The box of shame

Public health warning - the following post contains some very low light levels - if you start to feel gloomy during reading think of Spring lambs and bunnies.

I don't know if it's because Spring is almost here or because common sense is catching up with me at a pace (not sure I like it - must run faster!) but I feel it's time to confess and be absolved.

My name's Jane - and I have a box of shame.

(To be truthful I have several shelves and suitcases of shame as well but let's just concentrate on the box for now shall we?)

I've always had wool, and material, and bits of things that might come in useful some day. This is a nice thing. I like to think that whatever I fancy making I could put my hands on some basics to start me off. But such is my flitting mind that it now means I could probably rival Hobbycraft with the variety of crafty items I have hidden / stored away. All well and good when it's in our spare room - a place for everything etc...

This was my methodology.
Decide what you are going to make, select necessary items, pop them in a bag and retire to making spot. When finished for the session return bag to starting point so that things don't start to build up.

Yes, that sounds really methodical and appeals to the person I would like to think that I am.

This is what has happened. 
Have a little box to put next to the sofa, just between the arm and the wall where no one will see it. Keep all necessary items in there. Now this is where the lines start to blur. 

By necessary I originally meant knitting needles, my hook book, and my little bag of notions. (Don't forget the tripod for the camera you keep meaning to use!)

Add to that the odd magazine/ knitting folder/ notebook. Keep a nail file handy just in case, and a pen. And some nail varnish.

Put your project bag in there. Keep the project you were doing just before this one in there just in case the mood takes you. And the project from before that. Make sure you have a good selection of wool to choose from when an idea strikes - a variety of colours is essential for any granny square nonsense.

If wool gets tangled start a new ball and put naughty wool to the bottom. 

Try to make sure your projects are kept in separate bags to keep some sense of order (!) Once it starts to become unstable it's time for some action. If you press down on the top of the pile you can probably fit in some more stuff. Put one of the projects away. Look at some lovely magazines/ blogs / books and get excited about what else you could make. Select necessary items and start the whole process again. 

This is the person I actually am.

Inevitably some projects may not see the light of day for some time. The novelty wears off and they get further and further down the box. 

Take my mitten.

The subject of great excitement when we had snow recently all it took was a thaw and it was left alone.

My second pair of socks.

Yes although I said pair there is only one. Truth is it was an on line pattern and I can't for the life of me think where it was from.

A lacy scarf.

I seem to have got the wrong amount of stitches somewhere along the line so will come back to it when I'm feeling more patient.

My February Lady Sweater - second attempt.

Wrong month.

Some hangers. 

One finished (thanks to a lovely pattern over at Marmalade Rose) - one not started.

And the greatest wip of all...

My ripple blanket. This has now reached the grand old age of fourteen months - thank heavens it is acrylic otherwise I think the moths would have had a field day. To be fair this does make regular journeys back and forth with the idea that if I look at it I will feel sorry for it and add a few lines to keep it company.

There - I feel better. Everything is out in the open and maybe now is the time to return to these items with renewed joy and fervour. Think of how good it feels to finish an item and stand back proudly!

Then comes a telephone call.
My cousin has just had a baby girl and another is due in July. My lovely wool shop is closing with a  sale on some beautiful yarns, ribbons and notions.
There's nothing else for it. 

A knubbelchen is on the way followed by a bunny blanket buddy.

What can I do?

Must press down harder!

Jane x