Dear Santa

It's been a while since I've written to you. It wasn't you, it was me. I was growing up, going to school, getting married, having two daughters. I know that's not a very good excuse for my lack of correspondence. I can only say that I am sorry.

I have changed, Santa. I used to look forward to toys under the tree. Then I wanted clothes. I asked for a boom box, I asked for a CD player. And every year, you delivered. (By the way, I'm sure that you were joking the year you put an onion in my stocking. I figured you have a great sense of humour, what with all the Ho Ho Hoing you do.)

This year, I was hoping you could give me time. Time to be still. Time to enjoy my girls. Time to knit. Most importantly, I would like some time with my Dude.

You don't have to wrap it up, Santa, and I'm sure it wouldn't weigh down your sleigh too much. I know that you don't always bring what people ask for; I am still waiting for that Roller Skating Doll. Just do what you can and I'll do the rest.

Thanking you in advance,

J

I actually finished something

It is a shock to me. I finished knitting something. And almost on time.

This is my mother's 60th birthday present, given to her in the sunny Californian Desert.

I asked it to be given immediately back to me, because, yes the knitting was complete, but the blocking was not.


It is made with Handmaiden Rumple in Ivory. It is a shimmery gold colour. Lovely yarn, but a true pain in the butt to work with. Think of novelty yarn made out of 100% silk and hand-dyed. Gorgeous but frightfully annoying (kind of like my kids).

Happy birthday Mom. You'll have it to take back with you to the desert.

A chill in the air...

There is snow on the ground. The Dude assures me it is here to stay. Perfect weather for handknits.

I've been plugging away at the Christmas list and find that I am on the home stretch. I have finished some Earl Grey Socks for my uncle. I knit him socks every year and he tells me they are the only ones that keep his feet warm. And that little tidbit keeps my heart warm.

I have finished one and a bit of my Baba's mittens. I feel like I'm getting better at this whole stranded knitting thing. The more I do it, the faster I get. I just have to knit colourwork periodically to get the skill up.

I started some Cauchy socks for another man in my life. I got a little help from a knitter on Ravelry and increased the stitch count to 72 which is my standard number of stitches for a man's sock.

Those are Catknip's Signature DPNs that she's letting me test drive. They are sweet. The tips are pointy and never split a stitch. The body of the needle is slightly grooved which makes it grippy but not too grippy. In short, I would be happy to receive a set in 2.25 mm and/or 2.5 mm this Christmas. I know that's a big request, but if you don't ask, you don't get.

I'm also working on a gift for the teachers at P1 and Stinky's preschool. I'm knitting the Porcelain Bowls for the Holiday Interweave Knits magazine. T will do the lace and together, we will have a low effort, (hopefully) high impact gift. I just love teamwork.

And once these projects are completed, I will be done.

But for now, I'd better get back to the needles.

Things I Learned on My Vacation

1. You can make anything out of Lego.


2. Giraffes are large animals with long black tongues.



3. My children are exhausting.



4. My children make me laugh everyday.



5. My husband makes me smile everyday.



6. Christmas celebrations are a whole lot different in the desert.


7. Family vacations are amazing. Can't wait to do it again.

I'm Back....

You may have noticed (or maybe not...) that I've been away. Miss J. has been holding down the fort for the last couple of weeks while I've been holidaying.

I can tell you family holidays aren't conducive to knitting - too much amusement parking, eating, swimming, family time-ing.

But I do promise to show you some amazing pictures of beaches and kids and all around fun.

Soon.

First - laundry.