Christmas Knitting

Yep, I'm starting that annual tradition already. I'm assembling my Christmas knitting list. Thankfully some projects have been started already. So far I have decided to knit for:

Mom (Debbie Bio-Mom) Nubbins Dishcloth & tribble
Paulie (Mom's SO) Hat and fingerless mittens
Nanny - Feather & Fan Dishcloth & Tribble
Pop-Pop Gifted Mittens and Hat
Aunt Donna Bamboo Dishloth & Tribble
Ashley (Cousin) Purl Scarf
Lesley (Cousin) 2 toned ruched scarf
Dave (Aunt's SO)
Robbyn (Friend) Afghan (formerly dad's) 4 corners dishcloth & tribble in case dad and i are talking again back up gift would be........... so dad could get afghan.
Laura Behan Hobnail Dishcloth & Tribble

In limbo
Diane (Friend) do have dishcloth could give to

No longer speaking with. may make something small and quick if have time just in case
Mom (Nancy Step-mom) - Socks have been started
Dad - THat afghan was for him...now going to Robbyn
Kelley (Step-Sister)
Aunt Shelley
Uncle Herbie
Aunt Beau

Gahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

My phone is out of order. I forgot to pay the bill. Wrote the checks and all, but forgot to send them in. Oops! I'm ok. Don't know if I'll make it to SnB this weekend as I might be handling family obligations. If I don't make it this weekend I'll try to get there Wednesday. I'm going to start having SNB withdrawls soon since I go weekly but family and Petition things ahve kept me away. :P I'll try to get to the library as much as possible to check in.

On the bright side I'm getting more knitting done to relieve my stress.

Back and Forth I Go

It's been one hectic month in my non-knitting life. Hence it being so long since an update.

I've been on a dishcloth spree. Off the top of my head I can remember making 5 and 2 more in progress. I'm planning on making a bunch more for Christmas gifts. They'll also have Tribbles with them too.

I'm working on the afghan. Dad has decided he doesn't want it 8' long anymore. It's long enough where it is he said! YAY! thing is now i have to even the working edge off and fill in a few holes. THat's ok. I can deal with that. It also frees me up to start on other Christmas gifts. Eventually I'll get back to my sweater. Pics coming by the end of the week of afghan and dishcloths.

It's Done

Yes, it took 7 months (several of them laying dormant) yet it's done. I finished it yesterday (saturday) while at SnB. It's 37 repeats long. I was going to do 40 repeats, but if I went to 40 the scarf would have been too long for dad to wear to work. This way he can wear it to work and not worry about it getting messed up. I also needed to save a little bit of the yarn for the afghan I'm working on. There's 2 pics below. 1 up close detail and the other a distance shot.

I Finished The Irish Hiking Scarf!!

Yay! Seven months after starting it I finished the Irish Hiking Scarf yesterday at SnB. I'm quite excited about it. It came out at the perfect length too. I did 37 repeats as it is for a man. I was going to do 40, but I needed to save a little of the yarn for another project. Being a man's scarf I was able to go a little sharter. IF it was any longer it would get in my dad's way at work anyways.

Got A Lot Done This Week

In both the knitting and non-knitting worlds of my life. In the knitting world of my life I was able to:
1.) Get going again on my Irish Hiking Scarf. It's been sitting there on the needles for about 5 months. I've had other projects that were demanding my time with deadlines that were more pressing. Ok it was originally going to be a Christmas present last year for my Dad, but when I realized it wasn't going to be done in time for Christmas last year or his birthday this year, I decided to make it one of his Christmas presents this year. I'd have more than enough time then. Now with the other projects out of the way, I have time for it now.

2.) I've nearly finished the scarf for my ISE 4 pal. It will actually be done by tomorrow night. Blocking and all. That will give me plenty of fime to get it ready to go out.

3.) I got a couple more rounds done on my lovely socks. Oh, what an adventure they were today. I went to work on them, went the twong way for half a round, had to undo that bit and get them onto smaller needles. Then back onto the correct needles for fear I was going to break the bamboo needles they were on for those weren't my needles. BY the time i got that accomplished I should have known to take a breather. I didn't though. By the time I got going it was 45 minutes later. What took me 45 minutes? I couldn't figure out what direction to go in and which needles to use. Ok if you go in 1 direction and that's the wrong way then you need to go the other way right?! But the 2 tips of 2 circs had me stumped for some reason till I remembered I had my book with me to help me out. Definitley needed more caffiene to wake up. At least I provided humor for the others in my SnB group.
4.) Did some destashing.

In the Non-Knitting world of my life:
1.) Got back in touch with another family member
2.) Had my usual group and appointement
3.) Attended the monthly Community Advisory Board meeting
4.) Ran the Advocacy Committee Meeting (I chair the committee) that meets every other month.
5.) Attended the AdHoc committee where we chose award recipients (if you know me no I will not tell you who's getting the awards. I'm not allowed to till the Annual Dinner next month)
6.) Some heavy duty spring cleaning and rearranging.
7.) Spun and set the twist of about 37 yards of wool.

Flying by the seat of my pants is done. It's a shawl I made for my Mom. I tried two different shawl patterns with no luck before I said forget it, and decided to bite the bullet and make it up as i went along. Below is how it came out. When I get a few more minutes I'll post the pattern.

The shawl is done!!!!!!!!

that's it. just wanted to say that ... the shawl is done!!!!!!!!

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

4.5 Days Away Translates into…

er… 4.5 days of knitting. Yep that’s what it meant here. I just back this afternoon. Was house and dog sitting while I was away. My days basically consisted of knitting, taking the dog out, knitting, vegging out, going to knitting group with my aunt Saturday morning, talking on the phone, and relaxing. While I was gone I was able to get my aunt’s scarf done, baby booties made, the back of a baby sweater (Knitty’s Chaos) made all the way to the arm shaping, a pair of slippers, and working on my IHS. Pics are below. Left to right, the project pictures are: Baby booties from SNB Nation; Slippers; Chaos from Knitty.com; Irish Hiking Scarf; Drop stitch scarf; My parent's dog modeling the previously mentioned scarf. This is all knitting I did over 4.5 days. Exception is that I started the hiking scarf during the week, but only had 2 or 3 twists in it.

Relaxing Away

I'm off at my parents. Just me and the dog. OF course my knitting has come along too. A whole diaper bag's worth. Go figure, I don't even have kids, yet I have a diaper bag. It was originally for my computer, but became a bag for knitting. THose progress bars will be getting updated next week.

I'm having a blast. I haven't forgotten about my SP9 pal. I'm working on something for her this week. I've been gathering a few other things to put in her package. I'll be emailing her when I return from my parents. My other pal and I have been emailing each other.

So this week the only people that can reach mehas been dramatically reduced. It's nice that way. Usually I spend tons of time on the phone working on projects. Not this week. Less than 10 people can find me. The phone won't be driving me batty. Yehaa. Oh and I won't be on the computer much either.

10 Knittery Things You Didn't Know About Me

1. Egg donor and her mom tried to teach me how to knit when I was a child, but drove me away with all the screaming they did at me for making the slightest wrong move.

2. I was obsessed with a skein of wool yarn.

3. I finally learned how to knit from my (step)mom and aunt.

4. DPN's and I do not agree.

5. I want to learn how to spin.

6. I can't get the hang of reading charts

7. I've have yet to knit a sweater

8. I prefer circular needles to straights

9. While moving last spring mom went to get my clothes to bring over to the new apartment and I insisted that I have my yarn and knitting go first.

10. One place I frequent wonders if I'm ok If i don't have knitting in hand.

Branchng Out

I finished my mon's scarf for christmas. I did Branching Out. The first time i did lace. It came out pretty good. Once I replace the batteries in hte camera I'll post the pics. This now gets 2 people off my list of people I'm knitting christmas gifts for. I now have 18 people to knit for. 3 are people that are definitey have to knit for the rest are ones I really want to get gifts done for.

Mom's Scarf

I've been working on my mom's scarf for her christmas present. It's been going great. I'm doing Knitty's "Branching Out". I've done 9 pattern repeats so far. It's being done in James C. Brett's Marble yarn with size us13. I didn't like any lace weight yarns for my mom. Once I get this one done I'll have 2 people off my christmas knitting list.

Everything is as it should be

So far this week things are going par for the course. Mom's hat is going well. ANother 6 inches and I'll be binding off. I'm still working on my scarf for my ISE pal. Today will be the test. Can I do the scarf while at a paint your own pottery studio? It's my landlady's. I hangout there most days. Also, can i do either project while my carpal tunnel is acting up in both wrists? I'll say whether or not tonight.