Random Wednesday

13 days people...yep...seriously. I guess I don't even have to remind you of this number as I'm sure your well aware of it. Deep breath... lets move on. I have stuff to show off, but just real quick like...



Started a new pair of socks. The yarn is Shelridge Farms from Canada. I bought this stuff back in 2006 Stitches. I've been meaning to cast on for these for a while. They are a bit out of my comfort zone. I'm usually drawn to a something with more zing then brown. But, alas...I think I was wrong to prejudge this colorway. It's warm an reminds me of chocolate. The only down side is the yarn is very thin and with my new Knit Picks US1 (2.25m) needles the texture is very course. I'm not sure if it's my tension or perhaps the needle size. I believe the Addi's I usually knit my socks would be considered a US 1.5 (2.5m)...hum, they just feel a little stiff for my liking. I think I might grab my 2's and give it a shot there.

I've also started something else, but I don't want to reveal to much. Bethany (blog-free) will most likely recognize the pattern...hush now, don't spoil;)



What I can tell you is that the yarn is Knit Picks Shine and I'm loving the feel. I can totally see this yarn knitted in other patterns.

Last, but certainly not least is Fulmar.



Oh Yeah Baby...look at them neckline decreases. Just makes you swoon, right?

Ta-ta for now...

Santa

Every year we go the THE MALL and really it's not to shop. It's to see the BIG MAN dressed in red. Yep, Santa. I've been doing this since Eric was 6 months old, so I've seen my fair share of Santa's. I'm picky when it comes to Saint Nick. First off, there has got to be a real beard. None of this fake wig stuff. Second, he's got to have that...how shall I say...presence.

We arrived at THE MALL around 1 o'clock and they were not allowing any more people in the line as it was soon approaching reindeer feeding time. We dodge through the crowds and ventured into several establishments to pass time. I soon figured that sitting in line would work out much better in the long run. The boys were off doing what boys do while me and Miss Mac sat at the front rope, waiting for Santa's return.

I knit on the mini-half blood prince socks while she ogled the holiday decorations planted around Santa's chair. A short time later we hear bells ringing down the long corridor. Then out of know where a voice bellows all around us... Ho! Ho! Ho!

I swear I got chills.

Miss Mac grabbed my hand and said softly. "It's Santa..mommy" Yes...Yes it is.

Santa sat down. They opened the rope and she started to back up. I told her "It's okay, it's time to talk to Santa now."

"Come give me a big hug!" says Santa.

Mac quickly walks up to him and sheepishly hugs him. Not quite knowing what to do next. On the lap she goes and Santa asks the big question. What do you want for Christmas?

She hardly but a whisper...Thomas.

Without any hesitation "I know Thomas and Percy and Gordon, sure I know all Thomas's friends"

Mac looks up at him with the expression of wonderment...he knows them, he understands.

I quickly tell her to smile real nice for the camera and look what we walked away with:

The Stretch

Let me first say I love my Thermal. Let me say I loved knitting with Knit Picks Gloss. Let me also say that I've lost a few pounds since said garment was finished back in July of 2007. But for this gorgeous knit..



To go looking like this...



Look at the saggy neckline? sigh, I'm upset. What to do? Silk obviously stretches doesn't it. So, this is what I did. I felted it.

Okay, breath...seriously, inhale and exhale. It's not that bad...I did this:

I did a quick 10 min soak in the washer (no agitation). Pushed the dial to spin to get as much of the water out, then stuck the whole thing in the dryer. I checked on it every 5 minutes, until I could tell that it was nearly dry then it was every 3 min. Pulled it out and laid it out on the guest bed to dry and couple days later...



I'm so happy I did it, because I was so mad to have spend money, time and energy to love something so dearly to then be a waste of time. sigh. It's a good sigh people. phew.

Oh Hell No!

Okay, so let me just say I'm super jealous of everyone out there who has all their holiday shopping done. (evil eye stare).

Sat down with hubby last night to go over budget and all that good stuff. We've taken several people off the xmas list as it has just gotten to be to much for the holidays. When this happens that's when guilt sets in. I want to give. give. give, but what do you do when you can't? I bake. sigh. At least I know I can do that and not feel to guilty that I haven't bought for everyone this year. Yeah, that's it...pump them full of sugar and maybe they wont notice how broke we are;)

Now, what kills me is this... hubby and I talked about who and what and how...he gets to a certain member of my family and pulls the "oh, you could just knit something!"... huh? me? knit? ARE YOU SERIOUS! I played it off all cool...and now here I am on my lunch break searching Ravelry for the perfect, simple, quick, yet jaw dropping holiday gift you can give. Nope. Not going to happen. I said no holiday knits. I mean it. I'm not stressing myself over this blown out of the water holiday anymore.

This year is all about my kids and what they want. My son has pulled a miracle this holiday and turned an F into a C. Yep, that's my boy!!

Alrighty Then...moving along. Knitting news. The Koolhass hat is now in time-out. I can't seem to read the knitting when I ripped back and have no clue where I am in the pattern. sigh. It would probably be quicker to start over.

Fulmar is just inches away from neckline decreases and because I love pictures...here is a photo:



Only other thing going on is Becca's Munchkin is due (Go check out the glowing mommy-to-be) ... MB and I have already lost the bet. Others still in the running are as follows:

• Karen has December 5th (3:30 am, 7lbs 14oz 19in)
  
• Bethany has December 6th
• Linda has December 7th
• Nancy has December 8th
• Wren has December 9th
• A:) has December 12th
  
• Mo has December 15th
  

FO: Mini-Half Blood Prince Socks

Pattern: Two Socks, Toe Up, on one Circ's (Magic Loop)
Yarn: Mackintosh Yarns in the Half Blood Prince colorway
Needles: US 1
Start Date: November 12, 2007
End Date: December 2, 2007
Comments: I finished these up last night as Miss Mac fell asleep on the couch with me. Well, of course I had to take a picture of them on her and what a better opportunity then now?

My hubby thought the other end was much cutter to photograph, but as he doesn't understand half of the things I do...it's okay.

My son would also like to point out that if I by chance knit him a pair a socks and plan on photographing them while he sleep, that I should take heed for booby-traps.