Hello everyone. Happy Sunday! Since it’s Sunday, I’m blogging about my Year of Projects updates. YoP is a Ravelry group of bloggers who plan their projects for the year and then blog about them. You can find my plans here.
This week, I thought I’d chat a little bit about how my first YoP is going overall, now that we’re just over a quarter of the way through. When I came up with my plan, I definitely said that I would work on other things came up as I felt moved. And since this started in July, a good chunk of what I worked on wasn’t technically “on the list,” especially in August when I spent most of my time working on the Sun and Solace test knit. And last weekend, when I started two new projects that aren’t on the list. And also a lot of October’s knitting will be set up with the Slipstravaganza MKAL. But that’s ok! I’ve also made some progress on the planned items, like finishing a pair of socks from old stash, getting a few blanket squares done in August, sewing face masks, and finishing the Ranch Coat! So overall, I think my idea that YoP projects is a prioritization but not the only thing has been working well and I’ll keep on keeping on.
The next big project is technically on the list, so that’s good! One of the things I wanted to do was work from some sweater stashes. I have 15 skeins of Knit Picks City Tweed DK in the color “Blue Blood”, that I had originally pegged for an Amy Herzog pattern (Sheffield) on my YOP list. But after seeing the latest test knit call from the Sweater Collective, I knew I had to try and apply and that I would use that if I got selected. And I did get selected so here we are!
The pattern is called the Plush Sweater and you can see a picture of it on the Sweater Collective instagram here. The brioche! The squish! The pattern has a really cool construction too, to make those sideways brioche stripes. So far I’m making good progress on one of the back sides. I am really loving it so far. It’s very squishy, I love brioche but this is my first time doing one color brioche. I’m actually glad I learned two color first, in 2 color it’s a bit easier to tell what’s going on. The color is a little more maroon that it appears in the pics below, the one on the left is a little more true.
Have a good week everyone!
Oh that’s a really cool look! Totally agree with you on the 2-colour brioche, you always know where you’re at, you never have to wonder which row comes next, it’s beautiful. (Is that a sushi roll stitch marker, btw?)
Yes it is a sushi roll! It’s one of my fave stitch markers!
I love it.
This is my second year of creating an annual knitting plan (started doing this before I found YoP group). Since I’m such a slow/distracted knitter, I found planning the year extremely helpful as I realized that I will never finish 8 sweaters in a year no matter if I call it “the year of the sweater”. I’ve gone to estimating how long it takes me to knit something as I layout my plan for the year. I cut 1/3 of my 2020 projects when I had to admit I’d never get them done and I’d feel defeated if I put them on the plan. Instead they are simply on my list of 2021 projects. It also motivated me to realize I absolutely must reduce my yarn buying until I get more projects finished. Covid has made that much easier since 2 wool events that I planned to attend got cancelled.
That’s a good way to do it to – I’m glad you’ve been able to figure out what works for you. I don’t, and have never expected to finish everything on my list, it’s just become more of a prioritization thing.
That sweater looks so warm and cozy. I don’t think I have ever seen a one color brioche before either.
I’m going to join in on the gushing regarding that Plush sweater. I seriously want to squish it. The color is really beautiful.
Oh yes, the brioche looks so yummy and smooshy! I love the colour too.
We’re a quarter of the way through the YOP year already?!? lol I never understand how that happens. I’ve enjoyed seeing all your pretty projects. You are a beautiful knitter.
hah! I know – time moves so fast, especially this year
What a very cool sweater! Can’t wait to see how yours turns out 🙂
Squishy sweaters are the best! Enjoy knitting this one, it looks great.
Oh goodness, that Plush sweater looks amazing!! And your start is awesome!
The plush sweater looks like it’s going to be lovely. I like the idea of such a stretch and squishy top. My list is constantly tweaked during the year, if you look at my 2019-2020 list you can see I kept adding new items to it.
Ah yeah – it’s good to know it’s not always a static list! I still like the idea of writing down what I want to prioritize, and then if I do other things it’s fine.
I have never done brioche. I find it interesting that two color would be the easier technique, but I guess it makes sense. I’m going to start looking at patterns now.
Yeah it seems counterintuitive but it’s much easier to see what’s going on. This is the pattern that taught me brioche! It’s a hat so it goes pretty quickly and had a good explanation of the techniques.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/brioche-basic-beanie
Oh thanks Kath!! Just in time for the long weekend and football!
love this posttttt!
Brioche is something I need to refamiliarize myself with. I took Steven B’s class which was so fun but didn’t practice.
Ah yeah – it’s definitely something you have to get into the rhythm of