Does anybody else feel like Christmas completely snuck up this year? And I don't seem to have the energy to do the things I normally do. The presents are wrapped, mostly, but I'm not completely done shopping, though I am getting close.
I haven't made any cookies, and I don't plan to. We haven't done cards, and I'm not sure if I'm going to get to that either. I am not lacking in the Christmas spirit, but I am somehow rebelling against the feeling that there are these things I HAVE to do to prepare for the holiday. That isn't what it's about (the holiday, I mean) and I'm feeling that pretty strongly this year so I'm trying not to push myself to do things just because I feel like I should, I'm worried if I do that I really will lose my Christmas spirit and I don't want that to happen.
I am supposed to be test knitting for Anne, except the first yarn I tried (that I loved) totally didn't get gauge, and the second was a dark blue which shows up fine in pictures, but really looks too dark for the pattern in real life. Here is a supremely blurry pic
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Anyway. I decided, after much deliberation, to order a grey that I think will show the pattern better and ultimately be more wearable. Handy that webs offered free shipping last week, it was right on cue!
I also finished the drops sweater #4563.98 or whatever the heck it's called. Again, grainy photos, must be the light.
I altered the sleeves to be narrower, they were crazy baggy. I redid one sleeve 3 times to get it right. I also made the sleeves full length instead of 3/4.
I like it, but I have to admit I like Tang better.
That could be influenced by the crazy cold & rainy day we're currently having, tang is just cuddlier...
I think this will look nice with a black turtleneck under it, it will show off the lace/cable patterning on the yoke.
Just a few more things to finish up. With Jocelyn's help I picked out a yarn to bring with me on our trip to Belgium (in May) to make Icarus with, Kami Bison Lace, Bamboo, Merino & Bison, so soft, so pretty.
I am quite happy with this selection, now I just have to wait until May to knit it. Hmf.
Heather and I decided to do a non-secret pal swap this year and we just sent our packages last week, I got mine on Thursday - look at all the pretty things!
She made me the Transition Mitts (that's what they're called, right?), I had asked for fingerless mitts I could take to work and wear with almost anything b/c it gets super cold in my office.
It's hard to take a pic of one's hand with the other hand. Pretty, no? I love them. They are perfect!
There was lots of yummy chocolates, these adorable little knit mittens, some Unicorn fibre wash which I used yesterday for the blue sweater and I liked it, the smell is a little stronger than soak, but I don't mind it.
There is a gorgeous shawl pin (wooden, on the left), which to be completely honest I opened the package and thought "why on earth would she send me a hair pick? she knows I have no hair!" lol - um...yeah. Where my brain was - not exactly sure.
A yummy candle, the interweave weekend issue and the orange-y yarn (which really is more like a deep coral) is twisted sister's lace to make Ann Bud's lace scarf in there, gingerbread cookie mix, and some deep purple, v fine lace weight - there is 1500 yards in that 100 gram skein! Thank you Heather! Who need secret pal swaps when my real pal knows me so much better? That was fun!
And now here is the scarf I made for her:
Wow. That table is really white!
That is Juno, from Knitty, by Miriam Felton in Fearless Fibers Sock, I think it turned out quite nicely.
And now we're all caught up!



