Looking Back . . .

Sparkling Star

Hope 2012 proves to be better than 2011.  At the time I refrained from mentioning too much here, but it was a bugger of  a year for me.  I started off last year recovering from a weird ailment that initially sent me to the ER.  Then my son had a scary trip to the ER (he now carries an EpiPen due to tree nut allergies).  Coupled with other stresses, I found myself experiencing insomnia and frequent anxiety attacks . . .  Without boring you with all the details, it was a long journey back to normalcy.  It was capped off with a summer trip to Toronto and a move to the farm house.

Holiday Star

So right now I am feeling thankful for all that I do have, especially for all the good people in my life.  May the new year bring many more blessings.  
  

Hiya!

How are the holidays treating ya?  Hope you had a good Christmas.  Ours was quiet and peaceful  despite some family members experiencing a bit of illness (thank heavens it was short-lived).  I won't have to be back at work till January 3rd, so I'm trying to play catch-up with my knitting.

Nearly Completed Toe-Up Sock

Made some headway on my socks: got past the heel and working the leg (most of it done at naptime at work--sadly I'm not allowed to take a nap).

Working Hem on Bohus Redux

More importantly I've returned to my beloved Bohus Redux.  I'm determined to finish that baby--dying to wear it!  For sure it'll be handy on a chilly winter's day (January and February will bring its share of chill).  And its the best thing I've ever designed (in my humble opinion).   Almost there: finished the body (complete with waist shaping) and working the ribbing for the hem . . . so close to the end.  Even though I have yet to work the sleeves and button bands, I can see the finish . . . so close. 

Season's Greetings

It's been an interesting year, full of surprises and challenges.  The best surprise: finding our lovely new home in the country.  Excitement abounds as we get ready to celebrate our first country Christmas at the farmhouse.

It'll be awesome to see the kids and their cousin come Christmas morning . . . full of joy, wonder and surprise!  

May your holidays be filled with joy and happiness.  Hope you're able to share with loved ones.  Merry Christmas!

How Goes the Knittin'?

What a relief to NOT be workin' on a deadline!  No knitterly gifts this year, and the only crafty one was the family scrapbook (which my parents loved!).  We've cut back too.  No gifts for the adults, except for a little Secret Santa exchange amongst the immediate family.  And we've tried to cut back with the kids too.  After all, Christmas shouldn't be about the presents; being together and celebrating our blessings should be first and foremost. 'Nuff said.

One Finished Mitten 

As for the knittin', it goes well--and incidentally remains relaxing (funny how the absence of deadlines can prove to be stress-free.  Go figure).  My son's mittens are almost done.  I've just got to work a thumb.

Second Mitten Needing Thumb

Since the project is almost done, I cast-on for something else: another sock!  This year has been the Year of the Sock--seriously.  But I do love the warmth and coziness of handmade socks.  Just perfect for a chilly day.

I just love the simplicity and ease of Liat Gat's Beginner Toe-Up Socks.  The pattern calls for plain stockinette stitch, but I always make mine in ribbing (1x3 or 2x4) 'cuz the rib seems to tighten my loose knittin'. Initially I had to sign up for the newsletter to access the pattern, but I found the PDF pattern available for free on Liat Gat's website (the worsted version) and here (fingering-weight version). 


Happy crafting! :) 

Holiday Cheer

So we got our tree last weekend.

Cutting Down the Tree

No shortage of trees in our neck of the woods.  In fact we know a few Christmas tree farmers (including our neighbour).  So we ventured onto such a lot in search of the perfect Christmas tree (surely you too have engaged in such a quest at one time or another).  After perusing the stock, we finally picked our wee tree: perfect shape with adequate fullness.  It was actually kinda neat to watch the farmer cut her down.  And we knew our tree would be uber-fresh.  Ha!

Tree with Lights

Isn't it always the way:  you think the tree is a wee bit small, but when you shove it into place, you realize that perhaps you've got something just a wee bit too big.  Never fails. Still, it looked pretty with the lights.

Decorated Tree

And she looked even prettier with all the homemade decorations and trinkets--just lovely!  Now if only we can convince the cat to stop stealing my beloved knitted balls and to refrain from eating the pretty wrapping paper (why do cats love paper?).  Me thinks the presents will go under the tree on Christmas Eve--just to minimize any possible damage (to the gifts and quite possibly to the cat).

Kids' Tree

Oh and as an added bonus, the tree farmer gave us a wee tree for the kids.  Now their little play space is decorated too.  :)

Faux-Thrum Mittens Revisited

Beginnings of Mitten

And revised.  Its been almost a year since I last looked at my Faux-Thrum mitten pattern.  And with the weather getting colder, I'd been itching to make a pair for my son.  With only one size in the original pattern, I've had to re-work the sizing.  More important, I'm re-checking my instructions.  After all, if I can't figure out my own directions, I can't expect some one else to understand, right?

Weaving in Ends on First Mitt

So as of yesterday afternoon, my mitten pattern has been revised and corrected (sadly I found a couple of typos, but at least I re-checked the numbers).  Hopefully there are no more errors.


Happy knitting :)

Sharing

You gotta check out this new blog.  Its soooo cute (granted I'm a little biased).  Its called Mushrooms and Octopi and its run by two cute little fellas who call themselves Two Fun Guys.  Perhaps you've met them before . . . 

Two Fun Guys out in the woods

Now its a new blog, so there aren't too many posts.  But I'm looking forward to their updates.  Should be fun.   ;)

About Those Slippers . . . .

Finished Slippers

So here they are--all finished!  They look comfy, don't they?  'Cuz they sure do feel comfy and cozy.  I just love 'em so much!  Best slippers ever! :D

Comfy and Cozy

Pure Genius!

Slipper Before Being Seamed

No word of a lie!  This slipper pattern is absolutely sublime :D  Its the Non-Felted Slipper (and the pattern is only available on Ravelry as a PDF file).  I just love the construction!  Hard to believe that a few well placed decreases can change the shape of the fabric--just genius!

Slipper From Another View

And since the pattern uses bulky yarn, it works very quickly.  It took me a week of sporadic knitting, but these could easily have been completed in a weekend.  This quick knit would make an easy Christmas present.  I can testify to their warmth factor (I'm wearing them right now, but you'll have to wait for FO pics on another day 'cuz its dark out now).


Later,
:)