I gave up...

I finished one turtle today (# 8) -- it was going to be a "gag" type gift for a friend, and I was going to make another turtle for another friend (#7) ... but if I have to knit ONE MORE turtle leg/head, I'm going to throw something!!! ha ha! And considering that I use double-pointed needles to knit these, I think its safer to just give up. The first turtle is now going to be my youngest's turtle -- a birthday present. It's finished, and I am not even going to rip out the one and a half legs I had started on the second turtle -- I'm just rescuing my needles from them and tossing them into a back corner of my yarn storage. Sorry no pictures yet -- I wrapped the turtle for baby boy's birthday already.

Item #5 is just NOT turning out like I had hoped -- its a primitive angel (free pattern on the LTK website). I used KP merino style, and I should have used peace fleece -- the merino is just too sproingy. The angel is refusing to stand up correctly. This was to be a gift for the family we are having Christmas dinner with. It will now be stuffed and the bottom sewn shut and given to my daughter (probably for her birthday in March).

Item #4 is the pair of Heart socks I started forever ago for my sister. And guess what, folks -- they are DONE! that's right -- after months of having one sock done and a couple weeks of being to the heel flap of the second sock, I finished the thing in a day. Pictures coming later.

So, I've got ONE thing left on my list, instead of four. Baby boy's blanket (#10) -- which, ladies and gents, is very VERY close to being done. I am handsewing the binding to the backside of the blanket edge (the front was machine sewed down). I am halfway finished, and then just have to get some embroidery floss to put ties in for the quilting. Then a quick trip through the washer/dryer. Ahhhh....

So, its not what I'd planned -- but instead of stressing about knitting Christmas gifts, I was able to go away with my darling husband this weekend for our fifth anniversary. We had a marvelously relaxing time, and I'm so glad we were able to get away. Today I will finish baby boy's blanket (and yes, he's still a baby, even though he'll be a whole year old tomorrow), and do some baking. We'll open Christmas gifts with the children tonight after supper, and tomorrow have a great day of relaxing and celebrating (both Christmas and baby's birthday!) with friends.

p.s. Baby boy is just going to love his turtle to bits and pieces. :D

Dare I even think it???

Dare I even let the thought cross my mind? Might I actually FINISH?

#9 - Emma's hat (yes, I know, out of order again -- I have to keep myself interested!). Zen String's Nirvana Bulky in "Parfait" knit up in LTK's Rushty! pattern. I almost scratched my eyes out making this hat -- because I did the entire thing on 8" size 11 dpn's. ARG -- never again!!! I got my shipping notice today from Knit Picks -- my 16" circs are on their way. Other than the needle issue, the yarn was lovely, the pattern is great -- a super quick knit! The hat took me just a couple hours.

#2 - Amanda's pants. These were a trade, with yarn sent by her. Lovely to knit with! The pair on the left is BBR, and the pair on the right is Zen String Sutra.

A close-up of the ruffle cuff on the BBR pair -- two rounds of seed stitch, then an increase round. Then stockinette for 5 rounds, a double crochet bind off, and a crochet edging.

Not on the list, but I managed to get a good picture of all three!!! Merry Christmas to me!

Only 11 days til Christmas...

What in the world have I been up to??? Well, lots! But I can't fit it all in one post, so I'll have to catch up on the last two and a half months gradually!

For right now, I'm working on a list of things to get done before Christmas. I'm trying not to think about how few days there are left until Christmas (which also happens to be my youngest's first birthday). I'm also trying not to focus too much on how many items are left on my list. Or how many things I have to do besides what is on the list. The list, by the way, is merely the items I need to knit or sew by then. So you see, its just the tip of the iceberg...

#1 -- Katya's hat. This has regretably taken much longer than I had hoped it would. I was hoping it would be keeping Katya's head warm already. But it is finished now and shipping out this afternoon. LTK's "Rhythm Cloche" pattern and Manos del Uruguay yarn in "Wildflowers." My daughter loves it -- I hope Katya will too!!

#3 - Booga Bag (yes, I'm aware I skipped number two -- its nearly done, I promise. but there was a deadline for shipping on this one). Knit BIG!!! 50 stitches by 40 rows for the bottom, and up, up, up from there! The thing looked monstrous before felting. Its a lovely size now -- Just a smidge smaller than my diaper bag. Knit from Berkshire Bulky -- the body is "Blue Ming" and the straps are "Fuchsia." I think it turned out great -- hopefully the recipient will agree!!

This, my friends, is not on the list -- but I wish it was!! For my birthday, my parents sent me some money, which I spent on a learn to spin kit. I'm so very excited about it!! This is my first few spinnings -- bottom is my very first, middle is second, top is last. I think I'm getting a bit better!!! I'm starting to save now for a spinning wheel, and as soon as the holidays are past and I've finished my list, I'll be back to drop spindling nightly. I'll also be back to regularly visiting Webs to play with the spinning wheels there.

And again, not on the list, but this is our Christmas tree for this year! It was a family project last night, and the kids had a blast doing it. So glad that we did this!

And now -- back to knitting the list....