It's 8:00 on Christmas morning and every else is till sleeping.

I'm enjoying the calm of the morning and knitting...on Christmas gifts. I'm not finished. Not even close.


My plans were to knit four pairs of socks. I have one pair done, as well as half of the second pair, and almost half of the third pair. The yarn for the fourth pair did not even get wound into a cake.

BUT...the gifts are wrapped, and the holubtsi is cooked. The shortbread is baked and the house is decorated. I'm guessing that people will wait for their socks.

Merry Christmas to all. I hope you have a day filled with love and Laughter.

Knitters are wonderful

Within a day of posting my SOS, I had a message back from Anna that she had the book I was looking for.

I had also sent out a couple of messages on Ravelry to people who had knit projects out of the book. I got positive replies from ladies in Arizona and Edmonton. I have not met either one of these ladies but they were both willing to trust that I would knit the sweater and then return their books.

I also got a message from Donna. She had found the link where I could order the whole kit.

I have no excuses now for not casting on on January 1.

ISO

I am on a mission. I decided that with the Olympics being in Canada this year, I should knit a sweater to wear while watching the games. No, I'm not going to Vancouver. I will watch my TV and enjoy the games while knitting.

Of course, the pattern that I have decided to knit is out of print. I could knit another Dale of Norway sweater but I have decided that the only sweater I want to do is the Whistler Sweater*.

So I am on a search for the pattern. I checked sources on Ravelry...no luck.
I sent messages to other knitters who knit projects out of the book....still waiting for replies.
My only other hope is that someone who reads this will have a copy of the book. Or know someone who has the book.

* I couldn't get the link to work. Dale of Norway Commemorative Collection #85001

Imagine, if you will, a 24 piece band and Dean Martin holding a mug of
eggnog-



"Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go,

Let it Snow! Let it snow! Let it snow!"

I hate winter.

I don't like the cold weather or feeling like a pumpkin when I put on enough layers to keep warm.

I hate being stuck in traffic for three and a half hours when the trip home should only have taken 25 minutes.

I hate the crowded malls and the bozos who don't realise that if traffic rules make sense on the roads, then those same rules are logical when navigating through the mall.

Slower walkers should keep to the right to keep the passing lanes free. Don't come to a dead stop unless you want me to run into your ankles with my shopping cart. Don't stop in the middle of the road to chit chat. Look before you change lanes and SIGNAL!

Rant over.

This miserable cold weather is good for knitting. For several years now, my rule has been that if the thermometer hits -15, it's too cold to go out. There have been many days this past week when I have deemed it too cold and miserable to go out. I have had some good knitting days. I finished Mystic Star.
It's too bad that shawls are easier to wear during warmer weather.

I finished Muffin's sweater for Christmas. I will have to leave the house to go find the perfect button for it. But at least I will have a hat to wear.

I

I did go outside this morning to take pictures. I probably should have been wearing something other than my pyjamas if I didn't want the neighbors to think I had lost my mind completely.

Mystic Star - designed by Anna Dalvi

Wollmeise Lace - Pfefferminz Prinz

Little sweet peas -Sirdar #332

Naturally Merino et Soie

Selbu Modern

Claudia Handpaints - Lipstick

and black something

Dear Hubby:

You haven't dropped any hints for Christmas. Wandering through the malls looking for the perfect gift without any guidelines is seriously cutting into my knitting time. I have socks to knit before December 25 and I am starting to panic.

So to preserve the last bit of sanity, I have come to the conclusion that you would like a new knitting bag wrapped up under the tree. And that you would not complain at all, if that bag was filled with yarn...silk and cashmere.

I have also come to realise that the only thing that you hate more than shopping is returning gifts so your Christmas gift might just land in my sewing room. So, because I am a thoughtful loving wife, I will make sure that I pick colours that I like.

Love, M