And sometimes, I sew . . .

For some reason the idea of heading off to see the world sort of put a fire under my rear and led to me tackling a few projects I've been putting off. Knowing that I would be spending a lot of time on a coach watching the world go by I figured I was going to bring some knitting. (also that if I went two weeks without knitting I might lose my mind) But all my project bags were store bought and too big or too small. So I got out the fabric stash (which is not super impressive - I have to buy fabric if I want to make anything that requires more than half a yard) and took two fabrics I liked. I sewed them together inside out on three sides, turned them right side out, hemmed the one end, folded up what I had- leaving a flap, sewed the sides together, added some snaps, and sewed buttons over the snaps. And that was how my perfect size project bag came to be. Poking out in the open picture are the socks I made while in the coach. I just finished them as we approached Paris - which was the last stop so- perfect timing.

In the Knitting Bag

Instead of doing a list of resolutions for the new year I thought I would just take pictures of all my current knitting. That way I can look back next year and see what got done, scrapped, and might still be in progress. So, on to the current WIPs:


First up is a soon to be S'n B Kittyville hat. I just need ears and possibly ties. It's actually a little smaller than adult size as it's meant for a child. This needs to be done mid Jan as that's when the child's birthday is.



Next up I have my current work/movie/travel knitting. No time limit on these, just easy knitting for those free moments when out and about.



Yet another sock. This is "Sunshine" from Sock Innovation. This is the first sock. I'm happy to say this is the second time I've knit from this book even though I've only had it since the end of April (I have a history of buying books and magazines and never making anything from them.) I have to say I love the book and intend on making at least half of the designs in it. Again, no time limit on the socks. I'm just making them for the fun of it.



This is the current state of the gloves I began ages ago. I've heard of second sock syndrome - but I seem to suffer from second glove. I do want to finish these before the weather warms up.



Swatches for projects to be. Sweaters, I think. But sometimes plans change.




Not yet wound but already destined to be fingerless gloves for BB- the pair I made him a few years back are beginning to disintegrate from constant loving wear.

More Tree Decorations

Every year I bake cookies and give them to friends in tins. Most years I get crafty and make ornaments to go with the cookies. This year I thought I was going to skip it but at the end of the last day of work until next year all I really wanted to do was curl up with some small instant gratification knitting. And so I made an ornament. Then another. Thus- ornaments! The yarn is all leftovers from various projects. I didn't use any patterns, just made it up as I went. My favorite is the purple mitten - I love the shape of the hand and the pointy thumb and hand. I want to knit myself some mittens like that.

Ornaments

I love knitting ornaments. They take up little time and yarn. You don't need to worry about allergies or wash ability as it won't be worn or washed. You really don't need a pattern as knitting is pretty intuitive-if you can knit a sock or a hat for a human you can easily knit one in miniature. Plus they are an opportunity to experiment with techniques or try out something different since the little time investment means ripping out a failure isn't heart breaking at all.

Nothing new or exciting here. Just socks attached with i-cord. They are meant to represent the socks of the wicked witch of the East as the recipient likes the Wizard of Oz.

Lorna's Laces Yumminess

I went to my LYS a few weeks back to buy yarn for a sweater for BB and I made my customary sweep of the sock yarns and discovered some Lorna's Laces. I didn't even know they carried the yarn since I had never seen it there before. Turns out they carry it, it just doesn't stay on the shelves. The pink and yellow is my current travel project - they've already been knit in a pub, a Mexican restaurant, a Greek restaurant, a deli, and at a friend's house while watching the first season of the Tudors. The blue may or may not be involved in a holiday gift.