Not buying yarn...not buying yarn...wait, did I buy yarn???

I'm one of those crafty folks that collects yarn and my insatiable appetite for it can complicate things. To help, I purchased a mystery subscription from Hedgehog Fibers for June - August to receive two mystery skeins each.

Then, I purchased a 20g Christmas Advent Adventure Mystery Package from Yarn Over New York on Pre-order. I'm so excited to see the variety of mystery skeins. I'm hoping to make a blanket out of all the mini skeins. Now that it's already the second half to September, there isn't long to wait.

With the 10th Anniversary MKAL from Stephen West, I purchased the two fabulously curated kits from Undercover Otter. I plan to use some of the yarn, but the other vivid colors should go in a cropped sweater...at least that's what's on my mind. This is the duo that I pan to use later:

Oh, what to do with these lovelies? The MKAL starts on October 4th, I believe...so excited!!!

Another MKAL starts on October 16th. The YONY Halloween in Space Mystery Sock pattern should be a blast and a great stash buster unless you want to buy one of Jessie's lovely curated mini skein kits. Here is one of my favorites and this is Jessie's image (Martians and Astronauts in Space):

I can't wait to see socks knitted up in these fab colorways.

After this MKAL fun and the test knitting there won't be enough time to get much holiday crafting done. The items higher on my queue below are planned to be the last minute things to make. Take the time to check these out.  Sadly the list doesn't show the designer's name. Feel free to find me on Ravelry:  LizzieHutch and check out my queue.

Happy crafting and have a great week.

1	Puppy Hand Puppet
2	Sugar Skull Amigurumi
3	Death Star
4	Ragdoll Unicorn
5	Land and Air Pattern Set 1: Biplane and Police Car
6	Hubble the Squid
7	Dissent Cowl
8	My Inner Wanderlust
9	Easy Puzzle Blanket
10	Halloween in Space Mystery Sock
11	Crochet Northeasterly
12	Christmas Stockings
13	Trevi Top
14	Taroko Sweater
15	Sprouting Brioche Baby Blanket
16	Shawl Shirt
17	Chevron Shrug

Coming back to the blog...

I've taken a lengthy break from the blog. With moving, an unplanned kitchen renovation, busy summer things...secret test knitting. The list of excuses and delays are available. I had planned to post the weekend after the 4th of July, which is Independence Day here in the US. With everything going on, I didn't feel so celebratory.

Although there hasn't been a ton of spare time, I've done quite a bit of soul searching to figure out how I feel about lots of matters (both inside and outside the world of crafting). After completing Foundations training, which is required for foster care or special needs adoption in Oregon, I felt pretty exhausted. There is so much to unpack.

Getting back into blogging, I decided to start with a fun post about test knitting. I'm in the midst of two "secret" test knits so I can't share what I'm working on in much detail. I can say that I'm working on a cropped sweater with puffed sleeves and a tunic, both featuring color work.

Testing has been a great outlet for me to make fun and beautiful things while helping designers and the knitting community in general. Below are the items I've completed so far for 2019. I've included link for the ones I can share currently. I'll update and share more as different publications go into print (some will be next year too). I'll share some photos too :).

• Silver Linings by Jennifer Tipton

• Scarf featuring large intarsia circles
• Cocoon shrug with lace ribbing
• Cocoon sweater with distinct mosaic pattern
• Confetti by Jennifer Tipton (Free and just released!!!!)
• EveryBody Shawl for Yarnpeople Issue 3
• Lifepath Shawl for Yarnpeople Issue 3 - This was a super fun lace, texture, and cable sample

• Queeng Hat for Yarnpeople Issue 3
• Hirahira Shawl by Christy Furlan
• Painted Plains by Faye Kennington of UkeeKnits
• Tūmanako Pullover by Francoise Danoy - I loved the fun quick cables. I still want to make one for me
• Armorica by Irina Anikeeva - Second sweater that I completed in 2019!

Yarnpond has been the main place that I've gone to for finding patterns to test. I like the tracking and chat room set up. I've tested via e-mail, Ravelry, and Facebook too. They all have their pros and cons.

I need to get better at photography and modeling. With each project, I'm working to improve.

I'm working on the Gnome MKAL and am planning to give myself a little time to get caught up this weekend :). The clue that went out today is thankfully very short so I can catch up from Thursday's clue...

We're only a few weeks away from Stephen West's next MKAL. I succumbed and purchased a kit or two. Such gorgeous yarn from Undercover Otter... It's fun getting yarn from other countries. This year I treated myself to yarn from Ireland and the Netherlands in additional to my domestic yarn purchases. So many lovelies.

Next week, I'll post about my bottomless yarn appetite and my recent acquisitions. Be ready for color and project ideas!!!

Happy crafting.