The Art of Staying Warm

Finished the boy's snowboarder hat. I'm calling it the Michael Who Rocks Hat. Pattern is irishgirlieknits pattern (snowboarder that rocks). This was the special request, colors included. I held two strands of Lion Brand wool-ease together to create this. (Holding two strands together for cable work has rubbed the edge of my thumb a bit raw.) He wore it to school today and had someone ask him how much he'd sell it for. That's a nice compliment from pre-teen boys! He likes it and that's what counts. Now his buddy wants a camouflage hat just like the one I knit for the man. Guess there will be another hat on my needles, and I just picked Mr. Tweedy Greenjeans back up. Was good getting back to sweater knitting, nice meditative stitching with a bit of interesting cable patterning occuring every few rows.

Toivo and Heimo snuggling while mama types away on her blog.

It does feel a bit chilly in here.

I acquired some Rowan Cotton Rope this week. Someone was de-stashing on ravelry and I was stashing. Cotton Rope is discontinued, so I'm thrilled with the acquisition. 10 lovely skeins in Calypso. I'm stashing it for Frontier Blues Jacket by Wendy Bernard. It will be great fun to shop for the ribbon trim on that jacket. Knitting Daily took a poll for their next KAL and Frontier Blues Jacket was one of the choices. Unfortunately, it did not end up being the winner, which is probably a good thing as I have way to many patterns in my queue right now to start on Frontier Blues. (Which I think I'll call Summertime Blues Jacket, what with being the manic Who fan that I am, and it will probably be summertime before that beauty finds its way off of a set of needles!).

I love getting yarn in the mail!

Feeling Girly

The first items off of the needles for the new year include a gi-normous cowl. The Fit to Be Tied from Cowl Girls will be much to warm for me to wear as I had intended: as a fashion accessory. The yarn is just too thick to drape, even if I knit the tie as per knitting instructions. I do believe I am going to rip back several inches, start some increases and make a regular cowl. Fit to be Tied is a tube and therefore WAY TOO bulky and warm! It would be fabulous in cold temperatures under my coat, but I was craving a fashion statement with this one.

It looks like a beehive!

Next item declared as finished: ribbed hat for the man. I used Paton's classic wool in camouflage, left-over from the endless Christmas sock knitting adventure. The hat I made last year was a bit too short to cover his ears entirely. I followed the ribbed hat pattern from Holiday Knits.

I love how the colors pooled into a spiral on the crown:

The boy requested a snowboarder's hat. He asked me if it would be too difficult to knit one. Silly boy; he forgets who he's talking to! I took him on ravelry and we searched patterns and projects. He has requested the Snowboarder Hat That Rocks by irishgirlieknits. I will be off to the yarn store tomorrow. It is not often that a 12 year old boy requests something handknit! I had better jump on this one (and it has cables to boot so it will be an interesting knit). Believe it or not he has also requested that the top include a pom-pom, which he did not refer to as a pom-pom. Rather, he called it a "top ball". I did have to assure him that it would be removable should he not like it.

Yesterday while getting the full treatment at the hair salon (cut and color and highlights), I received a text from my man. It said "after you finish with your hair, go get your nails done". Now, mind you, I don't need permission to spend money. I earn half of the household income and he would never imply that he is in charge. It was simply the thought that he was directing me to spoil myself! What a dreamy guy this girl has. And there is nothing girly-er than pretty hands peeking out from the oversized sleeves of a girl wearing her boyfriend's sweatshirt:

Back and Forward

The first day of the new year has me looking forward to the knits to come and looking back at the knits that have been. I created a collage of finished knits and it seems so few projects made it off the needles. There were a few additional baby hats and sweaters not included in the collage, and additional pair of socks (identical to camouflage socks) and other small items. I did not knit over the summer months this year, which may explain the shortage of FOs to post.

My favorite knit items: the Heather Hoodie Vest is amazing! I love this knit and wear it a lot. It is uber warm and the red buttons just make the vest for me.

Also, Francis, Revisited is a frequently worn sweater. Pastaza yarn in a gorgeous emerald green, the simplicity of the sweater itself with just the right amount of detailing - plentiful cowl neck with seed stitch edging, flared cuffs and hem with same seed stitch make a simple sweater interesting and attractive.

The socks - all of them, all three pairs of them - for my family. To be able to product socks for them felt so damn good, I can't even tell you! The men's socks were knit using 3x3 rib worsted short row heel pattern from The Big Book of Socks by Kathleen Taylor. Mom's socks were knit with a traditional heel. I did not think that short row heels were easier, but stuck with them through all four of the men's to produce an identical product. However, I think I will prefer to knit traditional heels from now on. Aside from the warm fuzzies I got gifting these to my family, the socks gave me inspiration to continue with sock knitting. I've always felt out of the loop not being a sock knitter. I truly enjoy knitting sweaters and feel it's my preference, but began dreaming of more pairs of socks to come off of my needles, and different sock patterns and sock yarns. I do believe I may set up the summer months as sock knitting months!

So the above rank as favorites for the year, but all were fun to knit.

Did I meet last year's resolution to knit a project a month? There are enough projects to surpass the number 12 as in months of the year; but in being honest, I don't feel that I did because I did no summer knitting at all.

Looking forward: I have a few items on the needles now (yes, I know I state that I'm a monogamous knitter and that seems contradictory to admit several WIPs). There is a knitted hat or two in the works and a pair of mittens. But....the mittens...these were my visions of sugar plums. My new, never-before-tried-knit, pretty enough to follow and endless stream of camouflage socks. BUT, the transitioning yarn in the pattern, transitioned in a color indistinguishable from the background color and they are so tight. I don't want tight mittens. I set these aside and began a different "sugar plum" project instead. The disappointment of the mittens was so off-putting that I couldn't help myself. These will have to be frogged, which I hate doing, but the crazy part of frogging for me is that I have to finish first to accurately determine that something must be ripped out. Goofy, huh? So, I'm pretty darn sure these are going to need to be pulled out, but that little voice in my head tells me to finish them and assess the damage at that point. So, how fun can it be to finish something that you know you will rip out? That is all self-imposed, but there it is. I am what I am. And yesterday while at the shopping mall, I acquired a beautiful pair of down mittens at Eddie Bauer, which doesn't propel me to finish the mittens which essentially I've already replaced. May mittens will be in my summer knitting plans as well.

I look forward to many knits this year as I again attempt my project a month resolution and pay special attention to summer knitting. Wendy Bernard's Ingenue is in my queue, as well as Shalom both of which I've already purchased yarn for. I chose the standard, affordable, versatile Cascade 220 for Ingenue in a beautiful deep purple, and Malabrigo Merino Chunky in hollyhock a sumptuous orchid color. Maybe this is the year of purple for me!

On the needles right now: Fit to be Tied by Cathy Carron from Cowl Girls. Such a fun book. A Merry Christmas to me book. Loads of gorgeous cowls to choose from, why stop at just one? There are several in there I'm itching to add to my wardrobe. Mom and dad bought me some lovely merino and mohair yarn while in Alaska a few years back. I am using it to knit Fit which is working up like a beautiful cloud. The cloudy aspect of the mohair is hiding the beaded rib stitch a bit, but no matter to me because this yarn is stunning! Pictures and additional yarn details soon. The yarn colorway is called "Foggy Forest", which I love. But, don't fear, I'll post pics soon.

Happy New Year to everyone! We had an enjoyable evening hosting friends to welcome in the new year with us. Having a lazy day today as a result. Remember, this year is to be the year of the Very Merry Ordinary Day/Week/Month/Year/Life.

The boy and I wanted a snowman, but the snow was too light and airy and fluffy and wouldn't pack. Our solution: a snowman lying down:

And the very next day the weather suddenly warmed and our snowman looked like a mysterious archaeological dig:

A Very Merry

This Christmas, as always, my family spoiled everyone else and was absolutely thrilled to be spoiled themselves. And the best gift of all was the gift of each other and always working so well together to make each other merry. A great deal of food was consumed and it was all that lovely food stuff you don't buy (or make) under ordinary circumstances for ordinary eating days. Summer sausage and specialty cheeses, plates of assorted crackers, delicate cookies, big hearty breakfasts, bowls of candy, platters of fruit, sirloin steak deep fried individually in fondue hot oil, fresh breads. And to go along with all those delectable treats and eats, smiles and laughter and hugs. (I was thinking why shouldn't we treat ourselves to these goodies more than just on Christmas? Aren't we worth the indulgence more often? We work hard for a living and we should enjoy the fruits of our labor more often. Reward ourselves doing what we do every day and for being the good people that we are!) We have our lazy traditions, we have our hectic, crazy traditions. Hopefully we not only preserve old, but also create new traditions. Dad and I go shopping Christmas Eve to finish his gift purchases. We've done this since I was a child. Hopefully we will do this when I, too, am retired. We make several stops, have discussions of optimal stocking stuffers, and engage in the same argument every year. Don't ask, that is between the two of us, and it's always in jest and lighthearted and ends in belly laughs. It's our tradition and darnit, we will keep the fight going. Mom and I prepare cold salads to be eaten with the fondue and all sit around and share stories of Xmas Eves past and enjoy the feast. We usually follow with games and laughter. There is always laughter when the family is together. We've added members to the family and still the traditions and laughter continue and grow. I look forward to many years of traditions with these people. I look forward to bringing in new traditions. There were a few traditions of Christmases past that were missed this year, but they will be included the next, I'm sure. I would like to start a new tradition for my family. Knitted socks. My Mom, Dad and brother were finally (FINALLY) the recipients of knitted socks from me. It felt so good knitting them, knowing that they would finally be receiving the one knitted gift that they've asked for all these years. It felt so good, I forgot I don't like to knit socks. So, knitted socks...find your way into our traditions! The young one was a challenge to buy for this year. He's at an age where toys are no longer important, but what he is interested in is way too expensive. Based on his expressions, I think we got it right! The 26th everyone went home and I was left reflecting on how hectic and nutty the pre-Christmas days are. All the planning and shopping and knitting and shopping and planning and knitting and shopping and cleaning. Add to all of the family stuff the fact that I teach and need to do all those classroom Christmasy things as well. There is planning and shopping and executing for that as well. And then, suddenly, in 24 hours, it is over and won't happen again for 364 days. I was left in the house with glitter covering everything, tiny bits of paper floating about, snow tracked floors, beds to be made, gifts to be designated new spots, decorations to be dismantled and the echoes of the laughter and lovely that was my family at Christmas. Almost makes me wish it came more than once a year. (It's a used riding lawn mower, but he was thrilled to pieces! I was heartbroken that he couldn't get on it and ride, as it is the middle of winter in Illinois. ) So I'm thinking that maybe we spoil each other more often. Set out platters of fruit on an ordinary work night and indulge in a game of Farkle or Yahtzee. Knit someone a pair of socks and give it to them in a lovely package for no reason other than I love them. Buy a more expensive bottle of wine and turn the lights out in the living room and enjoy the falling snow. The year has not yet turned, but I do believe that this will be my resolution. To have a very merry ordinary day/week/month/year/life!

To all of my family and friends: thank you for being a part of my life. Thank you for the warmth the very thought of you creates in me. Thank you for the love and the laughter. It's been a good year, but let's make next one a merry year!

Visions of Sugar Plums...

A new Christmas gift to self! A KIP bag (knitting in progress) from Etsy shop Ruddawg http://www.etsy.com/shop/ruddawg?ref=top_trail that is absolutely adorable!

(If you are family, stop reading now and return to blog AFTER Christmas!). I have been doing deadline knitting, deadline knitting, deadline knitting for months now; well officially for over a month as I began November 1st. Not a big fan of deadline knitting, but it is self-created/self-imposed! I want to cast on a pretty small thing deserving of this girly and fabulous bag, but alas, I currently am knitting camouflage (yes, that's right, camouflage!) socks for dad and brother. That makes a total of four socks I have to make. Am finishing the third now. Row after tedious row of camouflage. The socks are being made identically so that there is no whining from the boys that the other got a better pair. If I were making different socks with different yarns and different patterns, perhaps I would not feel that I am slogging along. Camouflage yarn does not belong in this fabulous bag. After Christmas, I will cast on for a girly little object that will be fittingly worked in my bag. Until then, I will admire the hot pink details and satiny flourescent orange drawstring and flirty love birds and dream of exactly what projects are deserving of this KIP bag.

We are hosting Christmas at our house this year. I have grand plans, my friends, to make Christmas wonderful for all. Just ordered a load of Nestle Lion Bars from http://www.britishsupplies.com/ British chocolates are far superior to American. They contain more milk and less wax and are heavenly and divine! My parents and I discovered Lion Bars on a trip to London many years ago. Lion Bars will roar in the stockings this year! I've ordered from this company before and they are wonderful. I'm a bit worried about Christmas delivery, as I ordered just yesterday and not sure if this close to Christmas will delay my product delivery, but we'll see. If they're not here for stockings, I can eat them all myself after everyone departs!

The First Snow!

The boy who rarely sees morning before 10:00-11:00a.m. on weekends, was up at 7:30a.m. to play in the snow! It began last night, and continued through the night, so we rose to beautiful landscape this morning. As promised, I sat and knit and watched the snow. One Christmas present finished! Need to cast on for the next before I head to the basketball tournament this afternoon. Did I say what an aggressive player the boy has become this year? He has turned into a very good ball player!

Knitting is in my Forecast!

We have anywhere from 3-5 or 6-8 inches of snow forecasted for our area this evening. Snow should begin falling around 9:00p.m. and continue overnight. The disparity in the accumulated amount is due to the fact that we are on the border of the weather band producing the heavy amounts. Morning will tell. I must say that I am excited about the first snowfall! This week when temperatures took a turn for the cold, I was none to happy. We had a very mild fall and truly enjoyed the slow departure of my summer. I bemoaned the fact that I could no longer sit outside or walk to the post office (or do recess or bus duty) without bundling up. Was thinking "Yuck" with a capital "Y" about the arrival of winter. BUT...now there is the pretty stuff coming! Love the pretty stuff. I am anticipating the beauty out the windows of the living and dining room as I knit, knit, knit happily in the winter.

Of course, I'm under deadline knitting right now, which has me contemplating "cheating" on my knitting. I am one of those monogamous knitters. I love starting and finishing a product. Seeing a product through all its stages. I believe I am a process knitter; not a product knitter. It's not that I'm dying and/or impatient for the product, it's that I enjoy the process as it evolves into a product. But, lately I find myself daydreaming of other products. Almost convinced myself to cast on a different project the last few nights. "you know, I've been wanting to make myself mittens for years now...the weather is getting cold...wouldn't it be nice to go out in new handknit mittens? Plus, I've never made mittens before. What a fun, new project that would be. I'd be learning something new; I love learning new things, after all, I'm a teacher!" These thoughts bounce around in my head as I sit and work on Xmas project knitting. Several people are getting the same item and this particular item is two items (yes, socks, hopefully they won't read my blog or figure it out if they do). Not even different patterns. Not even different yarns. I never thought I'd say it, but...I know why knitters cheat!

This Thanksgiving, the adults got together for our feast and our annual photo. We were all bummed the boy wasn't with us, but we're going to try to photoshop him in. Thus far, this is what we have:

This last one will be the annual Christmas card. The first one was a fun attempt! Loads of fun was had posing for photos. Mom wanted us all on the floor, but a few were taken standing...

Fall Knitting

I have been doing plenty of "stealth" knitting that is now under deadline. Don't want to publish pictures as of yet (after Christmas) of those items on the needles, but have completed a few baby hats for new parents. I have another baby hat coming up before Christmas. I am under serious deadline knitting strain! People! Please don't bring forth new children this close to the holidays!!!!

Bunny Ears hat from Itty Bitty Hats. They look more like bear ears to me. But, cute, cute, cute. I have no little ones and these hats are so hard to part with. But, must admit, when mamas open them up in delight, giving them away is worthwhile. (Boots loves the knitting, but appears to be ready to attack!)

Rainbow Marley, again from Itty Bitty Hats by Susan B. Anderson: Hmmm, no cat in picture... Heather Hoodie Vest which I just love! It is WARM! Did not enjoy the big needle, bulky yarn knitting of cables, but adore the product. Chose the buttons this summer in a little shop in Oregon, IL called "Stitches in Time" which carries yarn and quilting items (as well as some fabulous buttons). My HHV languished over the summer as I don't like wool sitting in my lap in the heat of summer (even whilst sitting in air conditioning). Quickly finished it up as soon as fall temperatures warranted a yummy warm vest, which this indeed is. (Again, no pictures of kitties on knitting. Must explore this trend.