the knitting buzz

month end, year end, new year

The holidays do put much into perspective. We hurry & rush, knit-knit-knit, eat too much, spend too much, party too much, knit-knit-knit, rush & hurry..... until we are exhausted. 

But in the end.....

Spending cherished time with loved ones, both young and old is what its really all about. 

I took time off between the holidays to spend time with family and in the back into knitting up my own designs.  Spending the better part of November and December knitting gifts of socks, hats, scarves and monsters all for loved ones, I was due to get in some serious lace knitting. 

Best intentions, right?  Right!  For Christmas, I recieved a Kindle Fire HD. Merry Christmas to me.  I think I may be the last (or nearly the last) person on the planet to have a reader/pad/tablet device.  It wasn't even on my "must - have" list or on my radar.  BUT I love it!.... WHO KNEW...... well someone knew.  Thank you Dawn!

 
So instead of knitting as planned, I have been downloading apps, videos/movies, books, games and more.  I am actually  READING A BOOK  (not just listening). As much fun as this has been.....like a new toy......it has taken away from my knitting time. 

Don't get me wrong, I'm really not complaining, because I am loving my Kindle Fire and still have so much to learn about getting the most out of it.

So this is the time of year when we resolve to do better, not a bad thing to do, I suppose........but can feel rather defeating at times.  Instead of trying to tackle an entire year, I think I will give myself goals for January. 

In January, I would like to:

• publish a pattern
• blog weekly
• read a book
• listen to 2 books
• knit often
• play more
• love more
• eat less

I am sure I will edit this list, hopefully for the better and to be even more productive.  But until then......

Happy New Year!

holiday update

I can't believe it, my holiday knitted gifts are nearly complete. Admittedly, less knitted gifts than previous years, but nearly complete.

A scarf, a hat, a monster, some face cloths and socks.  Toddler sized house socks for cold hardwood floors, pictured below.

 

As I write this..... it sounds so lame, even to me.  But I promised myself I would keep it to a minimum and indeed, minimal it is. 

On the flip side....

I have 5 lace projects on the needles, 2 new and 3 repeats.  As for the repeats, this is something I usually never do....but liberally started new projects with yarn that had been  previously wound into balls intended for other designs that did not work out. this yarn now seemed to be well suited for some designs I know... a good feeling to use up some stash.   

The repeats are:

• Portofino now in Wollmeise Lace Garn, 
• Perpetua now in Mountain Colors Winter Lace and
• Pebbly now in Habu Stainless Steel & Silk......funny the 3 P's....PERFECT! 

With the holiday knits nearly done, I can work on getting the many lace projects moving. 

As for the new lace projects, one is my Lazy River project (working name) in Miss Babb's Yasmin Lace (Yasmin is my new favorite lace yarn). Lazy River is about 60% complete, I can't wait to finish it and get it blocked. Its been a fun project.  I love the wavy edge.

One of my test knitters has tried Lazy River in a fingering weight and another in an aran weight (shown repectively).  And both look super great. 



This is so exciting!  I love that the patten looks so good regardless of being lacy or bulky.  I may actually make this pattern as a scarf with some worsted weight merino/alpaca yarn that I have. 

Will share more later about the other new design, its in a beautiful mohair that I couldn't resist casting on.  who could blame me? 

Happy Holiday Gift Knitting!