Snow Day

It snowed all day yesterday. The day before that it was so warm that I ran errands wearing a hoodie and nothing more. I spent most of yesterday sitting by my window watching flurries blow around in the sky, but never hit the ground. When I left for work, I didn't even bother donning my boots, those big yellow rubber golashes that I wear whenever there's a little moisture in the air. Mistake.

By 20:45 when we walked out of work, my ballet flats and I found ourselves traipsing about in a winter wonderland, the likes of which had me hearing Christmas carols off the in the distant corners of my mind. By the time I got off the bus, shoes filled with snow from walking through the two inches that had already settled comfortably on the ground, I sat in bed and finished up Fetching.

I had attempted to make these little mitts about 2 years ago. I'd bought a ball of the Debbie Bliss, and just didn't have enough to complete the second glove. It's been cold this winter, and I've had this extra ball of Merino Style from Knit Picks. The yarn is a bit thinner than the Cashmerino Aran, but I knit them on size 5 Crystal Palace double points, and they are just as squishy and wonderful as I'd hoped they'd be. In fact, I stayed up a little late last night finishing the second one, just so I'd be able to wear them in our chilly stock room at work today. It's been freezing back there all winter, and my knucks are looking mighty haggard these days.

Then this morning, I was woken up by a phone call informing me of an unexpected snow day. So instead of wearing my mitts at work, I can wear them at home while I finish up Foliage, another project I started a over a year ago, and had met with disastrous results. I think I first attempted this hat before I realized that I am a loose knitter, and before I really understood how to read a lace chart. Halfway through, the hat was hopelessly large and wonky. I abandoned it until a week ago.

This year I'm trying to get through as much of my stash as I can before I buy any more yarn. This was something I started to do last year, but I can honestly say I've made more progress in the past month than I did in the previous 12, including several sweaters that will appear sometime next week.

This time around I went with size 10 crystal palace DPNs for the body, and size 9 DPNs for the ribbing. The fantastic Malabrigo Chunky was purchased at Loop, though I have long forgotten the name of the colorway. As you can see, I'm all dolled up with no place to go, so I think I'll just hunker down, finish off some projects, and listen to the scrape of shovels against the sidewalk.

Embarrasment

I made this hat for Jay in August. I bequeathed it to him shortly after his birthday in September. It now has a large hole in the crown. I have to say, I'm horribly embarrased that something I knit for someone else is now coming apart. Yes, yes, I realize that this is just a matter of busting out the faithful crochet hook and tapestry needle combo, but really, I should be more careful! At least he had the courtesy to inform me of my error and bring the hat in for emergency surgery before he was just sitting around with a pile of soft but useless wool string. Right now the thing just looks like it's going to start talking to me

The other thing that is embarrasing is the complete lack of knitting that's been taking place recently. We're decorating for the holidays at work. School is over in 2 1/2 weeks. Which will give me, oh....3 maybe 4 weeks to churn out a couple scarves, some hats, and a sweater. My hands feel so idle without wool in my fingers.

Fortunately, the lovely Ms. Abinka is having a stitch and bitch at her place on Sunday. I've got 4 balls of BSA Cotton ready for another Eyelet Cardi. Maybe I'll sew the buttons on the one I made myself before then.

The truth is, life has been pretty difficult lately. Losing my uncle last month was devasting. I knew it was inevitable, but for it to happen within 3 weeks after I moved home...I was just floored. I think everyone was. He was more than just an uncle. To my brother and I, as well as the rest of our family, he was really like a father. Always there, always with big hugs, sound advice, quirky jokes, and fun gadgets to play with. I miss him, but take comfort in knowing that he is no longer sick and is still looking out for all of us. It's been a difficult fall for everyone, but I think if I can get this hat fixed, I can start to get something back on track.