Startitis

Okay, so I have a wicked case of startitis. Maybe it's the cold weather, I couldn't tell you. Today it's really windy and Really cold. I am thinking about going back to bed just to warm up my feet.

Anyway, I finally finished the hat and scarf set.

grr, that picture looks even worse than I thought it would. (Don't mind me, I'm having an argument with my digital camera and if it doesn't shape up soon, it will be in the trash can before dinner!)

Its made with Moda Dea Richochet yarn. I had some onhand that I got on clearance and I sort of like the hat and scarf but it's not my style. I'm not sure who I will give it to so I am putting it away for Christmas. Never hurts to be prepared.

Since I finished that and I only had one pair of socks on the needles:

Purple Rotating Rib socks. (Toe up) I will have to post the stats on the yarn later because I don't have it with me right now. They're fun but not really a ignore-what-you're-doing kind of sock because they are rotating so you have to remember to rotate. Plus I'm getting a little sick of them.

So, I decided that before the winter blahs get me down, I should get out my beautiful STR Sock Yarn that I ordered last spring. I'm trying so hard to cut back on the sock yarn in the stash. I have a really cute little tin bucket that sits next to my knitting spot and I have made myself a rule that all my sock yarn needs to fit inside it. One day, I'll remember to take a picture of it.

Right now, the thing is overflowing. Because of that, I wish, I really wish that this STR yarn wasn't so great. No offense to the lovely people over there at Blue Moon Fiber Arts but I really wish their website wasn't calling my name. I followed our lovely Harlot's advice and used the Feather and Fan Socks Pattern from Socks, Socks, Socks.

I didn't get the same results.

I don't completely hate them but I don't really love them either. The yarn is a beautiful color that's called Lemongrass that is sublime. Very springy and makes me not hate the gray outside quite so much. I am knitting them on US Size 2 needles and they are swirling very strangely. Within the color (you can't really tell) they do change. There's the brownish mixed in with the yellow and lighter greens mixed together but I can't decide if I want to keep it or rip it. Last night while thinking about it, I just kept knitting. I am apparently a glutton for punishment.

I'll let you know the fate of these another day and I'll post my other new projects when I am not arguing with the camera.

Warm, Cozy wool is my friend today

So, the weather advisory for this morning said that exposed skin freezes in 15-20 minutes. This isn't good. I have decided that I won't be leaving the warmth and safety of the house today. It actually took the promise of some nice, hot coffee to even get me out of my warm, cozy bed.
The thermometer outside of the kitchen window says -20 and that doesn't take into account the wind chill. It's cold. Way too cold. Crazy cold. This is the kind of day when you are very happy you are a knitter and have a house filled almost to the brim with wool. I'm pretty sure that I will just be snuggling up with some of that lovely wool today. I am really trying to be strong and work on projects that are already started. It's not entirely easy. The biggest thing I am trying to finish right now is the Red and blue scarf and hat set. The hat is done and I am just trying to run out of the yarn on the scarf. It's taking some willpower though. Not only do I long for the new projects, I think they might be calling my name, but I am dying with the length of the rows. I don't know what compelled me to think it was a good idea to knit a scarf the long way. Plus it's garter stitch so it's really boring. I find myself wishing for some fiddly, tiny lace knitting. Which is a good thing because the other thing I want to finish is my Mystery Stole 3.
Anyway, off to play with my wool now.

Ah the frozen fingers, how the make typing interesting

So, I realized today that I may be getting just a wee bit lazy in terms of blogging. Of course the whole reason I started to blog is to share my projects with the world. Or at least keep a record for myself, complete with pictures. If I don't write things, how will I keep a record? Hmm, interesting thought.
What's been going on that I haven't been blogging? Well, nothing really. I got the cold to end all colds that appears to be spreading like wildfire around the blogging world. If you haven't got it, take your Vitamin C, you for sure don't want it. I am starting to feel better but the old nose still won't stop with the constant streaming so I'd better not go very far from a tissue, like Ever! Grrr. Hubby even got a bit of it and missed a couple of days of work. It's also been so cold around here it's ridiculous. I find myself getting up for awhile to play on the computer or you know, do things to keep the health department from coming in to tell us we can no longer wallow in the filth or cook something and then I get so cold that I can't feel my extremities and go back to bed for several hours. The excessive sleeping I'm sure is in large part to the cold but I don't seem to be getting a whole lot done lately.
I did hear a story about some bloggers who are setting 12 goals this year to create twelve things. I like that although I don't think I want to set them all at once.
I will start by saying that I want to finish my mystery stole 3. It would be helpful if, you know, it was done before #4 started. Then I have that red and blue scarf and hat set. I have been working on that for over a year and it's not that difficult, I should just finish it. My trouble with the motivation on this one is that I don't know who to give it to. I created an interesting design and while I like it, I know it isn't my taste and I won't wear it, but who to give it to is quite a conundrum. Hmm, well, I'm off to do a little of that cooking and then probably back to bed to warm up the toesies.
By the way, yes our heat is on and the cold I am feeling is through flannel pajama pants, handknit wool socks, slippers, a t-shirt and a large sweatshirt. I promise that it isn't imagined.

Yay! New things are done

So, I did remember that I promised a picture of all the flame hats together. So, without further ado, here they are.


I made the red/black one first and I think it turned out well. Then the blue/black one and finally the green/black one. I think they all worked out well and they were all very well received. As a matter of fact, they didn't believe that I knitted them at first. My brother asked where he could buy another one. hee hee.

I haven't just been sitting on my thumbs though. I have been doing some knitting.

I now present the very first post-Christmas finished object. A pair of socks for me! Finally, I can knit things for myself and not feel guilty. Yes, those are my pajama pants, yes it is almost 10:00 am. Wanna make something of it? I actually made the foot a little long on these. I think a washing will help them to snug up though. They are kind of weird colors but very pretty and springish. About this time of year I totally get into the sunshine-y and green colors because I start getting bored with all the white and brown outside. I may have to order something orangey soon to quell the need for spring.
I do have another pair started but I am going to work on finishing up some projects before starting a bunch of new stuff. One thing I really want to finish is my Mystery Stole. It's so pretty and I just want it to be done so that I can show it off.

Looking back and looking forward

The family Christmas celebrations are finally dwindling down. We do actually still have one left. It's on the 20th but it's really more of a chance for the family to get together than a "Christmas Party" it's with my husband's side of the family and they're pretty reserved so it will be a meal and a few board games and it will be time to go home.
On Sunday we had the big family Christmas for my side. As is our tradition, we watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It so epitomizes our family's holiday celebrations. It never works out the way you think it will. Something always falls apart but in the end all that matters is that we are all together. That's how it always is. We had lots of things to celebrate this year. My cousin had her baby. A healthy little girl. I got to hold her and she was so sweet and snuggly, I could have kept her. Another cousin got engaged. She's marrying the man she's been living with for several years. It's great. Happy times for all.
As the year changes to a new calendar, I'm always reminded of how blessed my family is. We are all in good health. In the last year, two uncles had terrible accidents. Both of them are fine. We could have easily lost one or both of them but they are still with us. We have new beginnings, a baby and a new marriage coming soon and it's a wonderful thing.
Here's to a new year that's as full of promise as the previous years.

Ah, the sighs of relief

So, the holidays are finally over. I did manage to finish the last sock on the morning of Christmas Eve. At least it was before we had to leave the house.
I haven't been around much because of the many holiday celebrations and the nasty cold thing that has it's fickle little grip on me.
Hubby and I are starting a "healthier living" thing. It involves more exercise and eating right. In order to get on track I'm logging our calories and so, planning and cooking healthy meals and logging in our calories has taken up some of my time. Hubby is sick too and we all know how men can be when they are sick.
"I don't feel well, wait on me hand and foot despite the fact that you are sick too." Actually, he's not too bad, but I am the official household soup-maker. Luckily, it's been canned soup lately since I haven't felt like doing anything.
I should have at least one finished thing next week. Until then, happy knitting.