Still Working on it.

I got the Christmas cards ready to go into the mail this evening. I'm trying to get at least 1 Christmas related task finished each evening so that I don't get into the "hurry up and finish" mode that usually sets in every year. DH and I spent the weekend scrubbing down rooms to prepare the house for the holidays. The outside decorations are up and I'll decorate the inside this weekend. I have the shopping nearly done. All that's left is baking and present wrapping. I hope I decide to wrap the presents before Christmas Eve this year. On many most Christmas Eves I've locked myself in my bedroom all afternoon and wrapped all of the presents. I keep trying to convince myself to wrap gifts as I purchase them but I must be a tough cookie. I can't even convince myself to do it. Procrastination is my strong suit.

Yep, I still need to sew the buttons on a sweater that I'm gifting for Christmas. I've had the knitting all done since September but haven't totally finished it. I think I picked up the buttons in October. I'd hate to ruin my reputation and have something done months in advance.

I'm still working on the sleeves for the Norewegian sweaters for my granddaughters. I'm almost half way up the 2nd of 4. I knit another 1 1/2 baby Jaywalker socks. The same yarn and the same colorway as the previous pair. I'd like to start another pair of socks for myself but don't allow myself to cast on 'till I finish the baby Jaywalkers. I've gotten to the last partial repeat before the lace of the Icarus shawl, another project without a deadline so I work on it when the spirit moves me. I'd get more knitting done if it weren't for working and getting ready for the holiday.

I purchased some of Knit Picks double pointed needles in size 0 and size 1 for myself and my son to use when knitting socks. It seems like we're both hard on wooden needles of these sizes. I got some for me and purchased 2 sets for him. It's had to share knitting needles. I haven't tried them yet but they look really nice. I like the points on them. I also ordered a set of Size 3 Circulars (24 inch). I think they'll be nice for lace knitting. The points seem sharp for doing yarn overs and the cables seem flexible. Nope, haven't actually tried them yet either. While I was browsing around Knit Picks needles, I thought I try some of the Options. I got 24 inch and 32 inch cable and needle tips in sizes 5,6, and 7. I thought I'd give them a try and see how I like them. I'll let you know when I give them a go.

Well, off to work on a sleeve for the rest of the evening.

Oh, I forgot to show you ...

I knew that there was something else that I knit and forgot to mention. I started this sweater after I finished the Christening gown for my granddaughter (See the Flicker badge in the sidebar). I decided to knit a sweater for DH and give it to him for his birthday in September.

My DD asked how I was going to be able to knit a sweater without him seeing it. I told her, "Since I've been making things for years, he's kinda gotten used to seeing me make things and doesn't ask what I'm making or for whom I'm making it". I told DD that I could probably sit in right in front of him and knit an entire sweater and he would never notice. I began the sweater and as I was progressing up the body, DH said "What are you making?" Ahhh... "A sweater" was my reply. Then he asked "Who's it for?" Ahhh, he never asks!!! I told him I was making it for our son for Christmas. Okay, I lied! So, when I got the sweater nearly finished I told DH that our son has long arms and asked DH if he would try the sweater on so that I could see if the sleeves would be long enough. He kindly obliged. I finished the sweater, blocked it and promptly packed it in a box and put it away, that was in March. In September I gave him his birthday present. His remark, "Why did you give me Steve's sweater?" I had to 'fess up and explain the whole thing to him. Leson Learned: don't think someone isn't paying attention just because it seems like they aren't.

I especially like the neckline on this sweater. It actually looks much better on a person. When DH wears it I'll take a picture and show you.

The pattern is from Alice Starmore's Fisherman's Sweaters and the pattern is Cornwall. I love the patterns in this book and would love to make more sweaters from it. Someday I probably will. I used Elann Peruvian Highlad wool in Celery. I love the color of this yarn! It's slightly green but in some lighting looks tan. DH seemed to like the sweater too! I hope he gets a lot of wear out of it.

DS was home over the weekend and I convinced him to help me make Apple pies. I told him that if he helped, he could take one back to school with him. I had him peel the apples while I mixed pie dough. I figure anyone who likes to eat should learn to cook. He didn't seem to mind helping out and around here it's not strange to find a male person in the kitchen cooking. We ended up with 2 pies and I kept my promise and let him take one of them.

While we were making the pies, I told DS that I was going to take his picture and "blog it". I always keep my promises!

I finished one entire sleeve for my Norwegian sweaters, 3 more to go!

Where have I been, where am I now?

Okay, so I haven't blogged in ages. The time span gets longer between entries. I really have to do something about this, like quit procrastinating!

Where have I been? Since you've asked, here goes. I finished the Fiber Trends Sheep Tote for the Church picnic and filled it with goodies. The auction was held and there were bids on the bag. It went to the highest bidder, that's how auctions work. Here is a picture of the FO and it's contents.

And here is a picture of the contents of the bag laid out.

There is a little bit of eveything for someone with an interest in knitting.

I've also finished....
The Gentleman's Fancy socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. I made these for my DH. He wore them to work one day and said that they were too warm. That might be because it's been about 70 degrees F. around here which is not normal for November. The socks probably won't be too warm for him when winter sets in, which I'm sure is coming soon.

Where am I on the Irish Moss Sweater? I finished knitting the sweater and still have to sew on the buttons and block it. I'll take a picture and post it when I quit procrastinating and finish it.

I've also finished the socks I made from the Yarn Harlot's sock recipe. These were made with Opal sock yarn in the Flamingo colorway. I'd definitely use this pattern again.

I'm still plugging away on Icarus but progress is slow because I decided to make Norwegian sweaters for my granddaughters. Yes, that is plural. I'm making 2 matching sweaters. I think the girls will look adorable running around in matching sweaters. I'm also taking advantage of doing this while they are still young. They may not like matching each other when they get older.
I have, as you can see, the bodies done and have started the first of 4 sleeves. The patter is from Dalegarn # 136. I'm using Baby Ull and size 0 and size 2 circular and DP needles. The sweaters will be cardigans (you can see the area for the steeks if you enlarge the picture). I have to admit, I've never done Fair Isle knitting before and I've yet to do steeks. I guess I like to jump in with both feet.

I'd love to make matching Tams to go with the sweaters. I figure I better concentrate on finishing the sweaters first.

I took a break on the sweaters, between the bodies and the start of sleeves, and made this adorable pair of socks.

I ended up using a variety of patterns to come up with them. They are based on the Jaywalking pattern by Grumperina. I looked at April's Baby Jaywalkers pattern on and decided to use some ideas from that pattern but heavily based the sizing and shape of the sock on Marks & Kattens pattern #03115. The yarn is Marks & Kattens Clown; colorway 1787. I used size 2 DP needles.

Since I last chatted with you, my DH and I went to Las Vegas for our 30th wedding anniversary. It was the 1st week of November and the weather was terrific!
We stayed at the Excalibur Hotel and Casino. It is amazing how much "Bling" is going on in Vegas. We spent the mornings taking walks to see the strip and spent the afternoons sitting around the pool. Of course we did a bit of gambling, saw a few shows and had some great meals. I'd say a good time was had by all.

We had a very nice Thanksgiving. Dinner was just DH, DS, my father and me. My daughter, son-in-law and their girls came over for the evening to share desert with us. It's always fun when they arrive, the girls keep things entertaining. It's not that the adults aren't entertaining, but a 1 year old and a 3 year old are much more fun than adults. We gave the girls an Advent calendar that has doors that open for each day. Each of the doors have little treats inside. Anna thought it would be a good idea to open the all the doors on Thanksgiving day. We packed the calendar back up in its box - out of sight out of mind! As of Friday, she's been allowd to open a door each day.

Claire certainly enjoyed the pumpkin pie! I hear it is excellent for your complexion.