I was using Rauma Gammelserie for the Norwegian gloves and was not enjoying the process. I'm sure they would wear like steel but it felt like knitting with steel unfortunately. Anyway, the Norwegian gloves are now history although they'll come back with a softer yarn at a later date.



Instead I've cast on the Regia self-patterning Jacquard yarn to make a pair of basic gloves as I seem to need a more mindless pattern these days. I'm going to be a good girl and stick to a maximum of four projects on the needles at all times.





I am FINALLY on the last pattern repeat for the back piece of St. Enda. This sweater is going to be huge! Perfect for outerwear for me or DH for playing in the snow.



Speaking of snow, here are some cross-country ski socks I made for DH out of naturally colored handspun wool yarn purchased on Ebay. I made up the pattern as I went - using patterns from an Elizabeth Zimmerman book and decreasing down the back of each leg.

I've decided to go on a knitting fast (i.e., no more purchasing knitting supplies) for Lent and probably longer. I'd been meaning to try to reduce my stash. I've always secretly wondered just how low I can get my stash before I start shaking violently and speaking incoherently so maybe this is my big opportunity. Actually patterns, magazines, and books are my weakness but I'm pretty well caught up on all the current books I want.



Besides my four current WIPs (Norwegian gloves, stash Spontaneous Scarf, St. Enda, Trondheim) I have the yarn for some projects waiting in the wings including the Hebridean yarn for the Alice Starmore Celtic Keynot Cushion.







And here is some merino I dyed with Kool Aid then spun and plyed. I'm going to add some undyed merino and make the Spin-Off Entrelac socks.











I'm also thinking of making the Nova Scotia or Cape Cod sweater from Alice Starmore's Fishermen's Sweaters in dark green Nylamb from the stash and if I ever spin up all this alpaca I should have enough for an afghan. I have the Tiur to make the Dale of Norway Kashmir sweater and I have enough colors of Wildfoote to make the Spring socks with all the embroidery from Socks, Socks, Socks. I have some red and black alpaca for some mittens for my friend Joelle and I also plan some fast and easy gloves in Regia fair isle yarn. I have already separated oddball skeins of yarn to make about 3 or 4 more Spontaneous Scarves.

Peruvian Hat

This is the Peruvian hat from the little Vogue Knitting hat book done in stash yarn - mainly old Lamb's Pride. I sent it to Afghans for Afghans.

Ever since I joined Productive Spinners I've been thinking about ways to accomplish more. I read Wendy's blog daily and wish I had the knitting stamina she has. I imagine my closet stuffed with billions of beautiful sweaters the way hers must look.

I can really get off-track and have to figure out how to stick with something. I've noticed that I am not alone in this problem on the Productive Spinners list. Others also like to start new projects and ignore their three listed projects. But having to list my progress to the list every two weeks usually helps get me back on track. Since I've joined I think I've done much more than usual.

Today I'm hoping to finish the first Trondheim sleeve. I'm enjoying the Emu yarn less and less (it is starting to pill) and am rethinking my desire to add more to my stash. I've started to daydream about working on the Dale Kashmir sweater in Tiur yarn. I've heard others rave about working with Tiur (a shiny wool/mohair blend) and can't wait. I have to finish either Trondheim or St. Enda first because more than 2 sweaters on the needles is too many for me.

I cancelled my order for the Addi Natura and bamboo circular needles because I ordered them three weeks ago and hadn't heard anything back from the vendor. After my cancellation the online needle vendor emailed and said they're swamped with orders. I may just stick with Addi Turbos anyway.