I’m embarassed to admit, but must, that I’m not quite done my holiday knitting.  Shame.

I am, however, almost done.  And I will be done by the time I have to find my way in to work again (I hope).  So with some luck, I can get the darn things shipped this coming Monday (yay!).  There is a benefit to being just about snowed in, I guess.

What am I making?  Well I can’t tell you yet, but I will soon!  That is, as soon as I know that the things I’m working on have arrived at their destination safe and sound, and received by the family I miss so much. 

Two patterns will be released, too – how’s that for a teaser?

And now, back to work.  Happy Holidays to all, may you be save and warm and well-loved this holiday season!

I’m attempting to knit hats for men.  For instance, my husband, Dad, brother, and brothers-in-law.  My father-in-law would be on that list if he wore hats, which he does not.

I thought of a simple enough ribbed stitch pattern that I think is manly-ish, and I’m knitting it up.  Hubby Dearest likes the outside.  I prefer the inside.  Hey, it’s reversible!  Fan-tastic, less likelihood of complaint from men who have a thing against handmade.  (Don’t ask.)

Hat 1 is DK/sport, Hat 2 will be worsted.  Both will be (hopefully) finished today.  Pattern w/ sizes will go up as soon as the crown decreases are sorted out. 

I’ve figured it out – one-skein projects, or even two-skein projects, achieve FO status more expeditiously than projects requiring 3 or more skeins. 

Since I waxed poetic about my February (Sept-Dec) Lady Sweater, this round of idle banter will discuss my Clapotis.  I really, really, really want to finish this one.  I’m barely into the 2nd skein.  *sigh*  It’s coming alone nicely, though, and I’m really pleased to have gotten the tip to purl the row of stitches that will eventually be dropped, since the yarn I chose would be perfect (for all intents and purposes) for steeking.  Maybe I’ll delve into this one tonight – it’s next to the bed waiting to be knit.

But about that Lady sweater…I finally got to the lacework last night, and I’m so happy to finally be done with garter stitch.  This part should be easy, with no figuring out what the heck I’m supposed to do next on little scrap pieces of paper at my knitting group.  I have a plan to prevent future Lady Knitters from what I have gone through (well, not the craptastic yarn part, just the frustration of getting to a point and…well, you know).  More on that later…

The other project I’m actively working on (I retired some to hibernating status on Ravelry) is another of my Cowl Crestings.  This one knit up in elann.com’s Silken Kydd…colorway Baked Apple.  This colorway could easily be my favorite colorway ever.  I have high hopes that the errors I’m making (did you know I never knit laceweight before?  Because I haven’t…) are difficult to discern because the pattern is so gosh darn forgiving. 

On deck – Auntie has requested a warm cowl knit from something soft and neutral.  Elann.com Seta Lana, perhaps?  Projects for my Mom and Dad are also in the works.  Mittens for my boys, maybe I’ll finish the slippers I started for my 2yo too (except he no longer keeps his shoes or socks on, so not much point finishing, is there?).  Something for me?  I’d like to try knitting up my friend’s hat pattern, using yarns that are closer to the prescribed gauge, but I’m running short on time…although it could likely achieve FO status. 

Something to think about…