FOs, KALs and Knitaversarys

Lots of excitement today - hold onto your seats!

I realized that I never shared some FO pictures with you - bad knitter.

Here is the Felted Ipod cozie for The Man
Pattern: mine - just a large rectangle seamed up the sides
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes leftovers from his hat
Needles: Clover Bamboo US 8s
Dates: Started and finished in one day about two weeks ago. Felted the same day.
Mods: It was way too wide and I was afraid to felt it more, because it wasn't very tall. So I tried felting it in the sink, but that didn't work. So I got out the scissors and whacked off a few inches on the side and reseamed it up. It could be prettier, but I don't really care! If he wants a new one I'll teach him to knit! I put the ipod in a plastic bag and then put it in the cozie to dry. I had to knit this up quickly on the one day he left the ipod at home!


The Man's xmas socks
Pattern: from Ann Budd's Handy Book of Patterns
Yarn: Paton's Kroy in Chelsea Heather - about 2.4 balls
Needles: Susan Bates US 1 DPNs
Dates: Started back in October, finished Sunday December 18.
Mods: none
Thoughts: They are a bit stiff, but I think they'll soften up with washing and wearing. They seemed too lose on US 2s, and I've been searching for a set of US 1.5s for a good middle size - I will be ordering some in the new year. I hope he likes them - they are wrapped up inside his new custom designed Converse sneakers under the tree!


Fun Fur Scarf for The Man's co-teacher
Pattern: mine - cast on 10 stitches, knit until long enough
Yarn: Lion Brand Fun Fur in Fireworks - about 1.1 balls
Needles: Clover Bamboo Sz US 15s
Dates: started and finished on Saturday December 17
Mods: none
Thoughts: not as bad to knit with as I was worried about. I am slightly irritated that I had to buy another ball 'cause The Man didn't think the length of one ball was enough, but just a few rows with the second ball was. Oh well.

All of the baby cardi pieces are knit and waiting to be seamed - I just don't want to mess with it, but I'm going to have to if I want to get it done by the new year, 'cause I really don't want to drag it on my trip.

I am LOVING the Leaf Lace socks. I just wish I had felt better the last two days - two days of knitting wasted! These are so soft, so pretty and I really like the pattern. So far they fit like a glove. I really wanted these done before the trip too, but that's going to take some serious getting down to brass tacks. We'll see.

Today marks my one year "knitaversary" - this time last year I finally dug out my knitting kit that dear Sarah got for me for Christmas the year before, and with the help of the "Barnes & Noble Guide to Knitting and Crocheting" learned how to cast on and knit. Because no entry would be complete without a picture, I present to you, for the first time seen on the blog, the first knitted item I made.


It's pretty horrible. It's a tie for those of you who can't tell (and I couldn't tell if I didn't know) and The Man proudly wore it to work on Christmas Eve - awwww. Now it just hangs in his closet. I'm suprised he hasn't burned it yet - it's pretty godawful.

I didn't learn to purl until I sat down to teach Sarah, and someone it all came together.

The first few knitted gifts have been given and were well-received. I hope all the other folks like theirs!

*BREAKING NEWS*
I'm starting a KAL! You can call it whatever you want, selfish, just for me, whatever, but the "official" name will be the "It's NOT a gift!" KAL.
Details:
1. "It's NOT a gift" KAL begins unofficially whenever your holiday knitting is done, and begins officially on January 1.
2. You can knit WHATEVER you want - as long as it's for YOU!
3. You didn't have to do any gift knitting to join us.
4. KAL will go as long as I receive updates!
5. Leave a comment or email me at knitnlit AT hotmail DOT com to join.
6. I'm aiming for Saturday updates - I'll keep ya posted on that! Updates will start Saturday January 7.

Whew, this is a long entry! That's what happens when you neglect the blog. Before I go off to knit my fingers off, I need your help. I've got to get to packing for my trip to Indiana. But what knitting to take? I'm really hoping to have the socks done, but if not, I'll drag them. And I realized that I don't have a good knit hat - and it's COLD up there! I've got the yarn to make a basic cable/irish walking hat for myself, so I plan to work on that on the plane.
But what else? The yarn for the Turtleneck Shrug? For the Ribby Cardi? For the Leaf Lace Shawl? Some sock yarn? For my Jaywalkers?
Thoughts and advice appreciated! I may stop in tomorrow with some FO pictures (cross your fingers!), but if not I'll be posting from Indiana! Enjoy your holiday season if you celebrate something, and if not, have a great weekend!