The Seven Year Scarf

This scarf has been on the needles for approximately......you guessed it, seven years!
Is this the knitting equivalent of the seven year itch, or proof that we all get bored with our projects from time to time?
Why seven years?  I'm not sure I can answer that question.  I like the scarf.  I bought the yarn at least seven years ago at Maryland Sheep and Wool festival.  The yarn is a beautifully dyed wool blend suitable for sock knitting, bordering on a sport weight yarn.   I started the scarf, and ripped it out about a year ago and restarted it, but I can't recall why.   Anyway, it ended up in the bottom of one of my bags again, neglected.

Segue to three weeks ago when I was packing knitting for a cruise trip we were taking.  Pack for an entire week of knitting on a cruise, where there is no chance of buying forgotten materials or yarn?  Sent me into a whirlwind.  But I digress.  I managed to pull out this scarf again, thought it was easy enough to be mindless travel knitting, and into my carry-on it went!
This week I have finished the scarf.   Seven years of being on the needles is ridiculous to even contemplate.
The pattern was simple.  Too simple?  Maybe, but I knit stockinette socks all the time with no problem.   The yarn?  I love the finished product and how the yarn played with the pattern.  No strange pooling or striping.  It isn't the softest yarn I've ever knit, but a nice soak should fix that.   I can't think it was that either.
I used a standard 16" circular needle from knit picks.  Metal needles with nice sharp points.  Sliced through K2tog without issues.  No problems there either.
I just can't figure out why this particular scarf spent years on my needles.  I think I'll stop trying to analyze it, and wrap it around my neck.  It's delightfully long to wrap several ways.
Here's hoping I can wear it in good health for at least another seven years!

As promised - crappy (and faded, not a filter) iPhone photo of the scarf, taken at my desk while at work.

And here's a snap shot of a project I'm currently working on:  Loop Shawl by Casapinka.

A New Start

A new year poses a new start for all of us.  I haven't made any specific resolutions in my mind, but I have been thoughtful about the process of evaluating where I've been, where I am, and where I want to go from here.  Now, that's a little broad.  I know.  It's okay.  I can live with it for now (says the woman who thrives on lists).

That being said, I do want to blog more often.  Don't laugh.  I know it happens every year.  My true problem, as I've mentioned in the past, is that I am not a great photographer.  I don't own a camera, save my Apple devices.  But I will forge onward, and  hope you'll forgive my less than perfect photos.  Deal?

2014 was a great year for knitting for me in terms of new friends, or maybe old acquaintances becoming new friends.  We have a weekly knitting group now that I value so much!  I eagerly look forward to knitting with them each week, and they inspire me in my knitting.  My knitting is actually better because of them.  I tend to finish more projects, and knit projects that I may not have considered in the past, save for their encouragement.  We've traveled to festivals, and plan to do so again this year.  I can't wait!

So, while I know it's with great caution, I am going to say "Welcome Back!"   I hope you'll enjoy the journey with me.  A journey does start with a single step (or shall we say sock).

Christmas Socks
STR medium weight yarn.
US # 1.5 (2.5 mm) needle.
Colorway - HollyDay