Squeeee!

I've gotten into the habit of knitting socks for my immediate family for Christmas.  By immediate family, I mean my husband, our four children, and their assorted partners.  I try to start in January and do one pair a month.  Generally, this plan works -- providing I actually hold to the plan. 

This year I did not.  The result was that I spent December knitting frantically in an effort to finish in time.  Then I started knitting in the order in which I would see people.  This meant that I had an extra week to finish up the socks for my eldest and his family.  Whew!

Behold the socks for my eldest! Nice manly socks.  The yarn is Fortissima Socka (col.no. 0040).  I worked a  six-inch leg because I wanted to be certain that I had sufficient wool to finish the pair, as these are for a large foot.  No problem. 

Next up were socks for my daughter-in-law.  

The yarn is a discontinued On your toes from SRK.  Too bad, because it really is a decent sock yarn.  I didn't find it at all difficult to work with.  These got a seven-inch leg because the foot part was smaller.  Still have plenty of wool, actually. 

Remember that these two blessed me with a new baby in August?  Baby Panda needed some Christmas socks too! 

These socks are the cutest, tiniest things I've knit in ages.  32 stitches, and you're off to the races. Notice that they match the daddy socks?   Just makes 'me even more cute.   And talk about a quick project!  Maybe one television show per section.  And that's being generous. 

Anyone care to guess how I'll be using up my leftover sock yarns?

Planes, trains and automobiles

When last we talked, I was looking forward to a visit with my new grandson.  Yes,that was way back in September.   One plane ride (uneventful) and my eldest met me at the far end airport.  the timing was absolutely perfect.   next we traveled via the metro (the train part of our ride) to his automobile, within which we traveled to his home.

I got to snuggle wee Panda, and kiss his little head, and fingers, and toes, and generally anything that came close.  I had a delightful visit with the kids.    I was very sad to come home.  He is a beautiful little boy, and his parents are enjoying him immensely.

Upon my return, I was busy with the store and life in general.   I still can't believe that it's December already.   I don't have nearly enough holiday knitting completed!     

The store was asked to teach a class at the Scugog library again.  This is a fund raiser for the library, and we were happy to oblige.   The ladies are so enjoyable, and the setting is really quite nice.   While at the class one day, I solved a mystery:  How does this happen?

One of our regular customers had done this, and both Barb and I were perplexed as to how it happens.  Now I know!   When casting on, using a knitted on technique, be sure to put your stitch marker in behind you, not in front.   I created my usual möbius twist, so I didn't have to break the stitch marker out.  Whew!  Now I know why I love my Clover markers so much!

There has been lots of knitting in the past two months ... I'll track down my projects and pictures for you.  Soon.  I also promise not to be gone for so long next time.