Christmas in July

Well, in August. I have officially begun my Christmas knitting early, knowing full well that this need to churn out presents won't last, and I had better take advantage of it while it lasts. Here is what I have so far...

3 1/2 pairs of socks. Not too bad, especially considering one pair is a men's 14. I plan on either socks or a hat for each family member, since socks for each would be ambitious on both the knitting and financial front. Here I present to you, Leyburns! In something Knitpicks, ball band lost.

(Recipients will remain anonymous...for now). Rogers! In Knitpicks Multi, Lucky Multi (I think).

(Both modeled by my lovely assistant, Isabelle). Thermal Waffle-y Socks! In Knit Picks Stroll, Fedora.

And finally, reverse-engineered-upside-down-Leyburns! Well, one of a pair. Knitpicks Stroll Multi in Sunset Multi.

In the midst of all of this gift knitting, I managed to pick up some gifts for myself online (not that it was that difficult). Cherry Tree Hill sock yarn!

Supersock in Winterberry, which I think is the coolest yarn name ever.

Super sock in Fuchsia, although I think it is reminiscent of peppermint.

Stockittome in Wild Cherry,

and Stockittome in Tropical Storm. I'm not sure about this one, but it has more purple in person, so the black and blue contrast isn't as strong as the picture shows.

On top of this, I still have more Knitpicks sock yarn in my knitting basket. The sad part? I don't know how long into the school year this will last me! I suppose I will just have to make a trip to Knit One in Pittsburgh once I get there...

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Back For Christmas

Haven't posted in forever, due to school, the holidays, birthday, and some minor comission knitting. However, this Christmas calls for a victory post!

First off, I finally have a yarn swift and ball winder!

Secondly, my family has enjoyed their gifts so far!

My mom's socks still haven't been photographed (she keeps wearing them, sticking them in the hamper, and washing them faster than I can keep track of). My lil' sister received my overly colorful earflap hat whose picture I have misplaced. I felt kind of bad about not having time to line it, but she's still beyond thrilled and wears it everywhere.

My dad has always proven difficult to knit for, as he fears anything tasteful will make him appear overly feminine. He couldn't care less if anyone else dressed in such a way, and has befriended many a man to do so, but he himself will never be caught dead in anything metrosexual or stylish. I spent most of the fall inquiring about his opinions of various hat patterns (supposedly they were "for the boyfriend"). The final decision was that to be acceptable, a hat could have colorwork, if it didn't depict anything. Tassles were acceptable, as they served a practical purpose-they allow him to remove a hat swiftly and easily with mittens on. Cables were okay, maybe, if they weren't curvy (what kind of cables aren't at least partially curvy???) and allover patterns were preferrable to the focus bring taken by one panel. Colors had to be muted, natural, and masculine. With all of this in mind, I found the Groovy Cables Tuque (it said tuque, not toque-I'm assuming they're the same thing) pattern, and knit it up in Patons Classic Wool, Tree Bark Mix, on size 7US needles.

I do believe it turned out fairly well, and he'll at least deign to wear it occassionally. The family thought it looked like something from this designer or that, so it was definitely a crowd pleaser. (It does look better on than off, but no one was home to model).

I also snagged the book Free Range Knitter, and have been reading the little bits of knitting humor all throughout the winter break.

And knitting more hats. I've knit LOTS of hats.

I Lied.

I re-watched The Prisoner of Azkaban, and the movie scarves are dark dark dark dark DARK burgundy. Oh well. I still like my colors :) Luna's scarf is still waiting to be started, but I fear she'll have to wait a bit longer...while crochet projects are quick, a one-day-only 20% off all yarns sale at Ben Franklin means an opportunity for more Christmas gift materials!

Another Hermione Hat Finished!

I finished this hat while stitching and bitching at a emmydee's for a sleepover:

I had been worried that my overly large head would tug open gaps around the cables and make it a little less warm, but I think my fears were unfounded. I'm sure I'll find out for real when the mercury dips below 32 degrees, but for now I am a happy camper! The cabling is as addicting as the pattern description said, and very impressive yet tasteful, bobbles and all. Even one of my Flogging-Molly-loving fire-fighting friends agreed that it was "badass" (or was at least able to convince me that was his opinion), and informed me that I am to wear it when we go sledding this winter :) Can't wait!

And of course, the now discontinued Patons Classic Wool Merino (I still can't get over that...) performed beautifully. I have just started a pair of Tridactyl gloves from Knitty using the replacement line, Patons Classic Wool, and it definitely seems coarser and more dense. At least the color is nice. "Aquarium" to pair with the wave pattern on the back. Will probably be a present for one of two people for Christmas...can't say who yet, of course.

Executive Decision

Last year, as with every year, Christmas was just the same. An assortment of presents for an assortment of people without rhyme, reason, or ample time to coordinate a beautiful yet practical parcel for everyone. So, my decision made this year, with PLENTY of time to see it through, is that every family member will receive a hat. Plain and simple. Thus far they're all ribbed to accommodate the craniums of many sizes that populate both sides of my family. The colors are dictated by the half-skeins of merino in my basket, and the striping patterns either by color availability or whenever I run out and need something to finish the decreases.

Since school let out yesterday I have finished two hats in between events and have a third spongy ring strung across my size six circulars. All made out of mystery stash wool, there is...

• ONE "The Boy Hat" by Elizabeth Heath-Heckman. Love the crown shaping, a little extra attention makes a very neat, pleasing finish. This one began in an olive, but when that ran out was finished in a rustic heathery off-white.
• ONE "A Hat Fit For A Boyfriend" by Stephanie Nicole. Plain chocolate brown, I actually had enough to reach the end! Another approach to carefully thought-out decreasing to add some variety to the endless ribbing, and with any luck impress the giftees.
• 1/5 of the "That Chocolate's Gone Straight to Your Ribs" hat by Leonie Connellan. Using up some obnoxiously bright blue for the body and hot pink for the stripes. I'll probably add some more color rings, but whether I'll end up with one additional stripe or several the whole way up I don't know. I'll find out as I go, I suspect!

So as long as I don't have a stroke as the ribbing continues on and on, forever and ever, this is a seemingly brilliant plan! Lots of time, lots of patterns still untried, and a plethora of colors to experiment with. They're seemingly one size fits all, and really; who lives in New York and doesn't need a hat?