My challenge will be the Black Sheep Booga Bag, which will end up as a birthday gift for Koko's keeper, who accompanied me on a rainy trip to Lettuce Knit this afternoon. She and another friend have been bit by the knitting bug and are signed up for one of the Lettuce's Intro to Knitting courses. (Why they felt they had to keep this a secret from me is a mystery, but it's irrelevant, they'll be knitting. That's all that matters.)
I'm a little behind on the knitting trends. I think it's because I didn't believe I could actually knit some of the things I see out there. But last night my hands were itching and I had this beautiful Noro silk garden yarn, so I finally decided I would try a miniature version of the Clapotis. 
I adjusted the pattern as follows:
Tonight I finished the Moebius, seen here looking a little wet and bedraggled. I'm pretty pleased. I was a little worried it was going to be an awkward item to wear, but I tried it on and I was pleasantly surprised. It seems like it'll be fairly versatile. And I don't know what it is, but I love the smell of real wool, even when it's wet! Seems to have that comfort factor. 
I made out pretty good at Christmas in the knitting department too! Check this out: a Debbie Bliss pattern book and a very cool, long-assed scarf from my co-worker. I've already picked patterns to knit for a couple of the babies out of herd expected this year, so I'm keeping my eye on the Elann website for some deals. Also, an awesome gift certificate for Lettuce Knit! I would have been there today for their big 30% sale day, but there was no way I was (getting dressed) driving into Toronto. And everybody's favourite, The Yarn Harlot's latest book, The Secret Life of A Knitter.
Scarf's done!
Tomorrow at work we have our Christmas Potluck and ornament exchange where everyone is suppose to make an ornament and wrap it without their name on it. I've knit up a few of my traditional mini-mittens for the event, so it probably won't be much of a secret!
With Christmas looming, production has really sped up around here and not just in the knitting department, but let's start there first. I've completed four presents, which are already wrapped. I'm about to finish a fifth, which I can't talk about for security purposes. The brother's yellow socks are almost done, and the sister's scarf is about a 1/4 done. The sweet child picked out a simple yarn and just wants a straight garter stitch, which makes for fast knitting and allows for the possibility of a matching hat. We're in good shape! Anything added after these are done will be gravy. I'm hoping to squeeze out a few of these very cute Unusual Toys by Jess Hutchinson.
Things are going well in the decorating and wrapping department too. The sister and I picked out a tree in a record 30 seconds and at the excellent price of $19.99. Plus, I'm wrapping presents as I go, so there they are beneath the tree already. I've even managed to buy for the most difficult family members first, so I'm feeling remarkably calm about the holidays. And in the baking department I've got the cookie dough ready in the freezer for next week's production. Unfortunately, I managed to burn out the motor on my hand mixer and had to hightail it up to Mom's to finish it off. Oops. 
The Blob continues to grow. 
This lovely assortment of coloured yarns will turn into Christmas presents over the next few weeks (Yes, there is one in there for me, what of it? I deserve it!) and will be joined by a couple others. I never thought I'd knit anything in bright yellow, but the brother has requested socks to match his hockey team colours. Anyway, wish me luck!
Anyway, this morning, while sipping coffee and watching my usual line up of HGTV, A&E, TLC and FoodTV, I discovered that I have a lot of multiples of the same size, in fact I have four sets of 5mm straight needles and two pairs of 5mm circulars. I've also got a lot of missing needles, leaving me with one of a pair. Poor lonely guys, who knows why their mates have left them or what happened to them. Maybe they hook up with all those MIA socks under the washing machine.
Well, after a whole lot of fleece twisting, the first thrummed sock is proudly shown here(with the Goldielocks Shawl serving as backdrop).
The old Florence Lace Scarf has been staring menancingly out of its plastic bag at me for the last...oh, couple months or so, and finally the guilt piled up enough for me to take it out, rip it all back and start fresh. Except, all I did was cast on the first 50 stitches and put it down again. I'm afraid! Lace is scary!
