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I’ve been putting all project info on an index card when I start so I can stick it in the project bag when I walk away from it. I find index cards large enough to leave myself little notes while working so I don’t lose the plot when I walk away from things for awhile. Hard of thinking means I don’t want to rely on remembering or figuring out what I was doing when I return to a project.
I think I need a system like this. I don't remember to update Ravelry or my knitting journal. I need something more immediate and that I am easily keep with the project. I might adopt this idea. Thanks for the suggestion!
I do this too, and keep a pen in the project bag with it so I don't have to go looking for one whenever I need to make a note. The very first thing I write on the card is yarn and needle size! I try and get the colourful index cards so they stand out against the pattern paper etc.
This is a great idea. I am trying to be good and keep a small note book with my project notes in it. I am quite a monogamous knitter so never have too many projects on the go, so keeping a notebook for me is easy in my bag/ basket. Good practice though is updating the notes at the end of every knitting session, so they are always up to date so when I add the project to Ravelry I have it all there to write up any alterations made. By the way, I am loving this destash series as it's inspiring me to tackle my yarn mountain, at least by cataloguing it on Ravelry for now. Therefore picking projects and matching yarn will be easier. Thank you Claude, you are amazing.
This is such a good idea! I currently have a notebook that I make notes in, but I love the idea of having a note in the project bag itself. I'm definitely going to start doing this.
Unsolicited advice: take a breath and cut yourself some slack. You're working really hard on this huge stash busting project and we can all see how much work it takes. It's alright to need a break when things stop being fun rather than push on through feeling miserable. Also, from my own yearly destashing experience, it truly is okay to pass on yarn you feel uninspired by. To someone else, it'll be fresh and exciting in a way it isn't to you anymore. You don't have to be unhappy to justify having acquired yarn in the first place. Crafting is, in my mind, meant to be more fun than not. Having made myself work on creative projects when I was sick of them just made me need a much longer break, in the end. There, that's my unsolicited advice. I love the lacy blue top you made. It's absolutely darling. I hope you'll show us what it looks like stitched together next month!
Yup twice yrly at church we rummage! We bring all our bits and bobs to trade in our craft group, leave our uninspiring bits and take home others to be reinspired by! Cheers
Such lovely pieces. In quilting we have something called a ‘humility block’ where you deliberately make a mistake because ‘only God is perfect.’ I’ve seen lots of antique quilts and many of them have errors. I’ve been quilting for 40 years though and I’m convinced that most, if not all are accidental and they just used the humility block as a cover for not wanting to bother doing them over.
I’ve always interpreted the humility issue in textile arts in a different way. To me, the maker is not creating an intentional mistake. Instead, they’re admitting that nobody on this earth is perfect, and not torturing themselves over an inconsistency.
Wooow, you actually cut the crochet to add a missing row! THIS IS BIG! No one has tried this that I know of. It's brilliant! If you could video a bit to show how you do it would help somebody if not a lot of people. You think you're having a hard time but you don't realize how much you have encouraged us and gave us a gem of a tip! Again, just brilliant!
For your blue cone. You could separate some skeins worth and maybe try different levels of bleaching to get your different shades of blue that should stay cohesive with the one cone you bought for the shawl.
That Make Do and Mend pullover... my brain said Make Do And Intarsia. 😂 Bet that's an interesting construction on that one, would love a separate video if you do decide to make it!
I very much feel the "why did I bother". You are not alone in the January/Febuary knitting woes. I knit a matching hat and mitts set(finished in early January) and had enough leftover for a scarf then lost one of the mittens, and have been doing weird surgery on my scarf to get enough of the various colours back to reknit the mitten. I have a sock I started that I need to frog back to halfway through the foot as it was too small and also colourwork and I want the colours to be lined up in a specific way. And I also have a finished pair of socks I want to frog to before the heels and reknit the heels to fit better.
I've been trying to destash heavily this year as well, though I've also ended up buying more yarn I don't need! Something I've struggled with is feeling like I have to use up old yarn that I don't like or don't suit me or my style any more. I was trying so hard to find uses for the 4,000 yards of bright pink acrylic and ended up stressing myself out making projects I hated just to justify it. This also applied to 'expensive' yarns I had that I had no use for and was struggling to justify the money spent. However, someone I spoke to actually recommended a local youth group that I had never heard of, that wanted to accept my old craft supplies for teaching classes! I know it's something you may not think of first, but It was something that really helped me move past spending guilt and environmental guilt over 'getting rid' of yarns that were causing me far more stress than they were worth. It's been really nice to follow you on this journey, and it's been great to see that stash number go down!
Yes! It should be used….does not mean it must be used by me. This is my hobby and my delight. Using up stash can make it a chore. I don’t need that in my free time.
I inherited a large stash of yarns when my grandmother passed, a lot of them fluffy, or fancy, or otherwise ‘interesting’. She was primarily a knitter, so not an issue for her, but she was also a genuine hoarder, so she would bulk buy eyelash yarn in mud and mucus colourways because it was on offer. I am fortunately a multi skilled yarn crafter so that stuff gets used as fringing on landscape tapestry weaves, because I honestly don’t think I could give it away and y conscience won’t let it go to landfill.
Wow Claude, I think it's totally amazing what you got accomplished, as always. I totally know what you mean by projects being cursed, my whole life (including sewing and knitting projects) seems to be haunted with "ohh, DAMN" moments. Good job for keeping on keeping on, I hope you will show us the blue sweater someday when it's sewn up, as the pattern and color is so pretty, and you certainly deserve to show it off after the fight it put up! :P Lots of luck and hugs from the USA.
@@RetroClaude Awesome and great job! I'm working on a knitted handbag at the moment, and while I probably won't finish it in the next 4 days of Feb (where does the time go), I actually just picked it up again today after not doing anything for a while. Side note, it is so nice, you are the only creator on TH-cam that I've ever had actually reply to my comments, thanks Claude. :)
I'm trying to work from stash and there is always the problem that I don't have the right amount or colours for what I actually want to knit. I've decided not to stress about those smaller amounts and will one day knit a huge marled scrap blanket instead! The shawl looks great even without a border and despite the trouble it caused you!
The perseverance with the lace blouse is inspiring! It can be frustrating but the extra effort to make something that really fits is so worth it, I think. Another wonderful video to watch while I knit as well ❤️
You have incredibly high standards, and tackle demanding projects. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. (Says a woman who is way, way, way to hard on herself.) Also, thank you so much for the kind words about my baby quilt on Ravelry.
I’m not sure if this comment will come across exactly right in the midst of your discouragement, but I wanted to share how your stash busting project has encouraged me. I have a box of yarn. I don’t know whether I’d call it a stash, exactly, because I feel like it’s more random and less intentional than the beautiful collections I see other knitters call “stash.” Significantly, a huge chunk of it consists of yarn acquired in my early years of knitting that I do not want, do not like, and have no real use for. A problem! About four years ago, I began a project to start deliberately using up this unwanted yarn. Specifically, I was looking for projects I did want to knit, but that I could make work with the yarn I don’t want. And I was doing pretty well, if I do say so myself… until a well meaning person who didn’t understand why I was researching and planning instead of actively knitting went and collected other people’s unwanted yarn to gift to me. Unsurprisingly, it was five skeins of Red Heart Super Saver! After having just eliminated four skeins of the stuff, this was discouraging to me and I worked only two rows of a new project with the new unwanted yarn before I basically stopped knitting altogether for a period of time. Your stash busting project gave me the inspiration I needed to launch myself back into my own project of using up unwanted yarn. So far I’m down four full skeins of Red Heart Super Saver, including making substantial progress on a blanket project I “paused” back in middle school (2008!) when I had to return the book I was using. I also felt inspired to pick back up two other projects I abandoned when I got discouraged, and I’m making good progress on those too. Seeing your updates is really keeping me going on this. Just yesterday I was thinking that maybe I didn’t want to finish that blanket after all, maybe it should be one of those decorative foot-cover strip things instead… but now that I’ve seen your latest update, yes I do want it to be a blanket! A throw blanket, not a full size one, but a blanket nonetheless.
Hello Claude! I found your videos over Christmas and immediately binged your knitting videos. Just earlier today I had your Plans for the New year video on in the background and thought the January video should come out soon. I think the lacy jumper looks great and I hope you had some more luck finishing it during February, can’t wait to see the results
I try to create a ravelry entry when i start a project because pauzing and then not remembering the needle size really is a thing. You are not alone...
I keep a knitter journal for my project notes. Cannot rely on my memory anymore. Have you thought of the Elizabeth Zimmerman baby surprise jacket? Also adult version. You use any bits of wool in your stash to create fun stripes. Just a thought. Great for all those small bits of yarns.
When it comes to crochet, it really is easier not to mention faster just to rip out the mistake and redo it. But I commend you on trying a new technique to replace it. If it was me I simply would have just mod the pattern to something like this as an example for the solids areas; white 6, blue 4 (whatever it is, I don't remember), white 8, blue 4, white 6, blue 6, white 8, blue 6 and repeat so on. I also put my wips into large zip lock bags and write on them yarn info, hook/needles being used, pattern and sometimes a start date. Good luck and looking forward to what you do with the pretty blue cone.
Aah, how cute, the bit at the end! Now I want to design a rounded triangle with a lace chevron in Tunisian crochet to match this one. I think getting cute yarn for the edging would be good, even if it's "putting yarn back in your stash". For me, the point of stash busting is to find the value of what I've been gathering over the years/months and transforming that, and if it needs a little extra help, that's all right.
TBH if a person in the 1940s were in your position. They'd say "meh, I'll just do the boarder in one shade of blue!" They wouldn't be concerned about making modifications or changing the pattern as they saw fit. So to do so is totally period
I don't really knit, but I crochet a lot. I have the same problem- over the years I have amassed many yarns. But since this is a hobby and it should bring you joy- I don't stress about it. When I start a project, I first check my stash and then if I don't have the yarn, then and only then I buy it. Little by little, I am starting to work through the stash. The main thing is- have fun! If you don't like the yarn or don't have enough for a project- maybe donate it? There are crafters that will do amazing things with 10grams of yarn.
I kinda love unravelling projects. It's annoying when something goes wrong but the yarn moving back and forth as you unravel is weirdly satisfying to me! Also, I've never considered putting stitches like that on the neckline on hold and will definitely be trying that next time I see a similar instruction in a pattern!
As someone who went on a stash busting adventure and a buy ban/no buy year. It sucks. And yea i experienced everything you did so far. Dont sweat. No point in knitting things for the sake of the stash if you arent really gonna like it or the design is being sacraficed for "using up"yarn. It ended up stalling my progress of stash busting quite a lot.
Oh no to all the things going wrong! Well done for persevering (and not swearing like a docker whilst talking about it, I think I would have done!) I love the blue shade of yarn you bought, even if you can’t use it for the Victorian shawl it will still be lovely! I LOVE the baby cardigan too, it’s so dang cute! They are very lucky! Also, inspired by all of your knitting of socks, I have finally finished my first pair (an achievement which has been on my bucket list for years but I’ve been too scared and confused by it!) Your videos have really inspired me to try learn new techniques and to have things to work towards, even if I can’t get my head round them at the moment! My next milestone will be a jumper I think! Looking forward to the next video as always!
I’m loving the Victorian shawl. I found a ufo yesterday while looking for my 12mm needles. No idea when I started it , tried to pick it back up today but I’m not sure about it. I started a knitting journal this year to help me keep track of my knits.
The shawl is lovely, and looks so cozy and soft! Great idea about the baby jacket! And I can’t wait to see the pale blue sweater! I love all your videos, and am awed at your abilities. Thanks for keeping it real.
One of Roxanne Richardson's videos about finish it February (last year maybe?) she said, it's not just about finishing the entirety of a project, but about deciding how to move the project on - or indeed, if that project is worth moving on. That helped me think "Okay, I can break this project down and... finish this sleeve, do 15 minutes a day on this blanket, do the baby mittens I want to do for that baby..." rather than focus on "Oh dear, there's so much stuff I need to do! I can't get it all done! Panic!" I've got 2 jumpers made in the round from the same pattern, in aran yarn, and the first one I did as the pattern said and went straight into the ribbing for the neckband. It is a lot looser than I'd like for British winters, so when I did the 2nd jumper, I cast off (put a locking stitch marker on & checked I could fit it over my head) and then picked up the stitches straight away. A little bit more work, but a better neckline. But of course they're much heavier than your lace jumper, and as they're worked in the round, everything hangs from the neckband. So there are sometimes reasons to cast off and pick up for a neckband. That said, it would disturb the front of the lace jumper to do that! Putting the stitches on spare yarn and picking up again was a much better idea than casting off and picking up again. I like Marianna Mel on Ravelry for baby knits - lots of her patterns are free, which is always handy for finding out how the designer writes their patterns. I've got a jacket and mittens done for a church baby, and just need to cast on for the booties so I can get the set done...
@@janisi9262 Oh yes! I nearly did that the other day... But since the dog had chewed one of the needles (sturdy plastic children's knitting needles, dog is fine) and I found the yarn very unpleasant to use - I threw it all away instead! Definitely finished with it 😂!
The blue lace jumper is so beautiful.,I am looking forward to seeing the finished make. All your stress seems to come from working out how much yarn your using and buying.Why not just enjoy knitting and only work out how much you need to complete a project. The Victorian shawl is lovely,it looks so authentic.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your January progress. Honestly, you were not alone riding the struggle bus last month. I also had some issues (darn math...wrong stitch counts) with my main project. Silver lining: I was able to finish the month with a satisfying little completed project! Knit on and carry on with finish it Feburary! P.S. My main project is still in a time out, I'll tackle it in March after a month of rest.
The shawl is absolutely gorgeous, you look so so beautiful with it in the garden😍 And the baby jacket is so damn cute. Lucky baby, haha. And thank you for sharing. Wish you a beautiful year full of exciting projects 👍
Hang in there! I definitely know how you feel! My logic is that craft projects are like fine wine. In order to enjoy them, they need to be properly aged! (Or frogged for something better!)
That oddments jumper is a dream of mine. I just never seem to have the right amounts of the right yarn in colours that I like. Really excited to live vicariously through you for that one!
I watched all your stash busting videos and it seems like you are really cracking through your stash sometimes its slow sometimes its fast but I think you'll beat your stash before the 5 year mark lol
Not that it helps you, but you inspired me to stash bust! I made a cardigan and currently making another out of yarn I have had AT LEAST 17 years. So thank you!
Hi, Claude! I must admit I binged most if not all your knitting videos. I've been crocheting for a year now, but I'm a baby knitter, just started in October, and I love watching you make stuff I've no chance of making (yet). Absolutely love how the lacy blue jumper turned out!! Sending you good vibes.
Hello from Canada! I was very happy to see a new video from you! I'm a crocheter who is learning continental knitting. I feel I have knitted and frogged so many times I think I have knitted the sleeves for my sweater (jumper) twice! Nice to see even experts have to frog sometimes too.
I decided to do this (thank you so much for the idea!) and the absolute horror when I realized how much yarn I have... I'm actually ashamed of myself. I wish this was a joke, but I have about 23 kilos of yarn. That's almost 51 pounds.
Months ago, I saw the Vianne cardigan in one of your videos and loved it, so I looked it up on Ravelry and was disappointed to find that the pattern was no longer available. I was going through my Ravelry library last night and found that I DO have the pattern? And have since 2015? Somehow? I might even have the yarn for it. So that's good news! Things that seem cursed are extra satisfying when they're done. You'll get there; don't be too hard on yourself.
I have often felt this way about my knitting, including knitting up a whole ball of yarn in a 250-stitch round before realizing I'd put in a half-twist at the join. I was so disgusted! I hope February and March have gone better for you.
Really Claude, if you haven’t frogged a project at least three times, have you even really done it? I’m working on a jumper. Frogging number five currently. But at least the arm holes will be in the right place. 😵💫
God bless you for staying the course !!!! And thank you for sharing.... just getting into knitting now and I'll be very wary of adding to my stash prematurely. 😉
Don't be dishearten Claude! I'm relistening to all the stash busting videos as I knit up my stash. It's very inspiring to see you tackle this stash and the blue lace blouse, because no else in my immediate circle understands why I cry out like a wounded animal when I had to frog 20cm of lace knitted on 2mm needles. That ball of frustration is too real. But we must remind ourselves, we like knitting. It was just an excuse to knit some more. Yup. Definitely.
Sometimes I think stash busting is a state of mind. Just getting us to be mindful ofwhat we're buying and why, well it seems to have made a difference for me. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your pieces are so amazing and your talents are way beyond mine so it's fascinating sometimes to just watch you knit. It's still some sort of magic to me, but it's neat to see. Here's hoping for a wonderfully satisfying and rewarding 2023.
January has been difficult for my crafty projects too! 😂 I saw a knitter who managed to get through her stash this year: that included selling off/trading yarn! Perhaps if you don’t find a project for that blue cone, you could sell it to someone else? Not just donating, as the point is to have the yarn get used (i’ve heard that donation centers/secondhand places can’t process everything that is donated and have to throw some away…)
I’m very envious of your knitting ability! I love crochet but I cannot manage knitting. Apart from very basic stuff, knitting does my head in. Love your ability to use up yarn!
SCAM ALERT - I would like to alert everybody, that someone is trying to behave as RetroClaude. Please, check the the comment that I received to my last comment here. I already reported that account to TH-cam. Please, everyone be safe here on the internet.
My crafting went crazy after I retired and moved and had a dedicated craft room. I love having lots of materials but UFO's not so much. I bought eight flat plastic baskets from the Dollar store and put a project in each. I will admit to finding 17 when I started (I do many crafts) but every time I emptied a basket I added one until I was down to the eight. A few I decided I just didn't like and got rid of. Now I always keep it to a maximum of eight, sometimes a few are empty or only contain a pattern and I'm gathering materials. I have a note on each basket with the info about the project and date it so I don't keep it too long. If all eight baskets are full I can't start anything.
On the ripple crochet blanket, you should have just frogged it back 😅 I know the feeling of “no, my progress!” but honestly, if something bothers me in the slightest, it will still bother me at the end, and then there’s more work to frog and redo. The only piece I have never applied that rule to is a patchwork shawl I started 5 years ago, having newly learnt how to crochet, and in the years since, I have learnt new techniques.
My daughter made me some little stitch markers with the letter (or number) of the hook used for the article in progress. I attach it at the beginning of a project and then I always know what hook to use. Now if I could find some way of keeping track of the instructions for each project. I like variety so I always have about 12 things going at any time. LOL
I think destashing is cool but the way you're approaching it and fixating on it a bit much seems to take some of the fun out of actually crafting for the sake of it. The way you have to keep thinking about using more yarn and being disappointed because you haven't used as much yarn as you wanted. No hate just a random person hoping you can enjoy your craft more. It's good to use what you have, but you can never be 100% efficient with craft supplies. After all your stash's purpose is to help your creations not hinder it
It is so hard to resist buying more wool! Especially when there are sales of merino 4ply wool half price at Spotlight. My stash-busting is going backwards.
Hey Claude, I wanted to see the gorgeous blue lace jumper on you or at least show us the finished blocked jumper. I want to knit myself a jumper but I need a larger size. I've never sized up to accommodate for my 40ish inch bust. It might take a lot of math, trial and error, and frogging. I'm determined to knit a jumper. I've knitted a lot of cardigans. Berets and baby sweaters. I just need to get yarn and get started.
Such a relatable issue of forgetting which size needles are being used from interchangeables! Well done for pushing through! I recently found that they also make little end stoppers (spheres) which I am finding wonderful! I have two pairs and am tempted to get more - no need to put on a different size needle as a placeholder when needing the needles elsewhere!
Well, it's not quite as dramatic as the video title makes it seem! You have finished the shawl into a wearable state! That's a big project checked off! Yay! And it's super-interesting to see, too. One does not see knitting patterns this old made up that often.
This is my favorite video series! Not only are you lovely, but I really enjoy that we can follow your progress with you. I feel it shows what we all go through when knitting, that we are not alone. I'm also knitting from my stash, and these videos are a great inspiration for me. About the cursed times when crafting, don't worry, you are not alone 😅. Just a few hours ago, I found out that my beautiful hand dyed sock yarn that I'm knitting with got stuck into the zipper of my bag... I had to break it. It comes after a week where I had to sew 3 times one sleeve, and I lost the instructions of a cardigan I'm designing and knitting... Just breathe and keep trying 🤷🏻♀️ Greetings from South Korea
I think the solid blue would still make a lovely border for your Victorian shawl! I’m sure it’s still very appropriate for the era-I bet some people back then even made the same mistake you did !! I think you should embrace it and stick with the solid blue for the border : )
I'm glad you were able to finish knitting the centre of the shawl and the sweater, even if it felt like you were taking two steps forward and one step back at the time! Both are gorgeous. I agree with you, it is better to wait and decide what you want to do with the shawl, without a border it is a neutral, natural cream shade and goes with almost everything, once you add colour to the border, then it will go with certain clothing items more than others. I understand the frustration at setting a goal and not being able to complete it quite the way you intended, I was finishing off UFOs and trying to only buy what I needed to finish things, then fell and broke my elbow in November. I'm knitting again and doing a little bit of sewing and spinning, but I know I have to not over do it.
Hi, You are doing so well with depleting your stash as I know how hard it can be to reduce. I only seem to expand mine! I love the lacy blue blouse and look forward to seeing it when finished.
There are definitely some projects that are just cursed lol. The baby sweater came out so cute! It's too bad about the pattern. The only book I have ever straight up thrown in the trash was a book of baby patterns. I couldn't pass it on to anther knitter in good conscience.
Fabulous job as always. I think January was just cursed in general? I was sick the entire month and every time I tried to pick up projects they had to get ripped back 🤦♀️ I'm excited you're getting through the blue blouse! It looks like it will be so special to wear. Where I live we have erratic weather through March but it's largely hot and humid already here. Like sweating into a puddle wearing shorts levels of heat. So I've started a lace work cotton/bamboo short sleeve cardigan thing for over tank tops for myself. I feel like this is a lace year for me maybe 🤔
I just want to update, that after rewatching your destashing videos, I bought yarn dye this morning and to strike when the iron was hot, dyed it all in one afternoon. So keep on keeping Claude! I credit you as the inspiration 👍
I came across the leftover-sweater pattern a few days ago by coincidence, and I thought it was very interesting. I'm curious to see how your version turns out! I love the victorian shawl, but boy does that pattern look mind-numbing... I also really like the hat you're wearing in the final reveal of the shawl, did you make that yourself as well? (And if so, can you reccommend the pattern?)
That blue wool is beautiful! I'm excited to see the jumper you make out if it. Also the baby jacket 😍 I love making baby items! They're so cute and surprisingly quick to finish. I've put all my littles in wool, but I don't mind the hand washing. However, for gifts, if I do make something in wool, I make sure it's super wash, and that care instructions are pinned to the item. That is also only on request. Looking forward to seeing the finished lacey top!
Glad to see you back. It's been awhile and I was concerned if you were ok. I was wondering if you are going to continue the 1940s dresd you started late last year.
I think the finished result is quite cute on you actually! It looks a little more casual but it’s not unflattering at all and maybe with some equally funky accessories it will be very fetching! I love that you show the process of all these vintage patterns, it’s so interesting to see how much knitting has evolved and I’m obsessed with your stash busting series because of how creative you’re getting in using up all the yarn. Happy knitting!
Lovely shawl, Claude. I'm glad to see you found the will to redo the top part of your blue jumper. It's such a pretty pattern and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished. I just wish I was experienced enough to knit such a lovely jumper. I bet it will look stunning, worn.
I love that shawl as it is - it will go with everything and will be lovely with your dainty pink sprigged fabric. Good job! I've only just found you on YT, and have been really enjoying your back catalogue. I love how clever & persistent you are. I won't tell you about the lacy baby cardigan I was knitting for a friend's first baby... he's now in his 20s! And I'm definitely adopting your Good, Better, Best philosophy. Genius!
I've found using pocket knitting to be really helpful keeping me in track with all my projects. I can't remember much so it's invaluable. I love that it has a line marker, place for notes, and you can import PDFs and patterns entirely into it. It's free! I like your pattern, thinking about it, maybe I could pretty easily adjust it for my size. Hmm 🤔. Your blanket 😂 in the time you took to rip it out, vs the amount of yarn you'd use up..I don't think ripping it out makes sense. Especially since crochet uses more yarn than knitting.
Awww, I really feel for you, sometimes everything I touch turns to poop! I think we've all been there 💜 I'm glad you got that lacy blue top finished, it's lovely, and that shawl looks beautifully cosy! The nice thing about knitting for babies is the instant gratification. If you need a quick win, whip out a baby cardi, highly recommend 👍
Oh! I forgot to say! I've been using your Good, Better, Best system to help me prioritise tasks in my daily life. ADHD brains aren't good at planning and organising lists of tasks. But I can gather them into groups of Good (needs to get done today), Better (would like to do today), and Best (my magical unicorn perfect day 🦄😂). It means I can see more clearly where to direct my energies, but still gives me choices so I can work with the body and brain I have at a given moment. This has radically changed how I think about my To Do list each day - I approach it with much less dread and overwhelm. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It has made SUCH a difference! 💜
I so feel you with the cursed projects situation. Sometimes there are just times that I am so focused in one direction that I miss basically everything else and do this to myself. Absolutely love the Victorian Shawl. It is gorgeous. The blue sweater is really cute. The baby jacket is adorable and the blanket looks so cozy. So once you have worked through the rest of those projects and the others you are planning work/working on, you will have a lovely total. :) Hang in there! It will all come together. :)
![[TH] FS vs BME - VCT Ascension Pacific - Lower Bracket Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wnygqsR2Fig/mqdefault.jpg)
ATTENTION!!! SCAMMERS!!! It looks like I, like many others, have fallen victim to this TH-cam scam where they clone your profile and try to get you to message them on telegram. THIS IS NOT ME. Please don't follow any links, or give any information to these people. I'm reporting all the comments but it seems I'm powerless to do anything else about it. Stay vigilant and I can only apologise 💚
Thankfully the comment is gone. As I've learned this is quite common now. Sadly someone is impersonating a famous youtuber announcing a gift, after you message them they make you to pay for delivery. Please, DO NOT ANSWER OR GIVE ANY OF YOUR PERSONAL DATA. Be safe, everyone. Wish you all safe and youfull days here on youtube 😉
I reported the one I got! So annoying.
Saw this just in time. I am always a bit cautious when reading such announcements.
I’ve been putting all project info on an index card when I start so I can stick it in the project bag when I walk away from it. I find index cards large enough to leave myself little notes while working so I don’t lose the plot when I walk away from things for awhile. Hard of thinking means I don’t want to rely on remembering or figuring out what I was doing when I return to a project.
I think I need a system like this. I don't remember to update Ravelry or my knitting journal. I need something more immediate and that I am easily keep with the project. I might adopt this idea. Thanks for the suggestion!
I do this too, and keep a pen in the project bag with it so I don't have to go looking for one whenever I need to make a note. The very first thing I write on the card is yarn and needle size! I try and get the colourful index cards so they stand out against the pattern paper etc.
This is a great idea. I am trying to be good and keep a small note book with my project notes in it. I am quite a monogamous knitter so never have too many projects on the go, so keeping a notebook for me is easy in my bag/ basket. Good practice though is updating the notes at the end of every knitting session, so they are always up to date so when I add the project to Ravelry I have it all there to write up any alterations made.
By the way, I am loving this destash series as it's inspiring me to tackle my yarn mountain, at least by cataloguing it on Ravelry for now. Therefore picking projects and matching yarn will be easier. Thank you Claude, you are amazing.
I tie a parcel tag with the hook size, yarn and any notes
This is such a good idea! I currently have a notebook that I make notes in, but I love the idea of having a note in the project bag itself. I'm definitely going to start doing this.
Unsolicited advice: take a breath and cut yourself some slack. You're working really hard on this huge stash busting project and we can all see how much work it takes. It's alright to need a break when things stop being fun rather than push on through feeling miserable.
Also, from my own yearly destashing experience, it truly is okay to pass on yarn you feel uninspired by. To someone else, it'll be fresh and exciting in a way it isn't to you anymore. You don't have to be unhappy to justify having acquired yarn in the first place. Crafting is, in my mind, meant to be more fun than not. Having made myself work on creative projects when I was sick of them just made me need a much longer break, in the end.
There, that's my unsolicited advice. I love the lacy blue top you made. It's absolutely darling. I hope you'll show us what it looks like stitched together next month!
Yup twice yrly at church we rummage! We bring all our bits and bobs to trade in our craft group, leave our uninspiring bits and take home others to be reinspired by! Cheers
Such lovely pieces. In quilting we have something called a ‘humility block’ where you deliberately make a mistake because ‘only God is perfect.’ I’ve seen lots of antique quilts and many of them have errors. I’ve been quilting for 40 years though and I’m convinced that most, if not all are accidental and they just used the humility block as a cover for not wanting to bother doing them over.
I’ve always interpreted the humility issue in textile arts in a different way. To me, the maker is not creating an intentional mistake. Instead, they’re admitting that nobody on this earth is perfect, and not torturing themselves over an inconsistency.
I love that
I know that Persian carpets have a mistake in the same reason.
Wooow, you actually cut the crochet to add a missing row! THIS IS BIG! No one has tried this that I know of. It's brilliant! If you could video a bit to show how you do it would help somebody if not a lot of people. You think you're having a hard time but you don't realize how much you have encouraged us and gave us a gem of a tip! Again, just brilliant!
For your blue cone. You could separate some skeins worth and maybe try different levels of bleaching to get your different shades of blue that should stay cohesive with the one cone you bought for the shawl.
That Make Do and Mend pullover... my brain said Make Do And Intarsia. 😂 Bet that's an interesting construction on that one, would love a separate video if you do decide to make it!
It's in the pipeline and I wish it had been Intarsia 🙈 I've been sewing up for days!
I very much feel the "why did I bother". You are not alone in the January/Febuary knitting woes.
I knit a matching hat and mitts set(finished in early January) and had enough leftover for a scarf then lost one of the mittens, and have been doing weird surgery on my scarf to get enough of the various colours back to reknit the mitten. I have a sock I started that I need to frog back to halfway through the foot as it was too small and also colourwork and I want the colours to be lined up in a specific way. And I also have a finished pair of socks I want to frog to before the heels and reknit the heels to fit better.
Hello team! I've updated the description to include links to patterns for the knits I'm wearing in this video. Sorry I always forget to do it! Cx
I've been trying to destash heavily this year as well, though I've also ended up buying more yarn I don't need! Something I've struggled with is feeling like I have to use up old yarn that I don't like or don't suit me or my style any more. I was trying so hard to find uses for the 4,000 yards of bright pink acrylic and ended up stressing myself out making projects I hated just to justify it. This also applied to 'expensive' yarns I had that I had no use for and was struggling to justify the money spent.
However, someone I spoke to actually recommended a local youth group that I had never heard of, that wanted to accept my old craft supplies for teaching classes!
I know it's something you may not think of first, but It was something that really helped me move past spending guilt and environmental guilt over 'getting rid' of yarns that were causing me far more stress than they were worth.
It's been really nice to follow you on this journey, and it's been great to see that stash number go down!
Yes! It should be used….does not mean it must be used by me.
This is my hobby and my delight. Using up stash can make it a chore. I don’t need that in my free time.
I have some sock yarn that is beautiful. I am using it by knitting up a few Stephen West shawls. Just a thought.
I inherited a large stash of yarns when my grandmother passed, a lot of them fluffy, or fancy, or otherwise ‘interesting’. She was primarily a knitter, so not an issue for her, but she was also a genuine hoarder, so she would bulk buy eyelash yarn in mud and mucus colourways because it was on offer. I am fortunately a multi skilled yarn crafter so that stuff gets used as fringing on landscape tapestry weaves, because I honestly don’t think I could give it away and y conscience won’t let it go to landfill.
Wow Claude, I think it's totally amazing what you got accomplished, as always. I totally know what you mean by projects being cursed, my whole life (including sewing and knitting projects) seems to be haunted with "ohh, DAMN" moments. Good job for keeping on keeping on, I hope you will show us the blue sweater someday when it's sewn up, as the pattern and color is so pretty, and you certainly deserve to show it off after the fight it put up! :P Lots of luck and hugs from the USA.
The blue sweater shall be coming next month 🎉 it's been one of the things I've managed to complete during Finish It February 💚
@@RetroClaude Awesome and great job! I'm working on a knitted handbag at the moment, and while I probably won't finish it in the next 4 days of Feb (where does the time go), I actually just picked it up again today after not doing anything for a while.
Side note, it is so nice, you are the only creator on TH-cam that I've ever had actually reply to my comments, thanks Claude. :)
“I was having a funny five minutes…” I have adopted this as my latest reason for my mishaps 😊
I'm trying to work from stash and there is always the problem that I don't have the right amount or colours for what I actually want to knit. I've decided not to stress about those smaller amounts and will one day knit a huge marled scrap blanket instead! The shawl looks great even without a border and despite the trouble it caused you!
I have the same issue lol x
The perseverance with the lace blouse is inspiring! It can be frustrating but the extra effort to make something that really fits is so worth it, I think. Another wonderful video to watch while I knit as well ❤️
You have incredibly high standards, and tackle demanding projects. Please don’t be so hard on yourself. (Says a woman who is way, way, way to hard on herself.)
Also, thank you so much for the kind words about my baby quilt on Ravelry.
We were comrades in frogging, swifting, and steaming. :-) I just did the same thing with a misbehaving hat project!
I’m not sure if this comment will come across exactly right in the midst of your discouragement, but I wanted to share how your stash busting project has encouraged me.
I have a box of yarn. I don’t know whether I’d call it a stash, exactly, because I feel like it’s more random and less intentional than the beautiful collections I see other knitters call “stash.” Significantly, a huge chunk of it consists of yarn acquired in my early years of knitting that I do not want, do not like, and have no real use for. A problem!
About four years ago, I began a project to start deliberately using up this unwanted yarn. Specifically, I was looking for projects I did want to knit, but that I could make work with the yarn I don’t want. And I was doing pretty well, if I do say so myself… until a well meaning person who didn’t understand why I was researching and planning instead of actively knitting went and collected other people’s unwanted yarn to gift to me. Unsurprisingly, it was five skeins of Red Heart Super Saver! After having just eliminated four skeins of the stuff, this was discouraging to me and I worked only two rows of a new project with the new unwanted yarn before I basically stopped knitting altogether for a period of time.
Your stash busting project gave me the inspiration I needed to launch myself back into my own project of using up unwanted yarn. So far I’m down four full skeins of Red Heart Super Saver, including making substantial progress on a blanket project I “paused” back in middle school (2008!) when I had to return the book I was using. I also felt inspired to pick back up two other projects I abandoned when I got discouraged, and I’m making good progress on those too.
Seeing your updates is really keeping me going on this. Just yesterday I was thinking that maybe I didn’t want to finish that blanket after all, maybe it should be one of those decorative foot-cover strip things instead… but now that I’ve seen your latest update, yes I do want it to be a blanket! A throw blanket, not a full size one, but a blanket nonetheless.
Hello Claude! I found your videos over Christmas and immediately binged your knitting videos. Just earlier today I had your Plans for the New year video on in the background and thought the January video should come out soon. I think the lacy jumper looks great and I hope you had some more luck finishing it during February, can’t wait to see the results
Also, that royal blue would look absolutely fetching as a cardigan! Especially on you, I think!
Thank you for the tip about steaming the wool right on the swift! That just makes so much sense! ✌❤🇨🇦
The shawl looks so cozy!
So sorry the blanket went kablooey, crochet is a rough one when mistakes aren’t caught right away!
January 2022... LOL
I got them pom poms!!! They are so cute! thank you so much ♥
I try to create a ravelry entry when i start a project because pauzing and then not remembering the needle size really is a thing. You are not alone...
I keep a knitter journal for my project notes. Cannot rely on my memory anymore.
Have you thought of the Elizabeth Zimmerman baby surprise jacket? Also adult version. You use any bits of wool in your stash to create fun stripes. Just a thought. Great for all those small bits of yarns.
When it comes to crochet, it really is easier not to mention faster just to rip out the mistake and redo it. But I commend you on trying a new technique to replace it.
If it was me I simply would have just mod the pattern to something like this as an example for the solids areas; white 6, blue 4 (whatever it is, I don't remember), white 8, blue 4, white 6, blue 6, white 8, blue 6 and repeat so on.
I also put my wips into large zip lock bags and write on them yarn info, hook/needles being used, pattern and sometimes a start date. Good luck and looking forward to what you do with the pretty blue cone.
Aah, how cute, the bit at the end! Now I want to design a rounded triangle with a lace chevron in Tunisian crochet to match this one. I think getting cute yarn for the edging would be good, even if it's "putting yarn back in your stash". For me, the point of stash busting is to find the value of what I've been gathering over the years/months and transforming that, and if it needs a little extra help, that's all right.
TBH if a person in the 1940s were in your position. They'd say "meh, I'll just do the boarder in one shade of blue!" They wouldn't be concerned about making modifications or changing the pattern as they saw fit. So to do so is totally period
I don't really knit, but I crochet a lot. I have the same problem- over the years I have amassed many yarns. But since this is a hobby and it should bring you joy- I don't stress about it. When I start a project, I first check my stash and then if I don't have the yarn, then and only then I buy it. Little by little, I am starting to work through the stash.
The main thing is- have fun! If you don't like the yarn or don't have enough for a project- maybe donate it? There are crafters that will do amazing things with 10grams of yarn.
I kinda love unravelling projects. It's annoying when something goes wrong but the yarn moving back and forth as you unravel is weirdly satisfying to me!
Also, I've never considered putting stitches like that on the neckline on hold and will definitely be trying that next time I see a similar instruction in a pattern!
I think a cat hacked your account. 🧶🐈😂😂
As someone who went on a stash busting adventure and a buy ban/no buy year. It sucks. And yea i experienced everything you did so far. Dont sweat. No point in knitting things for the sake of the stash if you arent really gonna like it or the design is being sacraficed for "using up"yarn. It ended up stalling my progress of stash busting quite a lot.
Oh no to all the things going wrong! Well done for persevering (and not swearing like a docker whilst talking about it, I think I would have done!) I love the blue shade of yarn you bought, even if you can’t use it for the Victorian shawl it will still be lovely! I LOVE the baby cardigan too, it’s so dang cute! They are very lucky! Also, inspired by all of your knitting of socks, I have finally finished my first pair (an achievement which has been on my bucket list for years but I’ve been too scared and confused by it!) Your videos have really inspired me to try learn new techniques and to have things to work towards, even if I can’t get my head round them at the moment! My next milestone will be a jumper I think! Looking forward to the next video as always!
Yay congratulations on the socks!! I'm so proud of you for pushing yourself and achieving your goal 🎉
That shawl is so beautiful! Makes me want to throw away all my WIPs and cast one on 🙈
Don't throw them away just yet! Make it through February first 💪
You are so close with the ripple blanket! Sooooo Close!!! I don't know if you gave up since this is a couple of months later.
Thank you for another lovely video!
This series is one of my favourite yarn related on TH-cam! Thank you for keeping it up even if it's frustrating at times
I’m loving the Victorian shawl. I found a ufo yesterday while looking for my 12mm needles. No idea when I started it , tried to pick it back up today but I’m not sure about it. I started a knitting journal this year to help me keep track of my knits.
The shawl is lovely, and looks so cozy and soft! Great idea about the baby jacket! And I can’t wait to see the pale blue sweater! I love all your videos, and am awed at your abilities. Thanks for keeping it real.
One of Roxanne Richardson's videos about finish it February (last year maybe?) she said, it's not just about finishing the entirety of a project, but about deciding how to move the project on - or indeed, if that project is worth moving on. That helped me think "Okay, I can break this project down and... finish this sleeve, do 15 minutes a day on this blanket, do the baby mittens I want to do for that baby..." rather than focus on "Oh dear, there's so much stuff I need to do! I can't get it all done! Panic!"
I've got 2 jumpers made in the round from the same pattern, in aran yarn, and the first one I did as the pattern said and went straight into the ribbing for the neckband. It is a lot looser than I'd like for British winters, so when I did the 2nd jumper, I cast off (put a locking stitch marker on & checked I could fit it over my head) and then picked up the stitches straight away. A little bit more work, but a better neckline. But of course they're much heavier than your lace jumper, and as they're worked in the round, everything hangs from the neckband. So there are sometimes reasons to cast off and pick up for a neckband. That said, it would disturb the front of the lace jumper to do that! Putting the stitches on spare yarn and picking up again was a much better idea than casting off and picking up again.
I like Marianna Mel on Ravelry for baby knits - lots of her patterns are free, which is always handy for finding out how the designer writes their patterns. I've got a jacket and mittens done for a church baby, and just need to cast on for the booties so I can get the set done...
And sometimes, "finishing" a project means frogging it.
@@janisi9262 Oh yes! I nearly did that the other day... But since the dog had chewed one of the needles (sturdy plastic children's knitting needles, dog is fine) and I found the yarn very unpleasant to use - I threw it all away instead! Definitely finished with it 😂!
The blue lace jumper is so beautiful.,I am looking forward to seeing the finished make. All your stress seems to come from working out how much yarn your using and buying.Why not just enjoy knitting and only work out how much you need to complete a project. The Victorian shawl is lovely,it looks so authentic.
Hello! Thank you for sharing your January progress. Honestly, you were not alone riding the struggle bus last month. I also had some issues (darn math...wrong stitch counts) with my main project.
Silver lining: I was able to finish the month with a satisfying little completed project!
Knit on and carry on with finish it Feburary!
P.S. My main project is still in a time out, I'll tackle it in March after a month of rest.
The shawl is absolutely gorgeous, you look so so beautiful with it in the garden😍 And the baby jacket is so damn cute. Lucky baby, haha. And thank you for sharing. Wish you a beautiful year full of exciting projects 👍
Hang in there! I definitely know how you feel! My logic is that craft projects are like fine wine. In order to enjoy them, they need to be properly aged! (Or frogged for something better!)
That oddments jumper is a dream of mine. I just never seem to have the right amounts of the right yarn in colours that I like. Really excited to live vicariously through you for that one!
I watched all your stash busting videos and it seems like you are really cracking through your stash sometimes its slow sometimes its fast but I think you'll beat your stash before the 5 year mark lol
Not that it helps you, but you inspired me to stash bust! I made a cardigan and currently making another out of yarn I have had AT LEAST 17 years. So thank you!
Hi, Claude! I must admit I binged most if not all your knitting videos. I've been crocheting for a year now, but I'm a baby knitter, just started in October, and I love watching you make stuff I've no chance of making (yet). Absolutely love how the lacy blue jumper turned out!! Sending you good vibes.
Hello from Canada! I was very happy to see a new video from you! I'm a crocheter who is learning continental knitting. I feel I have knitted and frogged so many times I think I have knitted the sleeves for my sweater (jumper) twice! Nice to see even experts have to frog sometimes too.
I decided to do this (thank you so much for the idea!) and the absolute horror when I realized how much yarn I have... I'm actually ashamed of myself.
I wish this was a joke, but I have about 23 kilos of yarn. That's almost 51 pounds.
Months ago, I saw the Vianne cardigan in one of your videos and loved it, so I looked it up on Ravelry and was disappointed to find that the pattern was no longer available. I was going through my Ravelry library last night and found that I DO have the pattern? And have since 2015? Somehow? I might even have the yarn for it. So that's good news!
Things that seem cursed are extra satisfying when they're done. You'll get there; don't be too hard on yourself.
I have often felt this way about my knitting, including knitting up a whole ball of yarn in a 250-stitch round before realizing I'd put in a half-twist at the join. I was so disgusted! I hope February and March have gone better for you.
Really Claude, if you haven’t frogged a project at least three times, have you even really done it?
I’m working on a jumper. Frogging number five currently. But at least the arm holes will be in the right place. 😵💫
God bless you for staying the course !!!! And thank you for sharing.... just getting into knitting now and I'll be very wary of adding to my stash prematurely. 😉
Don't be dishearten Claude! I'm relistening to all the stash busting videos as I knit up my stash. It's very inspiring to see you tackle this stash and the blue lace blouse, because no else in my immediate circle understands why I cry out like a wounded animal when I had to frog 20cm of lace knitted on 2mm needles.
That ball of frustration is too real.
But we must remind ourselves, we like knitting. It was just an excuse to knit some more. Yup. Definitely.
Sometimes I think stash busting is a state of mind. Just getting us to be mindful ofwhat we're buying and why, well it seems to have made a difference for me. Thank you for sharing your journey. Your pieces are so amazing and your talents are way beyond mine so it's fascinating sometimes to just watch you knit. It's still some sort of magic to me, but it's neat to see. Here's hoping for a wonderfully satisfying and rewarding 2023.
January has been difficult for my crafty projects too! 😂
I saw a knitter who managed to get through her stash this year: that included selling off/trading yarn! Perhaps if you don’t find a project for that blue cone, you could sell it to someone else?
Not just donating, as the point is to have the yarn get used (i’ve heard that donation centers/secondhand places can’t process everything that is donated and have to throw some away…)
I’m very envious of your knitting ability! I love crochet but I cannot manage knitting. Apart from very basic stuff, knitting does my head in.
Love your ability to use up yarn!
SCAM ALERT - I would like to alert everybody, that someone is trying to behave as RetroClaude. Please, check the the comment that I received to my last comment here. I already reported that account to TH-cam. Please, everyone be safe here on the internet.
My crafting went crazy after I retired and moved and had a dedicated craft room. I love having lots of materials but UFO's not so much. I bought eight flat plastic baskets from the Dollar store and put a project in each. I will admit to finding 17 when I started (I do many crafts) but every time I emptied a basket I added one until I was down to the eight. A few I decided I just didn't like and got rid of. Now I always keep it to a maximum of eight, sometimes a few are empty or only contain a pattern and I'm gathering materials. I have a note on each basket with the info about the project and date it so I don't keep it too long. If all eight baskets are full I can't start anything.
On the ripple crochet blanket, you should have just frogged it back 😅 I know the feeling of “no, my progress!” but honestly, if something bothers me in the slightest, it will still bother me at the end, and then there’s more work to frog and redo. The only piece I have never applied that rule to is a patchwork shawl I started 5 years ago, having newly learnt how to crochet, and in the years since, I have learnt new techniques.
My daughter made me some little stitch markers with the letter (or number) of the hook used for the article in progress. I attach it at the beginning of a project and then I always know what hook to use. Now if I could find some way of keeping track of the instructions for each project. I like variety so I always have about 12 things going at any time. LOL
I can't help noticing that the cursed projects had a common colour...
Maybe if you do shawl's border in pink the curse will be lifted ;-)
I think destashing is cool but the way you're approaching it and fixating on it a bit much seems to take some of the fun out of actually crafting for the sake of it. The way you have to keep thinking about using more yarn and being disappointed because you haven't used as much yarn as you wanted. No hate just a random person hoping you can enjoy your craft more. It's good to use what you have, but you can never be 100% efficient with craft supplies. After all your stash's purpose is to help your creations not hinder it
That shawl is beautiful!! I’m doing a “finish 2 wips and you can start a new project” this year, here’s to hoping it actually helps with my problem 😂
It is so hard to resist buying more wool! Especially when there are sales of merino 4ply wool half price at Spotlight. My stash-busting is going backwards.
Hey Claude, I wanted to see the gorgeous blue lace jumper on you or at least show us the finished blocked jumper. I want to knit myself a jumper but I need a larger size. I've never sized up to accommodate for my 40ish inch bust. It might take a lot of math, trial and error, and frogging. I'm determined to knit a jumper. I've knitted a lot of cardigans. Berets and baby sweaters. I just need to get yarn and get started.
Such a relatable issue of forgetting which size needles are being used from interchangeables! Well done for pushing through!
I recently found that they also make little end stoppers (spheres) which I am finding wonderful! I have two pairs and am tempted to get more - no need to put on a different size needle as a placeholder when needing the needles elsewhere!
Well, it's not quite as dramatic as the video title makes it seem! You have finished the shawl into a wearable state! That's a big project checked off! Yay!
And it's super-interesting to see, too. One does not see knitting patterns this old made up that often.
This is my favorite video series! Not only are you lovely, but I really enjoy that we can follow your progress with you. I feel it shows what we all go through when knitting, that we are not alone. I'm also knitting from my stash, and these videos are a great inspiration for me.
About the cursed times when crafting, don't worry, you are not alone 😅. Just a few hours ago, I found out that my beautiful hand dyed sock yarn that I'm knitting with got stuck into the zipper of my bag... I had to break it. It comes after a week where I had to sew 3 times one sleeve, and I lost the instructions of a cardigan I'm designing and knitting...
Just breathe and keep trying 🤷🏻♀️
Greetings from South Korea
I think the solid blue would still make a lovely border for your Victorian shawl! I’m sure it’s still very appropriate for the era-I bet some people back then even made the same mistake you did !! I think you should embrace it and stick with the solid blue for the border : )
I'm glad you were able to finish knitting the centre of the shawl and the sweater, even if it felt like you were taking two steps forward and one step back at the time! Both are gorgeous. I agree with you, it is better to wait and decide what you want to do with the shawl, without a border it is a neutral, natural cream shade and goes with almost everything, once you add colour to the border, then it will go with certain clothing items more than others.
I understand the frustration at setting a goal and not being able to complete it quite the way you intended, I was finishing off UFOs and trying to only buy what I needed to finish things, then fell and broke my elbow in November. I'm knitting again and doing a little bit of sewing and spinning, but I know I have to not over do it.
Hi for what it’s worth I think you have done amazingly well with your projects considering the hurdles you’ve had to cross!
Hi, You are doing so well with depleting your stash as I know how hard it can be to reduce. I only seem to expand mine!
I love the lacy blue blouse and look forward to seeing it when finished.
There are definitely some projects that are just cursed lol. The baby sweater came out so cute! It's too bad about the pattern. The only book I have ever straight up thrown in the trash was a book of baby patterns. I couldn't pass it on to anther knitter in good conscience.
Fabulous job as always. I think January was just cursed in general? I was sick the entire month and every time I tried to pick up projects they had to get ripped back 🤦♀️ I'm excited you're getting through the blue blouse! It looks like it will be so special to wear. Where I live we have erratic weather through March but it's largely hot and humid already here. Like sweating into a puddle wearing shorts levels of heat. So I've started a lace work cotton/bamboo short sleeve cardigan thing for over tank tops for myself. I feel like this is a lace year for me maybe 🤔
I just want to update, that after rewatching your destashing videos, I bought yarn dye this morning and to strike when the iron was hot, dyed it all in one afternoon. So keep on keeping Claude! I credit you as the inspiration 👍
Congratulations on finishing the shawl! The baby sweater looks amazing! Good luck with Finish It February.
I love your videos they are relaxing for me, thank you for sharing looking forward to February 😊😊😊
It’s a wonderful shawl. I can just picture it thrown over the back of a rocking chair.
Check that blue yarn for colour stability. First thing I thought when I saw it was: "it's going to bleed on the white yarn!" :)
I came across the leftover-sweater pattern a few days ago by coincidence, and I thought it was very interesting. I'm curious to see how your version turns out!
I love the victorian shawl, but boy does that pattern look mind-numbing... I also really like the hat you're wearing in the final reveal of the shawl, did you make that yourself as well? (And if so, can you reccommend the pattern?)
It's the Druidess Beret, I've updated the description to include a link 😊
@@RetroClaude Thank you, that's going in my favourites!
That blue wool is beautiful! I'm excited to see the jumper you make out if it. Also the baby jacket 😍 I love making baby items! They're so cute and surprisingly quick to finish. I've put all my littles in wool, but I don't mind the hand washing. However, for gifts, if I do make something in wool, I make sure it's super wash, and that care instructions are pinned to the item. That is also only on request. Looking forward to seeing the finished lacey top!
Your hair is so prettty, I love it❤ also how many grams is each skein? Just wondering
Glad to see you back. It's been awhile and I was concerned if you were ok. I was wondering if you are going to continue the 1940s dresd you started late last year.
I am trying to finish old things and use stash. Qujite a bit of baby knitting here to use the odd bits. I love your shawl x
Great job and video.
I think the finished result is quite cute on you actually! It looks a little more casual but it’s not unflattering at all and maybe with some equally funky accessories it will be very fetching! I love that you show the process of all these vintage patterns, it’s so interesting to see how much knitting has evolved and I’m obsessed with your stash busting series because of how creative you’re getting in using up all the yarn. Happy knitting!
Maybe you can exchange yarns you don't need with other yarn tragics for colours you do need?
Dilemmas only other knitters will understand!😘
Lovely shawl, Claude.
I'm glad to see you found the will to redo the top part of your blue jumper. It's such a pretty pattern and I'm looking forward to seeing it finished.
I just wish I was experienced enough to knit such a lovely jumper. I bet it will look stunning, worn.
I love that shawl as it is - it will go with everything and will be lovely with your dainty pink sprigged fabric. Good job!
I've only just found you on YT, and have been really enjoying your back catalogue. I love how clever & persistent you are. I won't tell you about the lacy baby cardigan I was knitting for a friend's first baby... he's now in his 20s!
And I'm definitely adopting your Good, Better, Best philosophy. Genius!
I've found using pocket knitting to be really helpful keeping me in track with all my projects. I can't remember much so it's invaluable. I love that it has a line marker, place for notes, and you can import PDFs and patterns entirely into it. It's free!
I like your pattern, thinking about it, maybe I could pretty easily adjust it for my size. Hmm 🤔.
Your blanket 😂 in the time you took to rip it out, vs the amount of yarn you'd use up..I don't think ripping it out makes sense. Especially since crochet uses more yarn than knitting.
Just an idea about the blue yarn, is it possible to bleach any of it to create those different shades of blue?
Wow, I've never seen someone knit directly off scrap yarn. Genius!
Such beautiful and inspirational knitting! I’m an avid knitter but have only ever done baby knits so loved seeing your little jumper 🤍
Awww, I really feel for you, sometimes everything I touch turns to poop! I think we've all been there 💜 I'm glad you got that lacy blue top finished, it's lovely, and that shawl looks beautifully cosy! The nice thing about knitting for babies is the instant gratification. If you need a quick win, whip out a baby cardi, highly recommend 👍
Oh! I forgot to say! I've been using your Good, Better, Best system to help me prioritise tasks in my daily life. ADHD brains aren't good at planning and organising lists of tasks. But I can gather them into groups of Good (needs to get done today), Better (would like to do today), and Best (my magical unicorn perfect day 🦄😂). It means I can see more clearly where to direct my energies, but still gives me choices so I can work with the body and brain I have at a given moment.
This has radically changed how I think about my To Do list each day - I approach it with much less dread and overwhelm. Thank you, thank you, thank you! It has made SUCH a difference! 💜
The blue is gorgeous!🤩 Perhaps you could use it for the jerkin, since you said you weren't sure you had enough yarn for that project.
I love that colour blue, and the pattern is so pretty. I'm sure it'll be a beautiful sweater when it's finished
I so feel you with the cursed projects situation. Sometimes there are just times that I am so focused in one direction that I miss basically everything else and do this to myself. Absolutely love the Victorian Shawl. It is gorgeous. The blue sweater is really cute. The baby jacket is adorable and the blanket looks so cozy. So once you have worked through the rest of those projects and the others you are planning work/working on, you will have a lovely total. :) Hang in there! It will all come together. :)
I don’t knit but enjoy your vlogs on sewing and your knitting vlogs are now added to the list. Looking forward to more 😃