Life Imitates Art

This post is either a sad state of affairs of a testament to my fine artistic eye.


I've been enjoying dishcloth replenishment and stash reduction by knitting these fun little cloths. Could it be that I've been avoiding the tedious second thumb of the Mitt-A-Long Mittens by cranking out satisfyingly quick projects?


When Martha's Everyday Foods arrived in the mail last week - I couldn't help but think that it matched my newly-knitted Lobby Dishcloth (check out the 10 December post if you follow that link):




And in a fit of self-indulgence, I swooped up a copy of the new Debbie Bliss Knitting Magazine, but couldn't help notice that it matched my new Heart Dishcloth:





The final straw came when my son came to the kitchen for breakfast matching our new ball-band dishcloth:

I can't tell if I've lost it or I've finally gotten it...

Half by Half

I really like having an October birthday because it is a great time of year for self-assessment and goal planning for the new year. The changing of seasons always seems accompanied by clothes shifting, decoration changes, and other seasonal adjustments. A perfect time to assess and (hopefully) act.

I'm taking advantage of my half-birthday yesterday to do only half the assessing and to announce a half-baked plan. I have too much yarn. There. I said it out loud. Most have specific projects in mind, but my projects are piling up quicker than my knitting accomplishments. I need to act.

Here's my plan: I'm going to reduce my stash by half by a half-year from now - my birthday, 10/10.

How it'll work : I have two large drawers filled with yarn and a Lantern Moon basket's worth of current projects. I want to be down to one drawer and the basket. This includes all the ends of skeins that I have been saving (for what?!) and yarn I really liked, but plans changed. I'll either knit it or give it away 'til I've reached my goal. No buying yarn until October. I'll be using what I have to accomplish the projects I have. Yikes! That sounds even more harsh in print.

Exceptions: My pastor asked for a hat and I really think that Noro Silk Garden is in order, so I still need to pick that up. But that's it (for now?).

Can I do it? Wanna come along for the ride? I'd love to have some company in this half-baked Half by Half quest.

Up next: inventory!

But first, a little celebratory splurge from today's IKEA run:

I found this in a summer-stuff section and loved the print (declined on the matching napkins). Would look perfect at the beach with a project or two underway, don't you think? Good thing I didn't say I had to stop buying cute bags!