I’m still stuck in The Back Room. (And you all made me feel a lot better by sharing your disorganized places in the comments. I’m sorry you have them, too, but I do feel better…) When I look at the “toss” pile, it does make me wonder why in the name of pete we have been storing these things all this time? I guess I wasn’t ready to toss some of that stuff before now. One illogical thing that I saved this time … again? My lesson plan books from when I was a teacher. Really, I flipped through them and there is no reason to save them. None.at.all. But there is so much work represented in those lesson plans! Maybe I’ll be ready to toss them in five years, when I do this again. (So, see? I guess I do understand why some things are saved that are later tossed.)
I’ve also been working on my crocheted Granny Stripe blanket, but have encountered a problem. Not only do I love this yarn (Amy Butler’s line), but Zoe likes it a little too much. It’s impossible to flip the whole thing at the end of the row, when she is sitting there with her feet tucked under, purring to her heart’s content. I’m such a patsy. I’m making it 50 x 70 so that we can use it as a throw. And I’m already planning on making another one out of Cascade 220, just for fun. I can’t wait to pull colors and figure out just what I’ll combine for the next one. It’s a nice no-brainer project to have in process, on the days when you’re too tired to think about fancy patterns.
We do have a few new things up on the website for you tonight! Come check them out:
Lorna’s Laces Honor – the new base you’ve been waiting for! This DK weight yarn is 70% Baby Alpaca and 30% Silk. It’s just as luscious as it sounds. Use it for a cowl, scarve, mitts, or gloves, or get 2 skeins and knit up your favorite shawlette pattern. Don’t you need a new shawl for this fall?
Tempted Yarn’s Good Grrl – Stacy’s 100% fingering weight yarn, perfect for socks and lightweight shawlettes.
Fiesta Baby Boom – Some of my very favorite colorways come from Fiesta (Hello … Adirondack, Clematis, Madrid, Mochachino …..) I love using this line for socks and scarves, but I’m thinking a shawl might be fun out of it, too. What do you think?
Opal’s New Rainforest VI – just out! If you collect this series, you’ll want to get it while we have it. It’s always fun to see the patterns and colors they come up with.
Patterns from Connie Chang Chinchio and Knit & Tonic. Take a look and see what inspires you!
Have a great night. If I can dig myself the rest of the way out of my basement, I’ll be back to the blog on Wednesday….
Sheri whohasbeensneezingalot.Perhapsthebackroomisaweebitdusty.
Oh, it’s going to be so much fun (NOT) when I get into the back room!! Love that picture of Zoe!
Ahhh, I love Connie’s pattens! I’m currently making one of hers, and can’t wait to do the Austin Hoodie.
I am afraid to go down and tackle my basement . I have been sneezing a lot lately too. too many things blooming me thinks
Awww. Zoe looks so cute…..
Keep digging!! Hey, I just started digging through mine, too. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
Rani
I had to do a stash dive this afternoon and decided that I really need to reorganize the stash. I opened a couple of totes and thought “what in the world was I thinking?” I think there will be a Goodwill destash here sooner rather than later.
Confession: I have several “back rooms” that need a serious decluttering. I keep telling myself they can wait till it cools off. And I know just what you mean about not being able to throw certain things away just yet! I love your throw (can’t blame Zoe for curling up on it and purring!); now I want to crochet one…!
I need to reorganize my craft room (we’re moving it upstairs, which will make it right near the bedroom), and while it will be a good thing in the long run right now I’m just thinking about all of the things that are currently in the room and will need to move.
Good luck with the reorganizing. I love that you found the lesson plan book, LOL. As a teacher, I completely understand. Thankfully I do mine on the computer now…it is so much easier to hit “delete” and not look back. I would love a delete button for my junk room!
Love the blanket! You need to make one for Zoe, no? 😀 And for the record, I wouldn’t be able to flip it either, with Zoe sitting there with her feet tucked under her, purring to her heart’s content. I’m just saying…
Zoe looks super sweet – I’m right there with you when it comes to being a patsy for the kitties. There sure know how to “work” us, don’t they? 😉
You inspired me to organize my bedroom which looked very much like your back room since I moved here last July. I know a long time to live in a sea of boxes but I had to convince my mom that I didn’t really need two twin beds. As for those old lesson plans– have you ever thought about giving them to a first or second year teacher. As a former teacher and recipient of a retiring teachers old lesson plans – I know how much I appreciated her thoughtfulness. Found them to be very useful too!
Oh how sweat Zoe looks! Who could possibly disturb such a contented kitty!
I save my lesson plans, too, but because I keep thinking that I’ll be able to use them over again at some point. I never have, not in 8+ years, but hope springs eternal!
Zoe has such a sweet face…the blanket is beautiful too. Such even stitches! You are a born crocheter!
I saved lesson plans, college notes, and every piece of artwork and every card any student gave to me! I just feel guilty when I try to toss them. The college notes, I really thought I could pass them on to my kids to use!! SNORT! They laugh at me!!
In a couple of his books, Don Aslett gives a suggestion for dealing with stuff that you know you should throw out but can’t bear to toss: an emotional withdrawal box. Put the stuff in the box, tape it up, and write a date of six months or a year from now. When that date comes, throw the box in the trash *without opening it*. This does two things: it gives you time to retrive an item if you realize that yes, you really do want it, and it makes it easier to heave the stuff later because it’s not staring you in the face.
I’ve spent most of the summer clearing out old files of teaching stuff…grad school notes, etc. (OH the etcs!)
I’ve learned a few things in the process. #1 is that I have some personal responsibility in the deforestation department. #2. There are things I can get rid of now, while only a small pang of nostalgia and #3. It’s okay to keep a few things from your past…just not everything 🙂
That is a beautiful picture of Zoe! She seems like such a helpful kitty! Good luck with the back room project. You are my inspiration to dig out my own back room.