Delusions about Christmas knitting, take one

Last year was my first Christmas as a knitter, and I went way overboard. I felt that I should knit everyone in my family something, and that is what I did. Unfortunately, this resulted in such wrist issues by the end of December, that I couldn't knit for a month afterward. In order to get a grip early on this year, and determine if what I want to get done is feasible, I got out the Christmas list, the yarn, the patterns, and what I have already finished. This what it looks like:


Some are definites, and others are it-would-be-lovely-ifs. Some of the definites:

This is the Mom pile. I am going to make her an afghan for Christmas. I need to knit 12 aran squares, all of the same, easy cabling pattern, give them each a crochet border, and crochet them together. I have 2.75 of 12 done. I think I can do this, as long as I keep up on it. I figure if I get about four done a month, I'm on track. There is also a ball of sock yarn set aside and some cotton for warshclothes, but these are not imperatives.



This is the sister pile. Her socks are done (I'm trying to do socks for everyone, or-at least all the women in my fam). The sweater is Moll from the Cork Collection in the color Plunge. I am about 1/3 done with the back. I think this is reasonable, too. I have two warshcloths done for her, and would like to get one more done, but these two would be just fine.


This is my best friends in CT pile. My girlfriend in CT is addicted to handmade socks, and I am her supplier. I have one pair in Mountain Colors Bearfoot done, and a pair in Austermann Step on the needles. I have enough for 3 more pairs set aside, but would be okay if at least got a total of 3 done. I am also planning on either knitting her the slipper clogs or a felted purse. I think I will go for the clogs, since I knitted her hubby a pair for his b-day and he really likes them and I can do the purse for her birthday in May. Her hubby is going to get a Christmas stocking out of Mountain Colors 3-ply, but I still haven't figured out what I am going to do for the intarsia design.

Completed list:

• Socks for Aunt T
• Socks for Aunt C
• Socks for Sis
• Socks for BF
• 2 Warshcloths for sis
• 2 warshcloths for Aunt C
• 3 Warshcloths for Friend B
• 2.75 of 12 squares for Mom

it-would-be-lovely-ifs:

• Luxury Tweed Sweater for Aunt T
• Sweater #2 for DH
• soft facial washcloths out of the organic cotton chenille from stash
• Something for Dad
• Something for Grampa
• (Oh--and there are 3 sweaters that I want to get done for me this fall: Hourglass out of Rowanspun aran, Retro-prep out of Goblin, and Erin).

On a happy note--If I come close to achieving any of this, it will mean a significant stash reduction, especially in the sock yarn area. Which is a happy excuse to buy more yarn after the holidays!

I'll try to do a monthly status report. Hopefully, this will keep me on track and will keep me from adding too many more things. We'll see if this is realistic, delusional, or if the wrists will need braces by the end of '06....