In which I post all the Christmas FO pics that are, by the way, fairly poor quality in terms of detail, and then just say get on with it to myself so I can blogging normally again.

Shee-ut I’ve been a bad blogger. It’s a funny thing; I don’t have a huge readership, so I don’t feel that compelled to keep updating. However, I might have a bigger readership if I blogged more often and oh say, updated my ravelry account and commented on more people’s blogs. This all brings up the question of why do I blog? Which really is, for me at least, ultimately a social thing. It’s fun to write and put things out there. I also post this 95% away from my family’s eye, so it becomes something just for me. Which is what knitting is, really. That may explain part of why I haven’t blogged all the stuff I’ve knit since November, and damn, it’s considerable! But aside from a scarf and a hat (something I want to blog about, actually) everything that has come off my needles has been for someone else. And that’s been satisfying and fun, but I must be honest here, it wore on me. I was DYING to knit something for me, myself, and I. And I am – but before that, let’s just get back to where I started from and get this post over with! (Oh, I’ve also been very lazy these past few weeks. Winter break was hardly a break, so early January became my down time. It’s been nice.)

First, here’s a pic of my Manos one-row scarf that I made for SIL. It was a simple, fast project but it ended up being a great gift for her – the colors are great for her hair (she often goes very red) and she wears a scarf daily. So, natch.

(One thing I do like about these photos is that they do capture Christmas morning quite well. It was a great day.)

Next up, the mini-Juliet for my 13 yo. I was worried about the fit but it ended up perfect. And, let’s not pretend otherwise – small teenagers are a fickle bunch. But she loves it! I owe her a button (must send note to self to do that) but even so, she still wears it. And hangs it up in her closet. That speaks volumes.

Some quick specs: 3 skeins of Malabrigo worsted in Geranio. I cast on 63 and divided accordingly, based on the pattern’s ratios for fronts/sleeves/back. It hits about hip length on her, and I added some sleeves to it since wool + cap sleeves + winter = dumb (IMO). She wears it with a floaty tank and some skinny jeans (skinny jeans! This is a flashback to 8th grade for me) and she looks adorable. Pink is a great color on her – her hair is dark, her skin is fair, and her eyes are bright blue. Quite fetching.

Sigh. The little 8 yo who clung to me when we first met (she was not the typical stepchild who hated dad’s girlfriend) is growing up.

Onwards! (Sniff sniff). This next one is the project that nearly killed me, and we all know why: lace. My albatross. I confirmed my suspicions that my one singular problem is that I end up purling two sts on the off rows and then finding on my subsequent rows that my count is off. I was able to make this piece – a Kiri – without many mistakes. Emphasis on many. Of course there were a few, but none visible to the eye.

This Kiri was knit for MIL, and yes I wrapped it an empty Amazon box. Whatevs. I knit it out of HelloYarn’s laceweight in purple, which was a great choice for her. I used US 5 needles, and if I remember correctly, I used KnitPick’s harmonies. I wanted a bit more grab to aid me in my quest to stop p2tog already, but yet wanted the pointy tips. (I wholeheartedly recommend the Harmony tips. Sometimes the metal, although damn I love them too, hurt my hands. The birch is more forgiving, and they’re pretty too.) I did 13 repeats, I think, but the shawl still came out smallish. It is a nice size to throw over the shoulders, though, which I hope you can see here.

One thing I ran into with the Kiri is that I bound off too tight. I knew I was doing it as it was in process, but I was in such a frenzy to finish it… And then, when I blocked it, I found I couldn’t make the edges all pointy and pretty. So the shawl has a straight border, which is … alright. Not terrible, but not great. I could’ve blocked it bigger had I just followed directions but oh well, lesson learned.

And thank goodness, the knitting for gifts is OVER. Next year? If I do knit for others, it will be a) started much earlier and b) seriously considered. HEH!

Since the New Year I have knit two hats and a cowl (the one from Knit 2 Together). The cowl was great – and of course, no photograph. The hats – coming up.

Also coming up – stop the presses! I am knitting a sweater in pieces. This year, I shall conquer my fear of The Sewing. So far I am almost done with the sleeves. Tonight I hope to start the back. More on this later, and hopefully better pics too.

P.S. Four full manuscripts out, and another partial. I have misgivings about the fourth agency that requested a full, but not enough to prevent me from sending it. I think. Oh well, too late now. At least I can say four.

P.P.S. The partial request came via the mail. WEIRD. It’s almost always a rejection if it’s the mail – anything else comes over e-mail.

P.P.P.S. Recent movie viewed and loved that I think more people ought to see: Once.

P.P.P.P.S. Onwards!