Hear my needles click ... knitknitknit.

Christmas is drawing nearer and I'm getting scared. Wish I could knit faster and lift the stress level from my shoulders. I think next year I'll start to knit for Christmas in MARCH ... APRIL ... MAY.

Finished and delivered ...

Project info

Name:

Buddy's Cabled Dog Sweater
Pattern: Cabled Dog Sweater by E. J. Slayton

Made for Little Buddy [my sister Cindy's dog]

Needle and yarn

Needles

US 4 / 3.5 mm

US 6 / 4.0 mm
Yarn: Rowan Harris DK

How much?

4 skeins = 492.0 yards (449.9m)

Colorway: SH010 Pink

He's my sister, Cindy's dog. You look beautiful in your new sweater, Buddy!



Do you think he minds that it's pink? Nah. Because "real men" CAN wear pink right? And it matches the hat I made for my sister last year. She wears it all the time.
Do you remember it?


Then there's the Sampler Scarf from class that I finished along with my students ...

Project info

Name: Knit Sampler Scarf
Pattern: Sampler Scarf by Carol Elliot
[modified: seaman's ribbing instead of the heart.]

Needle and yarn

Needle : US 9 / 5.5 mm
Yarn: Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran

How much?

5 skeins = 415.0 yards (379.5m)

Colorway: #33 dark teal

Haven't decided on whether it's for me or one of NEXT year's Christmas gifts yet.

My Beginner Sock class finished their first sock also and learned both the Kitchener Stitch and the Russian Graft ...

We voted for the Russian Graft as a nice enough toe finish. But I'm still working on my socks using ...

Schoppel-Wolle Sockenklecks Edition Tausendschön [Scarf Yarn]
Might not finish until after Christmas.

But wait ...

I got other Christmas gifts done for the Grandchildren also.



A pair of Bella's Mittens done and another pair started ...



And finally a hat and pair of mittens for my grandson, Cody.

Nottingham by Melissa Mall

Basic Mitten Pattern
by Ann Budd

from The Knitter's Handy Book of Patterns

More to be finished or started. Mittens. The hats are done. But I want a few sizes in the mittens to be tried on for fit. That's the trouble of not living close enough to get measurements on the sly. Well the ones left over will be donated so that's okay.

And we all know how much I love to knit right?

Did I tell ya?

The Yarn of the Month for December arrived the day after I posted November's.

And this time I was so taken by the samples ...










I got ahead of the game and knit up the squares right away.

And immediately got smitten!

With which ones you ask?

Hint ...





That'a THREE out of four this time
With the winner in the #1 spot really tough to pick.

But here it is ...



Delightful by Kollage Yarns

Well frankly the only time I would use glitter yarn is for a Holiday garment. And what a nice feel this yarn has. I can see a cardigan with this one. But maybe not for me.

But the other two yarns are the ones I'm more likely to purchase.

Merino Worsted by Abuelita Yarns and
Bulky 2 Strand Pencil Roving by Imperial Stock Ranch.



I feel a VEST coming on ...

Yarn of the Month for November ...

Samples are barely off the needles and blocked and already it's December. You know what that means ... I'm almost already a month behind because the December yarn will be coming in soon and I haven't even given an evaluation on November's.

Well I really wasn't jumping up and down with joy with this batch anyway. Only one was a really nice knit and came out the correct gauge as well. That was ...



Champlain by Nashua Handknits [lower left corner in green & grey]
3.75 sts/inch on US 10s
100% Wool
87 yrs.

I did like the feel in my hands as I knit ...



Wagtail 5 ply by Wagtail Yarns
6 sts/inch on US 5s
60% Fine Mohair 40% Merino Wool
327 yards

But I'm not rushing out to buy any of them.

Diving into my Stash instead and started a 'mystery knit' ...

a mystery only because I'm not telling you what it is yet.

Nope, I'm making you wait ...

Holidays are banging on my door ...

And I'm only half ready for it!

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving and survived Black Friday. Did I go out and shop 'til I dropped? Well ... maybe one or two stores nearby. Yesterday DH and I did the last of our shopping at the Family Dollar store. With 3 people unemployed in the family this year and DH retired, we're limiting gifts to under $5 each. [it's possible to do, trust me] And now it's time to take inventory to be sure we have all that we planned or need. I even mailed out the only packages I plan to mail this year. Have to deliver 2 next weekend and make one trip the weekend before Christmas to see the grand-kiddies and deliver some knitting, books and toys.

But the big question is ... Do I have enough energy or

will-power to decorate? And do I really need to?

Everythings amazing ... nobody's happy

Boy does this say volumes ....



I bet the under 25 crowd don't like any part of this, but they'll be saying something similar about the younger generation when they reach their "golden" years themselves. It happened to our parents and it's happening with this generation right now.

BTW, I did have a few days of withdrawal [nervousness and anxiety] when I was without a computer for awhile. Same with my cell phone when I had to send it out for repairs because I wasn't willing to buy a new one. Decided I didn't need it after a week but ...

Got hooked the first day it [computer or cell] was back in my clutches. Amazing!

Do you believe in magic?

The magic of creating a Moebius scarf or shawl can be exciting ...



And you don't really have to know mathematics to produce it from string either.

Or the magic of felting ...



With a bar of olive oil soap, some bubble wrap, hot and cold water & elbow grease you can turn a wool knit or crochet piece into something else entirely. Something useful and comfy and protective on the hands when hot coffee, tea or cocoa stays nice and hot in your cup.



I didn't even start out with the plan to make this Felted Vest Coffee Cup Cozy ... but like "magic" ... it just happened!

But the magic of lace is different.



It doesn't look like much when you're done with the knitting like in this picture of the Superior Lacy Sampler Scarf by Filatura Di Crosa. Use special yarn like the Superior cashmere lace yarn or like I did with Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool. Then knit with blind faith.

You see; the magic of lace is in the planning ...

And in the blocking.



When you're done ...

It really looks and feels like magic!

Knitted Science ...

Between art and science the knitting world has come up with some pretty amazing stuff. Nerdy? Yes. But amazing stuff right?

I'll wait while you "Check it out at DiscoverMagazine.com."

Well I don't have the time to be any Nerdier than I already am ...


[Thanks to one of my knitting friends, Cindy for being a model of one of my gifts]

Christmas knitting is piling up and I need to cast on another Moebius.

Next time I'll speak about some magic ...

What?? I'm still a Nerd? Oh ya I just admitted to a Moebius didn't I.

Rogues of Wool ...

And what are you knitting? Christmas gifts? Something for yourself? For your sister? Mother or brother? I can't stop knitting for long ... Grandchildren are expecting mittens perhaps?

Socks in the works for me ...

A spinner at work ...

Not me. Not yet. But I noticed others around me are doing it. It could be addictive. I know, I know. That's why I haven't even attempted any spinning. [a drop spindle doesn't count; I only tried a homemade one & bought only one book ...] So I try to keep my distance but as I walked out the door to head over to my LYS ...



She has on her Halloween suit also. And what a lovely web she spins!

Do you think she would help me with my knitting?



A few more inches on a neckwarmer. My mindless knit. Easy knit.



A little more than half way on Buddy's coat. My sister, Cindy's new friend. He's going to need it soon too judging by the early cool weather this year. I better not stop now.

I did have to start some mittens in Interweave Holiday 2009 Mag for the Grandkid Christmas gift basket. Christmas gifts are piling up. Can't stop now tho.



But a lace sampler scarf will go on the blocking board tomorrow once I graft the two ends together. I'll hand carry it to Seed Stitch Fine Yarn to be put on display. You're not afraid of lace knitting are you? You are? Trust me, it's easy. Join me in a class after Christmas.

And there's more than one project waiting to be cast on. The least being Christmas ornaments. More hats and mittens anyone ...

How about it Ms Spidy? Will you help me with my knitting tonight??

Happy Halloween Everyone!~

October is a funny month ...

Flowers and garden are fading fast. Yet color is everywhere. I love the Fall but soon Winter will follow ....

So I'm still working on Christmas gifts for the grandchildren.





Almost forgot to post the specs ...

Project info

Name: Pink Sunflower Tam

Pattern:

Sunflower Tam by Norah Gaughan

Size: child size

Needle and yarn

Needles

US 6 / 4.0 mm

US 7 / 4.5 mm

Yarn:

Rowan Harris DK in Pink

How much? 2 skeins = 246.0 yards (224.9m)

Wonder who'll pick this one? Which grand child would love a beret?

October's Yarn of the Month Club collection.

Malvasia by Rich More
40% Wool, 33% Alpaca, 16% Mohair, 11% Nylon
[A fun yarn to knit with but with such a small amount of yarn per skein (at what price I don't even know yet), what would we knit with it? Remains to be seen. But keep your eyes open for this yarn from Japan.]
2.75 sts/ inch on US 11s. Each skein contains 48 yards & this color is: # 6

Before blocking ... This color is correct.

After blocking ...

Tradicao by Rosarios 4
100% Wool
[Yarn with a nice firm twist, works up smoothly and into a sturdy fabric. I can see this in a beautiful knit jacket. ]
3.5 sts/ inch on US 10s. Each skein contains 131 yards & this color is: # 12

Before blocking ...

After blocking ...

Rittenhouse Merino 5-ply by Manos
100% Merino Wool
[I loved knitting with this yarn. It would be lovely in a sweater. Very soft yet holds it's shape really well.]
4.75 sts/ inch on US 7s. Each skein contains 241 yards & this color is: # 509

Before blocking ...

After blocking ...

Royal Tweed by Lana Grossa
100% Merino Wool
[I found this one hard to believe it's 100% wool, maybe because it's so soft. Nice knit and I loved the color play.]
3.5sts/ inch on US 9s. Each skein contains 140 yards & this color is: # 011

Before blocking ...

After blocking ...


The colors show up lighter in the After blocking shots, but the true colors are closer to the Before shots. I like all four samples this time.

Into the "Sampler Block Blanket" bag they'll go ...

I found this on Knitorious' Blog .... and took the test myself.

I am ... Which Ewe are You?

The results for me say: "This longwool knows that taking it easy isn't just a good idea -- it's a great one. With an open-mind and dependable attitude. Perendales always make the best of any situation. Flexible and adaptable, they are great negotiators and compromisors, as well."


The quiz is part of a promo for The Knitter's Book of Wool by Clara Parkes. Looks like a great book to add to the library. Check it out.

A longwool huh? Is that me or what.