Catching up

I was off to a roaring start for November (not quite posting every day like the NaBloPoMo people, but doing my best) and then whammo! Life gets in the way. My parents came for a visit in early December, and with the holidays I don't seem to be able to catch my breath.

I did finish the Mystery Stole. Here's a mildly crummy blocked shot:



I don't have a modeled shot and likely won't any time soon. I do wear it, and enjoy it very much.

This was an interesting project for me. I enjoyed the surprise aspect of it - it was a good exercise for me to let go of the obsessive planning aspect of project planning and just knit, knowing that it would look like what it looked like. While I like the finished piece, I probably wouldn't have picked it based on the way it looks, so maybe that's another lesson in branching out beyond my "typical" project.

I have been busy most of December working on a Seraphim in Malabrigo Lace for my mother. She lives in a cold place and is usually too cold so I figure something warm to wrap around her neck and shoulders would be appreciated. It's going very well and I'm kind of shooting for getting it to her for her birthday in early February.

I did almost no gift knitting this Christmas. I wrapped up on almost complete sock for the Italian but he knew I was working on them already. I did make for him a half pair of Dashing as a surprise - he's been asking me for fingerless mitts for ages now, ever since the last pair wore out. I could have made both of them in time but I wanted him to try it on and decide if he liked the fit before I made the second one. I'm glad I did that - the fit needs some fine tuning which will require ripping out half of it, so I'm glad I only have to do that to one instead of two!

We had a lovely Christmas. We had friends over for a big meal on Christmas Eve, and then had a low key day at home on Christmas Day with the kids, opening present and eating a good meal, but nothing fancy (since we'd cooked like fiends the day before!) We're having more friends over for a big meal on New Year's Eve along with friends who are visiting from the East Coast. Good, busy, and tiring, but all good!