Started, stalled or finished: Works in progress
Plus, a call for beta readers for my book!
I seem to have stalled out on a few projects this week. But I also finished one that had stalled out 2 months ago. So, success??
I write this while trying to finish revising the third draft of my book (my book!!!) and it was going really well, but this week… not so much. Maybe these are the parts I saved until the end because they are hard, or maybe momentum is running out. Either way, I am aiming to get the third draft done by the end of the month, so I can get it out to some beta readers next month. (Interested in being a beta reader? Scroll down to the bottom for info).
In the finished category, I made a bucket back that I have been coveting for years. It’s made with some salvaged wool plaid (came from a tailor who did alternations, lots of weird shaped scraps), and waxed canvas (a gift from a friend when I gave him some mending lessons). It’s my first time sewing with waxed canvas, but I have had this piece for 5 years, and I was too afraid to cut into it, it felt too precious. I have more to play with, so I have many bag patterns in my open tabs. The lining is a quilting cotton that I just purchased from Beetle and Fred. I started it in October, got most of this done in a few days, but then it has been sitting on the floor next to my desk since then. And now its done!
On the other hand, I have this tiny Flax sweater that I started on a whim a few weeks ago. And it went so fast and was so fun, and now I can’t bring myself to start the second sleeve. It’s the curse of the second sleeve. I am knitting this with my Oatmeal yarn from my sheep (still exciting to say that!!) which I dyed burgundy over the summer
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A few weeks ago I did finish this cowl made by following the Basic Doodle Cowl from Pacific Knit Co. I am enjoying the interchangeable colorwork patterns - I pulled motifs from the Arctic Expansion Pack as well. It was a delightful process. The pattern (and expansion pack) is full of 24-stitch color work patterns, and after casting on some multiple of 24 stitches, you can play with the design and color. I didn’t plan it in advance, instead I decided on the next motif as soon as I finished the previous one. They went quickly, and the gratification of finishing a motif got me excited for the next one. So many small victories to keep me going. Then I did some 2-line stripes for the lining of the cowl. I used my own Oatmeal and Cocoa yarn, and a range of scraps.
In this cold snap, I have been wearing it all the time, so I never bothered weaving in the one exposed yarn tail. Maybe next week. This week, I wore it skiing on a day with a high of 20 degrees (at the base of the mountain), and I buried my face in it while on the lift, defrosting my cheeks and nose between runs.
Other items… I got half way to replacing the zipper slider on my husband’s sweatshirt, but this slider isn’t quite right… so I need to go through the tin of zipper parts again and see if I can find something else. But first, I’ll put that off for a while. Let the zipper think about what it’s done and we’ll see if it’s ready to cooperate in a few days.
PS. Since I wrote this, I did find a zipper slider replacement.
I am writing a book about the struggle between a creative heart and a world that just wants you to check off more tasks on your to-do list. It’s for anyone who feels guilty when they “waste time” on their creative hobby. It’s also full of my reflections on how a creative practice is part of my anti-burnout tool kit, and suggestions about how you might make more space for your creative practice, whatever that looks like. These ideas were born out of my time-starved days as a parent to young children with no childcare, so it’s not some fantasy world where I am getting up earlier or even expecting undisturbed time.
If you are interested in being a beta reader, fill out this form! If you know someone who might be interested, feel free to share.