There is progress in the esp workshop, although it's slow going. I seem to take 2 steps forward and 1 step back (now I've got that old Paula Abdul song stuck in my head). And I added another project.
My favorite project is the beaded scarf for Mom's birthday. It took forever, but was a lot of fun to knit. It blocked very well (and I used blocking wires for the first time which wasn't as scary as I thought it would be). I forgot to take a picture between blocking and wrapping, so I'll get one later when she opens her present.
2. The felted clogs are done, they just need to be felted.
3. Big Snugs. It's insane how much knitting these things involve. You knit 2 outer boots, 2 linings, and 2 bases. It doesn't sound like too much, but I started this project 3 months ago and still have to knit most of the last outer piece and another sole. Hopefully they'll be done in the next few days so I can felt them (and the felted clogs) sometime next weekend so they'll be dry by Christmas.
4. The chunky alpaca cowl. This was really quick, but threw me for a loop at the end. I used a provisional cast on so I could graft the ends together, eliminating a seam. I blocked it flat, then spent a while trying to figure out how to graft the knits and purls. I finally finished it this morning and tried it on- too big. Crap. After about an hour of ripping out the original graft, ripping a pattern repeat and re-grafting, it's done. Whew.
5. Pirates! I wanted a new challenge for my nephews, and as they're getting a little older (2 and 3) they need cooler stuff. They're into everything right now - dinosaurs, firemen, Yo Gabba Gabba (my personal favorite), knights, Dora the Explorer, Go Diego Go, and pirates. After some serious work on double-knit reversible awesome pirate hats, I started to hate them. it was a really cool idea, but it did not work out. Sometimes the best solution is the simplest: knit a plain stockinette hat and embroider some bad-ass skulls on the front. Easy. They took just a couple hours each.
6. Dark Mark Scarf. Haven't touched it in a while (the recipient is going out of town for Christmas so I have a little extra time).
7. Robin's Egg Blue Hat. Done. I used Rowan's Cocoon and am now obsessed with that yarn and that pattern. Maybe I'll make another in January.
8. Toddler Socks. I started to swatch last night and can't seem to come up with a decent stitch pattern (out of all of my Barbara Walker Treasuries and other stitch dictionaries). I'll figure it out tomorrow.
9. Rowan Big Wool Vest. It blocked nicely, and I started to add the garter stitch border this morning (thought it would be something quick and easy to finish after the cowl gave me so many problems). It gave me problems. I ran out of yarn with about 4" to go. Rather than spending another $16.50, I'm going to rip and use less stitches and a bigger needle.
10. Habitat Hat. This is one of the coolest patterns I've ever seen. I knitted until my fingers went numb and am head over heels in love with this hat. I kinda want to make myself one in January to wear when I don't feel like wearing the Robin's Egg Blue hat. This is one of those projects that is absolutely perfect for the recipient - I know he'll be really happy, which makes me really happy.
11. Men's socks. I bought the yarn, but haven't even wound it. I'm hoping to knit an entire pair of socks in 8 days after Christmas.
12. This one I added yesterday, and look - I'm almost done! It's another Habitat for someone whose birthday is really close to Christmas and I was going to buy him something, but honestly, this is easier than running around town trying to find something for my Dad. The yarn is Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted that I found in my closet so I didn't even have to spend any more money.
I have to knit a snug lining, felt some slippers, knit half of a scarf, design and knit 2 pairs of socks, rip and finish a vest, and buy a few things for Mom and the nephews. It didn't seem like a lot until I wrote it all out. I'd better go knit now.
