Christmas Break Catch-Up

Hello all,

Things here in Megland have been rather busy, as first homework, then Christmas break got in the way of blogging. (I honestly don't know how people like the Yarn Harlot do it... where do they get the time...?) Regardless, here I am with an update before the insanity that is second semester comes in full force to swamp me with work until April. I feel the first pull already; this is not going to be fun. Thank goodness for knitting...

First and foremost, the Mitten Tree mittens were finished on time, somewhat at the expense of the homework. Hopefully they'll keep some people warm this winter.

(Women's size knit with Cascade Soft Spun in Aubergine, men's size knit with Cascade Soft Spun in Navy.)

The Christmas dishcloths were finished and joyfully received; here are the other two:

(Both knit with Bernat Handicrafter Cotton; first one with Tangerine [it really is orange, I swear...], second one with In Motion.)

I also knit my boyfriend a pair of mittens, which are making me very sad, as I made them too big. (I'm still not sure if they're ludicrously large or just a little too large...) He seemed to appreciate them nonetheless, and I suppose I can always try again if it starts bugging me enough and/or if he would like me to.

(Knit with Patons Classic Wool in Chestnut Brown. Picture doesn't show the colour accurately.)

I got hooked on tiny snowmen this Christmas too. I ended up knitting two for myself ('cause I didn't want the first one to get lonely; yes, I'm weird like that):

then three more for my boyfriend's family, one for each of them:

(Pattern is "Mochimochi Snowmen" by Anna Hrachovec, knit with Sandnes Garn Lanett in White, Black, Burgundy and Sage Green.)

This Christmas was the best ever for many reasons, but as far as knitting is concerned, I got the best gifts ever. My brother gave me the Yarn Harlot's book "The Secret Life of a Knitter," which made me both laugh and cry. (Okay, maybe I didn't cry, but I'm pretty sure I came close at least once.) My amazing boyfriend gave me two pairs of Signature dpns (no pictures, sadly; I may have to take some to post here) and my wonderful parents gave me the complete set of Signature straights. Voila!

I also need to take a picture of the stiletto tips. Incredible! So easy to do k2tog, yarn doesn't splinter, easier to get into tighter stitches... I could go on and on about these needles. They're amazing!

Of course, now that I have them, I need to start using them, which I have done. I had started a head/ear warmer around this time last year and was almost done, then realized the bottom part was wider than the top. I could have blocked the top wider, but then it would have been too wide, so I frogged it and started over with the Signatures. Things have been a bit weird so far, and I don't know if it's the different needles or if I'm doing something wrong... I might try going down a size and seeing if that helps. If not, I'll have to ask my favourite knitting buddy if she knows what's up. I really don't want to have to go back to the old needles; apart from the fact that they seem to be creating gaps in my cables, the Signatures are a dream to work with.

I also started a cowl, which is going very well so far. I think it's going to turn into my TV knitting; it's simple enough that you can concentrate on it and the show at the same time. It was worked on most over Christmas break during the many hockey games I ended up watching (not entirely by choice, but anything is more bearable when there's knitting involved.) I'll post pictures when I get a chance to take them.

I've also finally finished my first pair of socks! After all the mittens I knit, which gave me a better understanding of the double-pointed needle/knitting in the round in general, I was eager to get back to the socks, which had been sitting in the closet for some time. Once I picked them up again, I realized they weren't nearly as challenging as I'd thought. (The whole knitting two socks at a time on two circulars can be confusing when you don't understand where all the needles/balls of yarn are supposed to go.) I was very happy when the foot turned out to be the right length; it never seemed to get to the right spot when I measured on my foot and I ended up going with the measurements in the book, since I was already there anyway and I was eager to do the toes. They're very cosy, the perfect socks for a cold winter day spent at home with a cup of tea and a good book (or, alternately, some good knitting.) Here they are in their cool blue glory:

The colour is so vivid because I took this picture in front of a window. Pattern is "Women's Basic Cuff-Down Socks" by Antje Gillingham, knit with S. R. Kertzer Northern Worsted in Cool Blue.

Since finishing these, I've started the basic toe-up pattern from the same designer, but they're not far enough along yet to be worthy of pictures. Thankfully, they're proceeding with more understanding at this stage than the first ones were, since I now have a better idea of what's all supposed to be happening.

I've also started a pair of mittens for my mother, to replace her favourite black pair that she lost. Hopefully I can get them done by the end of the week; they need a little more felting, then cuffs. And that should be the last of the mittens until next winter. :)

I hope everyone had a great Christmas/winter holiday and a good start to 2012 so far. Happy knitting!

P. S.: If you don't hear from me for a ridiculously long time, know that I've been swamped by the oncoming tide of homework, and don't expect me to resurface until April. If you hear from me before then, consider it a miracle that I managed to escape, however briefly.