Don't be hating.

Boy...nothing like pissing off the blog world with a picture of Christmas accomplishments. If y'all realized the size of my Christmas list, you'd realize why I strive to finish all Christmas shopping before Thanksgiving. There is a reason I start knitting gifts in JUNE.
Every year I make the suggestion that the adults drw names for Christmas gifts and we can then all buy for the kids. Every year I am shot down.


Piddleloop's Sweets Mary Jane KAL.

It starts on Thursday, for those interested.

Moving onto to other knit news

Nephew's hat is done. Well, I have some end to attend to. It matches his new coat, and is guaranteed to cover his ears, until the next growth spurt.

Sis' purse. I am trying to steal an idea from Teva Durham, and make a felted link strap. We'll see how it turns out.

Oh I cannot wait until I finish my Christmas stuff. I have plans for so many things for myself. An hourglass sweater...a hermione hat...a silk corset...and socks. We mustn't forget those.

Of all the knitted items that have come off of my needles I have kept one pair of socks, a shell, a hat, a shawl, and my ravenclaw scarf. I'm due.

progress

Christmas Knitting Update:

Ok, I have my bus drivers wrist warmers done. All four pair. I am showing you the one I have all the ends woven in. Just imagine Three and half more pairs that look EXACTLY like this.



Sis' felted purse is done, except for the strap. Why you ask? The strap requires that I knit a double i-cord over FIVE FEET LONG. I really don't want to do that. So, I think I'm going to grommet and find some funky shoulder strap to adorn it. It is now taking a happy trip through the washer



I also started the sleeves for my Dad's sweater.

In other Knitting News...


Jen of Piddleloop.com has started a Sweet Mary Jane KAL! How cool is that? While you're there, go check out her new shop, which should be up soon. She and her sister make the cutest little pouches. I love them, and they hold up fantastically. I have a couple and I abuse the heck out of them and they still look great.

Our weekend wasn't a whole lot of fun. we all spent most of the weekend sleeping, and if not sleeping running through kleenex and praying for a head transplant. Although we all seem better now., except for the fact that I have lost my voice completely and Jess has taken complete advantage.

Now a picture purely to evoke nausea for Carma. A little under half of my Christmas list (shopping and otherwise) DONE. (Plus the three November/December birthdays we have.)

Already a little nervous

ok, as November marches on, I'm going to need your help to stay on task. I have all of my Christmas knitting on the needles and in various stages of progress. The house is a mess. Projects strewn everywhere. Latelly, I've been pushing all WIP aside and trying to cast on a sweater, a sock , etc. (i.e. non christmas gifts) If I keep this up, I will NEVER finish these projects. Help me. Nag me. Demand posts. Pictures. whatever it takes.

This is what I have to finish:

FIL a train coss stitch barely started
Dad a sweater about a third in
Jess a sweater barely started
SIL Retro rib socks one down one to go
Sis felted purse UPDATED: Done. washed, needs strap
Niece crochet cat barely started
Nephew hat half done
Cousin hat barely started
cousin hat barely started
cousin hat barely started
Neighbor felted potholders sew an edge
Neighbor felted potholders sew an edge
Bus drivers wristwarmers4 pair)UPDATED: DONE

Then our anniversary is January 22nd, and I'd hoped to make Nate some Almost Argyle socks.

Help me keep on task. Thanks.

Mail call

Well, our trick or treat was rain-soaked, but Jess still had a blast. I think part of that was the fact that she saw all three sets of grandparents in the matter of two days. Much spoiling was involved. As for my costume, I went as, "Erin: Tired and in a Halloween-themed t-shirt", and Nate went as, "Nate: On his day off". Very inspired costumes, I assure you.

Onto some knitting and wonderful things that come in the mail


The begininning of my leaf lace shawl for the EvelynAClark knit a long. I'm using Southwest Trading Comany Oasis soysilk, mainly because I have a lot of it. I'm using 8 needles. The pattern calls for 10's to be used with dk weight, but that was just way too loose.

I have one retro rib, needing a grafted toe. Sorry no picture. I think I left it at my MIL's house, because it is missing. I'm using Knitpicks Essentials in Ash, on size 2's. I was very tempted to start the toe early and keep it for myself, but they will be for my SIL.


That's really the only progress worth showing. I have some others but I cannot show them yet. I am also working out a thank you gift for my friend's mom. She is a little Wicked obsessed, so I want to make her some socks. I have the wicked chart worked out, and I'm in the process of tracking down some yarn for them.

Onto lovely things that come in the mail.

Nate received Carma's gift in the mail, and is quite happy with it. Carma, I'm to relay a big "Thank you", and an IOU for a hug.


And my Scarf Me Pal sent my scarf! This picture doesn't do it justice. It's a very pretty blue wool, done it what looks like moss stitch with some purled ridges. Very cool and the perfect length. Thanks, Genevieve.

I had meant to send my scarf out last Wednesday, before we left, but with everything going on, I didn't. I sent it out yesterday and my pal should have it by Thursday; Friday at the latest.