forget about a work in progress, this is all about patience

Mason Dixon Baby Moderne Blanket

I started this blanket in February of 2007.  I am still knitting it.  And I have just realized that if I'm still knitting it in February of 2012, I will have been working on it for FIVE YEARS. 

This is when I start thinking about all of the things that have happened in my life since I started knitting this thing.  Off the top of my head, I can say that I've acquired a dog, a marriage, a second home and a career change since I started this blanket.  This is not to mention all of the amazing things that have happened in this world since I started knitting this blanket.  I am stuck between fascination and despair - fascination that I could let something take so long and despair over the fact that I have literally let it take so long.

What I have failed to mention is that this blanket has always been an intended gift for my husband.   And he has patiently waited, birthday after birthday, Christmas after Christmas, for the long promised blanket.

Now if that's not patience, I don't know what is.

fo:: argosy baby blanket

This project has been unfinished for so long that I don't even remember starting it.  It was definitely a work in progress for 3 years! If you think that's a long time, then, don't catch the post where I finally finish the Moderne Baby Blanket - that's been four years for sure!

This blanket has no intended recipient.  I started it because I inherited a bunch of acrylic yarn and I thought that, when finally complete, it would make a great car or stroller blanket.  The acrylic didn't really soften up in the blocking process, but it's still cute and warm.  And I like the color.

Project: Argosy Baby Blanket
Yarn: old old old acrylic yarn from The Bay
Needles: 4.5 mm addi turbos
Modifications: none

I would knit this blanket again in a heartbeat, now that I know how rewarding it is when it's finished.  It's an easy pattern to memorize and is overall an enjoyable knit.

Finally, it doesn't get much cuter than this, now, does it?

Long time no see:: Birthday Cowl as FO

Birthday Cowl in Red

As you can see, I haven't exactly been a faithful blogger over the last two years.  Sometimes you just have to take a long time off.  Studying to make a job change, a job change, a home change and job stress don't always make time for knitting.  However, as is the cycle of life, things have calmed down for now and I have found myself with a renewed inspiration towards knitting.  Projects that have languished in dresser drawers for two years are being welcomed into my world again and are slowly being worked toward completion. I look forward to sharing them.

In the meantime, I will feature projects that have been finished in the last two years but haven't been written about.  Given that I have recently celebrated turning 38 (38!! - crappers! can't believe it!!), I will start with the Birthday Cowl....




FO:: Birthday Cowl
For: me
Completed: Winter 2010
Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly DK in red
Needles: 4 mm
Link to pattern: here

Comments:  I made no modifications to this cowl.  It was an easy knit and I wear it frequently in the winter because the yarn is soft and it's super comfy to wear.  I can't stand anything itchy on my neck, so this is a frequent go-to accessory. The color also pops nicely against the brown and black coats I wear in the winter.

Return

It's kind of like coming home.

Sometimes you have to leave something entirely to realize that there are parts of you that want to return to where you were.

And so I return.

Life has been so busy and there just hasn't been time to do this, there's just been time to do other things. However, you realize after a while that if there's time to do the other things, then there is time to do this as well. So, here we are.

I kick off this return with a list of things to do. It's Spring Break for me and I have a list of things to complete:

- drop off drycleaning; get coats repaired (March 14)
- cutlery for downstairs kitchen (March 14)
- curtain for kitchen window
- call insurance company; cancel house insurance (March 16)
- call banks to change account names; order cheques (March 15)
- pick up parcel at post office (March 14)
- mail package to friend (March 14)
- lunch with Karen (March 14)
- dog walk with Jen
- paint ceramics with Kathy (March 16)
- clean out car
- clean out basement storage room (in process - started March 17)
- blood work (March 17)
- taxes (March 13)
- spa appointments (March 17)
- order new contacts (March 16)
- office supplies at Staples (March 13)
- yoga

..... I'll let you know how I do. When an item is complete, I'll write the date of completion next to it. Cheers!