Safer at Home orders have been in effect in most areas across the nation for at least a month, in some areas longer. Being restricted in movement has several side effects; one has a wealth of time. Within the first few days I finished a shawl that had been on the needles for over four years, if I am honest, I would have to say it is more likely to be five years. The body of the shawl was fairly quick. But the knit on trim, that got tedious. After an inch or two, the shawl went into a bag. I dropped it on the backseat of the car and it became the project I would pick up when waiting to pick up the DD from rehearsal. It is a slow way to finish a knitting project. When I had soaked the shawl and blocked it, I decided to take inventory of all the WIPs.

I went through all the baskets, the cloth bags, the plastic bin, the pile of yarn on the dresser. I found 20 WIPs. This includes four tops that I have been designing/knitting for myself. One of these is 99% finished but I do not like how it fits. There is the grey hempton shirt which has been ripped back and re-knit twice already. I did not even count the project bag full of balls of rose colored linen. That yarn cannot decide what it wants to be, I have started tops with that yarn several times but I always end up ripping it out.

So many WIPs just need an assessment. The sock for the DD, I picked it up and finished it in a day and then promptly cast on for a pair of socks for myself. Sigh.

There are WIPs that I need to admit are not going to be finished, either the sizing is off (gloves) or it is a project that simply no longer speaks to me (pi shawl). There were two scarves that were to be gifts, ages ago. I finished one; the other will remain in limbo.

100% wool dyed with Chamomile and Purple Basil extracts

I often begin things because I want to learn or practice a new technique. When I finished the two color Brioche scarf (in Chamomile and Purple Basil), two years after the cast on, I felt quite satisfied. I know there are errors in the beginning bit but no errors in the second half and I have discovered that I quite enjoy Brioche. Soon I will cast on for another Brioche project; I have the yarn picked out, a variegated pink and a purple/black.

As of today, instead of 20 WIPs, I currently have 17 WIPs. I have made fantastic progress on the hemp shirt. I love working up summer shirts in hemp; top down, raglan increases. This shirt has a bit of magenta at the base of neckline. There will be a large color work pattern in magenta at the hem of shirt. I am alternating work on the hemp shirt with knitting high socks for myself. And because I am not that keen on color work, at least once a week I sit down and knit a few rows on the Orfeo Hat.

Working on the WIPs in the time of Covid-19.

shawl

Knitting in the time of Quarantine or as they say here “safer at home”