Happy New Year-ish!

Well, as I type this it is new year in about half the world - we have another hour and 15 mins to wait though!

I would bang on about my list of new year resolutions (they are endless as always!) but there's plenty of time to explain about my masterplan to lose weight, run another marathon and boycott Tesco next week!

In the meantime, here is the last FO of the year - the Trinity Stitch Hat (see post below - cutting in fine, just cast it off an hour ago!) and a sincere wish that you all have a lovely new year celebration and all the best for 2008.

Right, I'm going back to the couch to drink champers with my better half - going for a quiet one this year!!

Laters!!!

Bonus time!

Well, I had an excellent holiday season I hope you all did too!

The reasons for this were many and I am a very lucky girl!

Firstly, I spend Christmas with my husband, our 13-month-old daughter 'Beanie' and all my family up in the North-East. My family all loved (or pretended to !) the knitted pressies I gave them and my Grandad even wore the socks I made him recently on Christmas Day to show them off to the rest of the family!

You will think that now, after knitting non-stop all month, I would want a rest from knitting but no, I have managed to keep going. I made Beanie a Golden Compass Hat , thanks to Froggie Meanie's top pattern and I am currently working on (and nearly finished) a Trinity Stitch Hat for myself.

The second reason I am very lucky this that in December I received my first ever Swap Bot Secret Knitting Pal package from Saalis in Finland. She spoiled me with loads of gorgeous yarn - Knit Picks Wool of the Andes and some supersoft fluffy yarn which will make an excellent trim and loads of pink and sparkly goodies - a gorgeous rose soap, a fat quarter of top fabric and two really nice pens. All of this accompanied by a really sweet letter from Saalis.

Then, Suessstoff, the girl I sent my package to in Germany sent me a wonderful surprise which arrived just before I left to travel to my parents for Christmas. It contained a really cool edition of Rebecca (I need to learn German just so I can work on some of the patterns), a lovely heart which I think contains cedar chips (yummy), a hole punch for my Purl City Yarns labels and cards, some lovely magnets which will be great for attaching Beanie's artwork to our fridge and a lovely postcard from Suessstoff.

Thank you both so much!! It is definitely the season of giving!!

The third reason that I am such a lucky girl is that I scored loads of bargains in the sales. No, not clothes that I will never wear or other panic purchases but loads of yarn from Boyes in Billingham and John Lewis in the Trafford Centre. Both yarn departments were an oasis of calm amongst the madness of the sales!! In total I have acquired another five large bags of yarn, ooops!

Happy Christmas!

Shutting down the computer over Christmas (for vital rest!) so I will say it now - Happy Christmas!

Hope you have a fantastic one!

Easy, easy, easy!

Husband modelling the Lucha Libre mask/balaclava I have made for our nephew. You would think Beanie would be a little scared of him wouldn't you?!!

Been knitting

In fact, that's all I have been doing for the past week or so! If I can keep up this work rate I could finish in time for Christmas!

I really should get on with my Christmas shopping but I can't stand the thought of over-heated, over-crowded shops and having to drag bags around until I faint!

I'm going to try to do as much as I can on the internet today, then bite the bullet and go into town tomorrow for the rest!

Anyhow, here are some of my Christmas FOs. I had a rush job on last week to finish the ones going to Italy and the Lucha Libre mask is destined for Switzerland.

At least...

..... Sofia and the cats are getting into the Christmas spirit!!

A huge mountain to climb!

I am still working my way through the Christmas knits and will be still on my list next Christmas if my work rate recently is anything to go by!

I am currently just past turning the heel on a second sock for one of my nieces.

I think I will start next Christmas's knitting in January!

Christmas Knitting: Four down - 15 to go!

I have finished 2 pairs of Mary Janes, a cable hat and a tea cozy.............but I lost a day's knitting to a bloody fingernail yesterday - will I ever learn to leave my nails alone?!

I think by Christmas week I will be pulling all-nighters and living on espressos.

Why can't I be more organised?!!!!!

Christmas Knitting: One down - 18 to go!

Since posting this afternoon I have made a pair of Mary Janes........they only take a few hours so I reckon I could knock out a couple more pairs tomorrow!!!

AARRGGGHHHHH - Not enough time!

Hello peeps!

I've just cast off the devilishly tricky EZ Baby Sweater on Two Needles from the Knitters Almanac.

I can see why it is soooo popular as it looks cute as a button when finished but, my god, it was a complete nightmare in places!

I can't even say the pattern or stitch patterns were difficult as once you get used to EZ's way of working they are very straightforward. I just seemed to make stupid mistakes all the time, like forgetting to add buttonholes or picking up too many stitches for the sleeves.

I do think it has been a useful learning curve though....it was my first real go at lace and it taught me the importance of concentration!

I did the sleeves on DPNs as I hate seaming and I'm really pleased with how it has worked out - I just need to put the buttons on, that I bought in a really top shop in Florence, and send it off to baby Fern!

Now I must turn my attention to Christmas - aaarrrggghhh. Number of cards sent - zero, number of presents bought - zero, number of presents knitted - ZERO!

I have a list of 27 people to knit for.................19 if I cross off all those who can wait until next year to get their gifts!

I had hoped to knit everyone someone elaborate and tricky to show them this knitting obsession is not just a phase but I don't have time! Instead I am going to knock out a load of Mary Jane Slippers, Chunky House Socks, Chullos and Tea Cozies! I figure the complicated stuff can wait until their birthdays now!!!

Right off to cast on the Mary Janes!