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

Tibbles & Dishcloths

I've crossed over to the other side. In other words, I've started making Tribbles. I'll tell you it's so much fun. Watch out though. It's addictive. They multiply so fast too. I'm also on a dishcloth spree too. Good thing they're intended for christmas gifts. The tribbles too. THat is the ones that I don't decide to keep or send to the shop.

While I was making them I realized that they would be really handy down at my landlady's store. She's the one with the paint your own pottery and stained glass studio. In order to keep the pottery molds from pitting and/or getting a fuzz on them between pourings if they aren't going to be used right away, the excess clay has to be cleaned off the mold. I realized that the Tribbles would be good for just this purpose. They'd also be good for getting glaze off the wall (don't ask). I gave her one today and I'm going to have a couple more on back up.

The afghan is 4' from being done. Everything else has gone into a temporary hibernation. I just need a little break from them.

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.

Yay!

One of my longtime friends has started knitting. We've known each other for 8 years. She started knitting to make her kids scarves for her children to give for christmas gifts. She's on a roll now. I'm so happy.

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.

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

I have to laugh. I went to a thing called "The taste of Italy" last evening. Because of all the people that were going to be there I left my stuff at my landlady's store including my knitting. I regretted that part within an hour of getting to "Taste. " Yes it was interesting and I was in good company. Thing is my hands were craving something to do. They were craving their yarn and needles. All tey wanted to do in knit and they had nothing. Absolutely nothing. For a few hours at that. I couldn't tell the people Iwas with either. THey wouldn't understand what I was talkinga bout as I was with non-knitters. Well, only 1 knitter.

As for my ISE scarf, it's going well so for. It's started. Only had to frog it completely from the beginning it once so far and undo a couple single rows a couple times. I''m doing a lace pattern. I'm Looking forward to tomorrow where I can work on it more.

Shawl & Scarf

I recently made a Shawl & Scarf for a friend. She hasn't been feeling well and thought that they might cheer her up.
The scarf is made with fun fur and has tassels on each end. Also where the tassels attach to the scarf I added a gold button with a sun, moon, & stars. The color scheme was picked because I wanted it to match the button theme. The pics of that are below.
A Part of the scarf (It's about 5 - 6 feet long)


Close up of the end of the scarf



The shawl is about 5 feet long and each color section is for 4 rows. It took me about 2 weeks to complete on size 11 or 13 needles. I got to use "scrap yarn." It was all yarn that I had bought or been given. It was all new and nice and thick. I don't like to use the term "scrap yarn" becaues there was so much of it and idk how to describe what I want to say.