Two gift knits and, finally, the Raglan

I've been so busy that I haven't been blogging much.

Despite lack of blogging I have been doing A LOT of knitting

Here are two gift knits.

For Christmas I knit Greg a pair of socks. I know I *said* I wouldn't knit Greg any other items since he doesn't wear them. These he wore on Christmas. I think these will actually get used/worn! I must say...these seemed to take FOR-E-VER! G's socks take a LOT longer to knit than my socks!



Details:

Yarn: Trekking XXL color 71
Needle size: US 0
Pattern: From Favorite Socks by Interweave Press. They are the Retro Rib Socks designed by Evelyn A. Clark

The pattern calls for size 2 needles. I am a loose knitter and usually have to go down 2 needle sizes to get guage. These fit perfectly.

The second gift knit was a scarf for my friend Jamie for her birthday which was December 27. She complains that I don't knit her things.

From experience I rarely knit for non-knitters. How many things I have I knit for non-knitters that opened the package and said "Oh, thanks" and then never wore the item(s). This lack of appreciation does not motivate me to knit for those that don't understand how much time and effort a hand knit item takes.

I digress.

This scarf is called the Wavy Scarf by Handmaiden Yarns. The wrapping rows were done in Handmaiden silken and the other rows were done in 100% cashmere. I did do one row in-between the wrapping rows(plain knit rows) in the silken as well. In the pdf you use just one kind of yarn. I used two. I also divided up the cashmere into two balls. This way when you go back and forth, depending on what side of the scarf you are on, you need to have the cashmere yarn on each side. I'm not explaining it well am I? Sorry.

I think it turned out beautifully! I just love these colors!

Here she is wearing the scarf. We celebrated her birthday by going to dinner at Seastar. We had a lot of fun. The food was excellent. This is a place you go for a special dinner(like a birthday) but be warned, it can get pricey! (Don't worry Jamie - you are worth every penny).

I had this really yummy spicey Mango Martini. You actually order the number of stars of the hotness you want. Very interesting. If you like spice, this is an excellent way to have a martini.

Before I leave to do extreme knitting (meaning hell-bent-fast knitting) to catch up with Nihon homework, I have to show my finished Raglan. It fits perfectly. Please forgive the photos - bad lighting in the northwest winter does not allow for good photography.

One of my goals for 2008 is to be a bit more regular in my postings!

I'd love to hear what your goals are for 2008 - knitting or otherwise.

I also want to (very badly) come up with a contest so I can give some of my coveted yarn to a very loving home! Time to face the facts. I have a whole-lotta yarn.

One more photo. I just love my boys. You all know that. Here is a photo of Chase at my last monthly knitting. He firmly planted himself next to Melinda. We thought he was drawn to the color of her knitting. Sort of matches his own coloring. You can barely see the knitting because it does blend in with Chase quite well.