Darn!

With the colder weather coming, I decided to go through my sock drawers, and see if anything needs to be thrown out. I found eight pairs that need some degree of darning. No big holes, nothing that's unsalvageable. Here's the kicker: I've never darned socks before. I usually just throw them out and knit a new pair when there's wholes in them. Since my dear Applelaine yarn is hard to find now, I want to hold on to some of those socks. I'll search Youtube for darning techniques videos.... Any suggestions are welcome.

Other projects update: my purple blanket is 90% done, and I've completed eight Christmas gifts out of an expected eighteen.

New projects on the go, and old ones completed

Last post, I had started a scarf for DH as a Christmas present. Here it is, now completed. He really likes the autumn feel of the colours (but by Christmas time he won't remember the scarf and will be totally surprised that I chose the perfect colour for him). It's from Knit Picks' Imagination line and the colour is called Gingerbread House.

I figured that I still have plenty of time before Christmas is here, but I don't want to be caught at the last minute, and end up hurting my shoulder from overknitting (did that last year). So this year I'm starting early and I'm making a list (I'll check it twice for good measures). I'm aiming for eighteen presents, of which I have completed four. I have a pair of socks on the go, and will be knitting a few more.

I've also started a gift for myself: a blanket. I've been wanting a heavy blankie in purplish tones for a while now, and I found a great deal at Zellers last week, so I bought eight pounds of purplish yarn. I've used a smaller needle than recommended, so it will be a tight knit and hopefully warmer that way.

Just a quick post...

Here's more yarn I received for Christmas. It's Berroco's Ultra Alpaca. I've only used it once before (see socks in previous post), but I really like the thickness, and the colours are fantastic. First is "Potting Soil", "Lobster", and "Salt & Pepper".
I'll have to make a knitting list for this Christmas. Having spent four months with my parents, and taking care of my Dad, has make me feel a lot closer to my family. I really want to take the time to knit something for each (immediate) family member this year (and maybe a few more for the little ones). I've already started a scarf for hubby.

New socks for me!

Here's a new pair of socks I finished when I was at my parents. I used Berroco's Ultra Alpaca in Lavender (which was a Christmas gift from hubby). Sophie couldn't resist being part of the picture.

I'll have to do a sock inventory sometime soon, as I seem to have quite a few pairs worn out, or with what seems like the start of holes in them. When I moved in the new house, I cleaned up my stash and I'm not sure if I have yarn to darn them. Oh well, I guess I might have to knit for myself for a change...

Will be back posting shortly

I can't believe it's been a year since I last posted. A lot has happened in that year: a new house, lots of renos, and my father battling (and still battling) heart problems. Of course, during stressful times I knit...and sometimes more than usual. While Dad was at the hospital, I knitted over fifteen baby bonnets which I donated to the maternity unit. I've also knitted socks and mittens as thank you gifts to our family friend that were so caring, thoughtful, and very helpful. I wish I had taken pictures of all of them, but I only took a few.

These mittens were knitted for Dad's friend when he works outside in the cold. I had no patterns for these, so I made them up. I knitted them with Briggs & Little yarn, which will felt a bit after the first wash, and make them really warm. He was quite happy. I also made this other pair which were a little big on him...