Fini!

As I mentioned in my last post, my husband threatened to not buy yarn for Christmas this year. Now, I'm sure I don't need to state how that definitely set me in a panic. My heart was skipping beats, my palms began sweating, and my head felt dizzy. As it turns out, he was just trying to up the surprise factor. But it did have the side affect of making me feel guilty that I haven't actually finished the previous some knitting required sweaters.

The one from 2003 was Rowan Biggy Print. It was a yarn that I had seen in my LYS. I was fascinated that it called for size US36 needles. It's been off the needles but in pieces for some months. (In case it isn't obvious, I like to knit, not seam.) So, I decided to hedge my bets for future unassembled sweaters. I have finished it!!

It took three tries to get the first sleeve to sit properly. The weight of the yarn and the huge stitch size was conspiring against me. But with trial and error, I learned what I needed. The second sleeve went in easy as pie.

Most important, my husband approves. I think I won't have to worry about being sweaterless for future gifts.

Spoiled Rotten

This Christmas, I was spoiled fabulously!!

When my mother sent our gifts, she told me that my best gift would be in my sack - aka stocking. She was absolutely right. Check these out. She made them. And it was so cute, she was worried that the rings weren't big enough. (They fit a US 13 easily.) I can't own enough fancy stitch markers. Now I have a one of a kind set.

My husband buys me a sweater every year. Unlike most sweaters, mine always requires some assembly. It's a knitter's dream. However, he had been threatening all along that I wasn't going to get one this year. I was worried knew he was fibbing. This is what he chose for my sweater this year. He even made sure to get the right needles for the pattern. I know, I've been blessed with a great man.

I also got several of the colors I need for my Evening Shawl from various family members. All weekend I was petting the yarn. If you haven't come across Muench Touch Me, you are really missing out. It's the best feeling yarn I have ever met, in my humble opinion. Really, it's like velvet butter. And to round out the knitter's dream gifts, I received a license plate for my car and knitterly note cards.



Now if you'll excuse me, I need to lie down. I'm feeling faint from the gift high I'm on.

Happy Holidays!

For me, the holiday celebration begins in earnest today and will last until very late Sunday night. Many places to go and more importantly, many people to visit. To all who may stop here, I wish you a very happy holiday season.

Supportive Friends

I try once a week to visit with my friend Tina who knits as well. Occasionally her step-daughter is over and then it's the three of us. You have to love friends who gift you with presents that encourage your fiber habit.


Yesterday, Tina and Nevada presented me with a pen that expresses my affinity towards quality yarns. They said that snob was meant in the nicest of ways. :) Of course my husband replied that if Tina was a true friend she would send me to the nearest KA. "Hi, my name is Jae. And I'm a knitter."

Today they also gave me a knitter's journal (ah ha - good use for the pen, me thinks). I suspect the journal was in response to last night's questions about the scarf I made for Nevada.

Them: How many skeins?
Me: I don't know. One??
Them: How many stitches did you cast on?
Me: I don't know, let me see the scarf. . . It looks like 12.
Them: What size needles did you use?
Me: I don't know, I think 13's. Could be 15's though.
Them: What's the yarn?
Me (thinking): Finally, a question I know the answer to.
Me (out loud): Berroco Hip-Hop

Now for all future projects I shall be well equipped to capture all the details of my made up patterns. Thank you so much for your continued enabling of my knitting habits!!

The Best Therapy

I have not been looking forward to the holidays. Why you ask? Because of my in-laws. We alternate every year for Christmas - my folks, his folks. This year . . . it's his folks. However, his sister told us that we don't spend enough money on her and her family. I think what really burns me up about this, is that I spent a good deal of time knitting for her family. A felted hat for her, a scarf for her daughter, and a sweater for her son. And I know, I KNOW, that she is going to smile to my face and complain about the perceived "lack of gifting" behind my back. I really struggle with her. I have never encountered a woman so full of spite. If there is a bright spot in all of this, it is that I am reminded that my life has been so full of love that I do not need to inflict venom on others. ( I realize that one comment does not a spiteful woman make, but things of this nature have been ongoing for . . . well . . forever it seems. And why should I make you miserable with all the gory details?)

So where does the therapy come in? Well, I'll show you. Yarn and knitting. (Notice I didn't say cheap therapy. I believe I would save money if I invested in couch time with a doctor vs. my needles) I bought yarn for me - Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran Tweed for the Aran Pullover from the new IK. The color is #127 Posie. Yummy!! I also bought yarn for my Aunt's project - Rowan Calmer, color SH473. Her's required needles I didn't yet possess, so on impulse I decided to splurge on rosewood double point needles. (I mentioned this was therapy, right? Not cheap, but goooood therapy.)

Click on photo to see Cleo - I tell ya, she is all about the knitting
I came home, plopped on my couch and knitted until 1 AM. I knitted until my index finger was sore from pushing stitches off the needles. I knitted until all the anger and frustration was spent. I knitted until I was too tired to think. And I woke up this morning feeling loads lighter. Ahhhh, sweet therapy!!

Surgeon General Warns that Holiday Knitting May Cause Imaginary Voices

I bought more yarn.
Yes, I know that my nephew's Christmas sweater isn't finished.
I couldn't resist.
Yes, my husband only has his gift 3/4 knitted up.
It's more sock yarn, Koigu.
Of course sock yarn, I don't need to knit socks to justify buying more sock yarn.
I think I may use it for Crusoe socks or mittens.
No, I do not have enough projects started.
It has such pretty variegation.
I know I haven't woven in the tails on Amanda's scarf.
It would make cool mittens.
Oh, Go shovel snow!

Seat Stealer

I got a lot of knitting in yesterday. I finished my MIL's scarf. I am almost done with my hubby's christmas knit. And I started my scarf exchange scarf - again. But, every time I got up for something - drink of water, food, phone.... I came back to this.
Cleopatra, the seat stealer
I have finally decided on a pattern for the Manos scarf. I am using Edgar from Knitty. The simple garter stitch shows the varigation really well, but the unique shaping adds interest to the project. It goes really fast too, so I should finish it for the scarf exchange deadline with time to spare.

Apparently, it's not the open seat, it's the knitting. Smart cat :)

Santa's Reindeer

You Are Comet

A total daredevil, you're the reindeer with an edge! Why You're Naughty: You almost gave Santa a heart attack when you took him sky diving Why You're Nice: You always make sure the sleigh is going warp speed

Which of Santa's Reindeer Are You?

Let It Snow!

Woke up to 6" of snow! I love the first real snow of winter. It makes everything look...quiet. peaceful. I'd show pictures but I still had to go to work today. I left in the dark and came home in the dark. Maybe tomorrow.

I haven't done much knitting this week. Too many other things demanding my attention. I did, however, receive news that grandma's hat arrived safely in my aunt's mailbox. And that my aunt may be holding it hostage until she gets one of her own. Hee hee! What she doesn't know is that I have something else in store for her. I won't post a picture, just in case she's reading this. Wouldn't want to ruin the surprise. ;)

Reality Check

Somehow December has arrived and brought with it much bustle and frenzy. Compounding the problem is the lingering knitting high of this past weekend. I knit for nearly 24 hours straight (except for time out to sleep). All of Friday evening and Saturday day were spent in classes with Barry Klein at my LYS. I am still pinching myself to prove that I have to come back to the real world.

But the real world demands my attention and so... I am almost finished with the last of my christmas gifts. I completed my Grandmother's hat and posted it to her. The cabled pattern wasn't getting along very well with the Manos so it's been frogged. A new Scarf Exchange pattern has been chosen. And to top off the list of projects not yet on needles, but nagging me to get started - the latest copy of Interweave Knits has arrived. There are at least 4 projects that whispered my name as I thumbed through the pages.

The week plus that I get off between Christmas and New Years cannot arrive soon enough.

Yarn Tasting

3 hours of knitting with all the Trendsetter yarn you could want. And previews of what is to come this spring and beyond from the man who would know. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun knitting swatches.