Knitting and writing

Here's how my spot at the dining table has looked most of the month. The SIP changes, the coffee cup, and maybe the tablecloth. I've been trying to stay focused on National Novel Writing Month, so the basic set-up doesn't move. The knitting helps me with imagineering, the coffee is for my muses (yes, I have two and both are java fiends), and the Alphasmart is my constant companion. I can write an entire book on three double A batteries. So how is it going? I'm on schedule with Christmas socks. I'm 24,000 words behind on the book. I have until the last day of November to cough up a total of 50,000 words. I wonder how many stitches a sock has. And I wonder why I'm writing at the dinner table instead of in my office where I have a desk. Not that I have a choice about it. The muses are in control of that.

Tam-ptation

I couldn't resist anymore. After seeing posts of tams knit by Susan Wittig Albert on her blog, getting the latest holiday news with tam-wearing models on the cover, and discovering an easy-peasy recipe in one of my knitting books..... well, I decided I'd take the cosmic hint and try one as a gift. It is holiday knitting time, after all, and I have nieces - oh, so many nieces.

This pattern is for an advanced beginner. I can handle that. I did wonder why the "destructions" didn't mention anything about joining the cast-on stitches to knit in the round, but hey, I can punt. It called for a 16 inch circular needle. I had a 13 1/2. So far so good, right? Wrong. The 13" cable is far too long to join the stitches in the round. Grrrr. Was this pattern written by an advanced beginner? I ask you. So, I put the stitches on three dpns, and started knitting . After getting the K1P1 band taken care of and increasing until my dpns couldn't hold anymore stitches, I switched to the aforementioned circular needles. It's gone relatively well ever since.

More later after I get a bit more done on this burgundy mohair tam.

Stash inventory

That's what I have on my agenda this weekend. I also plan to sand the cedar in the chests for better moth-prevention efficiency.

Oh, and I took a day trip to the city and while there, made a quick stop at my favorite LYS. Got a few treats, but I managed to hold myself in check. I don't need to be diverted with new projects while I'm up to my ears in Christmas projects. I got a tea cozy pattern and a Dragon Socks kit, and hubby picked out some of his favorite Galway tweedy green for what? A tam and matching scarf maybe?

Trekking

This was my new weekend project, a pair of socks tentatively for a Christmas gift, although I like the way they're evolving enough to consider them for myself. I've never tried Trekking (XXL) before, being a die-hard Opal fan, but I have to admit I might like this yarn a tiny bit better for its softness. The label reads "SchurWolle" which is new wool, and I speculate that this results in more loft and a softer yarn. The fabric has a lovely feel. I like the subtle striping, too. Plus, I've decided to add a little burgundy to my life, so that's just an added excuse to tuck them into my own sock drawer. I'm going to try to finish these by the weekend.

How many days?

Someone I know recently mentioned the end of summer, and in the same breath, how many days until Christmas. I had every intention of knitting socks for all my nieces and nephews, and so dug out my accomplishments thus far. It looks like I have about 19 pairs to go and at least one more pair for my hubby. Can I do it? What's that sound? Oh, it's just me hyper-ventilating. No problem, about one sock every two days. Right.

At least I have enough yarn, so that's not an issue and the light worsteds knit up pretty fast. Remember me getting this box a few months ago? Wasn't I blabbering about Christmas socks at the beginning of the summer??

OyOyOyOyOyOyOyOyOyOyOyOy

Long live the Queen!

And, indeed, I am alive even after being away all these many months. Who ever in the world would have guessed that cataract surgery would include such a long recovery. Well, lucky me. Snort! I actually eased back into knitting quite early on, but the computer work took a little bit longer. My eyes still tire more easily than before the surgery, so I have to limit my time knitting, reading, and typing, especially on the computer screen. And truth be told, my knitting has been relatively boring. I'm just throwing yarn mostly for the sake of it, and not trying any fancy moves. Dropping stitches is easy, but picking them up is a real challenge still, so I'm sticking to straightforward works. I'll get some photos posted soon, too. Especially that big box of Christmas yarn from WEBS. Oooo-la-la. Now that was a treat to open.