What are your resolutions?

Ok Friends we're a month into 2010, long enough to have given up on the resolutions that wouldn't work and make the ones you are really going to try to keep. Let's keep the lists short since having too many goals that don't get met can only lead to disappointment. I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours?

1. Lose 10 pounds.
Last year I wanted to lose 10 pounds. At my physical last month I discovered I had actually gained 10 lbs since the previous visit the year earlier. Ugh. Well, the appointment was the Monday following Thanksgiving, so not all of those 10 lbs are permanent! Right? This year I am not saying that I will lose 20 lbs because let's face it, that will never happen. But I would like to lose those 10 lbs!

2. Do not let my kids' fighting drive me crazy.
They are boys. They interact like boys. They are rough and fight with each other. And I am ok with that. Repeat, I am ok with that. (OK, I'm going to need a lot of meditational breathing to get through this one).

3. No new yarn purchases unless specifically intended for a project that will begin imminently!
I think we all make these kind of resolutions at one point or another. But I have a lot of one and two skeins of wool that I will be working on using up. Purse designs are churning up above. One exception from this resolution will be recycling yarn from sweaters. I was warned that I would become addicted. While not (yet) addicted, recycling has benefits! It is lots of fun, I can do it with the kidsters in the room (they like to help!), and I seem to find very nice stuff at amazing prices lately! I wonder if I will make a new "business" out of it (smirk).

Sweater recycling update

I have been so busy I can't even believe that it's been a whole week since the last post. (Big sigh.) With one kidster in school in the morning and the other one in the afternoon, I have been spending a little more one-on-one time with each of them. The 5 year old has really turned on his charm and manners lately. Not sure if it is because of school or me, but I'm not complaining! The 3 year old has also adjusted nicely to school. At home he's still Dr. Demando, but we're working on it. I remember 3 being the (ahem) fun age.

But back on topic! You're all dying for an update on the yarn situation aren't you? Ok, even if you're not, you are going to get one anyway!

Last Saturday night I armed myself with my scissors and a beer. I think the beer part should be a prerequisite when you are taking apart handiwork made by someone else. Or at least it's a good excuse!

I had Googled "recycle sweater yarn" and came up with a lot of useful links. Having the need to really know what I was doing I read at least four articles and blogs; but the first one Craftstylish had all of the info anyone really needs. (BTW, Shortly has a post today from her sister also loving this tutorial!)

I had a little trouble getting started at the cuffs of the arms. They had been reinforced with thread and I was nervous trying to cut the thread only. I moved up a little on the seam, made a snip, and viola! The whole seam just pulled out. I managed to do this with both sleeves, the raglan joins, and the sides! I had the pieces apart by the time I had finished beer #1! Of course it was on to beer #2. By the time I was done with that one I had unraveled the neckband and both arms.

On Sunday I got a little help. Kidster #1 unraveled while Hubster wound. They had so much fun together that I am going to remember to put them to work next time! I took out my homemade swift again and proceeded to measure and prepare for washing. This part was very tedious. If you can, unravel directly onto the swift. You'll be glad you did.

I soaked the yarn in a big pot in my tub and hung it to dry in the storage room. Please pardon the mess! If you look closely between the yarn you can see the tower of bins that is my stash. Well I do have some more in another room, but don't we all?

I have yet to wind all this up into balls. Probably because I don't have a ball winder. Yet!

It's all about the yarn.

Remember my trip to the thrift store? Of course you do, it was only the last post. Well, I didn't mention this sweater that I bought for $4.00. I found it in the men's section and it didn't have any tags. It's huge, so I'm guessing it's an XL. It is a tweedy darkish blue with hints of green. And these pictures don't do the color justice.After closer examination I determined that it might even be handmade. The front and back were knit then seamed (not cut!) so I should be able to get some great yarn from this!

I am so excited. I have had my eye on this hoodie vest. I think I'd make it longer since I am not a size 2 like this model obviously is. But checking out the Ravelry projects for this one shows a lot of different body types and it seems to work for everyone. With the blue yarn I think it would go great with jeans! This might be the yarn and project to get me inspired for something a little bigger. Off to disassemble my first sweater...