Unfinished business

Well apparently my last post stirred up some emotions. Some even going as far as calling some of us freaks LOL

Here I thought I was going to get harassed for lying to the knitting group in my state of denial.

LadyO commented:
... I distinguish between WIPs and UFOs. WIPs those are things I'm actually working on, usually have multiple ones but not too many. While UFOs are things that are on the needles, but really, honestly I'm not working on them.

I like her attitude. That means, according to my fun list, I have only 5 WIPs and they are the ones at the top of the list. All the others are UFOs and really, do UFOs really exist ;)

The Gourmet Goddess commented:
... Having to finish something so I can start something new that I'm excited about is great inspiration!

I'm going to adopt her philosophy. I will definitely not be starting anything else until I finish at least 2 of my WIPs. Unfortunately, 4/5 of my WIPs are quite large projects so I may have to wait a while or buy a knitting machine.

So in the mean time, I'll share a picture of my current spinning project... which you may notice is not on the list.




Bluefaced Leicester (8oz in total)
Hand dyed by Heidi at London-Wul

The WIP black hole

While at London-Wul yesterday Heidi confessed that she realized she had WIP projects that she had actually forgotten about. She felt it was time to sort through them all and make note of them all so this would not happen again.

I was shocked! How could you forget WIP projects, especially ones that were almost finished. I confidently informed the group that this would not happen to me because I only have about 5 WIPs at any one time. If I loose interest in a project I simply tear it apart and place my yarn back in my stash. I received some mixed looks, but was not concerned because we all have our own ways about us.

On the drive home in the car I started to count my WIPs in my head and before I got home I was up to TEN!!!

By the time I entered the house I was in a state of panic. Not only had a lied (inadvertently) to my friends, my projects were out of control. And just this weekend I started 2 more!

It was time to sort this out. I searched the app store for a lists app to use to store my active projects in my iphone. I wanted a list that could be prioritized as well. I found one called "To-Do First" that ranks projects (actually To Dos) by a combination of Pleasure, Profit, Importance and Urgency. This seemed perfect and I bought it for a mere $1.99. Considering all the money invested in these 'lost' projects that cost was irrelevent.

Another great thing about this app is you can choose the Ranking algorithm. For example, you can pick Pleasure geared, Importance & Pleasure geared or Urgency geared, etc. This is a very neat feature once you figure it out.

Confession time... Right now I have SEVENTEEN projects on the needles.

Here is their current Ranking using the Importance Geared algorithm:

1. Troy's sweater
2. Modern Baby Blanket
3. Handspun Shawlette
4. Flo's Afghan
5. Linus Squares
6. Nancy Bush KAL mitts
7. Juno Regina Lace Shawl
8. Bath Matt
9. Bird in Hand Mitts
10. Wisteria Socks
11. Alpaca Wrist Warmers
12. Plain socks
13. Ribbon Lace Scarf
14. Two Stranded mittens
15. Haze Scarf
16. Deep V Argyle Vest
17. Dan's Hat

I better get knitting or frogging!

Options are not optional

For those of you familiar with Knit Picks, you will for sure have noticed they make a beautiful wooden needle they call Harmony. Not only are they beautiful to look at but the tips are the pointiest wooden tips I've ever seen. They have a Harmony wood story on their site explaining the creation of these unique wooden needles.

I am now the proud owner of the Harmony Options needle set! These are interchangeable circular needles and came with 9 different tips ranging from 3.5mm to 9mm.



The set came with a case to carry all the needle tips in along with a separate case to control the cables. There were also some ends and a tightener.

I also ordered separately the stand which I'm really glad I did. Now I'll have to work on getting the other sizes I'm missing to fill my stand up.



If you are a circular needle knitter I highly recommend these needles. For the price and what you get the Options needles are not optional ;)