the skein for the upper body, which is extremely aggravating because these skeins are all from the same dye lot :/ This all happened back in June and I just set this aside. I have picked up up several times, ripped out the old sleeve, tried alternating the 2nd skein and the 3rd skein, even tried reverse winding the 3rd skein in hopes it was just a darker section. No luck. At this point, there is not a thing I can do about the coloring since this is a discontinued yarn that I bought back in 2014, plus since these are the same dye lot I wouldn't even have much hope that another skein (if I could find one) would be any closer in color. I'm actually wondering if the colors are fading as they are exposed to light since the first skein I knit is by far the lightest - in which case it would all even out eventually. Anyway, I've kind of resigned myself to just knit it up with the disjointed color on the sleeves for the sake of getting it done at this point. I would really love to have this sweater to wear and I love the colors paired with the design. So I need to get crack-a-lackin' on this again.

I'm also starting my Christmas gift planning. Two of my sisters have pillows on the brain, so I will be sewing some throw pillows and pillow cases, but my sister Shannon has specifically requested this pillow done in crochet, lol. The example one is latch hooked, but I know I can easily replicate this in tapestry crochet. I'll have to map out my letters soon, but this should be an interesting challenge. I've also found a Snom Pokemon pattern to make for my nephew's birthday at the beginning of November. I also have a quilt to finish for myself, which probably won't be done his year, and I'd really like to make sweaters for my girls before it gets cold here (this is Florida, so I do still have time on that one). As always, way more plans than time. 

So that's what's on the agenda for you with fall makes? Any fun works in progress? I'd love to see!