I Love My Mailman

I know this is treading on dangerous ground for a gal who works out of a home office, but I think I'm in love with the mailman. Look what he's been bringing me!



This is my swap package from Ann B. on my Illusion Knitting group. She has totally spoiled me for the Halloween swap! (And I feel totally guilty that the box I sent her direction was not packed as full!!) The illusion cloth she knit is SOOO cute! All the goodies: chocolate, coffee, tea, sock yarn, roving, a journal, scrapbooking items, angels......my goodness! Thank you Ann!

Over the weekend the mailman delivered another box from KnitPicks as well. The first one, last Thursday had contained by new Harmony dpns (which I've been working with all weekend on a new sock made from Trekking XXL. Getting the hang of this toe-up thing!)



I am LOVING this color of Trekking by the way! I'm keeping this pair for myself. The Harmony dpns are terrific. More grip to them than my metal ones, but less than my Britanny's (which had become "unusable" in my book due to how much they slow me down.)

Anyway....then over the weekend the mailman brought my second box from KP which had my interchangeable needles! Yeah!! I confess I haven't tried them out yet since I've got the socks in progress, but I have three projects cued up for which I was waiting to get these needles. So I'm very excited!

Thank you Mr. Postman!!!!!!!!!

Some of the Best Things

Sometimes some of the best things in life are the things we've forgotten.

I've seen this phenomenon with my own kids. When they were younger and we would have "clean your room" day they would often discover toys that they'd lost under the bed or behind the dresser or other places. These toys had been out-of sight-out-of-mind long enough that rediscovering them brought the kids much joy. (Not to mention distractions large enough to turn a 2 hour job into an all day kind of project, but let's not go there.)

Guess what I forgot about?



Ravelry!

I got my name in the queue last July and completely forgot about it until I received my invitation to join today. *yeah!* With waves of joy I am venturing into another fiber zone. I've only just dipped my toes in thus far, but it looks like a great place and I'm certain that I'll be diving in deep one of these days and there will be no getting me out of the water!

Happy Knitting & Spinning!

New Toy

Resistance is futile. When I have the inkling that I should try a new creative venture I often put it off. I don't know why. I always cave in and give it a go eventually. Thus......

....my new toy!



I've been really curious about spinning for about a year now. I've read up on it via the web, magazines and books at the library. I've watched the spinning 101 episode on Knitty Gritty time and time again. It was the siren's voice beckoning me to jump in that I could, in the end, no longer resist!

Last week I won some Qiviuk fiber from a blog I read daily (Romancing the Yarn...button to the right.) QIVIUK!!!!! I was beyond thrilled as I've been curious about this fiber ever since I heard about it last winter. And now there is some of the glorious stuff on its way to me!!

Since it's fiber, and not yarn, my urge to spin got me to order a "Learn to Spin" kit from Nancy's Knit Knacks (no affiliation.) My kit came Thursday, and I spun all the fiber enclosed for practice in the kit last night.

What fun!!!! I'm definitely hooked! This is my first attempt.



What you might not be able to tell is that this first attempt came out as a "bulky" weight yarn. (I've got some more in process that is actually more like worsted weight.)

If you've been curious, you might want to give it a try. Hand spindles aren't that expensive. You can get prepared roving that's ready to go. And it really is wonderfully satisfying to spin your own yarn! I can't wait to get good at it and start to combine colors, add twist and slubs, get a lightweight spindle so that I can prepare sock yarn . . . . .

. . . oh, my mind is spinning with the possibilities!

Happy Knitting, Shooting . . . AND SPINNING!

SSS, Take That!!

I'm coming off THE worst case of Second Sock Syndrome (SSS), EVER!

I've been working on this pair of knee hi's for my DD for months now.
Thank goodness I've finished just in time for school to start next week.

Here they are, modeled by the recipient herself:



While I was avoiding finishing up what seemed to take FOREVER (that second leg/cuff was a killer....K3 P2 ribbing......ZZzzzzzzz.......) I was looking up much more interesting sock patterns on line. I had to go out and buy a new binder to put them all in!

Now my DS wants me to do a pair for him. At least they won't be knee-hi's! But I won't get to use all my pretty lace patterns with picot edged bind-offs. Nevertheless, I will not succomb to SSS again!

Happy Knitting!

Breeze Socks

I've been working on completing my second pair of socks using the pattern, "Breeze" from www.knitty.com. The first pair I did I used varigated yarn I had dyed myself. Not a good choice as virtually none of the stitch pattern was visible. This time I used KnitPicks new yarn, Risata, in the colorway "buttermilk." The yarn is 42% cotton, 39% superwash merino wool, 13% polyamide, and 6% elite elastic.







I liked working with this yarn, a lot. It's not as "stretchy" as Cascade's Fixation, but had a nice little "rebound" to it. Here is a close-up of the heel cable:




The first time I made the socks for my DD (who wears a women's US size 9 shoe) I made the large size. As it turned out, they are really too big for her. I made this pair following the instructions for the medium sized sock (for myself, same sized feet) and they fit nicely. I also opted for the rolled cuff instead of the ribbed one. I really like how they turned out!



Happy Knitting!

It Is Finished

Well, I finished the scarf with 2 hours and twenty minutes to spare before the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. My son was able to wear it to pick up his book.

Here it is: (from above)



and this is what you see when looking at it from the level:



That is my copy of the book with the scarf. After 17 hours of reading I finished the final installment of Harry Potter. While I, like J.K. Rowling, LOVED the book....I think I need some time yet for all that happened to fully sink in. My DD was in tears to think our journey with Harry has come to an end. He is the first character in my childrens' lives to have felt like a part of the family for so long. (I can only imagine how much more intense this must be for Rowling!! My goodness!!)

If anyone British reads this, I'd love to know what McGonagal's phrase r.e. Snape means (as it is not, in fact, a common phrase in the US) "done a bunk"???????????
I have a feeling it's very funny, whatever it is!

Well, now I must go.

Happy Knitting and Shooting!

Joy Riding

I took a break from my furious knitting under deadline pressure on the HP illusion scarf for my son in order to actually put a few hours in on the job for which I get paid. Interviewed a gentleman from church r.e. his '57 Chevy Bel Air. Got all the details and some great photos for the magazine layout. (Trying to work in ways to engage the male readers out there!)

Any who....the big treat was that my daughter (who was along as my photographic assistant) and I got to go for a ride with the top down.



What an ABSOLUTE THRILL!!!!!!! This car is perfectly restored, all original parts except the battery. Bob is an artist when it comes to fine-tuning engines and keeping a "three on the tree" manual transmission working perfectly. You can't imagine the wonderful sound when he fired it up! And the thrill of the air blowing through your hair. And those heavenly comfortable seats! Wowza!

I sometimes still find myself amazed that someone is paying me to do this stuff. Meet great people. Hear interesting stories. Write. Photograph. Put it all together.

It's a dream come true!

Guess I'll get back to knitting now....after all there's not much time left before they expect to go to a Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows premiere in that scarf!
Wish me luck!

Happy Shooting and Knitting!

Illusion Scarf

Ever since I saw the Knitty Gritty episode on illusion knitting I was intrigued. Then I came across a brilliant pattern by Lindsay on thestormmoon.blogspot.com which is a pattern with the Dark Mark from Harry Potter hidden in the scarf. This was all I needed to give it a whirl. (We are Harry Potter crazy at our house. My daughter got "Outstanding" on the last W.O.M.B.A.T. on JK Rowling's website.) I'm only a little bit into it but this is it so far:

This is what it looks like straight on:


and this is what you see if you view it from the flat edge:


It's been fun to watch the pattern emerge. I keep tipping the project every few rows to see what's happening. I'm going to investigate this method further. I'd like to come up with some illusions having to do with the "good" guys in HP. Just imagine, me--making my own pattern. Cool!

Happy Knitting!

I Dyed & Went to Tennessee

Well, it's been a loooong time since I posted. And I have no excuses that sound good, so I'm not even going to bother. All I can say is that it's been an eventful six weeks since I last posted.

I learned how to dye yarn in my crock pot!

Here is a batch of lovely stuff I call "Summertime Citrus" along with a pair of finished socks. (Pattern is "Breeze" from the Summer '07 knitty.com. I HIGHLY recommend the pattern. I highly discourage you from trying it with vary-colored yarn!!)



And some close-up's of the sock details:




It has lovely lace-work and cables. All kinds of fun, but easy to knit--even in the car. (Which is where I knit this pair! Driving from Iowa to Tennessee for our family vacation a couple weeks ago!)

The next thing I dyed last month was this beautiful hank of Icelandic wool from Tongue River Farms:




I was going for more purple than blue, but misjudged the amount of dye needed for this amount of yarn. That's why they call it "learning." I'm still very happy with the color results and can't wait to see how it knits up!

As you might imagine, these two experiments have got my creative brain ticking away on overtime! If only I had unlimited resources for yarn expenditures, I'd get all sorts of undyed yarns and have a go at all sorts of gorgeous color schemes! This really was a blast and I can't wait to give it another try.

In the meantime (besides finally actually taking over as managing editor of a monthly magazine while continuing to write and photograph for them...) I also managed to accomplish these projects over the last 6 weeks:

Knee-hi socks in school colors for my DD who plans to wear them for marching band:



Another entrelac bag which will NOT be felted (but that yet needs a handle and lining):


and another sweater for the new nephew (who is three months old on the 4th and rolling over already!):

I think he's going to look a little like Pooh in a bee costume, what do you think?
Still debating on buttons.

And just in case you're the sort of person who likes visual proof of the world's realities, here are a couple photos from our trip to Tennessee.




Phew! That ought to about catch me up! I have a feeling I've neglected a couple other knitting projects, but ah well, such is life. I hope to be a bit more regular in my posts once more!

Happy Knitting & Shooting!

First Entrelac!

I have completed my first entrelac project! I drove 2 hours with my best knitting friend to take a class at a LYS in Sioux City, IA (Susan's Yarn Garden -- DON'T miss it if you're ever driving through on I-29!!) And this is the result!




It's knit with Noro Kuryeon (sp?). I really like it!

I completed one sock of the pair from Charlene Schurch's More Sensational Knitted Socks, but haven't photographed it yet due to not being done with the pair. Also I'm knitting away on a knee - thigh high pair of magic stripes in school colors for my DD. She plans to wear them for marching band next fall.

At work I'm in the official position of taking over as editor for the local monthly magazine -- and LOVING it! I write 5 articles (ok, one of those is just a photograph with a quote as a "Parting Shot" on the last page!) and put together 2 other sections: the community calendar of things to see and do as well as the "Seen About Town" which features photos of people at community, social or charitable events and galas, etc. I also take photos for the articles I write and shoot the cover each month. So it's keeping me busy! In the publishing business we're working 2 months ahead, so currently working on July's issue. Sometimes makes the photography aspect "interesting!" (Shooting "summer" when spring blossoms are blooming for instance!)

Here's my June cover for the theme and cover story, "Celebrating Dad! Why We Love Our Fathers."



This is just my mock-up to give the art dep't an idea, so I'm not sure if the actual cover will look this way, but it IS the photo they'll use.

Well, that's it for today.
Happy Shooting & Knitting!

A New Nephew! (& Coffee!!)

I've been busy with work related stuff, but did take time to visit family for Easter. My brother and his wife welcomed our new little nephew--Logan--on Wed. April 4th. We happen to think he's a gorgeous kiddo -- you GOTTA love that HAIR!!




Also took a few food photos as filler for a local Visitor's Guide. Thought you might enjoy this one:



The word "cappuccino" on the table is a shadow being cast from the signage on the big picture window of the coffee shop on Main St. I thought it was kinda cool!

I did knit my DD a sweater over the Easter weekend...it's one of those quickies done in super chunky yarn on size 15 needles and only comes down to about 2-3 inches above the waistline. It looks cute on her and she had friends at school asking for one in different colors. I'll try to snap a photo when she wears it again and post a pic.

That's all for now. Have a great weekend!

First Cables

I completed my first pair of cable-down-the-side socks! I think they turned out gret and will make a nice birthday gift for my sis!


Here's a closer look at those cables! (Yes, they mirror each other!)

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Busy, busy, busy

I've been very busy with work. Coming to deadlines on a local county's annual Visitors Guide. (Last minute rush to edit and grab forgotten photos or filler material, etc, etc.)

Also crunch time on the transition between simply writing for and actually becoming the managing editor for the local monthly magazine. *enough said*

Also had a great lunch in the state capital with another publishing outfit for which one of my photos graced the cover of one of their magazines a couple months ago. Hope to perhaps get some more assignment work from them as well!

All in all, it's been BUSY!

I did go out last night to capture an image that says "Small, rural communities" for the Visitors Guide.

How did I do?



On the knitting front: I have been working on 2 socks on 2 circs with my first-ever cable design down each cuff. They are being knit with Knit Picks' Essential yarn in a rich, deep green. (Also using Knit Picks circular 24" needles in US #1) I'm hoping to finish them up by Saturday to take to my sister for her birthday gift.

(Last minute gift idea, just in case: she also wants a copy of my blue-ribbon state fair photo...so I can get one of those printed in a pinch!)

Happy Shooting & Knitting!

Finished

I thought I should post a picture of the finished project. Buttons attached, somewhat blocked (I think those sleeves are going to roll up no matter what I do!) and ready to be delivered this weekend to my 3 yr. old niece. I hope she and her mommy will like it!



I also finished over the weekend the first of the "Loopy Socks" from Knit Picks (using their yarn "Dancing.") This was my first experience with "loop stitch" and it was easy and fun. My 15 yr. old dtr. loves them!





I've already got about 4" out of 7" done on cuff number two, and since they are only 56 stitches around on size US#3 needles, they knit up very quickly.

Well, gotta get to work!
Happy Knitting!

Spring Fever

Even with huge piles of snow still on the ground, the temperature is rising day by day. Water is dripping and running and puddling all around. Birds are singing. Geese are flying north. And there's a feeling of expectancy in the air. You can smell spring's nearness!

I had lunch with a friend last Friday and she brought me some daffodils. I want to share them with you!



I posted some close-ups of single blooms in my photo gallery. There's a link on the right side of the page.

Happy Shooting, Knitting and Spring!

Ok, I'll Admit It

I am disappointed with how the swap turned out for me.

Here are just a few of the pics of packages others received:

Not to mention the box that I myself shipped off. I realize the whole point is that it's better to give than to receive. And I did have fun making that cashmere shrug for Gudron and learning new stitches. It was really fun to imagine her delight in opening the box and discovering the many little treasures I had included.

And it looks like almost everyone else had the same idea and feeling in getting into the spirit of the exchange.

And then my package arrived. In an envelope. A ripped envelope.

I feel guilty about feeling ripped off. (And this is probably why I asked the people putting the swap together at the very beginning what the perameters were for what should be sent/included in the package!) Guilty feelings aside, I do in fact, feel as though I definitely got the short end of the stick.

And I'm not sure I'll do a swap again. At least one that's not clearly defined r.e. how much to spend or include, etc.

Thus the second of my "poor me" themed blog entries. Not that anyone is actually reading them. I'm going to work on my latest pair of socks now.

Happy Knitting!

Follow this link to look at the photo album of the packages people received from their swap partners:

http://de.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/luitgard2/album?.dir=6036re2&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//de.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/luitgard2/my_photos

It Came!

My package from the International Swap ("Colors of Spring") arrived today from Germany. (*yeah!*)

It contained one very bright, very "springy" green scarf in fun fur!!

I don't believe I've ever seen this color in yarn before and I think it will look OUTSTANDING against my black coat!!!

Thank you Katja!

(p.s. The flowery card is her postcard to me!)

I Would Have Been Knitting...BUT

The weather had me imprisoned in a never-ending cycle of shoveling and scooping!

We got socked with a big winter storm over the weekend. It started with thunder and lightning on Friday which turned over to sleet/ice overnight. Woke up to about 1/4 inch of ice on Saturday morning and by noon it turned over to snow which continued until Sunday night. In the end we got about 10" of it! We kept going out to shovel every 2 inches or so in order to keep up and not kill our backs. (It was the wet, heavy stuff!)

I did actually finish the pair of KnitPicks socks I was doing in the s'mores colorway and I started a quick pair of slipper socks in 100% bamboo DK weight on US #5 dpns. Pictures later. I've got to get kids to school (we had a late start), finish scooping the driveway and front walk for the mailman and get to work on my project for the newspaper.

Getting the Knack of It

Here it is, sweater #2. This one is done top down following the Daisy Cardigan pattern from The Garter Belt. The pattern was done by Marie Grace Smith.

This one is a size 4T and should fit my niece beautifully! I still have to block it (hoping it will work with this acrylic yarn!!) and figure out closures (debating about what to use....I-cord loops and buttons....ribbons to tie??) and whether or not to embroider the flowers along the bottom.

I did switch up the pattern a bit and did 5 rows of garter stitch at the bottom before the picot bind off. I thought it would match the garter edging along the fronts and neck line and prevent the curling which you can see happened on the sleeves.

Also, you'll notice I completed a hat to match the first sweater for the yet-to-be-born nephew. (See post before this one!)

Now I must force myself to go back and finish the second sock in that lovely S'mores colorway. The Knit Picks yarn is really wonderful to work with. I've just had my worst case of SSS (second sock syndrome) EVER!!! [Dare I wonder if I knit too many pairs for Christmas!???! Eeegad!]

Well, I've got stitches to knit and photos to process for my magazine deadline at the end of the week.

Happy Knitting and Shooting!

She Shoots......She SCORES!!!

Ok, this phrase always reminds me of watching hockey (although admittedly the pronoun is usually "he" in that situation!) It happens, as you may know or guess, each time a player makes . . .

. . . what??? . . .


. . . oh yes.....ahem.....

A GOAL!!!!!!

(Drum roll please!)

I have made one of my 2007 knitting goals!

(cue rauckus applause!)

I completed a "5 Hour Baby Sweater" this morning, thus fulfilling my goal of making a sweater. It is intended for my yet-to-be-born nephew who is due end of March/beginning of April. (If you're reading this say a quick prayer for my SIL who is having very premature labor and is trying to have bed rest at home with a very active & sweet 3 year old dtr!!!)

Without further ado, here's the sweater!



Now we just hope the baby will hold out another month before insisting on joining us!
I will make a hat to match.

And something for big sister too!

Experienced Knitters Needed

Okay, I finished my first ever toe-up sock:




I generally happy with the way it turned out, I guess. (Still can't get past my cuff down prejudice though!) What I'm not so happy about, and quite sure I totally goofed up is the heel (never having done this sort of short row with wraps before.)
This is what one side of the heel looks like:



And here is the other side (which, I'm sure you'll notice, looks completely different from the other side!! argh!):



So my question to all you more experienced knitters it this: what the heck did I do wrong??? Or is it normal for heels to look like this??

In one pattern I looked at, it said your heel would look nicer if you lifted the wrap up and over the stitch before you knit them together. I gave it a try, but honestly I'm not quite sure I was doing it right. Plus then I discovered (much too late) that on the double wrapped stitches I was supposed to lift BOTH wraps--which I didn't do because I only noticed this little helpful tip at the very end of the pattern after I was done with the heel!!!

If anyone can offer me some wisdom before I get to the heel on sock number two (I'm just past the toe and working my way up the foot.....) I'd greatly appreciate it!

Thanks a bunch! & Happy Knitting!

SWAG

Well, here's my package bound for Germany! It's my first international shipment and I hope that the various postal systems take good care of it!

Also, I really hope my new friend in knitting enjoys the stash!



That's all for now!
Knit On & Happy Shooting!

My New Pick (and a Shrug Too!)

I have to let you know how THRILLED I am with Knit Picks!! This is their Memories - 100% Merino Wool--sock yarn in the "Smores" colorway. It is every bit as luscious IMHO as Lorna's Laces and is knitting up wonderfully! (Yes, those are KnitPicks 6" dpns in size 0 which I got for a wonderful price too!!) Knit Picks is definitely my new pick for where to buy yarn!! Less expense, wonderful quality.....what more is there to say??!!




As promised, here is a photo of the shrug I knit for my swap partner in Germany. It is knit from 7.5 balls of Lion Brand Merino/Cashmere blend which was on sale at a LYS. It is super soft and wonderfully warm and it will be hard to pack it up and ship it off......but alas! I must! I used a pattern found on DIY Network's website for the show Knitty Gritty. It is basically a knit sampler of lace stitches. Because you knit it with bulky yarn on size 11 needles, it knits up super fast! It looks cute on my 15 year old daughter and my 50-something knitting pal as well....so I'm quite sure that my swap partner will like it! (It is made in colors she likes!)
When I get her full package put together, I'll be sure and post a photo. I've never shipped anything overseas.....I'm hoping the postage won't shock me into heart failure! (Then again, I filled up both our vehicles at the pumps today.....can't get much more sticker shock than THAT, can we???!!!)

That's all for now!
Knit On!

Cover Girl

I made the cover!!! I knew that The Iowan was going to publish my State Fair blue-ribbon photo in the portfolio section of the new issue, but to my great surprise they also used it on the cover! I am thrilled to say the least!

I'm afraid I'm going to fail miserably at one of my resolutions......I haven't been out to shoot any photos just for fun or personal challenge in the month of January despite my good intent to do so twice a month. There's still a week (plus)... so I may not be a total failure yet. We'll see. I have a deadline this Thursday at the paper and a new project on top of my regular monthly commitments....so we shall see indeed.

On the knitting front....I finished a shrug!! It's so soft--made of merino and cashmere (and headed for Germany soon!) It's a gift to my swap partner there. I promise to take pics and post them soon!

Also, I broke down and went crazy shopping at Knit Picks. I went to get some sock yarn for my swap partner.....and of course got some for myself as well! I am loving working with the one type--it feels and works up very much like Lorna's Laces...but it's only $3.99 a hank! I can dig that!! I'll take some pics and post. I'm trying my first ever "toe up" sock to see how long I can go on the cuff. It's been fun!

Well, that's all for now. Pics to come....SOON!!!

Knit On! (And Happy Shooting to you photo bugs out there!)

Happy New Year!

Well here it is 2007 already! I remember vaguely thinking that my folks and grandparents were kidding when they talked about time going faster and faster the older you get. I so totally get it now! Happy New Year one and all! (Even if it is the 3rd already!)

I'm looking forward to this new year. It's like the slate has been wiped clean and we all get a big "do over." I like that! Some things about the new year I can anticipate (like the promotion I got just as 2006 was ending! I'm still doing freelance writing and photography for the local newspaper/publishing company....but I'm also taking on Managing Editor duties for the local monthly magazine and perhaps a book project for the publisher! Dreams come true!)

Our family is looking forward to the birth of a new baby: my brother and his wife are expecting in April. That will be great! (And I'll be knitting up a baby blanket before then! Mark one project in the list of things I must accomplish in 2007.) I also have to knit a few more blocks for the Aran afghan I did for my sister & her husband for Christmas. It really does need a little more girth if it's going to warm anyone other than her 7 year old. (Project #2!)

In the list of "resolutions" for the New Year: I've told myself I am going to knit my first sweater this year. Period. I'm not kidding.

I AM giving myself permission to let it be child or even infant sized rather than the extra-lovely size it would need to be to fit moi. But hey! Everyone's got to start somewhere, right??!!

I am also going to use up my current sock yarn stash on members of my own, immediate family. They watched all those lovely socks march out the door as Chritmas gifts to others. I think they deserve a little of the love too!

I am also going to get out and shoot photos just for fun at least twice a month. I realize I need to keep the creative juices flowing and keep honing my eye. So that's the deal and I'm sticking with it.

(Have you noticed how NONE of these resolutions have anything to do with losing weight?!?)

I'm starting off the New Year with my first international swap via some lovely ladies in Germany. I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!! Stay tuned....I'll keep you posted. If all goes well I hope to do another one later in the year.

Well, that's it for now! I've got a sock to finish for myself from the yarn I bought as a souvenir on vacation in Michigan this past summer. (I put it off while finishing up Christmas knitting.)

Let me know what your plans for 2007 are!

HO HO HO

Well, here we are headed into the home stretch of the holidays. I've finished up all my Christmas projects except one. Here's my total:

*15 pairs of socks (only 4 of which were "slipper socks" that knit up quickly)
*7 hats (4 teen/men sizes, 3 child sized)
*4 scarves (3 men, 1 child)
*5 pairs of fingerless mitts in various patterns
*1 3'x3' Aran panels lap afghan

I have one more pair of fingerless mitts to do and I'll be done!

We have our tree up. I've managed to bake 5 or 6 different goodies for Christmas.
The cards have been mailed. The packages that are traveling to other states have been gone for several days now. I still have wrapping to do and groceries to purchase for Christmas dinner, etc. But I think I will make it!

I'm looking forward to finishing a pair of socks for myself and one for my daughter after the Christmas knitting is complete. I have a nice stash of yarn just waiting for snowy weather to blow in so that I can curl up on the couch with a cup of cocoa and knit away! Hope you have a wonderful holiday in whatever way to celebrate the season!