I am in limbo – I just finished my SISC socks, they’re off the needles and gone for a bath, and I don’t pull the next bag until the 1st of the month so I’ve got the littlest of sock breaks. I’m working on that Craghill Shawl but it doesn’t have a deadline and I’m under-motivated. The rows are getting long and I think I’m into a cheaper thrill right now.
I am really, really motivated to make a baby set but the yarn hasn’t arrived (I think it might today) and once that happens I am all in on that, since the baby might have gotten slightly ahead of me there. I need to start a sweater for Elliot (he has a special request) but the yarn for that is en route as well. I was about to wander aimlessly upstairs and turn my attention to one of the multitude of projects I’ve put down over the last months, when I thought to have a look at “The Big Plan.”
The Big Plan™ is far less fancy (or big, or trademarked) than it sounds, but like the Self-Imposed Sock Club (SISC) and The Long Range Planning Box for completed items, it’s one of my better ideas. You know how you’ll be minding your own business and you’ll see a project or have an idea or remember there’s an occasion coming up and you think “oh, I’ve got to get on that this year”. When that happens to me, I open my phone or computer and go to a note called “The Big Plan” and jot down whatever it happens to be. On there right now is a sewing project I don’t want to forget to get ahead on for next Christmas, and a note that a friend who makes soap could use some hand knit facecloths for her birthday, some ornaments I want to give as a Hallowe’en gift that it would be smart to make in the summer, that I need to gather pinecones for something else -whenever I see them through the year, and that (and this is that part that is relevant to this post) this is a year I have to knit and make another Advent Calendar, and that it would be super smart to knit a few of the ornaments each month so that it can’t get on top of me. (There’s also a note to buy the felt to make it when I see it on sale but that’s not as important to you.)
So- in this perfect moment of in-betwixt idleness, I’m going to fill my needles with a few of those little things and tuck them away (in The Long Range Planning Box, obviously) so that November Stephanie has only nice things to say about me.
If you’d like to play along, today I’m making a teeny hat and a maybe a tiny sock. I bet the baby sweater yarn is here when I’m done.
You know, I never thought about making an advent calander, mainly because I don’t think I could think up all the pieces (tho that could be fun) but…if you are thinking of posting ideas here, I will get right on it! So great to see you here, and thanks for Veganuary. My hubs is making Crunchy Papperdelle as we speak and I can’t wait; we have a couple of your suggestions still in cue. Stay warm!
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Ah, yes. Under-motivation. I needed a break from a largeish sweater on tiny needles and have this week rediscovered my love of the ever-charming fruit hats for babies. Strawberry, pumpkin, and lemon are done, and now I’m planning eggplant, and watermelon, and…who knows where it will end?
Never mind that it’s cold enough to drip the faucets against freezing pipes and someone I love could really use that sweater right about now.
It is so nice to “see”/”hear” you on the blog again, as you and Rams commented on Steph’s prior recent blog post, and today here you are again. We needed that double dose!
Thank you, thank you, than you for the 3 postings to your blog this month! We know you’ve been busy with Veganuary and other things on your instagram, and also Patreon videos and lessons, but the blog seems so much more in depth. Sure, we don’t get to see you on the blog as we do on Patreon and instagram. Maybe it’s just me, but I feel so much more of your essence on the blog.
Anyway, thank you for 22 years of the blog and for sticking with it, and with us.
Love those tiny things! I do love a blog post and thank you for this one 🙂 I should sign up to the patreon too – happy to support but really I’m a reader rather than a watcher… I’ve just found “Free range knitter” and am really enjoying it, however did I miss that one for so long?!
Love your idea about the note “The Big Plan”. Right now I have a folder on my computer called “Maybe Someday” with idea pics but yours would be handier for my to do projects. Thanks.
I’m so happy to see you posting again. I was afraid that maybe you were finished with the blog. I miss reading about your knitting projects and life adventures.
This is my first comment, but I read your blog from the very first over several years that were really tough. Your blog helped me through it! The funny stories, the family times, the knitting inspirations, gave me something to look forward to reading just before bed. How had I missed this all these years? And then it seemed like it was over. But I’ve kept on looking every couple of days just in case. And suddenly here you are again! The blog is where we really get to know you, Instagram wouldn’t mean much without it.
But back to thr real point of this comment: Thank you so much for helping me through those hard times.
Oh boy! What great planning tips. And it’s wonderful to see you here again.
Love tiny things! Also just so glad the blog is still here, quietly waiting its turn behind the bells and whistles of social media that enthralls us all.
Hey! I understand that life is changing and so on, still: It felt like a late Christmas present when I saw the blog posts! Thank you, for your thoughts and stories! And I like being part of “The BLOG”.
The kids around me are a bit old for knitted advents calenders ( or, is that even possible to be to old for knitted advent calendars?), but I like the idea of starting the Christmas preparations earlier this year. In Germany they say about football: “After the match is before the match.” I guess that fits in this case as well! Have a nice day!
I eagerly await teeny animals!!
Steph, you have motivation. It’s called “startitis.”
Teeny fiddly things!
It’s so nice to see these things taking shape. Does this mean that there’s a new house with a wee one this year?
Red hat yarn right now is a deeply comforting thing all by itself, and I love how yours is reaching out and giving the other ball a hug. Can’t wait to see how they play together!
I am implementing TLRPB immediately! And perhaps…. my own The Big Plan, although, that may be just too much responsibility that I’m not ready to take on at the moment.
Imagin my excitement when I idly clicked on the website today just in case … AND THERE WERE 3 POSTS WAITING!! It made my day, Thank you so much!! (and for the preceding 22 years.) Also this re-energizing of The Blog feels very apposite, as I may be moving into a new Knitting Phase – I find I am suffering from Premature Grandparentitis and am drawn to knitting baby items just in case the daughter who got married last August proceeds to the next stage ….
Love the tiny things! I have a garland of tiny hats and have begun tiny mittens and tiny socks to hang on the tree. They can become a habit, though…
Please keep us all posted! Sometimes a few words from a fellow traveler makes our own path smoother and certainly more pleasant.
BTW, I’m intrigued by the pinecones and wonder what ever they could be for! Please do tell!
Help! I know this is unrelated to the latest post but I figured this is where more people will see it.
So, I can’t find my copy of a recipe that the YH posted probably years ago. It was a vegitarian thing cooked in muffin tins. Can anybody help?
So glad to see some posts, I know life moves you on in different directions, but please, please try to post at least once a month. I miss you, I moved and have not made any friends locally. and you are like balm to my soul. Thanks for all your efforts with The Blog and the Bike Race. Hugs TA
Was it this one?
https://www.yarnharlot.ca/2012/12/bonus/
Yes, thank you so much !! I wanted to make some but couldn’t remember what they are called.
You are my hero!
Big hugs, and keep knitting!
ToniAnne
I’m here for the tiny things! I was considering making a bunch of little knitted hearts for Valentines Day, but a high number still takes a while. Hope you get the calendar finished quickly.
Can I just say that I’m so happy that you’re writing at this location again! A glimmer of soul and stitches at a very dark time. We need you!
I loved your insights on tackling tiny projects! I recently knitted a pair of baby booties, and though they were small, the joy they brought was immense. It’s like when I play Geometry Dash Lite—small levels that somehow pack a big punch in satisfaction!
Oh thank you for the inspiration to knit little sweet things. I’m just about to emerge from an arm brace – 2 months of no knitting. Starting small, sweet items will be good physical and emotional therapy as I get this creaky old arm moving again.
Ah. I totally get The Big Plan concept. I carry one of those in my head. It includes finishing a quilt for my son’s partner’s birthday in August; making at least 6 more things (hats, mittens, maybe socks) for my Warm Things Box (give-away); cross-stitching a piece for my longest-lived BFF’s birthday in mid-June — all while working on other WIPs in those 3 categories (quilt/knit/stitch),,,and hooking new landscapes (looping yarn into burlap on a frame) for an up-coming art show. Yeah; I dig it. Onward!
The red yarn could be a small Melt the ICE hat. Just sayin.
My dear Mom and my unofficial yet official Auntie made advent calendars for all of my siblings (six of us!) many years ago. I still have mine and the grandkids love it too. No knitted ornaments, all felt with beads, sequins, and rickrack.
I saved your knitted links for ornaments, so time to get busy making the grandkids their own Advent Calendar. Thanks for the tips! ♥️
Margaret in Port Ludlow
Great idea. I tend to believe I can keep that “big plan “ in my head. Your idea is much more realistic!
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I was so happy to see your new posts.
So good to “see” you again, Stephanie! I’m currently more or less “grounded” as I supervise an unwilling grandson’s year of virtual schooling. Encountering an old (online) friend at random is a bit of joy in a mostly monotonous day. Blog on, dear Stephanie, and thank you.
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The “Big Plan” concept is brilliant—it not only helps you make the most of the downtime between projects, fun games, but also ensures that your “future self” will definitely thank you!
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Using small pockets of time to work on little projects sounds really satisfying. Future-you in November will definitely be grateful for that planning! Geometry Dash Lite
I think your “Big Plan” idea is actually brilliant, because it keeps all those future intentions from getting lost while still giving you flexibility in the moment. I’ve had times where I bounce between projects without focus, and having something like that would probably keep me more grounded. It kind of reminds me of how I play Slope Rider —I need just enough direction to keep moving forward, but also the freedom to adjust as I go. I hope your yarn arrives soon, because it sounds like that baby set is about to spark a whole new wave of motivation!
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