Christmas Knitting Complete

Here is a quick review of my Christmas knitting.

Trisha requested a black headband.   It was a big hit on Christmas morning. She loves how it fits (not her in the picture below.)  Kristin requested one just like it.

Blake's scarf was a fun knit and relatively fast knit.  I love how squishy it turned out.  He loves it.  It met the approval of Trisha's boyfriend who said it looks like a 'guy' scarf.

I highly recommend Sequence knitting.  All you have to do is memorize a simple sequence of stitches and knit away.  The resulting pattern is interesting and looks very complicated.  The secret is that it is not.  The hardest part is keeping track of where you are in the sequence.  Once you learn how to read the stitches it is easy.

Kristin's Marluks were a challenge.  I'm not sure if it was the gauge, the yarn or my choice to knit 2-at-a-time.  Probably a combination of all of the above.  I finished these on Christmas eve after we returned from the in-laws house, but before we left for midnight mass.  I did a quick steam block and then wrapped them.  Kristin said she likes them and will wear them in this winter to keep her feet warm in the old, drafty house that she lives in at school.

I did a few modifications on them.  First, the leg is not as long as called for.  I only did 7 inches.  Second, I did a knit toe, not a purl toe.  To be honest, that was a mistake, not a design choice.   When I got to that point, which happened to be on Christmas Eve morning, I was so anxious to get them done, I quickly scanned the pattern to see how the decreases were to occur and then started knitting.  It wasn't until after I got one done and noticed how the toe tip didn't flow nicely that I realized I was supposed to purl the toe, not knit it.  I did the heal as written just to because I didn't want the same transition as on the toe.

These socks weren't my best work.  I used Magic Loop to knit these.  You can see the jog between the sides.  I also have a gap along the spine of toe and heal.  Maybe if I had wet blocked them instead of steam blocking the stitches would have evened out a bit.

Ed has asked for a dickie.  I didn't have time to knit that before Christmas.  I also don't have the yarn.  He wants it in brown.  Last week I sat him down with me and we went through a few patterns on Ravelry and we found one that he liked.  After I run a few errands today I'll stop by my LYS and pick up the yarn for him.

My Christmas travels are done and I have 5 days off work.  My plans are to relax, read and knit for me.

I hope your Christmas was wonderful and the new year is filled with many blessings.

Happy New Year 

and 

Happy Knitting!

Merry Christmas

Just a quick note to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  Kristin and Blake are up.  Trisha and her boyfriend are on their way here.  Once they arrive we'll open gifts and have breakfast.

Christmas knitting will be blogged another day.

Christmas Knitting 2018

Christmas knitting is in crunch mode.  I decided to make Marluks for Kristin.   She lives in an old house at school.  I thought these would be good for keeping her feet warm this winter.

This pattern calls for an after-thought heel.  This is a technique I've never done before. On the pattern page in Ravelry, Andrea Mowry has a link to a video to show how she uses lifelines to hold the live stitches after she removes the scrap yarn.

I'm also making these two-at-a-time.  The gauge is tight  which is making the knitting slow.  Fortunately it is worsted weight yarn so it compensates for the slow knitting.

When I asked Blake what he wanted, he mentioned a scarf.  After work Thursday I popped over to my LYS and got some chunky yarn in a color that should match his favorite cap.  I am using a stitch pattern out of the book Sequence Knitting.  It is a simple 9 stitch repeat, but if you don't pay attention, and pay too much attention to the television before you get your rhythm, you can mess up.  I had to rip it out and restart.  Since this is chunky yarn, it is working up fast.

While I was at the LYS I found this lovely skein of BAAH.  I love the colors.  This is going to be me-knitting after I get the Christmas projects finished.

This weekend is dedicated to finishing the docorations.  We are going to have a challenge with everything placed low.  Nala has decided that under the tree is one of her favorite places to hide.

The Cat Loves Yarn

This is my oldest brother Joe.  Joe is developmentally disabled.  After Mom died, he moved in with my sister Karen.  He spends his weekends between Karen's house and the homes of my other three siblings in Cincinnati.  He handles the transitions very well and loves being with the pets at each house.  He spent Thanksgiving week with us.   He particularly loves cats and wanted to hold Nala often.  She would tolerate it for about a minute and then jump away.  To be fair, Nala doesn't tolerate being held by anyone if they are sitting down.  Joe didn't seem to be offended when she jumped away.  He was very happy when she curled up on the ottoman by his feet.

I've asked the kids what kind of knitwear they want this year.  All of them didn't seem too enthusiastic with their response.  Trisha did ask for a headband.  I was able to bang it out quickly while watching television.  It was such an easy knit I might make a few more for friend gifts.  I did modify the patter slightly.  Notes are on my Ravelry project found here.

Since I'm not pressured to get any big projects done for the kids, I'm able to work on some of my own things.  I dove into the stash and pulled out the Color Changing Cotton that I bought in August at Stitches Midwest and cast on Bellrose.  Since the threads of this yarn are not plied I have a tendency to split the yarn but the more I work with it the easier it becomes to use.  The split problem occurs most on certain rows when the tension is tighter.  As far as this pattern goes, I love it!!  It is easy to follow and the sections demarcate my progress.  This will be a nice additions to my Spring wardrobe.

After the kids and Joe left on Sunday, Ed and I put up our outside Christmas lights.  For the past couple years we had not been able to have any outside illumination because of an electrical issue.  The issue got fixed a couple months ago.  The photo below is a little blurry but I love how bright the lights are.

Kristin decided before she left to leave Nala with us.  Nala does not like being in the car.  Kristin has only a couple more weeks of school for the semester and then is going to Chicago to visit friends for a few days before coming back home for Christmas break.  She felt it would be easier on Nala to just stay.  Nala is a very attention-seeking cat.  She doesn't let us do anything that does not involve watching and petting her.  Laying on keyboard is her way of making sure we are paying attention to her instead of working on the computer.  The only reason I am able to blog right now is because I tossed her on the floor.  She's now mad at me and pouting under the couch.  Given the look in her eyes I'm sure she's plotting her revenge on my yarn.

Speaking of her revenge, while I was out Thursday evening with friends, Ed wasn't paying enough attention to her so she got into on of my balls of yarn.  I found it wrapped around the furniture in the dining room.  I wished I had taken a picture but I was a bit annoyed that Ed didn't even notice what she was doing.  Last night I untangled the mess and wound the yarn into a ball.  She was fascinated with that yarn still so I decided to quickly crochet a little cat toy for her.  It ended up being a huge hit.  She played with this 'mouse' for about an hour.  She was one tired kitty when she finally stopped.

November Travels

Because the holiday season isn't busy enough, my husband and I went on a cruise the week before Thanksgiving.  It was a 4-night cruise out of Miami.  Ed always worries about missing the cruise because of travel delays so we flew to Florida the day before.  It was an extremely early flight.  We got up at 3:30 am, got to the airport around 4:45 and was on our way by 6:00.  Being the first flight out in the morning we had to deice before taking off.  We got to see the sunrise somewhere over Kentucky.

We had a brief layover in Tampa where I enjoyed a tea and a little sock knitting.

We flew into Fort Lauderdale and spent the night at a dingy hotel.  To be fair, the bathroom and sheets were clean, but the rest of the hotel left a lot to be desired.  Even the curtains were stained!  I was so grateful that we made it out of there without getting bedbugs or experiencing some other disaster.  The lesson learned it to read the comments before booking.

On Monday we Ubered down to Miami and got on the ship.  Everything was dramatically better.

Here is our view of South Beach as we sailed out of port.

Tuesday was spent in Nassua, Bahamas.  It welcomed us with blue skies and a rainbow.

Wednesday was at the RCCL private island, Coco Cay.

Thursday was at sea.  We got to see some incredible sunsets from the balcony of our stateroom.

It was a very nice trip.  The only thing I wish were different concerned the ship.  All of the public areas were loud.  There really wasn't anywhere to sit in a quiet area and just watch the sea go by.

We lucked out going home.  We were able to get off the ship very early.  Another Uber ride back to Fort Lauderdale got us to the airport by 8:00.  Our flight wasn't scheduled until 3:00 so we asked about switching to something earlier.  Luckily we got the last two seats on a flight home connecting through Tampa.  We were home by 4:00 pm.  We learned our original flight was delayed.  We would have missed our connection and not gotten home until after midnight.

The reason for the flight delay was a weather system that swept through the Midwest on Thursday and then northeast on Friday.  When we got home we found a dusting of snow on the deck and part of our Bradford pear on the ground.  That tree has survived many windstorms.  But I guess the ice storm before it had a chance to drop its leaves was too much.

This week was Thanksgiving.  Kristin came home on Saturday (with Nala) and then Blake came home Monday evening.  He brought my brother Joe to visit for the week.  I love having the kids at home.  I enjoy having them hang out in the family room to watch tv with us or to play a game.

  I'd like to say I enjoyed Thanksgiving but that would be a lie.  Thanksgiving was always my favorite holiday.  Growing up it was always a big holiday spent with my dad's side of the family.  Everyone would come to our house and stay late into the evening.  I'm finding lately the special feeling of the day just isn't there.  This year especially.  I spent two days cooking the entire meal myself only to have the guests show up an hour before the meal, congregate around the table until the meal was served and then leave before dessert.  It was a huge let down.  I didn't even get a chance to visit with anyone.  This wasn't the first time this happened.  It happens almost every time anymore.  I guess I need to figure out of how to accept this.  I'm going to focus on the rest of the weekend and enjoy having my kids home.

Seeking a Few Quick Wins

Sweater knitting is a commitment.  At best, a project can get done in a matter of months.  Some of my sweater projects have been lingering for years.  Sadly, some will probably never reach bind off.  But, when one does reach completion and it fits perfectly and it is soft and cuddly, it is time to celebrate.  

Introducing my Weekender!

I wore it to work on Friday.  It was a grey, rainy day and the sweater was perfect.  While taking the photos, Ed commented that it looked itchy.  It is the complete opposite.  With the knit side against my skin it is super soft.  I love it so much I'm thinking about making a second one someday.

Now that Weekender is finished, I am focusing on smaller projects.

These gloves for Blake have been hibernating for over a year.  My plan is to get these done in the next week or two.  and then stash away until Christmas.  Blake asked us to give him money to go on a trip in lieu of his birthday gift.  The cost was more than we usually spend on birthday and Christmas combined. We worked out a deal which includes no big ticket item for Christmas.  I don't want him to have nothing to open at Christmas so I'll load him up with knitwear.  A pair of slippers will accompany these gloves.

Last year at Wool Gathering I was on a mission to find a skein of yarn that mirrored autumn colors.  I found a skein from Deep Dyed Yarns that was close to what I had in mind, but wasn't perfect.  A bit later I found the perfect skein, which then became my Autumn Colors socks.  Because the leaves around here are finally turning beautiful colors, I have been thinking about that first skein of yarn that I bought.  Yesterday I decided that it needed to become a Starshower cowl.

This is the second time I've knit this pattern.  I first made one back in 2015.  It was a quick, fun project which gets  a lot of compliments every time I wear it.  What I like best is that it stays put when I put it on and lays nicely over a long sleeve t-shirt.  My plan is to have this current one done by Thanksgiving.

While I was winding the yarn for the second Starshower, I wound a couple other skeins.  It is an ambitious goal, but I'd also like to turn this skein of Destination Yarn Under the Christmas Tree into another Starshower cowl.

I also wound the skein of Baah! that our daughter's cat Nala chewed.  I was happy to see that the split was near one end.  I'm not sure what it will become.  I'll see what it whispers to me.  

But it's whispers will have to wait until after Christmas.  I have plans for projects for the girls and Ed too.

Two FOs

This was a productive week.  I have two finished objects to share.

First up is my yak yarn.  This was a very long spinning project.  Probably close to a year on the wheel because I didn't get around to it very often.  Last Sunday I decided to get this done.  Here is the finished skein.  4 ounces and a bit over 450 yards.  It is very lustrous and soft.  Now I need to decide what to make with it.  I'm thinking about some gloves for me.  If there is enough left maybe also a headband.

My second finished object is the Weekender sweater.  Here it is after its soak.  I can't wait for it to dry so that I can wear it.  I already have plans to wear it to work next Friday with a pair of jeans and boots.  I have a feeling I'll wear this a lot this winter.

I have enough Woolstok left to make something else.  I also have snippets of Woolstok leftover from making the kids hats so I might do some color work.  Maybe a hat and mittens.  For me, of course, to go along with the Weekender.

So now you might be wondering what has my attention now.

On the spinning wheel is the rainbow gradient BFL I bought last month at Wool Gathering.

The braid seems to have been handled a lot.  It is a bit difficult to pre-draft.  I'm spinning the braid in the order that the colors are presented.  Once the single is finished I will chain ply to make long color runs.  It will end up as a bulkier yarn.  I'm not going to let this languish on the wheel like the yak did.  My plan is to spend at least one evening a week at the wheel.

The Weekender sweater was finished yesterday morning while watching podcasts.  During our weekly football game viewing I worked on the Oktoberfest shawl.  I finished the second repeat of the border.  Eight to go.  My goal is to have this done by Christmas.

My usual Sunday morning routine is to get up, grab the newspaper, make a pot of tea and read the paper while sipping tea.  For reasons too complicated, and stupid, to explain, we are no longer getting the paper.  So my Sunday morning routine today became knitting while watching some shows on the DVR.  Not a bad substitute.  I spent the morning with the Charlie Brown Halloween special and a PBS show about native Americans.  Relax was the project in my hands.

I am nearing the completion of the front.  I don't have a schedule for finishing this.  It will get tossed aside as I work on Christmas knitting.

Modern Shop Hop

Weekender if nearing the finish line.  The first sleeve is finished and the second sleeve is on its way.  The sleeve progress you see below was accomplished during an evening of football watching and a quiet Sunday morning with my tea.  My goal is to have this finished by November, including the blocking.  The timing is perfect because the weather has turned chilly.  We had our first frost this past week.

Once I finish this sweater my plans are to finish the Oktoberfest Shawl and then get to Christmas knitting.  I have projects queued up for the kids.

With the cooler weather this week, I found time to sit at my spinning wheel.  I finished the singles of the yak.  I let the newly spun single rest for a couple days and then started plying on Friday.  Even though I weighed and evenly divided the fiber before spinning the singles I'm not sure I have the same yardage from each spool.  We'll see when I get finished.  I may end up having to make a mini-skein if I end up with extra on one spool.

Here's a closeup of the plied yarn.  The color is a bit off in the photo, but you can see the shine.  I can't wait to see how the final yarn turns out.

Yesterday several local shops hosted the Modern Shop Hop.  My fabric enabler, Cindy, and I toured each of the stops on the tour.  One shop was a completely new discovery for me, two were old favorites and one was a long, lost friend.

Our first stop was Yarn It & Haberdashery in Grandview, Ohio. I am a regular (too regular for my wallet!!) at this shop.  The shop has a sample of the Comfort Fade Cardigan which I am totally in love with.  I bought these two lovely skeins of Baah! Sonoma to start building a stash for this sweater.   The colors in the photo are a bit washed out.  The skeins are greens on a grey base.

The second hop stop was Dabble & Stitch.  This cute, little shop in Clintonville focuses mostly on fabrics with a small sampling of yarn.  It was my first visit but it won't be my last.  The shop was demonstrating a quick craft which I will use for my sibling Christmas gifts.    The equation fabric and the Charlie Harper prints came from this stop.

The third stop was Sew to Speak in Worthington.  Sew to Speak is on of the old favorites.  The red print in the above picture came from this stop.  It is going to used an A-line t-shirt.  The pattern is one I bought last year from Sew to Speak.

The last shop on the tour was Quilt Beginnings.   Back when the kids were little, I caught the quilting bug.  I had my sewing machine set up in the dining room.  I could sew and keep an eye on the kids and dinner.  During this time I occasionally visited the original Quilt Beginnings store.  When the kids got involved in extracurricular activities, I found that quilting was not an easy take-along project.  That is when I started knitting more.  Now that the kids are out of the house, I am reacquainting myself with sewing and quilting.

Back to the shop hop.  Since I last visited Quilt Beginnings, the shop moved from the east side of the city to the northwest side.  I hadn't been to the new store, even though it has been there for several years.  I was quite overwhelmed and had trouble deciding if I wanted to buy anything.  I didn't buy any fabric but did buy a pattern for a stuffed animal.  Someday when I have grandchildren, I'll make them a softee using this pattern.

Someday.  But the kids need to finish their studies and get married first.

Weekend Plans

Fortunately the flu-like symptoms didn't last past Sunday morning.  We are able to celebrate our anniversary with a lovely dinner.  After dinner we stopped by Trisha's place so that I can see where she moved.

We are having an usually warm spell right now.  We were able to get a lot of house and yard work done on Saturday so we drove down to Hocking Hills yesterday.  We hiked around Old Man's Cave.

I forgot to take my SLR camera, but I think the photos from the phone turned out alright.

The Weekender sweater is hitting the home stretch.  The body is complete and the first sleeve is underway. 

Because my arms are shorter than the average person's, I decided to modify the rate of decrease on the sleeve.  For the size that I am making, the sleeve decreases should occur every 7th row, for a total of 13 sets of decreases.  I did 4 sets of decreases at that rate.   Then I switched to every 6th row.  

The pattern calls for the sleeve to be 14 3/4" long before adding a 2" cuff.  I plan to start the cuff as soon as I complete the last set of decreases.  That should take about 1 1/2" off the length of the sleeve.  Since I usually push up my sleeves, this will reduce the bulk around my forearm.

Is It Worth It?

Most health care professionals will say that getting a flu shot does not give you the flu.  I beg to differ.  Every year that I've gotten a flu shot, I've had some sort of side effect.  Most often it has been a few days of mild flu symptoms.  Last year it was a sore arm for several weeks.  Friday I was at the doctor's for another complaint and decided to get my flu shot while I was there.  Well, guess what.  I have felt awful since then.   I spent most of the day yesterday in bed.  Today is better, but not completely.  I've taken some medicine hoping I will feel up to going out to dinner tonight.  Today is my wedding anniversary.  29 years for Ed and me.  I should have thought through the flu shot more carefully.  Not sure if getting it when I did was worth possibly sacrificing my anniversary dinner.

Feeling under the weather yesterday got me out of helping Trisha move.   Ed went over to help move the big pieces of furniture. She and her boyfriend are moving in together.  We've been keeping her cats for a couple weeks during the transition.  In the evening Trisha came over with their new puppy, Duke, to watch the Ohio State-Penn State football game.  He is a cutie, but he's going to be big.  He's a mix of Mastiff, Cane Corso and Pit Bull.  He snuggled next to me while Trisha and Ed ran out to get our dinner.

The cats weren't too sure what to think about the cat.  They could smell him and would get close to look.  But not too close.  During the football game, Trisha had the puppy with her on the couch.  The cats decided it was more interesting to watch out the window.  I told her that they are not going to like having a puppy around.  And they probably won't snuggle with her like they did in her old apartment.

The OSU-Penn State game was an exciting game.  OSU won.  I'm not sure how but they did.  I worked on Weekender during the game.  A couple more rows and I'll start the short row shaping for the neckline.

My goal has been to get this done before cooler weather hits.  Summer is officially gone and the temperatures are following suit.  Daytime temperatures are still hitting the 70s F so it is too warm for sweaters.  At the rate that I knit, I should have this done by November.  

Then it is on to other knitting projects.  I have a few candidates in the wings.  We'll see later which one wins.  There will be a new cast on, guaranteed.  And I'll try to get a UFO finished.  Relax was my car project last week.  It is also close to the finish line.  If I devote myself to that I will have two new sweaters for the winter.