I started dad's scarf thinking that it wouldn't take too long to knit. 2 weeks later I'm still going on it. It measures 6 and a half feet and it's just getting to the just long enough length. It's taken on the nickname of "Green Monster" I went to watch a movie that a friend rented yesterday. I sat and knit through the whole movie (2 or so hor) and it seems like I got nowhere on it. It seems like I've reached this rift in time. Maybe it's the fact that there's so little time before christmas is here.

I also have until Friday to finish a scarf for the benefit/fundraiser for a friend. Not much time when you factor in all that I'm doing this week: 1 group; 1 therapist appt; another appointment with someone else; possibly babysit 2 afternoons; 2 holiday parties; going out to dinner for my birthday with the family; a birthday party; and a couple late nights at the store. I have to finish by early friday afternoon. I'd go to the benefit, but I need to get up early the next morning.

I have come to face the truth. I will succeed in knitting all of my family's gifts, but my "family's" gifts are going to be a no-go this year. I will have to start earlier next year. SO the list of knitting is:

IMMEDIATE FAMILY (referred to as Family)
Dad --- Cable Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)Ruffle Hat

OTHER FRIENDS

Don (not going to have time for)

Robbyn --- Slipper Socks

Diane --- Slipper Socks

ADOPTED AS FAMILY (referred to as "Family")( I'm unfortunately not going to have time to make items for anyone on this list. thankfully they understand).
Pam, Jon, Mandy, JR, Julie, Nicky, Carlie, Ally, Kirsten, Madison, Sydney, Sammy, Jonny

Holiday Knitting

It seems like I just can't get ahead this year in the christmas knitting this year. As soon as I get one person off the list, another person replaces the project that just got crossed off. I'm starting to stress and can see some late nights coming up.

Below is mylist of christmas knitting that is to be done as it stands now. Red = Done, Wrapped, & Tagged.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Dad --- Cable Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)Ruffle Hat
ADOPTED AS FAMILY ( Completely Subject to change or if time doesn't allow, elimination)
Pam --- Slipper Socks
Jon
Mandy --- Drop Stitch Scarf (purple)
JR --- who know what yet, but in orange
Julie --- Slipper Socks
Nicky --- Scarf
Carlie --- Scarf
Ally --- Scarf
Kirsten --- Scarf
Bubby --- Scarf
Jonny --- Felted Paint Brush Holder
Sydney --- Slipper Socks
Sammy --- Fingerless Gloves
OTHER FRIENDS
Don
Robbyn --- Slipper Socks
Diane --- Slipper Socks

I am admitting defeat in the time department. I have come tot he realization that I will not be able to get the Irish Hiking Scarf done in time for Christmas to give to my Dad. I tried plan B, but that didn't work si I have moved on to plan C. THat one is working out great and I will be able to get that one done in time. Also just when I thought I was done knitting scarves done for the year I Have another one to make. It's being donated to a Cancer benefit. My friend's 18 year old daughter has cancer. She has to go tomorrow to have a cone biopsy and that will determine if she has to have a hysterectomy. Later this month there will be a benefit/fundraiser held in her behalf to help raise money for her treatments. I'm going to be donating a scarf to the raffle they will be holding.

Otherwise knitting has been going quite well. All the major people's gifts are done (besides dad). I am finally returning to my knitting group this weekend and man I cannot wait. I haven't gone fore 2 weeks and I've been gatting cranky and antsy about it. My landlady knew I was going this weekend no matter what was going on at the store.

Coolest Thanksgiving Knitting Haul

I got the coolest haul today. It was almst like Christmas a month early this morning for me. My mom's mom (my step-grandmother) used to Knit and I mean Knit. I never really got to know her and see her knit though. Over the past year I have been inheriting her knitting needles that mom has saved since her death. Well today mom gave me a bag of needles. They were all circs!!! We're talking 17 pairs of circs ranging from size 2 to 10 and from 12" to 32". Most are all plastic, a few are all metal (including the cable), and some are metal tips and the rest plastic. Most of the needles are bent near where the needle becomes/joins the cord. It was so cool.

I need another needle case now.

Also my Secret Pal got her package and liked it. I'm happy about that.

knitting X-mas List Updated

Below is mylist of christmas knitting that is to be done as it stands now. Red = Done & Ready To wrap

IMMEDIATE FAMILY
Dad --- Irish Hiking Scarf
Mom --- Branching Out (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Aunt Shelly --- Embrace (Scarf on Knitty)
Ruffle Hat
Uncle Herbie --- Scarf & Hat (both of my own design)
Aunt Bo --- Scarf (drop stitch)
Ruffle Hat

ADOPTED AS FAMILY ( Completely Subject to change or if time doesn't allow, elimination)
Pam --- Slipper Socks
Jon
Mandy --- Slipper Socks (purple)
JR --- who know what yet, but in orange
Julie --- Slipper Socks
Nicky
Carlie
Ally
Kirsten
Madison
Jonny --- Felted Paint Brush Holder
Sydney --- Slipper Socks
Sammy --- FIngerless Gloves

OTHER FRIENDS
Don
Robbyn --- Slipper Socks
Diane --- Slipper Socks

Wha Is On The Needles??

What in the world am I working on? and how far am I int on the projects???

Well, I usually have more than one project underway. As of right now I have 4.

1. For starters is a hat for my Aunt's Christmas present. That's about 50% done
2. Then a baby sweater (Chaos) from Knitty.com. that's barely started. I's cast on and about 5 rows done, so maybe 1% or so.
3. I'm also working on a svarf (knitty.com's Embrace) for another aunt's christmas gift. THat's about 25% done.
4. Finally, I'm making another pair of slipper socks. That has about 1" done on the first one, so maybe 10%.

Also I'm reading Knitting Rules by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (The Yarn Harlot). If you haven't read it yet, You're missing a great book.