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Dear Teacher Blog Readers,
I had planned to get so much done on Rogue's hood this weekend. My assignment goal was to finish at least the first hood chart. But circumstances prevented me from completing this.
The dog ate my homework.
I left my book at school.
The cat's butt was in front of my charts.
I did get a little done... can I get at least partial credit?
Great news! My sock knitting mojo has returned!
Evidence Exhibit A:
Evidence Exhibit B:
Spinning progress
And last.... (drumroll please!)
This evening I picked up the stitches for Rogue's hood. Yes, both sleeves are done - that means I'm practically in the home stretch. I won't make it by the end of the year, but surely I'll be able to wear a new sweater in January. If I hadn't had holiday gift knitting to do, this would have been a 1-month sweater. I promise at least one more update before 2008.
I'm ripping this meme (and more from Karen).
My actual inbox at work:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Whatever is cheaper or easier at the time.
2. Real or artificial tree?
Haven't put a tree up for the past 5 or 6 years. Unless you count the cheezy fiber optic one.
3. When do you put up the tree?
The cheezy fiber optic one never really got taken down last year. Whew! One less thing to do this year!
4. When do you take it down?
I'm thinking the year-round thing is workin' for me...
5. Do you like eggnog?
Eeuuuww!
6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Custom painted ceramic cat.
7. Do you have a nativity scene?
No.
8. Hardest person to buy for?
Mom's boyfriend. He doesn't need anything and if he wants something, he just goes out and gets it. This year he's getting a Donato's gift card. They eat out there a lot.
9. Easiest person to buy for?
Eight-year old nephew. Is it violent? He'll like it. Does it have lots of pieces? He'll like it. Is it made in China? He'll like it.
10. Worst Christmas present you ever got?
The record player the year I begged for a stereo. (Mom was given a stereo - I was sooo sure that box was for me.)
11. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail and hand deliver. They're New Year's cards though. And always with a photo of the dogs.
12. Favorite Christmas movie?
Love Actually.
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Usually December 23rd. My family had other plans this year though so I'm all done way ahead of time.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes. But only into white elephant exchanges. (even worse, eh? LOL)
15. Favorite thing to eat on Christmas?
Caramels. No, I haven't made them yet this year. Stop nagging.
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree?
Multi-colored. It looks more homey.
17. Favorite Christmas song?
A toss up:
Blue Christmas - Elvis Presley
Christmas Waltz - the Carpenters version
Happy Christmas - John Lennon and Yoko Ono
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
I want to stay at home. Why doesn't this ever go my way?
19. Can you name all of Santa's Reindeer?
Of course. I thought everyone could.
20. Angel or star on top of tree?
Haven't put up a tree in too long to remember.
21. Open presents Christmas Eve or morning?
One gift on Christmas Eve, the rest Christmas morning.
22. Most annoying thing this time of year?
My pushy family.
23. Do you decorate your tree in any theme or color?
No.
24. What do you leave for Santa?
What? I have to get him something too?
I'm sure there's some sky in there somewhere...
It's barely cold enough to snow and we seem to be getting those huge giganto-flakes where they cling together and fall fast. Elvis shook them all off every 30 seconds so no photos of him this morning, but here's Pearl:
What on earth is she doing with her butt hanging over the edge of the retaining wall? She's such a goofy girl!
And no, I haven't changed the song on my sidebar. I'm still loving' it.
I was going to call this post 'Birth of a sweater' but I'll save that for the real finish. For now, gaze upon the serious progress.
All can be clicked to enlarge:
Pattern : Rogue
Yarn : Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Pistachio and Nectar (the facing won't show when completed)
Actual color : somewhere between these two extremes.
That's the first sleeve started - I plan to save the hood for last. And wouldn't it be cool to have a finished sweater by Christmas? Probably a longshot but might be do-able. Especially with the white death predicted for this weekend. Maybe I should try to pick up more DVDs to watch. :)
I'm doing a drive-by post.
1. I've been obsessed with knitting Rogue. Don't get excited - no new photos. Rain and gloom as far as the forecast sees. I've finished the back and am started on the front. It's fabulous. Take my word for it. Photos next time.
2. I taught a coworker to knit and she has progressed from felted bags to an Irish Hiking Scarf!
It's Berroco Ultra Alpaca. So soft and snuggly. I think it's time to push her into knitting socks, don't you think?
3. No knitting was accomplished today because I got rid of the old CRZYLAB-mobile and opted for a newer model. Photo (swiped from Honda)
And you're thinking but it's so little! And yes, it is. But there's plenty of room for the hooligans.
The Fit Sport gets a big thumbs up and the fact that it's orange has nothing to do with my favorite football team.
Oh - I also updated the song link in the right sidebar. This one might be there a while...
Back to sweater knitting!
It's been a while since I started a sweater and I'm not promising that this one will make it to the finish. Especially with the instructions that are coming up soon - like "divide for front and back," and "at same time," and do something for 'w (x, y, z) sts every other row a (b, c, d) times.' I'm not good at keeping lots of balls in the air at once. It's entirely possible I'll be whining here for help. Or tossing the whole thing aside and casting on socks.
So far, only one modification - the contrasting color hem facing. Idea stolen from EZ by way of Jessie.
Figured it out yet? Or do you need a link? Here you go...
