NOT on the Road again!

OK, so I am such an effing slug about Blog entries lately, but hey! I've been busy! Not one, but TWO business trips since my last post, a Sock War (and noble death by a fellow knitter), a kid graduating from college, one that graduates from high school on Monday, and oh yeah.......a job and family, too. The only good thing about the business trips was that those long plane flights provide lots of knitting time.

First up, the mere beginnings of a project I had a lot of help on. The Doctor Who Charity Afghan! Tons and tons of my Ravelry friends knitted up and sent me 4x4 bias squares made from fingering leftovers.......ah.....last year! I finally got around to starting to sew them up. I spent literally months procrastinating on this project, paralized by the fear that I would start sewing the squares together and I would ruin the hard work of many kind people (that, and sometimes my color theory doesn't work so well). So one day, I took a flyer and started sewing. It seems that there really is no "wrong answer" with this project! (Thank God!) Every arrangement looks great. Haven't gotten too far on this, as yet, but check back for progress. Eventually this will be offered for auction on Ebay to benefit Doctors Without Borders.


Next, my "weapon of choice" in Sock Wars. The wonderful Air Raid pattern done in Brown Sheep's Wildfoote luxury sock. Great yarn, and a great pattern. I killed my target promptly, only to be exterminated myself by a novice sock knitter and her Barcelona socks.

The neophyte sock knitter, Openbook, sent me a soft and comfy demise. I'm looking forward to wearing socks that I didn't knit when the weather gets cooler again.



And finally, my current labor of love...The Grad Ghan for #2 son done in Wichita State University's school colors, black and gold (Woo!! Shock!!) Granted it looks like a giant bumble bee at the moment, but when it is done, it will be the wonderful Wooly Thoughts >"Long and Winding Road" pattern. Woolly Thoughts patterns are easy enough, yet creative enough to keep a confirmed anti-ghan knitter like me deleriously entertained! I love the miles and miles of mindless garter stitching combined with the absolute knowledge that this thing is gonna be AWESOME when it's done. It's what keeps me knitting on the darn thing!


So I have officially updated you on all the interesting things going on. OK, so there is business stuff, but really, that is so much of my life right now, I don't want to talk about it here. Knitting is my joy, my kids are a constant source of amazement. The realization that I will soon have two out of the house and only one at home is just starting to dawn on me. I really don't know if I should be happy about it, or sad. Right now, I just take it as it comes.

MORE Knitting Content

Pair TWO for my SIL's Mom's birthday is complete:
Not bad production following such a slow spell. Work just had to intrude, ya know. I am now on pair #3 of three planned pairs. Her birthday is May 14th, and I am leaving town on May 11th, but if all else fails, I will mail Pair Three from the road.

Only two more days until the dossiers and pattern is emailed out for this year's round of Sock Wars. I know some folks grumbled about the lackluster ending of last year's competition, but come on....one poor woman trying to organize an event that grew nearly 500% from the previous year....give the gal a break! I had fun....was killed in very short order and enjoyed every minute of it. I think it's too late to sign up for this year, but think about it for next year. One refinement over this year is that the dossiers are emailed out on May 9th and 10th, but the "killing" or maybe "knilling" starts on May 15th, to ensure everyone gets the dossiers before any killing ensues. Technology is great, but allowing for SNAFU's is even better!

As I mentioned earlier, I will be heading out on May 11th to once again journey with hubby to our great nation's capitol to hob-nob with our legislators and fellow REALTORS. I'll be hanging out at Russia House one night....stop by.....first round of infused vodka and a Baltika #9 is on me (that is, if I'm still sober enough to remember I made the offer!).

Can somebody stop by my house next week to make sure my kids haven't killed each other? Now, before someone goes off on me for leaving my kids home alone for a week, may I remind you that only ONE of my kids is under 18! And I'm leaving the one who is actually responsible with money (and has no criminal record) in charge! OK, OK, so none of my kids have criminal records, but you know what I mean!

Actual Knitting Content

Strangely enough, there has been some knitting going on around here! But as usual, work is getting in the way.
These are my first successful toe-up socks! Hubby loves them. I learned that toe-ups work best with a sewn cast-off (well, at least when I'm knitting them). I've also learned that I love knitting toe up!

As you can see from my second pair of toe-ups - started immediately after finishing my first pair.......
There are also third and fourth pairs in process. Part of my enthusiasm for sock knitting - not that it ever really dims - is that my sister-in-law's mother absolutely loves my hand-knitted socks, and she turns 90 in just a couple weeks. I hope to have at least 3 pair all knit up to give her by May 14th. Normally, I wouldn't be so enthusiastic about knitting socks for someone who is not my husband, but Phyllis loves my socks so much, and I can't deny a sweet little old lady her heart's desire.

And I've added more stitch markers to my burgeoning collection. I'm still trying to figure out exactly WHEN I'm going to use all these stitch markers I'm making........since I really do try to use markers as little as possible. Another reason for liking knitting toe-up. I can do it without using any markers at all!

The exercise thing has not been going well, mainly because I had to have a bit of surgery on one of my toes last week to remove some nastily ingrown toenails and a bone spur. Had to get this done before going to Washington DC in May. Walking around in DC (and there is ALWAYS walking in DC) and bone spurs do not make a good combination. So the surgery was a priority, so I am healed by May 11th. Please God, let me be healed by May 11th. Of course, snotty regular exerciser Hubby pointed out that I could still use the stationary bike.

A second day of SUCCESS!

As promised, my second declaration of devotion to my exercise program. Really, the Couch to 5K program is likely one of the easiest programs to get into, and the podcast downloads make it really easy to keep track of what you're doing. I did break down the other day and buy myself a new iPod Nano (in pretty green!) For the workouts, it is far superior to my old (and now thouroughly dead!) iPod Video. Much lighter, by far.

But I have begun contemplating knitting a Nano cozy/armband. For some reason, I think sticking my Nano in my sports bra is not a very good idea. I have a good supply of Cascade Fixation. I'm thinking that would be exceptional for an armband.

Loved the work out again today. Strangely enough, if you do this on a treadmill, you can see your progress pretty quickly. My comfortable jog speed already increased from 4.5 mph to 5 mph. Granted I could go slower, but my stride shortens up and my legs cramp.

Still liking the feeling I get. And I KNOW I am doing something good for my body, so I do start feeling a bit righteous.

Self-Talk

Here begins the "self-talk" portion of our show, wherein I try to convince myself that regular exercise is a GOOD THING!

A while back, I started the Couch-to-5K program. Did really well for three weeks. Then Our big Better Homes and Gardens launch project started and the first thing that went by the wayside was MY exercise time. I will point out that hubby is far more dedicated and his exercise routine never lost a beat.

The busy-ness subsided, and it took me two weeks for my desire to exercise overtook my lame excuses NOT to exercise. So I am back to day one, week one of the program. I didn't even let the imminent demise of my iPod (which holds my interval training program) stop me today. So while I was alternately walking and running, I hit upon the idea of declaring my reasons for liking exercise every time I hit the gym! So here goes.......

WHEN I EXERCISE......

I feel better......
my back hurts less....
the temporary tired is soon replaced by more energy and a better attitude.....
my posture is better.....
I make better food choices all day long.....
I think more positively about myself......
I start to believe I can accomplish anything I put my mind to.

I apologize if this little exercise is a bit boring for you all. But a public declaration of what I am doing and why is going to go a long way in making this a part of my life.

Tomorrow, I get to take a rest-day - after only ONE day of exercise, not a bad deal! Friday is day two of week one. I plan to be checking in with you then.

New Obsession

I've developed a new obsession. I suppose it is a natural extension of knitting. But still, considering that I only rarely use them, it IS kind of weird.
It started innocently enough. A little giftie for an online friend..........
Then a little trip to the bead store.......


Then a $50 shopping spree here. I can feel trouble brewing already. But on the other hand. They're fun and only take a few minutes to make.

Doin' the Parental Thing

The Big Project, took a lot of time away from the kids in the past month. #3 son felt the brunt of it. Being the youngest, and the one who has always wanted more attention from the 'rents than the other two, the past month has made him feel like a demi-orphan, sometimes. So DH and I have been trying to spend a bit more time with him, and reminding him that he is a priority in our lives. To this end, we took our budding little concert violinist to his first classical concert. Boring, right? Not at all. Violinist, Tasmin Little, presented a mid-afternoon concert called "The Naked Violin" at our otherwise Hoity-Toity symphony concert hall. It was thouroughly enjoyable, and #3 son was enthralled. Ms. Little, played, talked about her violin and the pieces she played, answered questions from the audience - adult and child alike; and a good time was had by all. Best of all, the concert was free for the kids and their parental escorts. A free classical concert you could attend in your jeans, what better way to introduce a kid who loves his violin, skateboarding and baseball, to classical music.

You can even download "The Naked Violin" for FREE on Ms. Little's website.

Now, there has been some knitting going on....not as much as I would like, though. It seems that I can't get more than a few rows done in the evening without thinking that a little snooze is just what the doctor ordered. A couple of weeks ago, I started - for no particular reason - a baby blanket. I do this occasionally with no specific baby in mind; having faith that one will pop up from somewhere. Well, no sooner had I cast on, when my boys came home announcing that several of their teachers, or teachers' wives were expecting. So now the question has gone from "where will I find a baby to give this blanket to," to "which of the dozen babies soon-to-be-born will get the ONE blanket I have to give." Ya know, that Teacher's strike in September is reaping some unusual benefits.

Still slogging away on hubby's toe-up socks. They go with me everywhere, but lately, when I have kid-wait time, it is spent making or returning phone calls. I spent an entire two hour baseball practice the other day talking to our agents who had not heard about our big change. I would have much rather been knitting on those socks - but no such luck. And just the same, I have been wanting to start a dozen other projects, despite the fact that I have a dozen UN-finished projects patiently waiting their turn in the limelight.

WANTED: My Own Cabana Boy

OK, so the big project that has kept me away from the blog for over the month is finally over, well, mostly. THIS is what has kept me busy, building spreadsheets, making lists, double-checking those lists, changing the lists after the double-checking, planning, emailing, more planning....and doing all this in SECRET!

I understand, to most of the world, this is no big deal. Just another real estate company (and in a down market, are we insane!?) But we've been around for 19 years as a proud, independent, non-franchise company, and we took the big, BIG step of going with a franchise. A new, amazing, totally worth it, wonderful franchise. We expect big things of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, and they expect big things of us. Even in a down market, there can be great opportunities, and this is ours.

But putting everything all together was a lot of work. And most of it fell on my Sister-in-Law and me (Oh! did I mention that we are a FAMILY business?). We have been scurrying around like a couple of squirrels on RedBull for a month. The launch was last Tuesday, and now we are in the honeymoon stage. Checking in with all the agents, smoothing out all the inevitable blips, making sure that all is going well. I have been in constant "Customer Service with a Smile"-mode for a month, and it's wearing a bit thin. I'm tired. Physically tired, and tired of running and being "on" all the time. I'm not complaining, really. I'm excited about our new venture, and I'm excited that I am playing such an important role in them. But I am in desperate need for a bit of "Me Time."

Actually, a lot of "Me Time." I haven't read more than a few pages in a book, or knitted a few rows, or done one of my Couch to 5K workouts in a month. I don't wind down at the end of the day any more.....I collapse. And I've developed this nasty habit of waking up at 2am. Yeech!

But there is a glimmer of hope. DH and I get to go on a little business trip to San Diego next week. Well, it's supposed to be a business trip. We are going to try to make it a mini vay-kay, with a tiny bit of business attached. I promise the "Do Not Disturb" sign is going to get a workout.

That's where the Cabana Boy comes in. I want someone to take care of me for a bit. Fetch for me, carry for me, bring me drinks with little umbrellas in them, massage my tired feet.....and if he knows the location of all the good yarn shops in San Diego, so much the better. He doesn't have to be cute, or sexy....I got a man for that....I just want to be a little lazy and selfish for a while.

Then I'll be ready to go back to the real world, and deal with work and the kids, and meetings, and schedules..........

Well, Maybe, I'll be ready to go back to the real world.

In Memoriam

We witness this day the passing of an old friend.....one of my first pairs of handknitted socks. Granted, it was not the first pair I knitted. Those, I hate to admit, were done in such a hideous color of self-striping yarn, that they are destined to live in my sock-drawer forever, since I so seldom can bring myself to wear them. But rather my recently departed socks were worn so often, in all but the warmest of summer weather, that they served me long and hard for three winters before finally expiring at the toe. But they lived a good and useful life, providing their final day of service in a new pair of Dansko boots.



These socks, my dear reader (yeah, I know there's only ONE of you out there), went out at the top of their game!

There are new pairs of socks on the horizon (there is
always a new pair of socks on the needles somewhere around here), and they may be fancier than my old blue, aloe-impregnated, top-down socks - I have progressed to lace and toe-up patterns - but they will always be my first. Among the first made, the first loved, and now......the first lost to old age. Rest well my old friends.

Cave In!

OK....I admit it. I caved and bought a subscription to Handknit Heroes.

I am so weak!

I've Seen Everything

It's Official.....I have NOW seen everything when it comes to knitting. Was visiting my usual rounds of my favorite blogs and found this on Mason-Dixon Knitting. A graphic novel for knitters! I am simultaneously incredulous and thrilled. I want a copy of this comic so badly.......but I don't want anyone to know I would actually buy it. Geez, talk about dirty little secrets. I have a couple of swaps to buy stuff for.....Hhhhhmmmmmm, hey swapees, how do you feel about "modern art?"

Also finished my Clever Shawl for the school auction. O.K., so the pic is a bit fuzzy. I'm still trying to learn how to control my new camera. But fuzzy is good.....the shawl is all fuzzy and soft, just like a nice bit of wool and alpaca should be.

Oh hey! one last thing.....I hurt not at all! from my first week two workout. That ROCKS! I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow's workout.

Week Two, Day One

Well, I successfully repeated week one of the Couch-to-5K program, and confidently (this time) went on to week two this morning. This week, it's six 90-second segments of running interspersed with 2 minutes of brisk walking. It went surprisingly well, considering that one of my knees was giving me fits at the end of the week, last week. I was afraid for a bit that this running thing might not be for me. But it became clear that the knee pain was more a result of too much high-heel wearing and not too much running. So less of the high-heel thing, in future.

I also finished a second Carol's Clever Shawl. This one is for the upcoming school auction, done in a lovely blue-grey wool and alpaca blend (Berroco Ultra Alpaca).

I'm starting to come up with ideas to modify this pattern with different lace edgings. A trip through Knitting On The Edge can really get the ideas flowing. I have a feeling that I will be doing several of these over the next year for the females of my family. SIL has already requested one for her birthday. Fortunately, her birthday isn't until November, so there is hope that I will be able to knit something besides shawls all year.

I'm going to try to knock out a Little Arrowhead Shawl for the auction, too. I've got a month, and it shouldn't take too long. I've got this much so far..... I'm using Jojoland Melody Superwash. I think the way it's dyed will make an interesting and versatile shawl. Not that the picture is any indication of the color....looks kind of indistinctly salmon-y to me. It WILL get better as it progresses. Until I pinned it out, I wasn't all that impressed with this pattern. Now......I LIKE it.

Week One, Again

So I mentioned before that I'm doing the "Couch to 5K" program. I completed week one last week, but I am repeating it this week. Mostly because I decided that since I am still pretty much out of shape that running in a hilly neighborhood, when it is below freezing! is a bad idea. The local gym with the nice treamills is MUCH better. My lungs don't do that nasty freeze-thaw thing at the gym. Granted, it can be a bit overwarm, and way sweaty, and I am displaying my out-of-shape body to the great unwashed, but I know what I'm reaching for, so I'm cool with it. Besides, it hurts less, and I can actually finish a workout without thinking about dropping dead in the street.

Really, this is a pretty cool program. Free, lots of support online - almost anywhere you look - and achieveable. Workout three times a week following the program and that's it. In fact, the program insists on a rest day between workouts. Just what I like, a program that encourages vegging out. I'll keep you updated......

Auction Stuff

It is again "Auction Season" here at the Ranch. For me, that's means deadline knitting, and driving myself crazy wondering if anyone will actually want to bid on my bits of yarn. For my hubby.....it means a new pair of socks for him has been put on the backburner, again! Funny, hubby complains about my knitting, unless it's a pair of socks for him.

So I made a pig purse for a scholarship auction. The "why's" of the pig purse, is a long story, but suffice it to say, it fit with the occasion. I think my little piggy girl was adorable, and a way easy knit. It was a Noni pattern, and done in a flash. A couple years ago, I was on a real felted bag kick - so much so that I totally burned myself out. But this little piggy might get me started again.

The second piece was actually for me, but a test knit for an auction piece. This is my version of Carol's Clever Little Shawl. Really an easy knit, and endlessly different depending on the yarn you use. I used some Noro Kureyon that I had "repurposed" from a shawl I had made when I first picked up knitting again. It's shortened width and slight short-row shaping, make it an excellent everyday wear accessory, guaranteed to keep you warm. Don't let the short-rowing scare you. This is very much a "short-row 101"-type thing. I only finished my first one the other day...and I've started my second already - the "offical" one for the school auction in a wonderful blue-grey wool alpaca blend. Just going from a long-varigated to a single color yarn, really changes the way it looks. I already have a couple other ideas for playing with the pattern. We'll see what happens!

A little sift through my stash revealed at least three other choices in yarn I could make one of these shawls from. I think I may end up knitting this shawl so much this year, I could end up hating it. But for now, I'm in love!

In other news....I have completed the first week of the "Couch to 5K" program. The program trains you to go from being a couch potato (pretty much me, now) to being able to run a 5K in NINE weeks! I plan on repeating week one, next week, mainly because it was so cold last week, that although I did complete the three workouts for last week, I think I would be well served if I repeated it. I have also decided to either train at a local park with a flat walking track, or if it stays really cold like it has been, at the gym. That's the beauty of this program.......it's adaptable to treadmill or outside training, and there are supports for the program everywhere. Itunes has several free podcasts that provide music and verbal cues while training. (free.....I do love me some free!) And if you're on Ravelry and following the program, there's a group there, too.

Speaking of Ravelry....if you haven't joined, why not?

So wish me luck on my repeat of week one. My goal is not to have my lungs scream at me at the end of the week.

The year in Review

Honestly, 2008 was not a stellar year in some respects (real estate, 'nuff said), but in others, it was quite good. DH and I are zeroing in on year 26 of marriage - and we still talk do each other (among other things)! All of our boys are happy and healthy (when they aren't trying to kill each other). #1 graduates from college in May, #2 graduates from high school in June and is already accepted to his first choice college. The youngest......well, he's still alive.......and considering every member of the family has threatened to kill him at one time or the other in the last few months because of his current Tech Deck obsession....that's a huge accomplishment.

Despite problems with tendonitis in my wrists and elbows, my passion for knitting has not dimmed, even though my production might have been a bit reduced. There was a lot of quality knitting time in 2008.














Wow! so the year was more productive than I thought! That's only barely half the year's production. And I was thinking my "Hall of Shame of UFO's" was bigger than my FO's. Silly me!

I have been contemplating a New Year's Resolution for 2009. I'm one of those who tries to make a valid resolution every year and fails misrably by January 5th. So I have been thinking of an achievable resolution. I came up with this, "to take better care of myself, physically and emotionally." That sounds reasonable, doesn't it? Not too vauge, not too specific (for me, specificity is the killer), and any positive move forward can be perceived as success. I like it.

So that's it....I'm going to go with "taking better care of myself, physically and emotionally." Next to "I resolve to make no resolutions," I think it's the most fool-proof.

Re-cap

Well, I survived another Christmas........barely. Now all that's left is a ton of leftovers and a slowly dying tree.

Even though we kept gifts at a minimum this year, the kids seemed to enjoy what they got (even though some of it hasn't arrived yet - damn Fed Ex and snow). Hubby did surprise me with my own digital camera; even after I told him he didn't really need to get me anything. Still, it was a nice giftie, and a wonderful surprise.

Finally got all my holiday knitting done....OK, so it was three days AFTER Christmas, but my nieces and nephews will be enjoying their handknit goodies before the end of the week.

A recap:
Hat for Nephew Hans...


Hat for his twin, Evan.

Mitts for their big sister, Chelsea.




Mitts for Niece Heather.

Mitts for Niece Hailey (they're actually done, now).






And last but not least, a hat for Nephew Drew....which I gave to the recipient before I thought to get a picture of the hat. But he loved it. Which is kind of funny, because he was the one who said "I don't need a hat....you made me one last year." Silly boy.

Next year, I plan on starting my holiday knitting, BEFORE Thanksgiving!


I've even started two new projects, which I need to have completed before January 9 (why do I do this to myself?)

You will note from the above list of holiday productivity, that there is nothing for my own sweet DH (OK, don't laugh, I'm in a good mood today, and he's not here), or any of my own sweet sons (good mood splashover, sorry). I do owe all of them pairs of socks, at the very least. I also owe #2 son a sweater I started for him last year, and a graduation afghan - due in June. Actually, I still owe #1 son his graduation afghan (he graduated from high school in 2005 - do you think I can get it done before he graduates from college in May?). But I am 3/4 done with #1 son's afghan. OK, so it's been that way for 3 years. But hope springs eternal.

I'm considering a New Year's Resolution. I tend to be a dismal failure at these things - but it is something I really want. The only trick is to make the resolution managable. Small changes, big results. More on this later....when I get up enough guts to talk about it.

Dateline.....Christmas Eve 2008

Two Pumpkin Pies?......................Check
Cheesecake?............................Check
Veggie Pot Pie?........................Check
Mushroom Pie?..........................Check
Christmas Morning Monkey Bread?........Check
Jello Salad?...........................Check
Fresh Baked Dinner Rolls?..............Check


OK, so the cooking is done, but there are NO presents wrapped, two knitted presents yet to be finished, two presents apparently caught in the black hole that is Fed Ex delivery after the worst snow storms (plural) that Washington State has seen in nearly 20 years, and it's 50/50 that we'll be able to pick my mom up from the nursing home for Christmas, because of the weather (who the hell puts a nursing home at the bottom of a steep - and now icy - hill?).

And my 11 year old has been bouncing off the walls all day (all week....all the time....)

The Good News......we weren't going anywhere special for Christmas.

The Bad News.......we weren't going anywhere WARM for Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Eid, Merry Solstice, and Best Wishes for a much happier New Year.

My Martha Moment

Well, the company Holiday party is this Wednesday. So late Saturday afternoon, I decided I should take a peek at the holiday decorations liberated from my MIL's to see what I had for centerpieces. Guess what there was for centerpieces? Jack-flippin'-shit! My Mother-in-law, the queen of "name that party theme" had given me a huge box of mis-matched random holiday crap. Nothing at all that would create a coherent group of centerpieces. Now, really, I know what you're thinking. "So your MIL didn't have any centerpiece decorations, what's the big deal?" The big deal is that this woman has multiple sets of Christmas decorations in multiple color schemes - and all she was willing to part with was a box of random stuff. Lord knows I wasn't planning on keeping it - cutesy just isn't my thing.

So there was a mad dash to my local craft store to come up with a centerpiece idea times 12, for the tables at the party. After of nearly an hour and a half of putting this and that together to come up with some kind of idea; this is what I left with:

2 cans of translucent spray paint in "MacIntosh" color - $7.99 each
12 large red plastic charger plates - $3.99 each
12 sets of battery powered Christmas lights - $2.49 each
12 pillar-type clear glass vases - $5.99 each
14 random picks of little Christmas ornaments in various designs, white and clear - $1.99 each
6 2-ounce packages of "fake" snow - $1.22 each.

I spray painted the vases with the translucent paint, creating red pillars, instead of clear......let them dry - thouroughly - placed a string of little lights in each pillar; placed a pillar on each charger; and decoratively sprinkled fake snow and a few ornaments around the pillar on the plate. And viola! A Centerpiece to make Martha Stewart envious!



Well, at least that's what I'm going to keep telling myself.

Two!

I finished my second holiday knitting project the other day. A pair of fingerless mitts for one of my nieces.
Sorry it's a picture of only one. There really are two of them, but I can't take a picture and model with both hands at the same time. They are Bee-YOU-tee-ful! And so wonderfully soft.

Started another pair for another niece right away, not much to show for it, yet, using a Knitspot pattern called Wiggle Mitts. Hoping these will come out as nice.

I guess I'm going to have to sit down and think about what I want to do for the other 'Phews and my own boys. How many knitting days before Christmas?

Lame....

Yes, I have been Lame. My content has been next to nothing lately....(did you try the recipe?) And my determination to successfully navagate my first NaNoWriMo came to naught. Please explain how first time novelists with kids, and husbands, and jobs, and REAL lives, ever get that first book down on paper?

I have been knitting, however. I have some finished projects, some half-finished projects, and some really good starts to show off.

In finished projects, I present the first of my holiday knitting. A hat for my nephew Evan. We visited Ravelry together and he fell in love with this Snowboarder Hat That Rocks pattern.
It worked up pretty quickly pulling two skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash. Nice hat, nice result, and happy teenaged boy at Christmas. Such a deal.

Also finished (about a month ago, sorry) is my Hey Teach sweater. I've been holding off taking picks of it because I need to wash it again, or the light is bad, or I'm not wearing the right top to show it off properly. If I wait for all the conditions to be right, it will never have it's own picture. So here it is.
Really, I love this sweater, Easy to make, fun to wear, and it goes with tons of stuff. I plan on making another one in cotton for the spring.

In half-finished, I have half a pair of socks for me done. Those will be going on the "Let It Wait" pile until after Christmas. Also on the "Let It Wait" pile will be my February Lady sweater. I wish I could get this done in time for the holidays....I love it already, but knitting for others always comes before knitting for self...right? When am I going to get over that bull-crap thinking?

On the starting block is a pair of fingerless mitts for my niece, Heather. It's a pretty straightforward knit. With this one, it's the yarn that makes the piece. This soft, "heathery" blue is perfect for my petite niece (pleeze, a light breeze could knock her over - but she's not afraid to shoo her mom out of the kitchen when there's baking to be done!)

I have a couple other small holiday projects on the horizon for the various "Phews" and "Ieces," even a couple for my own kids perhaps.

I also have a felting project due for an auction, but not until early January. That will be my "holiday break" knitting.

What, you don't plan knitting especially for vacations?