Merry Christmas and Happy 2009

Yes... the best presents still come under the tree.

If all goes well, this will be the last Christmas where it will be just Master Blackhead, Hex, Jynx, and me. To honor the end of one phase of life and the beginning of another, we're staying home this year and just enjoying the moment. The only real noise will be the sound of Starcraft gurgling on the computer. We've both long since learned to tune out the clicking of knitting needles. There's no hectic Christmas dinner rush, getting the place cleaned before everyone comes over, cleaning the place again once everyone leaves, loud family members sqwaking away about where to buy the cheapest item in bulk (you'd have to be Chinese to fully understand how loud that really is), and best of all no airports crowded with angry people. Of course, we miss our family, but one year to ourselves before all Hell breaks loose in a fit of diapered cacophony is surely a true treasure.

Speaking of Chaos in Diapers... the legwarmies are done. They are super cute. Hopefully they will also be very useful; especially, since I plan to make several more pairs. I really liked the TajMahal for this project. Usually variegated yarns pool in the ugliest ways and even more so when knit in the round. This yarn was subtle enough that the pooling gave interest without that "ugh... that's awful" look.

Name: Legwarmies, one size
Yarn: Filatura TajMahal
Yarn Source: Amazing Threads, Maple Grove, MN via MamaSara's Stash
Needles: US 3 9" Hiya Hiya
Pattern: http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2008/01/legwarmies.html


Next up is the Upside Down Daisy Hat from Itty Bitty Hats. This will be the third one of these that I make. I made the hat part about a year ago and put it away after making the petals got tedious. Hopefully, I'll get to finish it this weekend.



What I am really going to be concentrating on is the Project Linus Security Blanket from Knitting for Peace. The modified feather and fan pattern is pretty easy and relaxing to work. I'm using Berroco's Comfort, which has been a surprise and a half. I expected going into this that I'd absolutely hate the yarn: It's totally synthetic after all. Surprise surprise... it's been great. It has really nice elastic bounce, which almost mimics a nice wool. It's soft and non-itchy too. It does have a tendency to split. I can see how a fast or tight or both knitter would hate this. This hasn't been too big of an issue for me seeing as how I'm just an average knitter (both speed and tension) ... just call me Joe the Knitter.

I have this entire lovely long weekend to work on this. Hopefully, it's enough time to finish, but not too much time. If I finish too soon, then I'll be itching to get to my LYS, which might not be open. I've been eyeing the presents under the tree and hoping with all my heart that there's yarn in one of those packages. Not that I need more, it's just nice to know it's there. To all of you who are wishing the same thing, Merry Christmas and may your tree be pregnant with balls and balls of yarn.

Hex Thinks Knitting is Boring

Hex finds knitting to be completely boring. Here I am knitting away and he's sleeping. No yarn chasing... no needle batting... nothing... just this adorable face.

Admittedly, I am usually pretty good about finishing one project (or storing it in permanent hibernation) before transitioning to another. Well it must be March Madness because I have abandoned Drunken Bees for the Sand Dollar Pullover (SDP) from Norah Gaughan's Knitting Nature. I simply could not wait to start after I got the yarn for it. I cast on the next day. Thus far, I have finished the back, the two lower front pieces and almost one upper front piece. That means I have one upper front, the center sand dollar, and sleeves left to do. I forgot how fast aran weight yarn knits up compared with sock weight yarn. It feels like the knitted fabric is flying off my needles. Here's a close up of the knitted material still on the needles.


I'm really excited about this sweater. I made one last year, but it has a new home now with Mom. So I know this is a pattern that I will like very much. Stay tuned for more progress on the SDP.

Here's a baby hat that was finished a while ago, but has been resurrected for this blog. It was sent off to its recipient in January. Our friends just had their first baby girl. It has a clone that was donated to a silent auction. Sadly, I do not have this cute little thing anymore.


Name: Petal Hat
Yarn: Sublime Extra Fine Merino dk, Pink (hat); RYC Cashsoft dk, Snowman (petals); Classic Elite Patina, Lichen (base of flower); Jaeger Baby Merino 4 ply, Taupe (stem)
Yarn Source: Amazing Threads, my scrap pile
Needles: US 7 Clover Takumi Velvet, US 9 Plymouth Bamboo, US 2 SRK Bamboo
Pattern: Flower Petal, Itty-Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson