I was going to say that February is for finishing, but then I realized I have too many unfinished projects to possibly make that claim during the shortest month of the year. So instead, a compromise. I realized this week that, other than my Christmas socks, I haven’t knit anything for myself since mid-November. I’m not saying that this is some kind of travesty or anything – I love giving handknits and also how knitting gifts gives me the opportunity to tackle projects I wouldn’t necessarily knit for myself – but there comes a point when you just want to knit something that doesn’t have a gift-by deadline, you know?
I got this yarn (and two more skeins just like it) for Christmas. This skein, or part of it, is destined to be a headband.
So, this month I’m going to try and focus my knitting on a few key things that I’ve been wanting. The main thing on this list is mittens. Since October I have knit three pairs of mittens and one pair of gloves and this has given me a lot time to think about what mittens I want for myself (mine, knit last year, have grown very thin indeed). Thus, they are priority number one, and would be a super quick knit if I weren’t designing my own (with the intention of releasing the pattern, which slows things down a little). I also need a headband, which shouldn’t take more than an afternoon, really.
In progress. I’m already knit and ripped and reknit a couple of times, but I think I’ve got it more or less figured out now.
The real focus of this month, though, will be my Woodstove Season cardigan. I started it back in November, then realized I was knitting the wrong size and ripped it out. I got re-started after the holidays, but put it down again to focus on the Moose Gloves, but now that those are finished (!) I am feeling the pull of the sweater. At least part of that is reactionary, since it’s been steadily cold for the past few weeks and I hate being cold. But I’m also starting to feel like a full finished sweater is a hurdle a need to get over, and I think this one is the one to get me there. I’m almost ready to divide for the armpits, and from there it’s pretty straightforward, so I just need to stick to it and it’ll be fine.
I love this colour. I am also totally smitten by these chevrons.
So, that’s where I think this month is heading – I’ll try to work on things in cycles so at least the blog will stay interesting. What are your plans for this short month?
Pans & Needles 
That cardigan looks lovely. I think you and I are both working on a cardigan in a very similar colorway. It’s hard not to love that color.
I am loving this colour right now! I was actually worried I was going to run out (I am two balls in and already worrying) but my LYS just got more of this yarn, so although the dye lot isn’t a perfect match, it’s close enough. I bought two more skeins (like a crazy person), so now I’m feeling much safer.
That is a fantastic color on the cardigan! I hadn’t seen that pattern before. Good one. It’s really nice not to have deadlines while knitting. They always make me stubborn.
Deadlines are funny things. Sometimes they’re fun and inspiring and other times I just want to rail against them. I do like that the chevrons break up the stockinette, though – I think they might be what keep me into this sweater.