Christmas knitting and unfinished work

It has been a long week and will continue to be a long month. I have a summer class that starts next week for three full days and then for three more full days a week later called using research in education. I had been debating about what to do whether to take more time off for vacations or take this class. The weather has done absolutely nothing to cooperate so I decided to take the class. So, I have been reading the $101 book getting ready for the first day. $101 for this fairly small book - it was a little hard to hand over the cashola for that. So, given all this deep thinking I'll be doing, I figured I needed some easy knitting. I started a hat for a gift - I think it is the very warm hat from Opinionated Knitter. I am using my favorite yarn for this - Nature Spun Worsted Weight in scarlet and charcoal. Depending on how this works out, I will maybe make this double thickness. Although I really like having a tassle. This will be the beginning of some presents. Maybe people will see some things that end up under the Christmas tree.



I don't want to get too far away from these other unfinished projects because it is so hard to get back into them later. I have three projects in this state of unfinishedness - which is a lot for my usual knitting style. I like to see how the projects turn out and usually finish things up. The tilted duster is difficult to finish because I am nervous about how it is turning out. The arms are pretty tight - I did see others on Ravelry discussing this, but went ahead with no modifications. I also had a difficult time picking up the number of suggested stitched on the neck, so it doesn't lay as it should. It flops over more into a shawl collar, which I guess is ok. I only have finishing left. One sleeve is on and I can tell the fit is not doing to be so great. Oh well, I am on a diet. The skirt part will be flattering though.

And I have a sock to finish - in Knitpicks Bare Donegal - very pretty.


And I started the Josephine top - it a fairly easy pattern to follow, but I am a little nervous about it. I think it is is the lack of big success with the tilted duster. I find that I get the best results with EZ patterns when I really understand what's happening. I do really like the yarn - I am using hempathy in a gray (not too crazy about the color yet)


As I look at these crummy pictures, I don't know why they are so oversaturated - ok, well I know why, I just don't know how to fix it. And I am completely uninspired to take good photos.

New closet

We have a new closet nearly finished and all we need to do now is put in shelving and access doors. Those two spaces on the left are access to our whirlpool tub, so we need to be able to get in there in the future in case of electrical or water problems. See the nice light? This is going to be our linen closet and once I get linens moved into this closet, that means we have vacated different closet space for clothing - a very much needed space. (That and a few trips to Goodwill.)



I just watched Sweeney Todd and I can't believe the number of fingerless mittens. Helen Bonham Carter and Johnny Depp wore several different pair of them throughout and Johnny even had a pair of leather mitts, but of course I have been interested in the knitted versions. There was a lace mitt and something that looked like seed stitch. Very nice. Aside from the fingerless mittens, the movie was very good - I had not heard the music before which I liked well. I really liked Helena Bonham Carter's acting and singing who claims she can't sing, but I thought it was great for her character.

Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell

I finished the Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell and it has been too cold to wear it. It was rather difficult to get gauge and in the end I used a size 8 so that I could get a size 38 instead of 36 or 40 which are the sizes the pattern provided. The sizing turned out pretty well.



As per usual, I decided to do something and have gone perhaps a little overboard, but that's my way. I have been walking about 20 miles per week for awhile now, but I haven't been seeing the results that I'd like to. That coupled with the original pictures of myself in the Lutea Lace Should Shell has inspired me to get serious about weight loss. So, I dived back into group fitness classes and started on weightwatchers points again. This requires a little bit of self-confidence, because the instructors and many of the fellow exercisers are under 25 years old. I have been doing water aerobics, cardiodance, and yoga.

The yard is really coming along with all the rain, but it's been difficult finding a window of opportunity to clean the yard. There are grass clippings and spinners from maple trees everywhere. Here are some pictures mainly for the benefits of my out of town relatives who haven't seen the summer landscaping lately.

Bridal Veil


Ninebark and Russian Sage


Red Twig Dogwood, Potentilla, and Little Giant


Niobe Clematis

Wilkommen, bienvenue, welcome

I've been offline awhile now - many computer troubles, finishing my OD class, and who knows where the time goes anyway. But tonight....I am going to see Cabaret at the Ordway Center in St. Paul. This is a step up culturally for me from the MN Rollergirls which is held right next door to the Ordway. But, this does have 'mature themes and sexual content'. So that's good.

I don't have any pics to show at the moment, but I am nearly done with the Tilted Duster. I have to pick up stitches for the collar and then that's that. I finished all but the collar in just a couple weeks. Cascade 220 is so easy to work with. I have to say, even all that ribbing didn't slow me down. And I am almost done (three of four lacey shoulder pieces to go) with the Lutea Lace-Shoulder Shell. That's being done on size 7s in Plymouth Fantasy Natural in a red. It might be my first tank type item that I really like. I tried it on mid-way and not too bad...the cotton isn't quite as figure-forgiving as wool.

I hope to have some camping pictures soon too. We picked up a bunch of new camping equipment. We have backpacking gear, but we're about to hit the woods in style - in a 12x18 foot tent. I found a propane propelled blender - for margaritas in the woods. I also found stainless steel bar service. The main motivation for all the new stuff is so we can camp easily and frequently for long weekends and use our telescopes and binocs.

Not much to report

I am started another pair of socks from Knitting Vintage Socks. They are turning out really well - using Knitpicks Bare on size 0s circulars. I translated the pattern from dpn's to circs and this is an easy task. If this seems conceptually confusing at all, just read Socks Soar on Two Circular Needles by Cat Bordhi and you'll be set.



I am taking a break from these socks to start the Tilted Duster from the Fall 2007 Interweave Knits. I am using Cascade 220 and I hope I can get gauge with either 8s or 10s (recommended, but I knit fairly loosely). I bet I have some straight 9s - I haven't knit on needles this large in eons and I am looking forward to this going fairly smoothly. If it turns out I need 9s, I may need to wait till tomorrow - we're having yet another Minnesota weather advisory and the closest place to my house has bad needles. We started with rain, not slush, and windy. Everyone in Minnesota's getting a little more than sick of winter and can't wait to feel some warm sun.

Winter house progress: my new living room ceiling.



ta da!