11 in 11

So I have signed up to do 11 in 11.

This is a project, started on Twitter where we all agree that we will knit or crochet 11 scarves, cowls, shawls, shrugs or necklaces in 2011.

I had already started a scarf on New Years Day - the Elegance Scarf by YarnAddictAnnis (aka Anniken Alis). I did her lace workshop at Fibre Flurry last year and loved it and have been wanting to cast this on for a while. Trouble is, I've had so much to do lately what with Christmas knitting and everything so I've not had a chance to do much for myself.

I do love a good challenge! I have some handspun that I want to use, plus more fibre to spin up as well. I have some aran yarn ready to use up - I'm thinking a chunky cowl for that.

I'm also thinking that I could knit with wire and beads and make a necklace at some point. It's not cheating, because it's knitted ;)

If you fancy joining in, search for the #11in11 group on Ravelry and tweet using the #11in11 hashtag on twitter

In other news, I am a little fed up and indecisive. I want a new job. I also want to do the counselling course - I will have to do something like 2 x 2 year courses in order to get qualified.

I have some money set aside for a deposit on a house, but I don't think it will get very far. I can't afford a mortgage on the money I'm on - I can't even afford to rent my own property (I'm currently living as a lodger with 2 of my friends, which can be a bummer if I want my boyfriend round). I don't want to claim housing benefit because although I might be entitled to it, I feel like a bit of a fraud claiming it because I could get a better paid job (if that makes sense).

The thing is, if I get a new job, I don't know how flexible they will be when it comes to going to college one day a week for the course. Plus I was thinking that if I wanted to travel, then it would be pretty sensible to do it before buying my own house. I could use some of the money I have set aside for a deposit on a house, which may mean a slightly bigger mortgage.

Then again, there is always the shared ownership thing, which is always a possibility.

Aaaah, decisions, decisions. I could quite possibly be overthinking this. My gut feeling at the moment is to concentrate on getting a new job and see how I feel about travel when my fixed bond matures in a years time.

Think I will renew my passport in the meantime though :) It's good to have it anyway - for identification purposes.