Check-In Post - March 18th 2025

[badly_knitted]

Hello to all members, passers-by, curious onlookers, and shy lurkers, and welcome to our regular daily check-in post. Just leave a comment below to let us know how your current projects are progressing, or even if they're not.

Checking in is NOT compulsory, check in as often or as seldom as you want, this community isn't about pressure it's about encouragement, motivation, and support. Crafting is meant to be fun, and what's more fun than sharing achievements and seeing the wonderful things everyone else is creating?

There may also occasionally be questions, but again you don't have to answer them, they're just a way of getting to know each other a bit better.


This Week's Question: Do you remember the first thing you made in school?


If anyone has any questions of their own about the community, or suggestions for tags, questions to be asked on the check-in posts, or if anyone is interested in playing check-in host for a week here on the community, which would entail putting up the daily check-in posts and responding to comments, go to the Questions & Suggestions post and leave a comment.

I now declare this Check-In OPEN!

Comments

[badly_knitted]

No knitting got done again today, because I was outside in the garden, clearing the first pile of buddleia branches. It was sunny and dry, but still cold, although not as cold as yesterday. I cut back some brambles and other shrub stuff on the banking as well, so that was good progress. Still got the biggest pile to deal with, but tomorrow is supposed to be warmer...

[peaceful_sands]

Well done on the gardening - the knitting will wait. It sounds like you got a lot done.

[badly_knitted]

It doesn't really look like a lot, but it's progress. =)

[sister_raphael]

I had a gardening day just a few days ago! It's lovely to get outside when it's warmer, isn't it?

[badly_knitted]

It would be if it WAS warmer, when I came in my feet were frozen. Today it's supposed to reach 13C, so I'm hopeful that I won't freeze this time...

[peaceful_sands]

I worked on the new crochet project - a cardigan. I've got 9 rows done so far and will likely get a couple more done at least before giving up for the evening. I think this will put me about a quarter of the way up the back panel before I finish tonight maybe a little more.

[badly_knitted]

Sounds like it's coming along well!

[althea_valara]

Moving fast! Are you using a pattern? I'm currently crocheting the Motion Picture Mosaic Cardi but it's slow going, because I am a big person + all that ease = l-o-n-g rows.

[peaceful_sands]

This is the pattern I'm using V stitch cardi

[badly_knitted]

That looks like a comfy cardi!

[marinarusalka]

That looks really cute and cozy!

[badly_knitted]

That's a lovely pattern!

[sister_raphael]

Nice! What colour is it?

[peaceful_sands]

Purple!

[badly_knitted]

Ooh, purple is yummy!

[althea_valara]

Finished the legwarmer! \o/ Have to make the second one still, but gonna wait a few days before casting on. The legwarmer fits well, and single items do count for Nerdopolis so I've already submitted it.

I'm working on the cardi somewhat. I had some misgivings the other day because it just looks so BIG, but it's meant to be oversized. I did math, and if I dropped down to the next biggest size, at my gauge I'd only have 2-3" of ease and it's designed to have 6-12" of positive ease. So I'm staying with the biggest size. But long rows are long.

Now that I finished the legwarmer, I've got startitis, and have half a mind to cast on again for Plumeria... but there are other things I probably should do first.

I sent a thank you to the knitting class coordinator today, via text because I would have teared up on the phone. Also reached out to my student from class to invite her to my Stitch Club. I definitely do want to stay in touch with her, she's a delight.

[peaceful_sands]

Well done on the legwarmer. Good luck with the cardi - it's difficult to gauge sometimes just which size to do - I've had to drop several hooks to get this to fit the right sort of measurements to match the pattern instructions. I'd rather have things fit with a bit of ease than be too tight.

Good luck in overcoming the startitis - you can do it!

[badly_knitted]

Yay! So pleased it fits well!

Good luck with the cardi, we all need some clothes with a looser fit for comfort.

The plumeria top is so pretty, a very tempting project.

I hope your student will keep in touch, even if they can't make it to your stitch club.

[sister_raphael]

Hooray for legwarmers. They are legitimately one of the only things I miss about the 80's.

[malurette]

Finished a scarf! And I'm progressing slowly on my jumper.

[badly_knitted]

Woohoo!

Which jumper are you working on?

[sister_raphael]

Well done!

[sister_raphael]

Against all my best hopes, it'll be another dump of photos and posts to catch up. Sorry.
One of the things I've been working on is finished! I built and painted my squirrel house copied from a 14th century manuscript and I love it, and I've started on a wool banner for my medieval group with a squirrel on it and it's looking nice! The blue kirtle is pretty much where I let it 2 months ago and the kontuscz is no further along either. I restored and glowed a chest. There will be pictures and posts about all this and more. Here's a bit of the squirrel banner start. We had a big cyclone. I gave a talk at the museum which was packed out. I've done a huge amount of work on my online inventory and added some of my favourite books from my vintage library up on the website. I'm... exhausted.

[badly_knitted]

Wow, you've been so busy! When do you find time to breathe?

The squirrel looks amazingly lifelike! Aside from the fact that it's reading a book. Never seen a squirrel do that before =D

[sister_raphael]

I'm exceptionally sleep deprived at the moment between the million of things going on here and work and the book release soon and helping a friend sell a bunch of their medieval gear... like I had time to take on a massive project for someone else, but he was moving house with 3 kids and no home to move to, so, meh, gotta help, right? The cyclone took up a lot of prep, the clean up and I'm so incredibly tired. Craft and sewing cheers me up, so it's nice to get those happy endorphins happening at the expense of a few hours sleep. Just WAIT til I post up the squirrel house!!!!! I'm delighted with it.

[sister_raphael]

Knees still aren't fixed. Sister got a lot going on with her kids and a bit drawn out. Glad I can sleep in tomorrow morning a bit. The kitty is really insisting I come to bed now, and for once, I think I'll listen! :)

[badly_knitted]

Go get some rest. Your poor knees are overworked considering they're still not fully fixed.

[badly_knitted]

I can't wait to see it!

We all need the happy endorphins when life is playing hardball. And it's good of you to help your friend. I'm sure it was greatly appreciated!

[sister_raphael]

Friend is a bit of a stretch, to be honest. I actually almost completely don't know him, but he's one of our re-enactment family and that still counts. The world would be a nicer place if people just were nice more, even if there's no gain. He's found a place to move to but not for a few weeks yet, so he's very happy to have this little piece taken care of.

[badly_knitted]

I'm glad you're helping him even though it's more work for you. Times are tough for so many people these days.