Amember Me?

Wow! It's been literally months since I posted last. Lots of work stuff going on, and a heavy Christmas knitting load. But....I'm DONE! I thought that I would be knitting up until Christmas morning, but I actually finished on Wed, and everything has been washed and is now being blocked. I even cast on for a new sweater. Oh blessed, obligation free knitting...I missed you!

Before I get into the fun FO's, I need to finally post the final package that I received from my Spook SP, Fiberfool. She sent me a fantastic package full of yummy candies, some crocheted goodness, a festive towel, and TWO skeins of Opal Sock Yarn. WooHoo!!!

But, wait....what's in that lovely velvet pouch?


Oh Yeah, Baby!!! Fleece Artist in the so appropo colorway, Autumn. She ROCKS!!! Thanks, Fiberfool!

On to the Christmas Knitting. A few months ago, I posted the wish list for what I was hoping to get done. Let's just say I was a bit delusional. But--this holiday was not without victories. First, I finished the Easy Aran Squares Afghan for my Mom:


I adapted the pattern from chunky to worsted weight, and it took a whopping 17 Skeins! Here are the specs:

Pattern: Easy Aran Squares form the Little Box of knitted Throws
Yarn: Plymouth Encore Worsted (200 yds/ball) used 16.75 Balls! Color #999
Needles: Addi circs US 9
Mods: Adapted from chunky to worsted weight yarn

This was good pattern because it is memorized quickly, and is knitted in squares, so it stays portable. But---there was A LOT of finishing. And there was crocheting. After you finish knitting each square, you crochet a border around it. The squares are crocheted together into strips of four, and then each strip is crocheted together. Then, you crochet a border around the whole blanket. It took almost two balls just for the seaming and the whole blanket border alone. Here is a close up of the crochet border detail:



Next, I got my sister's tank done:

Pattern: Moll from the Rowan Cork Collection
Yarn: Rowan Cork in color Plunge
Needles: Brittany straights size 10.5 & 11
Mods: I did a simple edging along the arms that was I-cord ish, rather than there wonky Rowan edging from the pattern

Love the yarn, it was difficult to use it for someone else. It was relatively quick, you can get it done in a week if you have a deadline of some sort, like perhaps Christmas....

I also was able to finish 6 pairs of socks for various folks:

And packaged oh so cute! And also a hat out of Rowan Cork in Plush for my MIL:


This is my first actual pompom (was hubby's idea), which was fun. I also finished 6 warshcloths for gifts.

All in all, I was pleased with what I got done and I did not drive myself too crazy. Although the last bits of the afghan were a bit negative......crochet is not my friend. The projects that I did not get done will just be for next year, and I am at peace with that. I still have not gone back to my original Christmas knitting list and compared the hoped/planned to the executed, but I am guessing I would be around a B- or so. But in my world, there is always a curve, so I am taking an A!

Merry ChristmaHanaKwanzaSolstice to all!