Eastburn Adventures

So what do you do when you're not knitting? Because face it, we can't knit all the time (Kate - keep your hands on the wheel). Here's how I spend my time:

1. Oodles of time on Ravelry. Casey is a genius, and there's always something new. This week I've spend time favorite-ing patterns and moving them out of my queue. The queue is now a much more manageable single page of projects I'm really planning to make, and may already have the yarn for. Speaking of Ravelry, check out my new progress bars in the sidebar! They link to my project pages in Ravelry (although if you're not on Rav, I'm not sure you can see the page).

2. Shopping for yarn, knitting books, and patterns. Ravelry has really become an enabler in this area, too. You find a gorgeous yarn and the next thing you know - must. have. it. There's always an excuse to nab an available skein of Wollmeise from The Loopy Ewe, right?

3. Living vicariously through our knitting friends. Fair warning, I'm probably not the best person to call when you need an intervention to prevent you from adding to the stash. Sorry, Zarah!

4. Listening to knitting podcasts. I've only just started with this, thanks to Brianne. And, since Robert and I just re-joined the gym, they're good motivators to keep me on the elliptical. (Now, if I were just coordinated enough to work on a pair of socks while working out - that would be sweet!). I'm currently catching up with Stash & Burn, with Cast On, CraftLit, and Knit Picks waiting in the wings. What are your favorites?

5. Blogging. Reading favorites, updating my own, and searching out new friends in the blog world. Again - Ravelry is an enabler! I've joined several groups on Ravelry and faithfully monitor the forums, and then when you make a connection, you have to check out your new friends' blogs. I really appreciate the comments left new friends (as well as the old ones)!

6. Thinking about knitting. Are you obsessed? I think I'm seeing a pattern here (ha! pun intended). I think there's a part of my brain that is often thinking ahead about projects I want to make, who I want to make them for, etc. And yes, Ravelry keeps me organized.

So, what's happening for the upcoming months of knitting? Zarah invited me to join the Socktoberfest group, and I'm going to make my sister's Christmas socks (but she only gets them if she starts commenting on the blog again - ha!), and socks for Robert. That's a sock a week! This weekend I hope to start and finish the Short-Row Hat. It's a quick knit once I get going. and, last week at Knit Together, Kate and Brianne decided to throw a Knitting/Movie Night party which is tonight. At my house. I love having friends who are comfortable enough to invite themselves over! Speaking of which, I need to go bake brownies.