I decided to knit a felted cat bed for my friend Shannon’s beautiful (and large) young cat, Cleo. I went with the Dotty Cat Bed pattern by Kelly Porpiglia, which I had downloaded from the Ravelry website.
Tagged with: knitting, shannon wilkinson, worth repeating
I wrote this post four years ago, but I can still feel the thrill of letting go of knitting projects I didn’t want to finish and either reclaiming or giving away the yarn. Have I finished the projects I intended to finish? I don’t know! Time for another WIP decluttering session.
In knitting, WIP stands for Work-In-Progress. In my knitting reality, almost all my WIPS are actually stalled and/or abandoned projects. They languish in (mostly hand knit) bags in my knitting area creating clutter and a little bit of stress. That area was like a graveyard for knitting dreams.
Tagged with: craft rooms, crafts, knitting, worth repeating, yarn
I wrote this post a few years ago and when I stumbled across it today, I decided to share it again. I have a different car now and can no longer use my knitted trash can, alas. But I got another hand-made trash receptacle for my car, which I love. If you, like me, are spending less time in your car these days, now might be a good time to organize it. You’ll have a fighting chance of keeping it organized!
Tagged with: car, knitting, organizing solutions, worth repeating
I originally wrote this post back in 2010 and repeated it in 2013. When I read it again today, I decided to run it again because the message rings so true. Often, little bits of friction are enough to keep us from moving forward with our goals. I had taken a bit of a hiatus from my knitting but became rejuvenated when I decluttered my knitting projects last summer. (I’ll post about that soon!) So this post resonated with me today. I hope you enjoy it.
Tagged with: knitpicks, knitting, knitting needles, productivity, worth repeating
These days, I’m spending less leisure time knitting and more time practicing hand lettering (and writing postcards to voters. But when my friend told me her daughter was pregnant, I just had to pull out my needles and knit my favorite go-to baby gift: the Harry Bear teddy bear, a free pattern from Berroco.
On Monday, I reposted a 2009 post about the patchwork quilt I started knitting ten years ago. It took me two years to finish knitting the 63 squares. A year later, with the help of friends, I figured out a pretty layout for the squares and seamed them together. I started a knitting a binding around the edge. And that’s where the project stalled.
Tagged with: city sewing room, goals, help, knitting, learn to knit afghan, worth repeating
It’s been quite a while since I blogged about knitting, but a recent finished project has making me smile so much I just had to share. As I’ve written here, I knit an afghan that took me about 12 years. It’s made from four colors of wool. I used Knit Picks Wool of the Andes for that project, in green, beige, burgundy and brown. I love the color combination and I still had some skeins of that yarn left over. I decided to use it to knit a felted cat bed for my friend Shannon’s beautiful (and large) young cat, Cleo.
Tagged with: knitting, shannon wilkinson
On Monday, I reposted a 2009 post about the patchwork quilt I started knitting ten years ago. It took me two years to finish knitting the 63 squares. A year later, with the help of friends, I figured out a pretty layout for the squares and seamed them together. I started a knitting a binding around the edge. And that’s where the project stalled.
Tagged with: city sewing room, goals, help, knitting, learn to knit afghan
This post was originally published on July 9, 2009. It came to mind because this weekend, when the afghan in question was actually finished. That’s right, seven years later. Check back on Thursday for a post about that, complete with photos of the finished blanket. And don’t let the seven year delay detract from the message of this post!
It’s the rare knitter who enjoys the finishing aspects of their knitting projects. That’s the weaving in of ends, the blocking (soaking or steaming the knit fabric to size), the seaming.
Tagged with: goals, knitting, knitting olympics, learn to knit afghan, worth repeating
Eight years ago, I organized my yarn into a bank of Elfa drawers. (Incidentally, Elfa is on sale right now for 25 percent off!) Four years ago, I blogged about how wonderful it is to have an organized stash. Today, I am repeating that post because is as true now as it was then. And, of course, it’s also true for fabric, beads or any other kind of craft supplies you might have.
Tagged with: elfa, knitting, knitting needles, storage, yarn
Last week, a client asked me to help him organize the console and glove compartment of his car. I think that’s the first time I’ve been asked to organize a car and it was fun! In no time at all, we had his car organized so that he can find what he needs easily.
Tagged with: car, knitting, organizing solutions
For me, the start of a new year is a great time to take stock and figure out which new habits I’d like to create. For the last couple of years, I’ve written blog posts this time of year detailing the habits I want to create. (I like thinking in terms of habits, rather than resolutions.)
Tagged with: clean bureau, goals, habits, knitting, resolutions
I wrote this blog post in 2011 and when I re-read it today, I really liked the message, so thought I’d share it again. The bag is finished (that’s a picture of it), but I’ve experienced the same thing (inside and outside of knitting) on more than one occasion since!
Sometimes the tiniest things keep us from doing things we want to do or think we should be doing. If we can identify those things and modify them, we can get more done.
Tagged with: knitpicks, knitting, knitting needles, productivity, worth repeating
I bought a 2008 Honda CR-V about a month ago. It replaces an older Honda Civic. I realized I need more room to carry around the supplies I use on my team jobs. (Incidentally, I bought it on Craiglist, and it was an excellent experience.)
Tagged with: car, knitting, organizing solutions
On Wednesdays this summer, I’m dipping into my archives to highlight articles written in the past with messages that bear repeating. Here’s the latest, originally posted on October 14, 2010.
The other day I cleaned out my t-shirt drawer. One of the benefits of having a friend who runs a t-shirt company and creates fabulous new t-shirts designs on a regular basis is that I’m frequently given new t-shirts. I don’t want to say no to them, because they’re wonderful. But I wasn’t employing any kind of “one in/one out” policy.
Tagged with: decluttering, ease, knitting, perfectionism, sally brown, worth repeating
Thanks to my well-organized and well-stocked stash of yarn, I spend very little money on yarn and knitting supplies. Three years ago, I wrote about Ravelry, my secret weapon for saving money on what can be a very expensive hobby. This post is as true today as the day I wrote it, with one exception. There are now 3 million members of Ravelry!
Tagged with: knitting, ravelry, social networking, worth repeating, yarn
I was working on a longish post today, but I’ve decided to work on it a little longer and post it on Monday. Instead, I’m going to post this photo of a little teddy bear that I knit last weekend (while watching the excellent sci fi series Firefly).
Tagged with: knitting, sally brown
I’m a knitter, and like most knitters, I have quite a bit of yarn. I don’t go out and buy yarn for the sake of buying it. Typically, I purchase yarn for specific projects. But sometimes those projects don’t pan out and I unravel them. And lots of times, I have yarn left over after finishing a project. Multi-color projects, in particular, can lend themselves to a lot of leftover yarn.
Tagged with: elfa, knitting, knitting needles, storage, yarn
One of the most fun parts of helping clients declutter is finding great stuff. My favorite thing to hear is, “I’ve been looking for that!” I also love finding money, which happens with surprising frequency.
Tagged with: aby garvey, decluttering, knitting, storage, wips, yarn
I try to knit every day. It’s how I relax while watching TV and I love that I’m creating something as I relax. Sometimes I blog here about what I’m working on (or have completed), but it’s been awhile.
Tagged with: knitting
Rubbermaid has created a new kind of storage bin, the Bento Box. Named after the divided Japanese lunch boxes, these storage containers have flexible dividers that fold flat against the interior wall of the box, if desired, or pop out to divide the box.
Tagged with: bento, knitting, organizing products, rubbermaid, yarn
I haven’t written much about my knitting lately. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been knitting! I have a terrible time getting around to photographing my finished projects. (My Ravelry notebook is pretty pathetic.)
Last summer, I wrote about Personal Kanban a visual task-management system that I was trying on for size. It involves using a whiteboard or wall, writing tasks on post-it notes, and moving the post-its from Backlog to Doing to Done columns. An important part of the system is limiting the number of tasks/projects you have in the “Doing” column.
Tagged with: knitting, mark forster, personal kanban
The other day I cleaned out my t-shirt drawer. One of the benefits of having a friend who runs a t-shirt company and creates fabulous new t-shirts designs on a regular basis is that I’m frequently given new t-shirts. I don’t want to say no to them, because they’re wonderful. But I wasn’t employing any kind of “one in/one out” policy.
Tagged with: decluttering, ease, knitting, perfectionism, sally brown
Sometimes the tiniest things keep us from doing things we want to do or think we should be doing. If we can identify those things and modify them, we can get more done.
Tagged with: knitpicks, knitting, knitting needles, productivity
When I started knitting five years ago, I tentatively started projects and slowly learned new techniques while gradually buying nicer and nicer yarns. I kept all my yarn in one bag.
Tagged with: knitting, ravelry, social networking, yarn
I had a glorious day yesterday in which I placed no demands on myself. After working with clients the last couple of weekends, it was great to have a Sunday to do whatever I wanted to do. (I got my home-related chores taken care of on Saturday.)
Tagged with: knitting, needle felting, relaxation, rewards, self-care, television
It’s the rare knitter who enjoys the finishing aspects of their knitting projects. That’s the weaving in of ends, the seaming, the blocking (soaking or steaming the knit fabric to size).
Tagged with: goals, knitting, knitting olympics, learn to knit afghan
I was home for a day and am now heading to Seven Springs Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania for my husband’s family reunion. Because of all the coming and going I haven’t had time to blog.
Tagged with: knitting, relaxation, rewards, self-care
I encourage my clients (and Declutter Happy Hour participants) to be sure and take breaks and build in rewards when they’re working hard (on clutter or anything else).
Tagged with: holidays, knitting, napo st. louis, relaxation, rewards
Time for a little knitting update. Because my mind and fingers were having problems with a lace project I decided to fall back on some simple knitting. A felted bag. (My husband wonders what I do with all the felted bags I make…I use them to house knitting works in progress.)
Tagged with: bobbi nesladek, felting, knitting, knitting blogs
Occasionally, I like sharing my knitting projects here. It’s just so fun to complete something I like that I have to post a photo.
Tagged with: bobbi nesladek, knitting
I’m been knitting up a storm and not always remembering to take pictures of projects before I give them away. Right now I’m halfway through a striped cotton poncho (the Rap on Stripes poncho from Pam Allen’s Wrap Style) that I’m excited about, for spring.
Tagged with: geralin thomas, knitting, lace, yarn
As I’ve posted here before, I’m been working on knitting a sweater designed by fabulous UK knits designer Kim Hargreaves. It’s called Valiant. What I may not have mentioned is that my record of success in knitting sweaters is pretty absymal. I’ve been successful with vests and shells, but the addition of sleeves seems to throw a wrench in the works. So I’m absolutely delighted to report that I’ve finished Valiant. And it’s a viable sweater!
Back in October, I posted a knitting update in which I mentioned that I was working on a Felted Knitting Basket. It’s an adaptation of the Ballband Bag Recipe by Monica Jines. Monica’s bag is more like a purse. This adaptation, by Lynn, who’s ravelry avatar is Ravellyn, is a larger knitting basket.
I heart Ravelry. I absolutely love it. If you’re a knitter and you don’t know about Ravelry, or you don’t belong to it, click on the link the previous sentence and sign up. Just do it. Come back and read why I love it. But right now, go join.
Tagged with: knitting, ravelry, social networking, yarn
Yesterday I had what we call around our a home a Lazy Day. We had that extra hour, due to the end of Daylight Saving Time and, as I said I would on Friday, I used that time to knit and watch TV. It sure didn’t stop at an hour, though. I knit so much yesterday that my shoulders started hurting by the evening (so I stopped)
Tagged with: knitting, productivity, relaxation, self-care
I’m 46 and I don’t have that many friends who are having babies. Before long, my friends will probably be having grandchildren, though. Whenever I hear that a friend is pregnant, I get very excited, because I love knitting baby stuff. It’s little, it’s soft, it doesn’t take much time.
I’m an unabashed warm-weather person. I get cold easily and, according to my husband, I complain a lot in the winter about being cold. So why don’t I move somewhere that’s warm year-round? My husband is a cold-weather person. He hates summer. So we’re equally miserable in four-season St. Louis. Equality is a good thing in a marriage.
I live in a fantasy world in which the readers of my blog actually care about my knitting, so today I’m going to share with you a knitting triumph and let you know what I’m working on.
Tagged with: knitting, sally brown
I promise I won’t write about knitting every day during the Olympics. I’m just so pleased with my progress that I have to report it. Tomorrow I’ll try to write something relevant to organizing.
Tagged with: knitting, knitting olympics, lace, learn to knit afghan
Last night, as I worked on the Estonian Garden Wrap, a seemingly complicated and sort of overwhelming (for this novice lace knitter) knitting pattern, I realized that broken down to its simplest elements, it’s really pretty easy. And that’s not unlike any overwhelming project, like getting organized. Let me explain.
Tagged with: decluttering, empowerment, knitting, lace, motivation, perfectionism, productivity
One of my favorite knitting blogs, Crazy Aunt Purl, justified its permanent status on the Links section of this organizing blog (where it’s been since Day One), with yesterday’s post.
Tagged with: blog of the week, blogs, crazy aunt purl, decluttering, knitting, laurie perry
I’ve chosen my project for the Ravelympics 2008 (on Ravelry, which I posted about last Thursday. According to the rules, you can actually work on completing a project you started in the past, one that’s been hibernating awhile. That Event is called WIP Wrestling. I’ll be playing on Team St. Louis.
Tagged with: knitting, knitting olympics, lace, learn to knit afghan, ravelry
Two years ago, during the 2006 Winter Olympics in , the Yarn Harlot organized the Knitting Olympics, in which participants cast on for a new knitting project during the Opening Ceremonies. Medal winners finished their project by the Closing Ceremonies.
Tagged with: knitting, knitting olympics, knitty couture, ravelry
As I’ve blogged about before, I’m a knitter and I love organizing all my knitting stuff. There’s yarn, needles, notions, patterns. They fall into nice categories and they’re pretty. So they’re fun to organize.
Tagged with: knitting, knitting needles, wips, yarn
As I’ve chronicled here, I’m a knitter. I knit pretty much every day, usually in the evenings, usually while watching TV. It’s a solitary pursuit, though my animals and my husband often keep me company.
Once a week, however (when I’m in town), I actually leave the house to knit.
Tagged with: knitting, ravelry, westin knitting group
I’m flying home from Hawaii late this afternoon. It’s an overnight flight and I arrive in St. Louis at 8 in the morning. That’s an eleven hour journey, not counting the time I spend waiting for my flight at the Honolulu airport.
Tagged with: knitting, mark forster, packing, travel
I like sharing new websites and shortcuts for making life a little easier. But there are some older sites that you may not know about that I’d like to share. These are sites I use regularly to make my life easier and more enjoyable. I hope you will too.
Tagged with: knitting, productivity, ravelry, time management, websites
I took the day off yesterday. Completely.
I hadn’t had a day off since March 6 and I was feeling the need to recharge my batteries. Yesterday was the first day I didn’t have a client appointment scheduled in a couple of weeks and I just wanted to hang out. So that’s what I did.
Tagged with: balance, knitting, time management
There are certain essential pieces of equipment you need when you’re a knitter. You need yarn, obviously. And you need knitting needles. (The longer you’re a knitter, the more amazing your array of needles). You’ll also need a few notions like stitch markers, tapestry needles, perhaps a stitch holder or a cable needle. All these things, though they add up, don’t cost much individually.
For me, there was a bigger-ticket item I wanted, one that felt decadent because it was so much a matter of convenience, not necessity.
Tagged with: ball winder, knitting, skein, swift