Must Knit Faster

It started to sink in today - with only one week to go - that I just might not get all of my Christmas knitting done. Now there's a surprise!! I'm a little disappointed though, because I really didn't aim too high this year. Fairly early on I nixed the sweaters for each of my children (partly because I sold the yarn I had in hiding for one of them). I'll do the sweaters - honest I will - but not before the 25th. I did think I could manage the small things I had in mind. One pair of newfie/honeycomb/cathedral mitts (whatever it is that one calls them), ten London Beanies for the nieces, nephews and their significant others and one very simple chunky knit sweater (not really a Christmas present, but I'd hoped it would be ready nonetheless).

So - update....I've completed seven of the hats, one mitt and almost the front of the sweater. There is still hope. This is where the priority sequencing starts. Mitt #2 needs to be ready for Friday morning, so it's first. 3 hats - Christmas Day - they're next. Beautiful Baby Alpaca chunky sweater - Christmas"ish" - Boxing Day will do.

Meanwhile, the sleeves of Mark's sweater are on hold again, as is the throw for our living room and every other project here or at the shop that I've purposely stashed out of sight. At the Estelle Designs spring collection open house I bought some Jo Sharp Kid Lustre Alpaca for myself. I'm thinking it will make a nice lap rug in my old age. At this rate, that's about when I will get to it!

I had a brilliant idea this week. I'm going to go ahead and block the Bloomfield Cardigan and finish the button band, etc. Here's my logic. When I'm wearing it and it's done up, no-one will notice the twelve thousand or so ends that have not been sewn in. That is, unless I take it off for show and tell. I'm thinking if I work my way from the bottom edge up, I can get quite a bit of wear out of that sweater before sewing in all the ends. Not bad, eh!

Up until last Friday, four of my neighbours - women whose houses are withing eyesight - were pregnant, with due dates ranging from February to March. It turns out one little guy has made an early arrival. This has really thrown my knitting schedule out of whack. Although, at just over three pounds, I should be able to whip something up fairly quickly!

What is it about a knitter that compels her/him to pick up the needles at the hint of any life "event." Marriages, births, holidays, return to school....the list goes on. I get the greatest ideas. When will I learn that there are perfectly good items out in the world that can be PURCHASED!!

So, one last thing. Given my fairly slow posting rate lately, I thought now would be a great time to thank all of you who have supported me over the last seven months. Your interest and enthusiasm about my little venture is continually inspiring. I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday and a prosperous and healthy new year.