Knitterykate 2

 I don't even know where I got most of this yarn but it's here and I'm trying to use it up. I thought an afghan would be a perfect way since it's all acrylic and would not make very warm mittens or hats and yet still be machine washable. Even so, my grandson does wear acrylic gloves and he lives where it gets pretty cold. Sometimes it gets close to -40C!  I am really enjoying just grabbing a ball of yarn indiscriminately and not over thinking it. But I may make another afghan with purpose for my granddaughter. She likes pink and purple. Now that would be pretty! And I'm almost certain I will have enough yarn. So pastels in those colors with maybe light yellow thrown in?

 I have so many ideas of things I want to create but need to get unfinished projects out of the way first.  So my "Free the Needles" campaign is now underway. I'm not sure how long this un-wallaby has been languishing but today it is almost finished! I just have the collar and underarm seams left to go. And oh, a few stray yarn ends to weave in. It's an un-wallaby because I for-went (is that a word?) the front pocket and the hood. It went very quickly once I set my mind to it. Thankfully, it's just about to become a rear view mirror project! I'm also anxious to try a few techniques to make the fabric a little softer because, you know, acrylic... First I will try soaking it in vinegar for 20 minutes or so. And if that doesn't work very well I will then do a creme rinse soak. Finally, there's steaming with an iron. We will see. In other news. My kauni afghan is done! Yay! It was such an easy and fast project. Perfect for laying over my lap while sitting ...

I might be on the homeward stretch! Just a few more rows to go before I bind off and then on to my next WIP (work in progress) project. You see, I really want to finish this and a few other WIPs before the new year as I have another exciting project to start at the beginning of 2024! And I don't want to have a closet full of unfinished projects glaring at me. All the grandkids have one or two sweaters that I've made for them this year so nothing is pressing. Just some fun stuff with techniques i wanted to try. Can you guess what that new project will be if I tell you that it has something to do with temperature? Here's a sneak peek. 

It's coming along nicely. When projects are fun, (and in this case it is), then the work goes quickly. What helps is the intermittent color changes. What's next?

 I'm waiting at the Kia dealership for an oil change.  It's been an hour an a half so far and I said I would wait another 20 minutes for the van to be vacuumed and washed.  Why not? It needs it and I have my knitting.  And my phone. And my cryptograms.

 I'm so glad my mom taught me how to weave these squares.  I could never have figured it out on my own, that's for sure! The yarn I'm using is Lion Brand Amazing and it comes in a long variegated repeat. It's so pretty but unfortunately they have discontinued it. Right now I'm using up what I have in my stash to work these squares. Then when I'm finished and have used up the yarn I will sew them into an afghan. So far...