ah, Project Spectrum

The Fire portion of our project has ended. Good as time as any for a recap!

I had some goals for this section of Project Spectrum. I wanted to reevaluate old stagnant projects and decide whether to burn them completely frog them, or rebuild. I did manage this- I frogged a pair of socks that just weren't working out, and more recently I frogged 1/3 of a baby blanket, bringing it back to just the moss-stitch border and ready to start over again. I realized after a few sets of cables that I had made an error... and then a few more repeats after that, I noticed the more glaring error that I had been reading the charts wrong the whole blanket. Also, the entire blanket I already knit from the pattern was wrong! What's past is past, and can't be undone... but I took the second mistake as a sign, and finally took out almost all of the knitting on the last day of the Fire segment. I do feel better, having those massive cabling errors out of my life. It's a small thing, but it helps!

I set my goals for Autumn Rose low- I said I wanted to swatch it. And I did! I even knit the first few inches! I did NOT start the rust-colored sweater, however. And I didn't even look at the menorah pillow I wanted to make for myself. On the plus side, I finished and blocked Hanami, and got to take some photos of her in all her pink glory in front of the pale pink cherry blossoms.

I would hardly call this unqualified success, but it's a start! I also made stews, focusing on the sweet potato as my newfound friendly ingredient. That's nice and fiery, and wintery, to boot. I may not have accomplished all of my goals, but I am quite pleased with the results of my Fire explorations, for my first attempt at Project Spectrum.

Next up is Earth. Green, brown, and metallics. I'd like to set a few goals for this, as well! The most key, I think, is that I want to start a small container herb garden on my new, lovely balcony. I am a notorious black thumb, but the inspiration of friends who garden and the gorgeous community garden I can see out my windows is really striking. I can watch people hoe and weed when I walk home from the metro, and it makes me sad that I am not doing my bit to grow a little something of my own. I also find spending 3-4 dollars for fresh herbs ridiculous, so there's a money-saving aspect to this! If I can only grow a few terribly basic herbs, I'd be quite happy.

In addition to my pseudo-outdoor gardening hope, I would like to focus a bit more on greens and browns. The rust-colored sweater is not such an ill choice for the season (rust is still as much brown as red). I have green socks just waiting to be knitted, and even the Kaffe's are made beautiful by their little emerald stripes. So I'll set that as a goal to finish the second Kaffe sock, and create another pair of socks as well. My feet will appreciate them next fall, when the weather cools again (or even this month, if I knit fast enough).

The metallic idea of the Earth segment is a pretty obvious link to the beading and jewelry-making I've been getting interested in. I would like to try just one project, to see if I like it- probably a crocheted bracelet or necklace. I can't wear much in the way of non-precious metals, but if what I make turns out well enough, I can invest in some sterling silver wire. And give away the trial runs to people with less sensitive skin!

I'm very ready for some Earth exploration. What a good time to schedule a few hikes, as well....

Some say the world will end in fire

I say it really starts the year off right.

Today, today, today is the first day of Project Spectrum, and this year Lolly and the rest of the intarweb gang are focusing on the elements. Our first element is FIRE!

I love flames. My most brilliant memories have to do with fires and flames- summer camp and the brilliant success of building a one-match fire, or my failure to keep the fire alive with my high school boyfriend when we went back to New Hampshire to camp and it was 30 degrees at night and of course we ended up not being able to keep the flames of romance alive either. Those sorts of memories. I love sitting in front of a fire, even the fake sort of fire in my parents gas fireplace. I adore the bright reds and oranges and pinks in the flames, and am mesmerized by the hazy world immediately above them. I watch the Chanuka candles burn down to their last sigh of a smoke tendril, and am thankful for the celebration and the family around me.

I have some big goals for Project Spectrum, and specifically for this Fire beginning. I want to use it as an opportunity to burn down the past, figuratively, and reevaluate old projects that have been stagnant. Should they be frogged? Do they need revitalizing new life? Can I build something from the embers of their failures and incompleteness?

I also have a few new projects to add to the needles. I will finally swatch Autumn Rose- knowing full well that once I swatch it, I will no longer be afraid and can finally knit and wear the darn thing. I will cast on and hopefully complete the rust sweater I have been contemplating for ages, the yarn sitting hopefully by in my stash since Interweave Winter 2006. And I made this for my father ages ago, but bought the yarn to make one for myself. What could be better than to knit a holiday gift for myself, 11 months early, so when the holiday comes around I will be prepared and ready to display the flames of knitterly self-love?


I think that is all a good start.