Fledglings flying through craft stash in 2018

[Bowerbird5]

Since I joined the fledglings thread I noticed quite a few people have and find de-cluttering craft stashes difficult. Lots of crafters have half finished projects lying around creating more clutter.I'm very guilty of this.
So I have started my first thread.

The idea will be that you pick up one of those projects and complete within a month. Those that are clever( not me) can post a photo of the result on this thread for the rest of us to admire.
Also those new to a craft can ask advice of those experienced crafters. You can also post about organising and decluttering your craft area.
So crafty fledglings I'll start off.

I bought some wool from Yorkshire because I saw it in the window in Leyburn and had to have it. It was in June. So I started it on Jan1 and I am knitting( slowly) a snood. I aim to have it finished by the 31st Jan, 2018 😁
What is your pledge?

Mohair and angora would have gone if it were me. Itchy scratchy impossible to rip back bleurgh.

I would probably advise you not to start with the Mohair for a jumper. Also these day a lot of people a mixing a laceweight mohair with a 4ply wool to create a fluffy softer hue to their knitting.I will admit the effect is pretty amazing. It is just not the fibre for me.

I haven't made a jumper or cardi for me yet either. I am planning to start with a Tin Can knits pattern because 1. free, 2. comes with tutorials if needed 3. basic pattern. 4. comes in all sizes from baby to man sized.

My in progress mostly abandoned project list is currently around 12/13 and that is before I open the door to the craft room and does not include finished projects waiting for end weaving. Like I said amateur

I knit at least 6(possibly 8) rows of the lap blanket last night. So progress.

And I have the scarf with me for the train this morning as well.

I managed to add another 4 inches to my scarf this morning - I reckon it will be done by the weekend as the wool will run out (it may, just, stretch enough to wind fully around my neck. Otherwise I will cast off halfway each side and do an I-chord in the middle as a button-loop, and add a button somewhere suitable to fasten it).

I found the makings of a handbag, 2 pairs of pyjamas, baby spit-cloths, dollie blankets and 3 fleece blankets in my basic searching through the main box (the one kept in the study/craft stash room). I have another 2 crates of fabric hidden in the attic, and my wool stash. And a bunch of embroidery threads and fabric for cross-stich projects. (And a kit to tapestry/wool cross-stitch a cushion cover). I am not counting my card-making materials as I do make some from time to time.

But on the plus side, DH has announced that he is away not for 6 days, but 10+ from next weekend (and DD is away overnight on the weekend in the middle) - so I will have time and space to tackle some serious sewing in his (and her!) absence. Maybe Christmas 2018 really will be the "Year of Homemade" (I've declared that each year since 2014 and not managed it once yet!).

I opened the door to the craft room, there is a crap ton more in progress projects. I am going to be honest, I closed the door and backed slowely away...

Going to have to put some serious work into wipping down

Hhmm we all seem to be having trouble today. Pointy sticks needed!

I have pulled lampshade out and made a few flowers. It is on the lines of the one in the Gillian Harris carnival of felting book. Wacky!

I have also been doing lots of colouring of cards for school. I'm thinking if I photocopy them I can have a spare set.😊
Missing my knitting.
Yeah definitely an amateur😁 I am thinking if I could find my Fly lady book I made that I could list them as I find them and then put in order of need or preference.

Don't mind me just going to cast on a pair of socks, I need some stockinette knitting tomo and although I have socks on the needles: 2 pairs will need their heels putting in (not good for out and about), one pair needs the bind off finishing and one pair is part way through their fixing post surgery and needs concentration. The 2 pairs that are current UFOs need thinking about and the pair that needs an extra inch adding is definitely not something that can be done out and about. Ergo this is how you justify having all the wips But but but pretty socks...

Wow, loads of knitting going on!

I want a craft room, so jealous 😫 Our house isn't really big enough for the 4 of us, the chance of me getting a craft room is way off 😅

Not got anything done today as was out of the house for 12 hours! I didn't even manage to get to the shop to get my fabric! Will have to try again tomorrow. I won't get much done now until at least Thursday 😔

Wide awake most of the night - so in desperation, I went downstairs at 2am and put a few more rows onto my lap blanket. Until DH woke up to go to the airport, so I went back to bed about 4 (sleep continued to elude me though). I met a colleague as I got on the train this morning, and we both chatted through our coffees so I never got the scarf out.

I am going to concentrate on just 2 projects at a time, in the hopes of finishing them!

Too miserable to go out at lunch, so I knitted in peace instead and now will be cosy despite the weather going home - 'tis finished! (Well, apart from sewing in the 2 ends - but it's still wearable in the meantime).

Ooo, I love the colours, Biddy! Looks lovely and cozy 😊

I got out to buy the white fabric for the bag, I've also ordered the lining fabric online as nothing suitable at the local fabric shop. Might get a bit more cutting out done on Thursday and Friday 😊

Biddy that looks lovely. I love the colours is it Sirdar. The girls mum said what I was using is called a cake. I haven't really done any today. I did sit and sort magazines though and pull out some patterns in case I need them😉
I didn't feel like doing the lampshade today and I finished the colouring in the early hours so I guess that counts.

Whisper I only have a craft room because all my kids have left home. Of their own accord not removed I might add. So after DD left I turned the little bedroom into a craft/ junk room. I still haven't finished sorting it because I need something then start pulling things out. Lots of the things are in cane baskets on some upright wooden shelves. I have a small of shelves and an old metal table to work on but it is covered in stuff so I need to clear it tomorrow. Then I have some IKEA shelves in the corner. And a built in set on the back wall. The room is only about 9'x7' so you don't need to be too jealous it isn't like the ones on Pinterest. I should sought it and use it more. There is just too much stuff. The wool tops takes up lot of room. I have cards, knitting and crochet, felting, craft books, jewelry and a couple of weaving looms.😳😳😳
Oh and art portfolio about 5 and paint, pencils, dyes ( under the table) and fabric, embroidery threads and material.😱😱😱
The cake decorating stuff is in the drawer of the table or down in the kitchen.

I've no idea what wool it is - I bought it 10 years ago and this was the leftovers with no ball band kept

bower
Yarn names - it made me giggle especially the last one

Urm insomnia bite me last night and I am in the middle of designing a custom fit pair of colourwork mittens You know because finishing a project is so 2017...

Hills I'll get the ------->

Love the name your balls and indeed she is right it is a cake. I have a hank too that I am eyeing up but shouldn't touch until I finish the other projects first. Did about an hour today on the whacky lampshade. I sewed some of the roses and flowers on. It is going to be mad hanging in the craft room. I have cleared most of the table in there. I just need to find somewhere to put stuff😖

Nah no pointy stick needed well not unless it is for end weaving I am a process crafter. If I am not enjoying it it doesn't matter how much I want the product it won't get done. Besides it all gets done eventually.

3 pairs of socks off the needles today, including the pair that had undergone the surgery. Hoping to get the pair that needs an extra inch ripped back and onto the needles tomo. Shouldn't take too long it is just not a fun job so easy to find excuses for procrastinating. Have weaved in the ends of one of the pairs of socks that I finished today but that is about it.

Got some spinning bits today which was happy post. A new whorl, spare bobbin so I can now do a 3 ply (needs 3 for the singles and 1 for the finished yarn) Complete with the spinning books that arrived I am looking forwards to the first boy free weekend when I intend on spending time and focus on playing and refining technique. Need to finish the current spin before then ideally though.

Ooo, process crafter, that is me too... or at least my excuse for not finishing stuff I'm not enjoying 😅 I even paid someone to finish off a cardigan once, it had been such a slog to get to the end, I just couldn't muster the energy for the collar 😂🙈
I've had no time for any crafts this week, but the fabric I ordered for the lining has arrived, as well as the fusible fleece, so I'm hoping to get a big bulk of the cutting out done by the end of the weekend 😊

(Hangs head in shame)
I went to buy badges for Cub Scouts this morning, shop not open yet so called into the fabric shop nearby while waiting, and got some bargains in the winter sale. So instead of reducing the stash, I've added 8 balls of wool (for 5 different people's scarves/hats projects), fleece (for redecorating DD's bedroom), a few cardmaking bits, a small remnant of nice cotton to add to my cotton collection, a long piece of cotton to make a Christmas table cloth and some nice Christmas ribbon - all much reduced. And I picked up large sewing needles (full price) and 2 decent length remnants of oilcloth (each will cover a table in the Den) for Cubs.

I really should know better. On the plus side, there was a free pattern for a tree skirt - I need one really and have lots of lovely Christmassy fabrics I can use to make it.

I also saw 2 perfect different colour wheel balls of wool for 2 other DSiblings - but didn't buy those as they were full price. I will work on using up the sales bargains first and from my existing stash.

They may mostly stay under my desk at work for another few weeks until I use up more of the stash at home....

but wool that has projects assigned as doesn't count no? Its like sock wool.

I am heading to the fabric shop. I have a list. How much do you want to bet I don't stick to the list? Considering starting a new quilt project too. I shouldn't but I am considering it. 4 in progress and abandoned quilts lurking in the craft room already

I like that clarification Hills

I've just bought another two balls of wool for a scarf (or similar) - why can't I resist two balls of wool in a charity shop? I think two is enough to make a small item so it will get used eventually

And if it isn't you can always combine it with something.

ta da
cake up 1 whole ball of yarn and 2 part balls ready for TAAT socks
Finish the inprogress bobbin of spinning
Spin entire 2nd half of fibre
Take bobbin of wheel so it can rest over the weekend
Set up the 2 empty bobbins with leaders ready for plying on monday.
Swap computer skills for toe ripping back skills

The plan for the rest of the evening was to knit the extra inch on the socks and redo the toes. But tired so not sure that I will get that far. might weave some ends, might knit the cuffs of the socks I did the cast on for the other day.
Check fibre bin for what fibre is on the will be done. I am hoping to spin a braid a month minimum plus I have visions of doing tour de fleece and I am pretty certain that I might need to purchase some more fibre if I am going to do this. That said I also want to knit as I set the twist so that I can feel what changes I want to make to my yarn and thus spinning technique.

--------->>>>> this is for you Biddy pop!
Now get 🔙 to the 💺naughty corner.

I was there today nothing to do but want for the bus back. I waited hours, I resisted going anywhere near the craft shop. I went to two cafes instead.

Due to being out a long time I haven't done anything today.

Due to decluttering I havent done anything today other than look at some magazines and read about crafty things( that counts doesn't it) and I did look up how to mark out needlepoint pieces. I meant to do it after ironing but I forgot. I think I will leave it until Wednesday when I could go and get advice/ friend to help. She runs a spinning class but lots of others have started taking other crafts. She could demonstrate what to do! Definitely crafting tomorrow. Needle felting I think.