« November 2007 | Main | January 2008 »
Hi there. Sweater here. Krafty1 is off celebrating. Can you blame her!?! Not sure if she's celebrating the New Year or the fact that she's finished with me.
She's promised a proper photo shoot soon...details, too. In the meantime, I'll keep her knitting chair warm while she's off celebrating.
Happy New Year to you all!
Celebrate 2008!
Remember this? Sunday seemed the perfect opportunity to see that this project ended before the start of the new year. It began August 2006 and hasn't been seen this time since Nov. 11th (when it received the first button band).
New Year's Resolutions are not something I believe in. However, if I were to come up with one this year, it would have to be to write things down. Things like needle sizes. Can you tell where this one's going?
In Nov when the first button band was knit, I safely tucked away the needle used so that I'd know exactly what to use for the other button band. Seven weeks later yesterday, I couldn't remember where it had been safely tucked. My bag...I left the working needles in my bag...but, there were three sizes. Shoot. Then I remembered that the Addi had worked much nicer for picking up stitches and set to work with the size 1 Addi.
All was going well and then it was time to make the actual buttonhole (all eight of them!). Mind you, the buttonholes on the one are in ribbing...in fair isle with colors switching every two stitches. Research. Lots of research. And then it happened. I decided to check the pattern instructions. 
That's where my size 2 Addi was neatly tucked away for use with the buttonhole band!!! Aargh!
Not sure if you can see it here, but the bottom red/blue stitches are a touch smaller than the top ones. Return to the frog pond. Second day in a row!
Does the Frog Pond have a frequent visitor pass?
Will this cardigan get finished before the New Year? Stay tuned!
It might seem hard to believe but, yes, I still do knit socks! Though from the looks of the photo you might think that I've forgotten a thing or two. Yes, they needed to be frogged in order to start the gusset increases a bit sooner than originally knit.
Frogging never seems quite as painful when the needles are already in place waiting for the frogged stitches to meet up with them.
Back on track and ready to go. Better luck next time.
Which were you?
It's such a good thing that the weekend is nearly here. We're still playing catch up at the moment. Soon, things (including blogging) will return to a "regular" schedule.
There are FOs that either need blocking or photos or both. There are new yarns and sheepy items received as gifts that haven't made their way to the missing photo shoot either. The time just doesn't seem to drift into my fingers (during daylight hours, please). The kids are off from school, there is still a day job to keep plus all of the year-end items to attend to. Did I mention that it's a good thing the weekend is nearly here!?!
There has been knitting. Mindless, stash-diving, 2008 gift-giving knitting.
This is the Marsan Watchcap. It was a quick knit on Christmas Day. The yarn: Kathmandu Aran- leftover from a project knit during the pre-blog days.
Another hat to go in the box for 2008 Christmas. Does that make me naughty or nice?
First off...I hope all of you have had a wonderful holiday!
As to the title...NO, I didn't cut it close with Christmas knitting. There were no last minute Christmas knitting projects here! In fact, much of the knitting that's happening around here at the moment with end up being Christmas gifts NEXT year. This month there have been ideas swirling around as "perfect gifts". Rather than put myself through the stress of it all, the items will be knit up and put aside for next year.
Remember, "the box" of projects? The pink & white made a small hat and there seemed to be enough for a second. Reversing the colors helped, but look at how much of the white yarn was left. Yikes. That's called cutting it a bit close! The decrease rounds were done with a prayer or two that it could be completed without splicing. Whew! Made it!
The first hat was knit on size 0 & 1 per the instructions but with 5 repeats instead of 6. Though the "fabric" was perfect, the sizing was a bit too small. 
So, for the second hat I used size 1 & 2 needles. Oops...too big. Well, maybe not. The size is good but now the pattern needs to have fewer rows at the bottom.
All of this knitting has not been wasteful. Now I know what I need to modify in order to make the perfect hat for someone's Christmas 2008 hat. Plus, I've got two hats for the gift box and the last of the baby cardigan yarn used up out of stash. Cool!
It's amazing how fast a day can fly by when your to-do list is longer than the hours on hand! I feel as if I should go to confession: "Forgive me Readers for I have sinned...it's been five days since my last post."
Saturday evening my mother even remarked on my lack of posting. She doesn't need to call me if I post regularly. But then I showed her, there seems to be an epidemic currently on the web of "missing posts". Everyone is busy, busy, busy. There are regular bloggers who have become a bit irregular all over the place. Even Ravelry's number of 
users logged on seems a bit small these days.
Though the blogging here has been light, I've remained true to my word: there's no last minute Christmas knitting going on here. Last minute greeting cards is a different story. At least we'll be able to say that our cards went into the mail BEFORE Christmas.
No last minute shopping on Christmas Eve, except maybe for groceries. But if you need to make a quick purchase, these cute little lambs may be waiting for you at a Big Box home improvement store with big orange signs near you.
Merry Christmas Eve everyone! Bring on the calm!
Time to slow down. Time to enjoy. Time for the simple things. Forget about the tree, the cards, the shopping, the knitting...oh wait, I need to knit, just like I need to breath!
The simple things...like my Santa mug. This little guy has been my faithful companion during the holiday season for at least 20 years. It may have been one of my first St. Nick's gifts from Doogie. (Need to fact check that one.) When the kids were little, they used to think this mug was the method Santa used to "see them". This little guy has watched me cross-stitch, quilt, and now knit the holiday season away. He's helped me stay up late at night by keeping the caffeine stream flowing while I worked as one of his elves. Who knows maybe the kids were right.
Simple things...like "The Canister". Fairy Godmother and I have been shipping The Canister (filled with Russian Tea Cakes) for as long as I can remember. (Need to fact check that one.) Each year around Thanksgiving one of us will ask, "Who's got The Canister?" This year, I have it. I've filled it. I'm shipping it. (Which means next year it's Fairy Godmother's turn to fill it. Now we all know who has it next year!)
Simple things...for Special K it's the Fontanini. Each year she brings the village of Bethlehem "to life". It started when she was small. We'd put the pieces and within days everything would be moved ar
ound. She'd play with them and tell whole stories about what the villagers were doing. In the past, it was my job to move Mary & Joseph closer to Bethlehem. Now, Special K enjoys moving them (and the Wise Men) on their journey. Currently, Mary & Joseph are on a surround sound speaker halfway to the village. Forget finding the Christmas Pickle myth tradition. Finding the Family and the Wise Men is the "Where's Waldo?" of the Advent season in our house.
What are some of your "little things"?
Okay, so it's NOT Boxing Day. But today IS the day that we need to ship out our gifts to our out of town friends and family. The presents are all wrapped and waiting to be put into boxes. However, with all of the boxes we've stored up in anticipation of this day, none of them is large enough.
Shown here are a mere handful of what has been accumulating in our garage! Each one that seemed to be perfect, is at least 3/4" too small! So, today I will hunt boxes...if my efforts don't bear fruit, then a trip to the shipping store to purchase a box will be necessary. Do you think we could work out a trade!?!
There has been knitting. Mystic Waters is off the needles. However, all of the other activities around the house means she'll have to wait for blocking and a "proper" photo shoot...with proper lighting...hey, maybe at the lakefront...hey, maybe on New Year's Day when the local Polar Bears go for their annual dip...wouldn't that be something in the background for Mystic Waters!?!
(And for those of you who are going to ask, No, I've never been a Polar Bear. This German/Dutchman is smarter than that!)
In the meantime, you can admire the designer's finished Mystic Waters Shawl. With my height and such, my shawl will not seem as large against my body as Anna's appears against hers.
Now to hunt for a box or two. Happy Hunting!
Are you still smiling? The clock is ticking. Are you still knitting gifts?
Not me. Not only am has the notion been abolished from my mind, but plans are underway for next year. Rebecca had a great suggestion for a KAL for 2008. Watch this space (or hers) for one project per month for next December.
In the meantime, this hat happens to be a prototype for one of next year's gifts. It's the Komi Hat from Hats On! knit with Dale of Norway Baby Ull on Addi 0 and 1 needles. 
This pattern is one that is on my "to-do" list as a gift for someone. However, there were a lot of comments over on Ravelry as to people having issues with finished hats ending up too large or too small.
So this one was knit with 5 repeats and fingering weight yarn. The end product has a circumferance of 19 inches. A snug fit on Miss Special K. This one will go on the donate pile. But now at least I'll consider 5 repeats with worsted weight yarn instead to end up with the "perfect" size. (Six repeats of fingering weight was too large for my 23 inch noggin!) I just LOVE the pattern though and it only took two nights to complete. Good thing there is a "stop" on all 2007 gift knitting for me or temptation for more could strike!
You're always right...what was I thinking!?!
Eight projects in three weeks. Madness!
But, SO many knit bloggers are in a panic about holiday knitting. (Have you seen Harlot this week!?!) I just thought maybe I should apply some pressure on myself since I'd decided that if it wasn't already knit...it wasn't going to be a 2007 gift! 2008 will need gifts as well, why not get an early start? That's what I did last year.
Last Christmas, I decided to make my Festival of Trees partner mittens since she fell in love with mine. It was great to be able to hand over a St. Nick's gift that was knit without stress. Other than having them stashed in my closet for 9 months and worrying I'd forget to gift them since it was Ash Wednesday when they neared completion! (Darn it...the cardigan is in that picture too!!! That puppy MUST be finished...soon!!!!)
But first, maybe a quick dive into the container. What would it hurt if I cast on a hat!?!
No, not with Chistmas preparations...but with Mystic Waters. This week, you'll just need to imagine the full breadth of it. There wasn't enough time to transfer stitches without losing daylight. As we approach the winter solstice it's getting harder and harder to find "good lighting"...especially on something this large!
This week's clue reminded me of snowflakes. It would be fun if that is what they are supposed to be. Sure, this shawl is supposed to have an overall "water" theme, but a) we ARE knitting this in "winter" and 2) snow DOES convert to water when it melts.
Wednesday the final clue will be released and by this weekend it'll be finished. What next? A number of bloggers are signing up for the Top 10 Stash Projects KAL. Instead, I've assembled a group of projects that I'd like to cross off my "maybe someday" list in a container next to my knitting chair. Since some of them may turn into presents, the specific projects won't be listed here. There are eight projects represented in the photo. My goal is to empty the container PLUS finish the Fair Isle cardigan before the end of the year.
How about you? What do you hope to finish?
It's amazing the things that are noticed when allowed the time to do so.
In a little over a week we've gone from little or no snow to enough snow to enjoy the season.
Knitting seems to hold more "purpose" when there is snow on the ground.
With this week's shawl clue behind me, it was time to play with something new. Earl
ier this week I'd come across a felted oven mitt pattern. A little stash diving and some free time this afternoon spent with a cup of coffee (or four) and voila! 
Time to felt.
Siting in the chair, knitting, drinking coffee and watching out the front window. That would have been perfect enough. However, the neighbor's dog added a touch of entertainment. She spent much of the afternoon attempting to eat the snowman. Our dog likes to eat snow and ice cubes, but watching the neighbor's dog was hysterical! When eating it didn't make it disappear quickly enough, she tried to knock it over. It made for great laughs for a good part of the afternoon.
I must be the last person to post that the new winter issue Knitty is up. If you're reading it here first, you must be hiding under a rock...or a pile of holiday knitting!
As soon as I saw that Deb had designed a new toe-up pattern, Azure, I knew it was time to put some socks back in my car for "taxi" knitting.
Most Knitty patterns take a long time till they make it to my needles. (I still haven't knit Clapotis, Fetching, or a pair of Monkey socks...though lots of you already have!) For some reason this one is changing all that.
It's slow going though since Mystic Waters has been clicking away on my needles. As of 10:30 Saturday evening, the latest clue is finished. (Photos to follow...once there's daylight!) Now there'll be three evenings of knitting where Mystic won't be calling for attention. There aren't any "planned" holiday knitting for me, maybe there should be. Time to check.
PS Laura W, what do you think of the socks?
The sun came up and revealed two surprises: filled stockings and unusual cold (at least for December)! The snow is pretty, but the cold is NOT welcome. There will be plenty of time for cold come January. I'd better get knitting!
My Secret Pal and Fairy Godmother sent packages that made fo
r a wonderful wake up call! They even sent items for Doogie and the girls. We are truly blessed. Notice in front of the Panda treats a booklet with a photo of a girl with a Geisha...it's Rachael aka Hostie (my secret pal).
She put together yet another great parcel. She was excited to have finally found some Japanese hand dyed sock yarn. This weekend I plan to spend some time getting to know Rachael. She has been a fabulous pal! It made it so much fun that she set up a secondary blog to let me know about her life in Japan while the "secret" part of the exchange was going on. Too cool! Thanks Rachael!!
But, tonight is St. Nicholas Eve. On Thursday morning we will open our stockings. 
We each have new stockings that my boss made for us. She does a lot of traveling and is very familiar with knitting in airplanes and airports! She draws up her own charts and goes to it. Panda's has St. Nicholas on it (the back has a Christmas tree and a boy & girl). Mine has trees all over it because of my work with Festival of Trees. Special K's has a map of the world and a French knot for each of the places that my boss either has a home or visited this past year. When she travels, she sends Special K a postcard from
each stop. This year's travels included Spain, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Iceland. Doogie has one as well (not shown here) with Santa and a snowman on it. We're each thrilled to have one of her designs.
There is a parcel from my Secret Pal in Japan to open St. Nick's morning. Can't wait!!! It should have the reveal in it. Stay tuned.
This is what was waiting 
for us when we pulled into the driveway on Monday. Definitely NOT a box of yarn! (But, just imagine if it were!!!) It was Doogie's tree.
It took a bit but we finally got it into the living room. When the kids were little St. Nick would decorate the tree on December 5. This year, it was a different kind of St. Nick. The kids are thrilled with it just the way it is so we won't be bringing up the ornaments from storage.
With the tree trimmed and the business of the past week over, it was time to finish knitting this week's lace clue. This week, I broke into the second skein of Yarn Chef Buttercream.
There are only two more weeks left. The pattern has been a pleasure to knit and the yarn has been scrumptious. I'm going to miss working this pattern when it's finished. But, Wednesday is the next clue and knitting will continue. Now is the time to enjoy the pleasures while they're here.
Maybe a holiday knit or two could get squeezed in as well. Maybe they'll need to be silver and blue. There has been a theme around here!
Note: This post was written nearly a month ago. I waited to post it until my Aunt received her socks. But then something else happened.
Thanks for the suggestions on the mittens. Keep them coming. The mittens are safely tucked away in timeout until Thanksgiving. Then we'll play.
In the meantime, while we're on the topic of "gaping holes'...
These are for my Aunt. Pomatomus is riddled with tiny holes for good reason. The yarn is Lorna's Laces in colorway "Motherlode". All in honor of the Motherlode tumor that doctors recently removed from her brain...it was the size of a grapefruit and (thankfully) benign. It has been donated to science at the University hospital where she had surgery. It belongs in a museum!
My Aunt, on the other hand, does NOT belong in a museum. And, before I get comments that suggest that I should have knit a hat for my Aunt's shaved skull, I would have knit her a hat, or kerchief, or headband...but she would prefer NOT to cover her battle wound. In fact, it is a badge of honor to my Uncle. The doctors were >this close< to diagnosing her with Alzheimer's and sending her to assisted living, but my Uncle persisted. Because he did, they did and MRI and found the nasty grapefruit. (He's getting a box of German chocolates!)
Moral of the story...never give up and don't be afraid of a gaping hole.
Note: Since writing this original post, my Aunt had to go back into the hospital Thanksgiving week to have another surgery to remove fluid that had built up and there's been an infection. She is home again and still improving. She's bummed that we won't be doing Christmas at her house this year (we've been doing so since I was little and my Grandma lived with her) in order to ensure that no one passes on any illnesses while her immune system is fighting this other battle. However, better to miss THIS Christmas than miss more!
Remember last year? We were busy with the annual tree festival and my Grandma had fun goofing around with the festivities.
This year...busy (as usual).
This year...not not much knitting to report for the weekend.
This year...a snowstorm hit once again.
BUT...
This year...we won a tree! We've never won anything. Doogie was the lucky winner of this 7.5 foot tree. 
Special K was a winner too. She won a gingerbread village. EIght feet long! On Monday, we'll deliver it to her school. They can display it in her school's library. Winning was such a pleasant surprise.
Speaking of pleasant surprises...we surprised a elderly couple while in the check out line for refreshments at this year's event. We paid for theirs as well. They were so surprised by the random act of kindness. Sheri challenged her readers to do random acts of kindness. Truly, it was so much fun to surprise our "guests" tonight. (Plus, it was a great lesson to pass on to the kids.)
Next year, we'd like to donate a tree ourselves. Maybe a tree with knit stockings/socks/mittens...gotta think about it. Imagine if you all helped. We could have a lot of fun. Festival of Trees, it's a good thing.
Krafty1 at Etsy
