Saturday, November 29, 2008

Belated Thanksgiving Post

It seems impossible for me to post on a regular basis lately. There's been some stress around Chez Mommy Knitter. Nothing too serious, but issues that need attention. There's also a shocking lack of knitting going on. The Oriel Lace Scarf was moving along slowly, but the deadline to get in the mail came and went, and it's not done. Thus, that has moved to hibernation while I attend to Christmas knitting that might actually get done in time.

The first thing on my list was to create a wreath for our front door. I used the miniature hat pattern from the holiday issue of Knitsimple, and my mom helped me to create the wreath. I'm really pleased with it, and hope the neighbors smile when they see it on our front door.


I also knit a dishcloth for my mom's knitting guild. They are sending them to people who receive Meals on Wheels this holiday season. Today, I cast on for a tam for my sister-in-law. At this point, this is the MUST GET DONE item for Christmas. We have at least an 8 hour drive ahead of us tomorrow (and probably a significant longer one with holiday traffic), so I'm hoping to get a great jump on it. Sadly, the double pointed needles I will eventually need are at home, so I won't be finishing it. Of course, I still have the sleeves of the February Lady Sweater to knit, and I do have the appropriate needles for that. Obviously, there is no shortage of car ride knitting.

Since Thanksgiving is the traditional time to reflect on the things we are thankful, I thought I would do a little bit of that here.

I am so thankful for my husband. He is truly my best friend, and is so wonderfully supportive. I'm thankful for my kids - I think they are the most fun kids on the planet, and I love all of their hugs and kisses. Lately, our family has experienced some trials, and I am even thankful for those. God has been teaching us so much, and I'm really learning to trust that all things really do work out for the good of those who love Him. In the meantime, we have a lovely home (even if we rent), wonderful friends, and lots of extended family who love and support us. I am truly a blessed person. I try to remember that on a daily basis, but I figured now is a good time to let the rest of the world know it.

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I pray that you have a blessed Advent season.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Charity Sit 'n Knit

The Sit 'n Knit in Melrose has started to host a time for charity knitting the second Sunday of every month. Best of all - it's free! You just show up and knit! I went on Sunday, bought a skein of Encore DK and knit up a baby squash hat to donate to charity. I'm excited for a few reasons.

1. I don't have a local yarn store with knitting friends that I hang out with. There were some very nice ladies knitting away on Sunday, but I have to say, in case you didn't know, New Englanders are very different than Buffalonians. It's not that they're not friendly, they're just not as gregarious. I'm hoping if I go every month, I'll get to know them better.

2. I've fallen short of my charity knitting goal for the year. Being sick every time I looked at needles really made it difficult to knit an item every month.

3. Um, I get to go and knit quietly for a couple of hours without any children interrupting. It's nice.

I've started the Oriel Lace Scarf. The first repeat went slowly, but now it's moving along nicely. Still to knit on the Christmas list: a tam for my SIL, and 2 sweaters for dolls. And of course, finishing the February Lady Sweater before Christmas would be nice.

Happy Knitting!

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Christmas Decorations

I was thinking about knitting a bunch of these:


And attaching them to this:


What do you think?

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Get out and Vote!

Regardless of how feel about the campaigns, or about the candidates, please don't take your right to vote lightly. We so often forget that this right we take for granted is ours because people fought and died for it. Honor them by taking the time to vote today, and celebrate the fact that we have a say in our government!

(Steps down from soapbox)

Last night I finished the body of the February Lady Sweater. It was slow, but worth it! The picture isn't great, but it was hard to show the length and the detail. Today, the length is what's important. I still have to weave in the ends and knit the sleeves, but so far, I'm VERY pleased!


Besides this sweater - things to finish before Christmas: Lace Scarf for a friend, Tam for my SIL, coat for little girl's dolly and a sweater for little boy's dolly. (BTW - why are boy doll clothes so hard to find????) Also, I'm hoping to knit some miniature hats for our front door wreath and for ornaments to add to gifts. We'll see if it all gets done.

Happy knitting!