Yarn News :: Five on Friday

Hello there, this week on Five on Friday, it's all about yarn. There are a few WIP's (work in progress), a finish and some hand cream to help with the knitting. 

I usually have several projects waiting to be worked on - a washcloth, a garment and a pair of socks are the main ones. If I crochet a blanket, or join the knit a knit-a-long for Lent or Advent, that changes things. I also have a cross stitch waiting to be finished too. It's simpler to concentrate on 2 or 3 and leave the rest waiting. 

1) Blue Jumper - originally knitted in mauve acrylic. I was persuaded by the yarn shop (many years ago), to knit this in a cheaper yarn. I was inexperienced at choosing materials and felt that it was a poor choice. My tension was likely very loose as it was far too big. I've started again in the correct yarn content 50/50 cotton & wool... it's lovely yarn, soft but holding its shape. You do need to concentrate on the pattern, as there's lots of counting throughout.  

2) Purple Washcloth - A finish, knitted in 100% Rico cotton. A good project for taking to Knit & Natter.  

3) Washcloth - knitted in broken rib - 1st row knit, 2nd row alternate knit & purl, repeat both rows. I took this with me to the village coffee morning (monthly). It's in the church hall, the volunteers serve tea & coffee in dainty cups & saucers. They always serve some baked goods, either toasted tea cakes, scones or other cakes. This week it was a delicious cheese scone, with lots of butter. 

I'm the only one that takes my knitting, one month I took the purple socks below to work on. 

4) Socks - King Cole purple self patterning 4 ply yarn. At the moment, I'm still knitting Winwick Mum's Sock-a-long by staying with the basic sock, I'm improving the fit of the sock each time. 

5) Hand care - recently my hands have been dry and cracked, particularly around my thumb. Previously I've used foot cream with Urea in the ingredients. It helped but I was hoping for something a little more natural. I've tried natural beeswax and the Aloe Vera plant rubbed into my fingertips. I've also tried drinking more water, as it seems if our bodies are dehydrated, the fingertips suffer first and can crack open. In the end, I purchased some O'Keeffe's Working Hands hand cream, it's not natural but promises good results. 

Overall taking care of hands, helps with the whole knitting experience. 
I was getting up early to spend 20 minutes knitting, before the day starts. It was nice and quiet, a time to think before the rush of the 'to do' list. It's something that I need to get back to. 

If you have any tips about taking care of yourself to improve knitting, do let me know?
Also any tips for not getting overloaded with projects waiting to be made?