Knitting Check-in: 5 weeks until Christmas

Thanks the long, slow, snowy drive back to Seattle from the Thanksgiving weekend, I got a lot of knitting done. But I still have a ways to go.

Here's the update:

Baby Bolero (not actually a Christmas gift, but a 'Welcome to World Little One' gift) - One sleeve done and about 1/2 inch away from finishing the second one. Then it's all about seaming and the edging.

Gaiter - several inches into it and almost done with the first skein. I'm not letting myself even get a measuring tape near it until I'm halfway through the second skein.

Other projects - still the same. Nothing new to report.

Memory Lane

We may not have known each other while at college, but we both remember the freezing cold Moscow winds!

This past Thanksgiving weekend, while visiting Matt's family, we decided to take a quick trip south to Moscow, Idaho - home of the University of Idaho Vandals! It was fabulous and the first time I had been back since the sis graduated in 2001! I loved it!

We hit the bookstore for a new sweatshirt, took a stroll across the campus, checked out the new buildings and took in the last Vandal football game of the year. (It was yet another loss, but its a rebuilding season!) It was fun to talk about our Moscow adventures and eat at our favorite places. Even though we both went to school there at the same time, we didn't know each other. Funny how life works out.

Happy Early Thanksgiving!

What am I thankful for?
- loving, healthy family
- fabulous fiance
- my great friends
- and quick, easy, beautiful knitting patterns that knit up quickly with soft, luscious yarn I found on sale!

Happy Thanksgiving!
(this is being posted early as we are leaving soon to drive over to N. Idaho and we won't have Internet access for a few days - gasp! It'll be like the olden' days I guess!)
P.S. Be sure to wish Supergirl good luck on the 1/2 marathon she's running on Sunday! Go Supergirl go!

Helpful words of wisdom

As I continue to suffer from my holiday knitting syndrome - the one that has me constantly looking through pattern books to see what else I can "whip out" - I laugh as I type this as those in the knitting circle know I don't "whip" anything out - I came across this little gem in HandKnit Holidays,
"Holiday Knitting Strategies:"
"1. Prioritize - choose one person on your list to knit for this year and focus on that project alone" - I did that, my dad's gaiter - the project that is still in its original skein form!
"2. Start early -Why scramble make gifts in December when one can start in August or better yet, in January!" Who the hell does that? Isn't this part of the stress, I mean fun?
"3. Think easy but personal" - what is easy?
Hmmm, maybe I should have actually read the book instead of just looking at the pretty pictures when I bought it back in July!!!

Knitting Accountability

As the days draw closer to Thanksgiving, its giving me time to reflect on a few things, like how freakin' far behind I am on my Christmas knitting! And since I seem to be suffering from holiday stress knitting, which in my case, makes me deviate from the original holiday knitted gift lists and start other projects, I thought I'd just lay it all out right here on the blog to force a little accountability on myself.

Here I go:

Wrist warmers for a certain someone one made from Lamb's Pride and Kid Silk Haze (both from the stash, thank you very much). This wasn't a pre-planned gift, something I just decided to whip up when I came across the yarns in the stash. There is a 95% chance she'll only get one in her stocking come Christmas morning.

Beer Cozies for Matt and my dad. Matt cozies' are in Idaho Vandal colors - black and gold (GO VANDALS!) and my dad's are in Boise State Univ. colors - blue and orange (WHO DO WE HATE? BOISE STATE! - yeah, only Sara and Matt will get that and the latter doesn't check the blog.) Another last minute gift idea tossed into the mix - also stash yarn, but did have to buy the black. Thought it would be funny for them to open them at the same time on Christmas morning. (Editor's note: BSU and UI are big ol' rivals).

This is the yarn for the only pre-planned knitted holiday gift this year - a gaiter for my dad. Note how it is still in the skein form. Gunna work on that this weekend, hopefully.

And the baby bolero. It's not a Christmas gift, but needs to be ready to give to mamma on Dec. 13th. And yes, this is the same picture from earlier this week as I have not touched the project in a while. Please feel free to nag (don't get too carried away there Supergirl) me on these.

Meeting the French Girl

Yesterday, I braved the wind, rain and Seattle rush hour traffic for knitting. It was the Seattle Knitter's Guild meeting and local designer Kristeen Griffin-Grimes, a.k.a. French Girl, was the guest speaker. She was fun and fabulous with lots of energy and creativity. It was interesting to hear her design process, where she got her start and what is next for her! She was also showing off her designs and selling her patterns for a discount (gotta love that - I bought two: Oceane and Zia.) Now I'm waiting for Chantelle to come out sometime soon! That may be my first big girl sweater - unless I decide to give Rosie one more try.

Interesting developments on the home front

I just got an email from my mom, it seems my sister has finally seen the light and wants to learn to knit. My mom went over to teach her and a friend how to knit the other night and apparently the sister was knitting on large plastic needles using acrylic yarn. It didn't go very well - gee, I wonder why. Not to be a yarn/knitting snob here - ok, I am but it's my blog! I'm thinking the sister is going to get a fabulous knitting package for Christmas! And if knitting just doesn't stick with her, I'm taking her gift back.

Finally a few F.O.'s

(That's finished objects for my non-knitting readers - Hi Sara & April!)

I'm pleased to announce, after three attempts, the hat is finally big enough!

While it may look small in this picture, it's actually just right. I made him close his eyes and try it on. He's a good sport, especially considering I made him do during Sunday Night Football.

Pattern: Hot Head from Stitch N'Bitch

Yarn: Nature Wool Chunky from Araucania in Blue and Red

And I know I've mentioned it before, but here's the picture: The Purl Scarf is finished too!

I didn't make it as long as the pattern calls for (102 inches) but mine is about 64 inches and I really like it. This is my first project with fringe as I've stayed away from it in the past because it scares me, but I have to say, I do really like it. However if I start talking about getting a bedazzler (also something that frightens me) - please shoot me.

Pattern: Purl Scarf from Last Minute Knitted Gifts

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay, Rowan Kid Silk Haze and another kind that I forgot the name of in various pretty berry colors.

Madrona Classes

For once I was on top of something these day! I signed up early and got all the knitting classes I wanted for Madrona! I had to get to work early to get some stuff done and ended up registering - didn't get any work done for the first 30 minutes, but I got my classes so that's all that matters!
I'm taking:

• Saturday morning - Twisting with the Cable Girl - Fiona Ellis
• Saturday afternoon - Needle Felting - Leigh Radford
• Sunday morning - Sweaters that Fit - Secrets of Sizing and Gauge

I'm very excited about the Sunday class as I'm the worst at gauge! And speaking of gauge....the hat for the fiance continues to frustrate me! I finished it (for the second time in case anyone is counting) and I had him try it on and it's still too small! So I've ripped it back (again) and I'm planning on adding another 2 inches before I start the decreases! I've decided the problem is not me, it's just a small pattern and that he has an unusually large head. I'm seriously rethinking giving birth to his children.

And the good news keeps coming in!

It finally happened - Rummy resigned! Happy Day.....Happy Day!

Smart Decisions

On this Election Day 2006, I'm happy someone has made a wise decision - Britney Spears has come to her senses and file for divorce.

You're on!

A comment left this morning on the previous post by Rebecca:

I hereby challenge to you a knit-off beginning on January 2, 2007 with the project of your choice. Signed,
Speed PICKER!


I am so bringing it!

Speed Picker strikes again!

Damn it! Speed Picker has once again beaten me! I can't let this happen again! I started the project first, I was ahead for the majority of the race, er....scarf knitting. But at the last minute, - she jumped on the fact that she requires less sleep then I - she raced towards the finished line and seized it! Must go finish in second place....but at least I'll look good. (We both will, I guess...)

The Heating Quiz

This week's Carbon Diet focused on reducing the carbon emission from heating the home. Since I'm a renter, I didn't do too well. I couldn't honestly say that I would replace my single pane windows in the front of my place (believe me I'd love too) or that I'd double check the insulation and replace it if needed. I did pledge to reduce the thermostat - and that is a big challenge for me! So far, it's working, but it's been pretty cold these past few days!

Noteworth Dates

October came and went so quickly, I didn't get a chance to celebrate two big dates on the blog! First - Oct. 9th - my two year anniversary of moving to Seattle! And second - the blog Knitting Knot is one year old this month!