Handwarmers times 2

My good friend Mrs. B. has a niece visiting this holiday who is just 8 years old. A sweet girl who I was supposed to see at Christmas. I asked my friend if I knit her a pair of handwarmers what would be some good color options.

Pink. So I went with a bright pink. It seemed like a fun accent color and striped it with a bright purple. I didn't have enough pink in worsted weight to make them and I did not have the time for fingering weight  so I took a quick trip to the LYS and made it out of there with supplies for 2 girls with specific colorway requests. (I'm still working on the other pair for my other little friend).

I also managed to get out of there without buying any sock yarn (pats on the back for me).

The week leading up to Christmas was so busy.

Knitting time was thin. However I found a little time to discover half way through the first mitt I produced was going to be too big. I haven't done this pattern in a while to really consider the modifications. In my mind Small = Kid. duh, Ellen, duh.

Well I had to finish it. Just to be sure. Then I cast on again. 11pm Christmas Eve. LOL 

I finished 1 mitt in time, but I had only finished the cuff of the 2nd mitt 1/2 an hour till we needed to be at our friends' home. But now I have 2 pairs for her. Maybe one for her and her Mom?

The yarn is extremely soft acrylic -- I figure they can be easily chucked in the wash. However I have not knit with 100% acrylic in a long time and forgot how stiff it can be after a  while.

This week at work has been quiet, which is nice in some respect for re-entry, but it's also ... disorienting. To be honest, I am constantly trying to circle back to things and nothing is getting done efficiently. I am rereading the same passages and reviewing the same lines in the spreadsheet. This week is a wash. I will be happy with anything ticked off the to-do list.

I look forward to the weekend where I am going to take some Aleve, sleep and knit, and eat rice and oranges. Well, I do need to go visit Dad, deal with the laundry situation and ...

Get it done to have some fun. xoxo

Wednesday Work in Progress

I finished the first sock of Xmas socks 2017. I got really excited about making some tracks this past weekend, despite all the busy I had going on, alas. I hit a snag.

Literally.

I think bouncing around in my bag things happened to my ball of yarn. I spent TWO night at TWO hours each untangling.

I am now down to this:

Here is a close-up.

I'm irritated.

I sent the image to my friend, Clare. See that's her when she rescued me from another rough day last week where my wallet was misplaced on my day off (fell out of my pocket in a co-worker's car). I had found it at this point so we went to lunch and did our best to feel like all is right in the world.

Anyways, Clare is one of those knitters that loves a good knot. It makes perfect sense. She goes full obsessive over puzzles. I like puzzles and I like yarn, but not like that. We had one knit club meeting where she spent half of it sorting out a ball for me.

Anyhow, I texted her and said, "Tell me the truth Dr. am I going to have to cut it out to resume knitting?" She recommended a little tapestry needle action, maybe dampening the bit if that fails before I cut my losses. (See what I did there?)

How do you feel about the tangle? Do you go beserk? Get Zen? Do you seek out other people's knotted yarn because it brings you such joy to work on it? 

Kathy's Monday Q&A

I started reading Kathy's post and thought, I'm gonna post this one. Then I started reading the comments and started randomly commenting on other people's comments. Maybe too much mint chocolate in me, ha!

Here we go kids:

*Have you asked your kids to do something you wouldn’t do?

I have one kid, but I'm seeing the appeal of having multiple children to make multiple entertaining requests. I don't really think I ask him to do much outside of my own comfort zone except for try not to be nervous about something when I personally have to do a lot to manage my anxiety. I think he's getting wise to my shtick though.

*Do you understand: Football, Bridge, or Cricket?

I understand American and "World" Football aka Soccer. I don't really like American Football anymore, but before anyone out here yells at me, I get why you might. So don't come for my head. A good friend of mine is mad about Cricket and is constantly threatening to rope me in. I told her she will have to wait for my retirement. In the meantime though I do like to check out the Guardian ticker during international matches. I love the NON sport commentary. I think this is what the British would appropriately describe as "brilliant".

*Have you talked to your family about Organ Donation?

Yes. I am a registered organ donor. I know the husband knows. I haven't discussed it with the Kid. I assume he would know that's what I'm ok with.

*Did you knit something that you thought you might not be able to this year? 

I think anything I completed this year. The Fall Knit Along socks have been a big win. It was looking bleak earlier in the year. 

*I-phone or Samsung?

I-phone but I'm sick of Apple's proprietary dominance and I'm not opposed to moving away from it, but I'm still under the impression that the security for the OS and apps is more secure.

*Do you put bows or trinkets on your packages?

I'm team Araignee on this. I loathe wrapping presents. It's never crisp, my ends are always a bit ... wonky. The irony is I love wrapping paper. What? It's pretty! It's like fabric for non sewers! I haven't ribboned in a LONG time, but I like those sticker bows. You know, premade, peel the paper back and BOOM, insta jazzy package.

*Do your pets get a Holiday treat?

I have no pets, but we are known to give gifts to either neighbor pets and/or my Dad's dog, Simba because he's a funny fellow who loves to battle a squeaker. 

*Do you use headphones, earbuds or nothing when you watch something on your phone, computer or tablet?

I use Earbuds with my phone. I used to use these free headphones  with my computer at work (Cans as my budding film maker calls them as they go over your ears). I received them when I ordered a pair of sunglasses but those were STOLEN OFF MY DESK and yes, I'm still bitter about it in case you can't tell. TWO rules people. 

1. Don't lay hands on someone.
2. Don't take other people's stuff. Holy hotpants what happened to common sense kids?

*If you could take a craft/knit/crochet class in January for free, what would it be?

Fair Isle, maybe learn to use a sewing machine? but really, I'd leave some oranges out for the crafting gods if they'd just give me a little more time to knit and organize.

*Have you ever made a traveling knit? (you knit part and send it on?)

No I think I'd be interested in this when I retire if I learn to manage my time better. In general it makes me nervous, this feels like I'd let people down. I can't handle that, ha!

More words and pictures soon. Knit strong my friends. I'm cheering us all on through the end of this year and many more, grateful for the best in all of us.

Happy Holly Jolliness to Each and Everyone of Us.

I was writing a reply to ChrisKnits and a version of this came to mind. My mother is one of those people that makes up her own phrases for things. I think because English is her second language she comes up with what word should work in "her context". She hears things differently, but they feel right she so just goes with it. Obviously other people are allowed to correct her, but not her close friends and family. Obviously we know what she means and therefore a new Momism is coined. (Crate and Barrel will forever be Oat and Barrel for me and my sister.)

Anyways, I'm bringing Happy Holly Jolliness to everyone. Why? Because there is so much chaos, that which is ours, that which is peripheral and we hold all that is good and positive near and dear.

Also I am totally endorsing all cornball holiday jokes, Mom jokes, Dad jokes (that don't involve farts, because despite what America's Funniest Videos is telling you, farts are played out, unless they're baby farts, 'cause that's always gold).

I got some holly jolly in the mail the other night! I came home after a LONG day at work and dragged my butt to get some exercise. I crawled in the front door/gate at 9:15 and there in front of the mailboxes were 2 packages.

One was from Valerie of Wandering Cat Studio! She sponsored a Fall Knit Along raffle prize with Dee from Pointy Little Sticks

Such a beautiful colorway. I love knitting in pink and this give me a bit of a peach blush as well. Good times in store!

The other was from our lovely all around craftslady, Araignee. I received some beautiful holiday soaps and a Penguin cards. Yes, I am fond of penguins, these particularly represent why: small,  chubby = cute, much like toddlers and cats (in no particular order).



Thank you Valerie, Araignee and Dee for being such generous and fun people in the knitting and blogging community!

In knitting news, I have continued to neglect the baby sweater in lieu of socks, because Red and Green themed socks are all the rage. This is me "measuring" while watching the Manchester Derby (pronounced DAR-bee).



I have big knitting plans to keep me in holiday spirits, but there is so much to do! I have 2 dinners this week, a staff work lunch, a school play and some cookies for the school staff cookie box assembly line to bake. Somehow it feels feasible. If I haven't lost my mind I'll let you know how it goes this weekend. ;)

The Wednesday Whatnot

I am here!

I had a good Thanksgiving Week but I worked a lot of it, and I've just worked a lot in November in general. It was a good month though. My sister's birthday, my stepmother's birthday (which I finally just was able to celebrate with her 1:1 this weekend!!) my anniversary, Veteran's Day, The Marine Corps Birthday, lots of things to be thankful for and to celebrate.

And now here we are dipping our feet into December which brings more holiday gatherings, and excuses to eat and greet and shop.

You'll be proud of me. I've gotten a jump on my holiday shopping and wrapping. I do not have an xmas list now, I have an "outstanding" list, which is just of things to remember to get and do. Feels good.

I'm working through most of the holidays. I'm hoping it will be quiet but one never knows. No trip to see my husband's family in Arizona this year, but we will just make the effort to go out another time, maybe for Spring Break or Memorial Weekend. Something more manageable.

Manageable. We talk a lot about goals and positive outlooks and really I hope it doesn't sound defeatist or settling, but that's all I want. I want things to be manageable, the good and the bad. It's another word for balance I suppose in the context I'm thinking of it. Not sure, not worried about it.

Less worrying. I worry too much, let's leave it at that.

I have been knitting. It comes in spurts. You know celebrating and planning for celebrating and working take up a lot of time, sometimes just energy so when I have the time, I sit there like a bump on a log and stare at my little phone.

I finished my Christmas socks from 2016 hehe. Here I am working on the ones for 2017. I'm halfway through sock 1 and it feels pretty good. It's keeping me in the holiday spirit, that's for sure!

Here's a bonus shot of the next day where I'm wearing xmas socks 2015, hehe. That pose is called Knitting chair potato. It's a personal favorite. That's kinda like yoga, right?