Kiss My Knits!

Me: “You know what I didn’t hear after you got that M&M?”
Em: “No, what?”
Me, whispering: “Thank you.”
Em, whispering: “You’re welcome.”

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

Wait for it…

There. Totally worth it.

My mother-in-law went to Germany and brought back sock yarn for me. How thoughtful! I knitted some up in the car on the way home, and was delighted to find that I had not dropped or gained any stitches, even though I was knitting in the dark. Unfortunately, it’s a bit loose on size 1 needles, so I’ll have to drop to 0s. Besides, I need my lone size 1 for another project that’s ongoing.

It’ll be at least Spring before I have time to tackle this yarn, but I’m touched by my mother-in-law’s thoughtfulness.

Three pairs of Fuzzyfeet in varying sizes for my nieces, who are also varying sizes. I just finished these up today, aside from weaving in ends. Since we go see them tomorrow, I’ll be weaving in ends tonight. Talk about squeezing it in under the wire!

As you can see, I didn’t bother with a jogless join to make the stripes line up. I figure since it’s on the sole, it won’t really matter.

Knitted on size 10 1/2 needles with Lamb’s Pride worsted from my stash. I have a big stash.

Since kids are notoriously picky about clothes, they’re also getting gift cards. We just also wanted them to have something to go under the tree besides a little envelope.

These will be given unfelted, along with a zippered pillowcase and instructions on how to felt them, so that the kids can have the fun of making their own slippers exactly the way they want.

I’m happy with how these turned out, and happy that I was able to do it entirely from my stash without purchasing any extra yarn.

Em is currently watching the Royal Ballet perform the Nutcracker on PBS. I’m just glad she’s getting to see the real thing instead of the Barbie version. Merry Christmas one and all.

Well, we’re moving toward Christmas at a good pace. I’ve knitted one and a half of the three pairs of FuzzyFeet I need to make. It’s a close thing as to whether I’ll make it by my deadline, Monday. This morning, Em was ready to go out the door a half hour early, bag of jammies, pillow, and doll in hand, for Read and Relax Day. I saw some teachers in jammies when I dropped her off. I’ve got a few more things to mail, and some errands to run, but I’m feeling surprisingly good considering my lack of sleep last night.

There’s no school next week, so anything I don’t get done today will have to get done next week with Em by my side. Em would always rather stay home, so trips have to go in short bursts so she doesn’t get overtired.

However, I’ve got that Christmas spirit. There are a great many presents under our tiny dry Christmas tree, and I’m keenly aware of how fortunate we are.

Before I go knit and run errands, I leave you with this anagram generator. “Tvini” doesn’t make anything, but my full name does. Possibilities include “A Halal Merger Thither” “A Thermal Hare Lighter” and “A Meagre Hat Her Thrill.” My hats are not meager, believe me.

What does your name make?

An aunt asks about buying Emily a fishbowl. Specifically, this fishbowl. Fish not included.

I know next to nothing about fish and taking care of them, but Emily has occasionally expressed an interest in having a small pet frog or fish. We have a family-owned pet store specializing in fish just up the road from us, Frank and Peg’s. Their website is awful, but the store itself has been around for more than 40 years and seems to be well-run. They’ve always been patient with Em and I wandering in to look at the animals and occasionally buy something. I’m sure we could get some fishy support there.

I reckon I can ask them, and of course I’ll do some research, but I want to ask you guys too: does anyone know anything about fish? Would a bowl 6.6 x 8 x 10.1 inches be suitable for a fish, and if so, does anyone have a recommendation?

There are some children Santa is very sure not to tick off.
I think mine may be one.

According to Em, the words that others in her class use to describe her are “bossy, smart, playful, silly, and strange.” That sounds about right. It led to a good conversation on what “bossy” means.

The words Em used to describe me are “actful(?), respectful, nice, and beautiful.” I think they really should have put “sweet” in Em’s list.

Em’s class is having a holiday party today. She volunteered to bring cupcakes. She ALWAYS volunteers to bring cupcakes. She loves them. So this morning she walked into her classroom with a big container of red, green, and white frosted cupcakes. Says my husband, “Who’s Bossy and Strange now? Huh??!!”

Tomorrow is “read and relax” day, where they’ll all wear pajamas to school. Emily is quite ready for school to be out, and it sounds like the teachers are too.

Take two on the yellow/green yarn. This is another skein of the Dale Falk. I took advantage of the half off room at a local yarn store to pick up some of these small skeins for cheap, and I think this is the last little one I’ve got. The repeats are shorter and the color is less saturated. I diluted the dye more than the previous batch and also added some emerald to the kelly green to tone it down a little.

Here’s how it compares to the original. The new one is the smaller ball on the right in both pictures. The larger is going to Rachel. She’s a member of our Wednesday night knit group and has a niece who likes these colors.

I’m pleased with how the new skein turned out. We’ll see how it knits up – probably in February. I’m a little tied up at the moment.

Look at what my sharp-eyed husband noticed on the back of the washing machine last night. I’m making a trip to the hardware store today. This could have been a LOT worse. Good eye, hon.