January Knitting

January is a great time for knitting. A time to try new techniques, start projects without deadlines, and most importantly, at least where I live, the best time to wear all the wool goodness. We had a big drop in temperatures this past week and I loved it. Unfortunately, it's warmer now, and as a result, I now have the head gunk and sore throat that I get when the temperatures go up and down like a roller coaster.

But I was able to hang out and knit most of the day yesterday and I worked in my newest project, Paisley Cuffs, which is my first stranded color work project. It's a great beginner project and while I've made my share of mistakes, the ripping back is painless because it's such a small project. I love the colors I chose and I love that I'm using stash yarn. (The grey is Noro and the purple is Manos) I also got to use my pretty new stitch markers, bought from fibre space on the trip to DC we took a couple of weekends ago. I love pretty stitch markers and have a ton, but these are my favorite, because they are pretty and very lightweight, an awesome combo.

 

Haven't finished these mitts, mostly because I don't really like them. Can't decide if I should rip back or not.

This is my "knit when I don't have to pay attention" project, so it's not moving fast, but that's okay with me.

And even though I have these three going, and plenty more UFOs in the craft room, I'm getting a bit of startitis. So much knitting to do, so little time!

 

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Settling In

I went back to work on Thursday, and despite wishing we had more time off, I think it was a good way to ease back into it. I felt rested and prepared, and both days went smoothly. I only have about three more weeks with these students, as we are on a four by four block schedule, and then I get a whole new group of students for the second semester. There are pros and cons about this system, but I think on the whole, the students benefit from it, as it allows them to focus on only four classes per semester.

I'm reading A Year of Living Consciously; I've read it before and found it to be very helpful, but since it's been quite a few years, I thought it would be a good thing to do again. This time, I'm keeping a little notebook of key points, words, or reflections. So far, I've read it in the morning, and then again right before going to bed, and I think it's a good way to internalize each day's concept.

I'm working on a pair of handmitts, using the Fleur-de-Lis Wristers pattern by Tanis Gray. The pattern looked intriguing, especially the ruffled cuff. I'm using Noro Silk Garden instead of the recommended Cascade Yarn, because I'm trying to use what I have, but unfortunately, I didn't realize I only had one skein, so I ended up buying a second skein this afternoon. If I had realized it before I started, I would have used one of the multiple skeins of Kureyon for the mitts and the Silk Garden for the ruffles. Oh well, good intentions and all that.

Meanwhile, I have a big batch of granola using the recipe from Alana's book baking in the oven, filling the house with the sweet smell of cinnamon, and the whole weekend stretching in front of me. Life is pretty good, isn't it?

 

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Christmas Knits

I didn't give a lot of hand knits this Christmas, but I did make a few. This is the Fortnight hat by Jared Flood, made in Shelter that I bought from Loop when I was in Philadelphia in July. I started it in July and almost finished it, but when I ran into a problem, I ripped it back to the garter section and set it aside until after Christmas. Once I picked it back up, I finished it in no time. This photo is preblocked and while I don't always block Steve's hats prior to giving them to him, with Shelter, it's definitely necessary to block, otherwise the yarn won't bloom properly. I must say, I don't love working with Shelter as much as some people seem to do. It always feels like it will break too easily, especially when working with cables. But I do love the end result.

 

This photo is outside on the drying rack after a soak.

This is a hat I made for my oldest stepdaughter, using Dragonfly Fibers blue Faced Worsted yarn in the color Riptide. I used Declan's Hat pattern because it looked very Irish to me, and Lindsay loves all things Celtic.

This yarn was very soft and easy to work with, but I blocked it anyway, to make sure it was done correctly.

I gave Melissa a hat I made from the book, New England Knits. It is the Brattleboro hat, using Dream in Color yarn and although I finished knitting it in 2012, I didn't do the button band until the end of 2013, when I rummaged through my UFOs. Melissa loved it.

The last gift I made was a Gap-tastic Cowl for my cousin, using Plymouth Yarn's Baby Alpaca Grande Glow in red and cream. It's such a soft yarn to wear next to your neck.

Maybe that's why I didn't feel too stressed about holiday knitting this Christmas.

Now it's pure wish knitting time; can't wait to pick out my new project!

Happy New Year!

Edited to add: just went back and counted projects finished in 2013, and my total was 27! Not too shabby, even if many of them were one skein projects.

 

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The In-Between Time

Steve and I went to DC for the weekend, as our Christmas gift to each other, and the weather was perfect.

We went to the Eastern Market and saw some gorgeous things, as well as some beautiful produce.

 

Why do vegetables look so beautiful at an outdoor market?

This bookstore was amazing and the proprietor was a quirky kind of guy, judging from his position on cell phone usage.

We also went to a knitting shop, where Steve patiently waited with another knitter's husband.

 

This is the Library of Congress building, which we visited for the first time.

I don't believe I've ever been in a more beautiful building.

The Supreme Court.

Views of the gorgeous sky.

We popped into the National Gallery right before closing in order to see The Dying Gaul, a sculpture that hasn't been outside of Italy since 1797. Needless to say, it was amazing.

We wrapped up the day by eating a delicious dinner in Chinatown.

 

We got back last night and after running an errand or two this morning, including having the dentist replace my broken temporary crown with another temporary crown, I'm ready to do some clearing out. Glenna had the same idea; indeed, I'm sure this is a good time for many people, as we realize just how much stuff we have accumulated over the past year. I'm not one for celebrating New Year's Eve, but I do like to do a bit of clearing out and cleaning this time of year.

And of course, it's a perfect time to do a bit of selfish knitting, so I started another Hitchhiker.

Enjoy the last of 2013!

 

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Christmas Snapshots

We had a marvelous Christmas, full of family and friends and food. In no particular order, here are some snapshots of the last three days.

 

 

Gracie has come so far from the scared shelter cat she was in January; here she is checking out the interesting smells under our tree, even though lots of people were in the same room! I use maps and grocery bags for wrapping paper now; I gave up buying wrapping paper about three years ago and I'm never going back. It seemed like such a waste of money, and although it may not be everyone's cup of tea, we like it.

I lucked into a great thrift find for Melissa; an old manual typewriter for less than $5! She's wanted one for years.

Our St. Stephen's Day feast; when we had all the kids over to eat and open gifts.

 

Christmas Eve, we stopped into the restaurant/bar where Melissa works, before going to the candlelight service at the church across the street.

 

A montage of some of our decorations.

A beautiful picture of my youthful parents with Melissa on Christmas Day. I really missed having Meredith home this year, but she was in upstate New York with her in-laws.

One of the succulent gardens that Melissa made for gifts this year. I had my girls make their gifts all through their childhood and I am beyond thrilled that they still keep up the tradition.

My niece, trying to nap at my parents' after Christmas breakfast.

Melissa, with the hat I knit for her.

 

Lindsay, with the gorgeous scarf Stephanie knit for her. She has adopted our handmade gift philosophy.

Melissa thrilled with the hat Stephanie made for her.

All the kids plus a few extra.

Hope you all had a wonderful, messy, relaxing Christmas, and continue to enjoy the upcoming week.

 

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