Final FOs of the year?

Pattern: Jarrett from Rowan Vintage Knits
Yarn: Ella Rae Classic, color 103, 6.5 skeins
Needles: Sz 5 and 7 Clover Bamboo circulars
Dates: mid September-Monday December 24.
Mods: Tons. I knit an XXXS size using Flintknits Pam'smods she was so gracious to share with me (thanks to the magic of Ravelry, I saw that she had knit a smaller size for her Jarrett, so emailed her and she shared her mods. Love Ravelry!). I also knit the sleeves smaller and not from the top down as she had done. Hubbo decided on a short collar (and he likes the standing-up of it), and no elbow or shoulder patches (for now).
Thoughts: he loves it. I love that it is done, and he can stop saying I've never knit him a sweater. He picked out the buttons, and it needs a good blocking so the button band will lie flat. He did say "Don't loose this pattern, 'cause I'm sure I'll wear this out in a few years and I'll need another." I think that's the mark of a successful knit!


I also knit up a quickie project for me. I started these a few weeks ago when it was starting to get chilly in the mornings, but put them aside to finish my holiday knitting. I threw them in my bag when we were leaving on Friday morning, and had them finished about an hour into our flight. And I enjoyed wearing them when it was chilly in the evenings in D.C. The color doesn't really go with any of my coats, but I don't really care!


Pattern: Fingerless Mitts from Weekend Knitting.
Yarn: Lana Grossa Cool Wool Big - less than 1 ball.
Needles: Sz 8 Clover circulars.
Dates: early December - Friday December 28.
Mods: none.
Thoughts: Great pattern. Easy, quick, useful. I see more of these in my future - in fact, hubbo has already requested his - in grey, of course!

I have more to say about our trip, and my year in review, and my future knitting "goals", but that will have to wait, as I'm trying to finish up one more FO for the year! Fingers crossed!

14 inches

Of sleeve. That's what I got done today (and I finished the sleeve cap on the other sleeve). I think I can, I think I can. Hopefully I can finish up some little things tonight to get them out of the way.

I spent a lovely afternoon knitting sleeve and watching bad holiday movies. Really bad holiday movies. Let me just say that Holiday in Handcuffs was the highlight, which, if you've seen it, explains a lot.

But if you're not me, and you're up for more holiday movies, there are still some to choose from! Christmas at Water's Edge, A Diva's Christmas, The Road to Christmas, Meet me in St. Louis, The Nutcracker, Casper's Haunted Christmas, All I Want for Christmas and A Season for Miracles, plus your usual weekend movies.

Still need project ideas? It's go time, folks! How about a bag? Sophie is quick and easy, while Booga Bag is a bit roomier. And, for those of you who like complicated bags, try the Brea Bag (which I can't wait to make for me!).

Most of our holiday busyness is over - hubbo's Christmas program is tomorrow, and then we should have a quiet week until my family arrives on Saturday. Plenty of time to finish all the projects, do Christmas cards, make cookies and ornaments, wrap presents, finish decorating the house and cleaning.....send the elves. At least all the shopping is done! Woo Hoo!

Ok, can't spend any more time on the blog - must finish slippers!

24 days

While many of you have just completed NanBloPoMo (whatever it's called), I think November is overrated. I totally have time to blog every day in November, I just choose not to. What I don't have is time to blog every day before Christmas, so that's what my challenge is. Every day. A post. And in order to make myself work even harder, I won't just post a picture. Or a line about how busy I am. No. I have A PLAN.

Every day I'll share one of my WIP gifts, and help you finish off your list with a project suggestion that could be finished before xmas (those of you who celebrate Hanukkah, well, you're out of luck on this one. That's way too soon for me! Good luck!). And, in an effort to get us all to knit faster, I'll try to throw in a few TV recommendations to speed that knitting along.

My first suggestion? Get the house cleaned and the decorations up today. Do it, get it done, and then enlist your slaves husband/wife/child to keep up with the cleaning. You should also get your holiday cards done this weekend. Think about how much that is to cross off your list! Woo Hoo!


On to the knitting - for your enjoyment today, may I present the finished back of Hubbo's xmas sweater. It is too big to fit into this little picture (20 inches from underarm to hip. 20 inches.), but it is done. I'm onto the first front, and I'm hoping to knit a piece a week in order to get it all done.

Those of you who haven't started your holiday knitting, or are in desperate need of ideas, today's suggestions are for men's sweaters: Jarrett, Cambridge Jacket, and Cobblestone. Two cardigans and a pullover. All relatively plain, in an effort to speed your knitting, and please the man in your life (who, if he's anything like my man, loves plain. Hubbo doesn't even like the Cobblestone pullover. Too fussy.).

Get thee some worsted weight yarn, and get started!

Tonight, for your viewing pleasure, NBC is kindly presenting the Rockettes in the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Special. Their high kicks should inspire you to knit that much faster! If that's not your cup of tea, ABC Family (with their 25 days of Christmas, one of my favorite things about the holidays!) is showing the first two Harry Potter movies today.

GOOD LUCK!