Relay Race

I have been struggling for a few weeks, trying to figure out what my big "games" project will be. As you probably know, Stitch Your Art Out is joining Ravelry for the "Ravellenics," but we are adding one thing to our own games, which is that quilters should feel free to join in. The idea is that you pick a project, start it the day that the world-wide games coming up on Friday start, and end it by the day the games end.(The world-wide games committee is not allowing businesses to use the official word for the games without permission. I do not have permission.)

My problem (so to speak) is that I am working on a number of things in anticipation of a photo shoot for my patterns that is coming up on August 9. The timing for one big project is a bit off here.

A customer came in a few days ago and said that what she needs to do is a relay, where she finishes up one project after another--and as soon as she said it, I realized that that's what I need to do as well. And so this is my commitment.

My vow is that I will work on the item until finished. "Finished" means that I must also have a good draft of a pattern completed as well as the knitted item. Most of these projects have an almost-finished pattern and an almost-finished item, and it's time to get them finished.

Fall is almost here, and the world needs new patterns!

Because it is a relay, I vow also to finish the patterns in order. (Discipline will be fierce.) I also vow not to begin anything new for 2 entire weeks, unless these projects are all complete first. I am allowed to alternate quilting and knitting, however, if I so choose. I can make my own rules, baby.

Knitted Stuff

1. Shawl. I am working on a shawl that is knitted in sections of striped colors. Estimated time to completion: 10 hours of knitting.

2. Headbands. I have designed headbands. I even have good photos of them. But I used yarn that had too little contrast, and the design did not show up in the photos. I am making 2 new headbands, one for a man, one for a woman. I would prefer making four new ones, but I will do that only as time permits. Estimated time to completion: 7 hours of knitting.

3. Pillow. The front of a pillow I designed is finished. I must finish the back: Pillows look sad without a back and stuffing. Estimated time to completion: 6 hours of knitting.

4. Necklace. I have been meaning to design a beaded necklace for about a year. It is time. Estimated time to completion: at least 6 hours of struggling with design, 2 hours of knitting the final product.


Let's say that I knit for 2 hours/day on average.That brings us to 14.5 days. That, however, is not serious challenge, since it is probably what I do on average anyway.

So let's add a few quilting projects in here to make it interesting.

Quilted Stuff

1. Finish the re-do of my beginning placemat for my quilting 101 pattern. I want something a little more coherent/coordinated than what I have for the cover. Estimated time: 3-4 hours.

2. Catch up on the blocks for the 2012 block of the month. It is SO pretty. I must have it! I cut all the blocks out a few weeks ago, so I'm going to get them sewn. Estimated sewing time: 3.5 hours.

3. Finish a Unicorn quilt I started that we are doing as kits. I just need to do some quilt quilting and then bind it. Estimated sewing time: 2 hours.

4. Quilt a tumbler quilt top I made and write up the handout.(Estimated time: 5 hours of quilting.)

So this is it. This is what I want to have finished in 2 weeks. The most difficult part of all is that rule about how I am not allowed to start anything new for 2 entire weeks unless this list is finished. That is completely out of my comfort zone.

Now this is all in writing and you are reading it, so it is real. I will let you know if there are any last-minute changes between today and Friday.

Let the games begin.