Happy New Year!

When I realized my Braided Pullover wouldn't be done in time for New Year's Day (I still have 1 sleeve to go), I decided I needed some instant gratification. Presenting my very own Just Enough Ruffles (by Laura Chau - Ravelry Link). I had some Malabrigo and it used just over 1 skein. It was a quick knit with the only time consuming bit being binding off 600 stitches (took almost a whole quarter of the Giants game on Sunday).

So, what are my knitting resolutions this year? What do I want to accomplish?

1. Write up the pattern for my daughter's cardigan.
2. Use up the Berroco Touche I have and make a summer sweater - perhaps this.
3. Design another sweater for my daughter.
4. Start an advent calendar with at least 2 mittens a month.
5. Knit items ahead of season so I can wear them when appropriate.
6. Take a class and learn something new.
   

Who knows what else...I'm open to ideas. I just want to keep growing in my knitting.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Just What I Asked For!

My family is quite large and a few years back we realized we needed to pick names for Christmas. This year my mom had my name and I had hers.

I asked for a Della Q circular needle case and even sent her a link for one on sale at Webs. Mom and my daughter emailed and my daughter intercepted the package and wrapped it up. So under the tree I found this wonderful case - just what I asked for! I'm looking forward to having all my circulars nice and neat and organized.




Mom not only gave a knitting gift she also received some. A while back she admired this bag I felted so I wrapped it up just for her.

I also made something specifically for her. I couldn't post the finished scarf on my blog as she reads it from time to time. I found this Branching Out pattern on Knitty and made it with Ella Rae Silkience for mom. I explained to her how I think of people when I'm knitting things for them and the whole time I made this I thought of her...we both got a bit teary when I told her that (then again our family cries at Folgers commercials).

So, thank you Mom for my great knitting gift and Merry Christmas Mom with your gifts knitted with love.

It's Almost Here

Miss America woke up this morning and said "I can't believe tomorrow is Christmas!" It sure does sneak up on us sometimes...

Yesterday my godsister came over with her 3 kids - her youngest is my godson. I took him up to my stash of FOs and pulled out this hat that was part of my experiment hat for my sister's birthday last year (oh it is funny the irony of that post as I lamented that too bad she wasn't expecting another and she is due with her 3rd in February!). It fit him perfectly and he was absolutely adorable wearing it.

This angel belonged to his grandmother, Robin, who was my godmother. We hung her up near the kitchen and when the heat turns on she flutters and sways like she is flying. Robin is in heaven loving my fluttering angel.

A quick shot of the tree. Not a great photo but there it is. The curtains are closed to help keep the heat in.

Okay, time to wrap stocking stuffers. Merry Christmas!

No Pictures BUT I Have Been Busy

Sorry I don't have any pictures right now but I have been knitting a lot. Miss America has been home from school since last Tuesday. Sunday morning I drove her through the snow (a white knuckled drive and thank God for 4 wheel drive) to the pediatrician and as I suspected she had walking pneumonia. She's doing better now but still a lot of coughing and we have to use a nebulizer several times a day. All this translates into a lot of knitting going on.

I finished the body of my Braided Pullover and started on the sleeves. I got about 8 inches along in the sleeves and realized that I had terrible ladders - they are on DPNs doing a reverse stockinette stitch. I don't know about you but I don't get ladders on a knit stitch on DPNs but I'm sure getting it on the purl side. So, this afternoon I'm off to get some Addi Turbo 36" needles and try the magic loop method. Hopefully this will resolve my problem.

I'm also getting 36" needles to cast on for Just Enough Ruffles - I can't wait to try this scarf. However, the pullover takes priority as I'm hoping I can crank it out and wear it on New Year's Day. I'll post pictures soon.

One Down, One to Go

Another miserable attempt to photography my first Magic Mirror Mitten...I think I need a new camera.

Anyway, Miss America is home with a fever so I'm getting some knitting done in and around the cleaning, laundry and Christmas stuff. Just as I was finishing up this mitten my DH said "You have one more of those to make right? So much work you put into them...is it worth it?" How do you explain that the time isn't what matters...it is the process, the learning, the creating, the pleasure in slowing down.

So, one down, one to go...however I think it is time to pick up my neglected Braided Pullover - I was thinking I'd like to wear it for New Year's Day when we're having a little party...

Mittens and Socks are Not Photo Friendly

What is it about Mittens and Socks that make them so hard to photograph? Your arm looks pale and hairy or your legs and feet look funny. I just don't get it!

I had 3 hours of knitting time on Saturday (long car ride which ended up in dark at the end and I wished I had a head lamp) so I made a lot of headway on my Magic Mirror Mittens. I'm almost done with the left mitten.

Another Quick Cowl

When my daughter saw my new coat cowl, she asked if I could use the same yarn to make one for her social studies teacher. The colors are perfect for her and her coloring. So I whipped up a plain, simple one - it does have a subtle twisted stitch.

We also raided my stash of completed items and got gifts for her other core subject teachers - 2 scarfs and a felted purse. They are wrapped and waiting to be delivered by hand.

I've been working on my Magic Mirror Mittens - had 3 hours of car time yesterday and made some headway...more pictures tomorrow.

New Coat = New Cowl

I was given a new coat by my dad...it is hard to see here but it is a chocolate brown. So I decided my new coat needed a new cowl and whipped this up in 2 days.

I used the Diagonal Ribbed Cowl pattern with some Good Shepherd yarn (autumn colorway) I picked up at Rhinebeck. I think it turned out perfectly - the picture of me leaves something to be desired though. Those self timer shots are never great.

Christmas Questionnaire

I have never posted one of these before except for the One Skein Secret Pal questionnaire...but I'm into the Christmas mode and I saw this on Beth's blog and thought I'd do it too!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both - I start with wrapping paper but when things get a little more harried around Christmas I move to bags.
2. Real tree or Artificial? Only real...I prefer balsam as I LOVE the smell.
3. When do you put up the tree? First weekend in December. It's going up this Sunday.
4. When do you take the tree down? It's always down before New Year's Day.
5. Do you like eggnog? Nope, not even spiked!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? No particular one stands out - sleds, books, a camera.
7. Hardest person to buy for? My mother in law and my sister in law.
8. Easiest person to buy for? Our kids - they make their wishes known.
9. Do you have a nativity scene? I think we have 2...my knitting sister gave us the Playmobil one which the kids love. I remember my son when he got it made the angel fly around with rocket sounds.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Both - email for those we see a lot and they don't need a picture of us and the kids. Mail for those far away...usually a photo card - got 75 from Costco for only $24.
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? A faux leather trench coat that was 2 sizes too big.
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Hands down - It's a Wonderful Life. I watch it every year and cry every time.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually November but if I'm making something I start earlier.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Absolutely - however, I couldn't regift that trench coat. I don't regift often but if I know I'm never going to use the gift I save it for the right person.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My butter cookies with a Hershey's kiss in the center.
16. Lights on the tree? White mini lights and lots of them
17. Favorite Christmas song? I have lots of favorites - I love to sing along with Handel's Messiah. I discovered The Christmas Song which Dave Matthews sings - love it.
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? We used to go to my in-laws on Christmas Day and it was a drag pulling the kids away from their gifts. About 6 years ago we said enough and we'd visit on the day after Christmas. It is SO nice being home all day on Christmas Day.
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Absolutely -Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen. But do you recall, the most famous reindeer of all? Rudolph!
20. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Our kids open one on Christmas Eve and the rest on Christmas morning.
21. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Fighting for parking spaces...grumpy people.
22. Favorite ornament theme or color? No themes - very eclectic collection.
23. What do you want for Christmas this year? Nothing really...knitting stuff is always nice. We pull names in my family and I asked for a circular needle holder.