Yarn Along


I've been flipping through this top down sweater design book the past week which I received as a birthday gift from my husband.  I haven't committed to any one specific pattern because I have Christmas knitting looming over my knitting hands for the next few weeks, but a knitter can dream right?  My sister wants to knit a sweater along with me, she's confident that Santa bought her the same book.  So for now I'll dream and plan.  I'm in the midst of Scrooge's transformation into a kind soul.  I do love his cheapness though as I continue reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

My knitting is gift knitting and above is a photo of a fetching mitten.  I plan on making two pairs for my dog groomer (or Frodo's dog groomer) and her assistant.  They are so kind and loving to my little guy.  They deserve a hand knit.  Since they both own dogs, I think a pair of fingerless mitts would be wonderful!

I still have a baby sweater to whip up by mid month and I want to knit a pair of socks for my husband and two kids.  Yep.  Three pairs.  I think I can do it right?  I can always do what my mom did.  If she didn't finish a gift she wrapped up the work in progress, we opened it, and she grabbed it back to finish.  Sometimes she didn't even cast on the project!  We would receive our hand knit sometime in January or February.  Let's hope these are finished.  I want to knit for me in the end!!

What are you knitting and reading this week?

Joining Ginny

Comments

  1. Christina LowryNovember 28, 2012 at 6:22 AM

    Love the idea of works in progress wrapped and under the tree! I have finished up my Christmas knits (for now) given that we have a Summer Christmas. I couldn't resist putting something away for the cooler weather for Emerson, and I found a Star Wars sweater for Cohen too, so I am back to knitting for me. But it is slow going. A book like that would be very tempting! :)

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  2. Tracey ~ CloverNovember 28, 2012 at 6:24 AM

    You can do it Karen, I am going to be your cheerleader!
    I think you mom must have been an amazing soul, I love the idea of wrapping gifts even if they aren't complete and then getting them back to finish. At the rate my list is growing I may have to borrow that idea.
    I wish my sister's knew how to knit, a sister kal sounds like fun!

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  3. TannaNovember 28, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    Oh, I love your Mom's idea about the WIP or not even casted on! LOL! My mom never knit... so this obsession with knitting is new to our family. I may have to steal her idea, since I'm not having much time for knitting these days! That looks like the mitt pattern Step just used... I might could squeeze some of those in time! ;) Happy knitting, Karen! blessings ~ tanna

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  4. Christine NNovember 28, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    I just love that yellow yarn! Those will be beautiful mitts once you are done.

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  5. devonmamaNovember 28, 2012 at 6:52 AM

    Great idea of your Mum's! Love that yellow yarn too. And of course you can finish three pairs of socks (gulp) Good luck! x

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  6. JoyNovember 28, 2012 at 7:16 AM

    Fingerless mitts is a wonderful idea, and I love that pattern. I'm in love with top down sweaters right now too. :)

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  7. Debbie JonesNovember 28, 2012 at 7:17 AM

    No knitting or crocheting for me this week, but I am reading a lot...Christmas books...a couple by Richard Paul Evans that have been out a while but I never got a round to...The Christmas List and now The Christmas Box! Going to read Christmasy books this month, I decided! Good luck with your Christmas projects. You are very ambitious. I am making some things too, not with yarn, however. Can't reveal on the blog just yet since the gift recipients might see the surprise. Enjoy the rest of the week!

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  8. UnknownNovember 28, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    I just told Tracey this same thing. A little IOU may be okay. Love that your mom did this. Such a gorgeous yellow, Karen. I think Frodo's groomers will appreciate the gift a lot.

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  9. EileenNovember 28, 2012 at 7:56 AM

    What a great book! Will be putting that on the list. Your gloves look wonderful and I admire anyone who knits for Christmas. Not me anymore, can't stand the pressure. Have a great day.

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  10. tessNovember 28, 2012 at 8:10 AM

    You can do it! And your mom rocks. I totally support her methods. :) I also love A Christmas Carol and read it every year! It's just the best book.

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  11. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 8:11 AM

    I love the idea of wrapping WIPs. Sounds just like me :) I need to start digging up some Christmas books but I just can't seem to get myself into it until Advent starts. Maybe that's my trouble with Christmas shopping and knitting too... ;-)

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  12. kjramstackNovember 28, 2012 at 8:12 AM

    What a fun idea to do a knit-along with your sister. None of my relatives knit but I have some nice friends to knit with. I linked up with Ginny today too if you want to see what I've knitting/reading.

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  13. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 8:39 AM

    Holy Horse! I am dying to get my hands on that book. I have Ann Budd's other two "Knitter's Handy Books" and consider them my knitting bibles. They are my go-to's when I need to make gloves, hats, socks, etc.

    I think I might listen to "A Christmas Carol" when we get closer to Christmas. I've never read it before, though I've heard it many times.

    Best of luck on your knitting goals!

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  14. AnkeNovember 28, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I like the idea of wrapping WIP's, sadly since mine need to be mailed it's not an option for me. ;-)The book sounds really interesting and I adore the yellow fingerless mittens you are knitting.

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  15. flyingjenNovember 28, 2012 at 8:47 AM

    Fingerless mitts for dog owners are perfect. I like you mom's idea of wrapping the unfinished project. I've always given an IOU card with a piece of the yarn attached for baby presents when I've not finished the blanket in time for the shower.

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  16. stephNovember 28, 2012 at 8:50 AM

    absolutely----no problem!!! you can do it!!! (Love the holiday placemat!!!!)

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  17. debby emadianNovember 28, 2012 at 10:09 AM

    I love what your mum did...how fun. Those mitts look lovely both pattern and colour.

    Me I'm a bit behind everyone. I finished my first pair of socks in years after unraveling and re-doing them about three times...and now I've noticed some more mistakes. I shouldn't try to watch scary films when I'm knitting...

    Enjoy the rest of your knitting.
    deb

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  18. momto5November 28, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    lol good luck with the 3 pairs of socks. :) the fingerless mitts look lovely so far.

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  19. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    Heehee, I LOVE your mum's solution to the timing problem. I can see a lot of knitting needles poking out of giftwrap under our tree this year!

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  20. VictoriaNovember 28, 2012 at 10:51 AM

    Wow, that's quite a to-do list! I think rewarding yourself with a sweater when you're all done is a perfect motivator!

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  21. MelissaNovember 28, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    I'm doing the gift knitting as well. I have made four pairs of mitts, three cowls, four hats and I'm not done....yikes!

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  22. MartaNovember 28, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    Very nice plan, I am sure you are going to do it. But the story with your Mum...hmmm...also good Idea.
    I just love that Quilt/Patchwork!

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  23. EMMANovember 28, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    A husband that buys you knitting books! - what a treasure.
    Lovely idea to make knitted gifts for your dog groomer, I'm sure they will be appreciated.
    Funny little story about you mother!
    Good luck in getting all your gifts done in time.

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  24. CorrabelleNovember 28, 2012 at 11:41 AM

    haha, my mom does the same thing with sewn items. Once i opened a pile of fabric and a picture of what the present was going to look like;)
    I love gifts like that though, they're always so much fun, especially for those of us who enjoy seeing before/after with finished projects!

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  25. ShannonNovember 28, 2012 at 11:43 AM

    Reading a book called The King's Concubine about Edward III of England and his mistress, who was also one of the Queen's ladies. Interesting, but I think I will be glad to be done with it. I read A Christmas Carol for the first time ever last year and just loved it!

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  26. Melanie RouthierNovember 28, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Karen, everything about this post makes me smile. I love that your sister and you are going to knit a sweater at the same time. I love how you Mom gave you almost knit items. And I love the Christmas items in your photo!!

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  27. simonaNovember 28, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    wouldn't that be so much fun to knit something with your sister? sister-projects are the best :)

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  28. TheresaNovember 28, 2012 at 1:00 PM

    I like your mom's thinking. ;)

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  29. Mama Gone GreenNovember 28, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    love that color yellow!!

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  30. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 1:29 PM

    Such a nice sunny colored yarn!

    I pulled my FLS out again. I am amazed I dropped it when I did, I really don't have much to finish!

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  31. bookworm-MaryNovember 28, 2012 at 1:41 PM

    I wrapped up a WIP for my parents' anniversary this week-- my mom thought it was funny-- but that's what crafters who procrastinate have to do! :)

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  32. Erin @ Wild WhispersNovember 28, 2012 at 2:54 PM

    Your mom sounds like my mom... only in our case it was sewing projects, some of which never ever got finished. Good luck! The yellow of those mitts is sublime!

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  33. Kim November 28, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    I couldn't do it, but I know you can...happy knitting :)

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  34. SylviaNovember 28, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    I love the yellow yarn! Do what you can and just make the most of the special times with your family.

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  35. Annie CholewaNovember 29, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    Gosh, that's a lot of knitting you have planned, I'd never get through it ... love the idea of wrapping the WIP!

    I'm sure you're right about Frodo's dog groomer friends ... I wear my Runrig mitts all the time for walking the dogs :)

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  36. UnknownNovember 29, 2012 at 8:41 AM

    I've been known to wrap up my WIP before. MANY times!! I love the yellow you are using. They are going to be such beautiful mitts!

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  37. AnonymousNovember 29, 2012 at 8:48 AM

    Oh, I have that book on my Christmas wish list - how are you finding it? It seems like a fantastic resource. (Of course that sunny, gorgeous yarn is wonderful, too. Such lucky folks, those groomers!) xo

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  38. TamiNovember 29, 2012 at 9:09 AM

    I just had that book from the library. What a great resource. I am knitting lots of Christmas gifts right now. Hats, washcloths, sweet little gifts. Have a blessed day, Tami

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  39. AngelaNovember 29, 2012 at 10:07 AM

    Love that your hubs bought you a knitting book! Your mom's style rocks; I might be borrowing from her this Christmas. Those mitts look gorgeous already; what a beautiful gift for folks who show Frodo such love.
    xo

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  40. ~koNovember 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    That yellow is so cherry! I love it! We've been reading Christmas in the Willows over here. And while it's not by the same author as Wind in the Willows the characters are still all there and my boys are enjoying every second of it! You are so kind to knit for your groomers! How lucky they are!

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  41. AngelaNovember 29, 2012 at 5:09 PM

    You can do it! Just ordered that book from the library. Thanks for the recommendation.

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