Rappin' penguin

Pattern: Playful Penguins from Fiber Trends
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport, some black fun fur, leftover Lovely for the hat and scarf.
Needles: Sz 11 Circular and DPNs for penguin, sz 8 for hat and scarf.
Dates: Wednesday November 21 - Wednesday November 28.
Mods: None
Thoughts - I think he is really cute! I was nervous at first, but he turned out pretty well. Last night, before I had his scarf finished, he looked like a rapper with just his stocking hat on - hence the "rappin' penguin" title. His beak is a little crooked, and one of his wings is more forward than the other, but that just gives him personality.

Unfortunately, he is not a Christmas gift, so I can't cross one off the list, but it is a WIP down!

Holiday WIPs

Last night, after surviving the first day back to school, I got down to brass tacks and started my holiday crafting. This is an entirely different category from the holiday knitting, so it requires a different frame of mind. And a different set of tools.


These little pockets were inspired by Jenny at allsorts. When finished, they will turn into this. So cute! We don't have anything other than a paper advent calendar, so I am looking forward to having this finished. Last year I attempted to create some decorations, but ran out of steam. The advent calendar is the first thing I have planned (I don't have too much planned), but I have other holiday crafting to do - some of which is gifts.


Speaking of gifts, I have another complete!



Pattern: Sophie (I know, it's really getting old)
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino - 1 skein
Needles: Sz 6.5mm Circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Thoughts: my favorite quick gift project. All of my gift Sophies are finished. I do have a skein of red Paton's to make a christmassy Sophie for me, but we'll see.

I have another project nearly done, but it requires a trip to JoAnn's, which hasn't happened for the past two nights, since we've had unexpected family stuff. Hopefully tomorrow after school.

Off to finish up another!

Weekend wrap-up

This week, some projects were nearly finished.



And others were barely started.


There is more, but much of it is secret, so I can't show you right now. Hopefully, some fully finished projects later this week!

I'm feeling a bit recharged, and hoping I can make it through the next four weeks with a fairly positive attitude. I'm also hoping to get some crafty holiday things done around the house, and will share those with you as they get finished. I even have a few plans for my December blogging, in an effort to make it "more exciting" for mom (and the rest of you).

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, and have that holiday knitting list finalized!

Thanksgiving socks

Pattern: Generic top-down sock over 72 stitches
Needles: ChiaGoo sz 2.25mm dpns
Yarn: Trekking XXL
Mods: none
Thoughts: love the colors. The perfect fall socks!


Just in time for 34 degree temps, sleet and snow! I'm all bundled up in my new fall socks and my orange hourglass.

I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving - we did, and I'm looking forward to some snuggly knitting this weekend!

FO for momma

Pattern: Basketweave Pullover from a pattern leaflet mom sent me (I don't have it handy to look up - I'll try to find it.)
Yarn: Manos Cotton Stira, Tahki Cotton Classic
Needles: Sz 8 Clover Bamboo Circulars
Mods: lengthened sleeves
Dates: sometime this summer - end of September. Seamed November 17.
Thoughts: DONE!

This was actually a fairly quick knit, when I would work on it. I striped in the Cotton Classic, since we were worried I would run out of the Stira. As it turns out, I have a skein and a half left.

The sweater fits mom really well - which I was tremendously worried about. Perhaps that's why it took almost 2 months for me to seam it?

She seems to like it, right mom?

In other news, an unloved knit has gone on to live with my MIL, whom I hope really likes it and isn't just saying so.

I'm trying to finish up a few more things this week, cross your fingers !

Wicked awesome!

See? There has been knitting! I'm through with the body of Wicked, now I just need two sleeves (and yes, I'm making long sleeves, 'cause if you're going to make a wool sweater, I feel like you should go all the way. And besides, even though I live in Texas, I'm usually always cold.)

I'll probably work on the sleeves this weekend and next week, when I DON'T HAVE SCHOOL FOR A WHOLE WEEK! Woo Hoo! Plus, my mommy is coming to visit, so I desperately need to finish her sweater, right mom? So there'll be that too hopefully. Can you imagine? Two finished sweaters? Be still my beating heart!

Also in the wicked awesome category, I'd like to give myself a wee pat on the back. You see, I've been trying to get motivated to loose what I like to call the "knitting weight" (you know, all the weight I've gained since I took up knitting and starting sitting for long periods of time. Because before the knitting it was the reading weight). I rejoined my old gym this summer, and was going on a regular basis and getting to take yoga class 2-3 times/week. Unfortunately, they only offer yoga on Tu/Th/Sat mornings, so I don't get to go anymore (I'm at the LYS on Saturdays). Poop. I called and tried to talk them into evening classes (like they used to offer) but they aren't interested. And I'll be honest - it takes a lot for me to want to go to the gym (but I feel guilty about spending the money and not going, so that helps a little). But I really want to fit back into some of my old clothes, so I need to drop just a few pounds, and be healthier. I know I mentioned the getting up at o'dark thirty a few days ago, and this is why: I've made a deal with myself - go to the gym four days a week, for four weeks and I get to take a personal day from school. Very excellent motivation. Though I won't get to take my day until well after the holidays, it looks like, that's OK. In fact, I was thinking today that maybe I don't need that motivation anymore. Maybe I just want to go. I've been reading on the elliptical machine, which I don't make time for anymore, so that's been nice. I've almost finished a book, and I can't tell you when was the last time that happened!

So wickedness all around! Only 3 more days until VACATION! And mommy!

What I've been up to

Prepare yourselves: I've ripped some projects. Still breathing? OK.

Last Sunday, with my extra hour, I ripped. Ripped and ripped and ripped. Off the needles? Kyoto, the grey hat, mystery stole, Myrtle Leaf Shawl, 2 secret projects, the Somewhat Cowl, Jumbo Elephant and my sock log cabin blanket. Whew.


Of course, I had to start some new projects, but I don't feel guilty about them since they're both gifts.


Snowman Hat from Itty Bitty Hats for a Christmas baby, and another Sophie (someday I'll get sick of this pattern. Someday).



So, this brings up the question: What am I knitting for Christmas?


Socks: done
Sophie: done
Dishcloths: done
Bottle Cozie: done
baby hat: done
Sweater for hubbo: in progress
Scarf for The Girl's teacher: yarn bought
Scarf for friend at school: started
Socks: yarn bought
Slippers: started
Socks: started
Slippers: yarn bought
Hat: yarn bought
Hat: not started
Scarf: started
Sophie: started
Baby Hat: started
Baby Hat: yarn bought
Slippers: not started
Hat: not started
Kid's Hat: not started
Ornaments: not started


Whew. Writing it all down like that sure seems like a lot. And I'm sure that there are thing's I'm forgetting, but for now, that's it. And that's plenty. I've also got some sewing to do, but I'll post more about that after the holidays.

So, what are you knitting for Christmas?

Single Sock Club

I have a problem. When I knit socks, I get stuck in the gusset. For some reason, all those extra stitches slow me down considerably. I had several pairs stuck here, so I spent last Sunday trying to get them all through the heel flap and turn, and most through the gusset. That allowed me to finish two single socks since then. Woo Hoo!



Plain sock - must finish second for Thanksgiving - according to hubbo.



Monkey sock. Nothing new to see here.


Now if I only had the motivation to knit the second one.

Give them all your money

I had a delightful surprise last week - Jillian over at Sknitty posted about the haul she got from a new yarn shop. I hopped on over to check it out, and not only were there gorgeous yarns, but the shop is run by Kris, my very first sockpal! Of course I had to check it out, and give her some of my hard-earned cash - and so should you!


Left to right - Chewy Spaghetti in Meandering, Mama Llama in River, and Zen Yarn Garden in Maraca. Oooh so pretty.

Where did I get it? Sonny and Shear which wins my personal award for best yarn shop name ever. Go. Give. Money.

Do not adjust your screen

These are real finished knits you are about to see.


Pattern: Bottle Cozy from Yarns Ewenique
Yarn:Cascade Fixation
Needles: sz 6 Chiagoo DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: September-October 2007
Thoughts: One more for the gift pile.



Pattern: Sophie from Magknits
Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool
Needles: Sz 10.5 Clover bamboo circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: September-October 2007
Thoughts: Another gift compleated



Pattern: Little Pumpkin from Itty Bitty Hats (one of my most favorite books ever)
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in discontinued Orangeade and Rowan Calmer for the stem and leaf
Needles: Sz 7 Clover bamboo circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: October 2007
Thoughts: Super cute!