Fruity Caps and the Holidays

Fruit Cap
Originally uploaded by craftytails

I am one hat and one scarf short from making my Christmas deadline. Altogether, this is not a bad thing. I had to break for one afternoon to make a fruit cap for a coworker's baby who is due to arrive immediately after the new year. They are having a girl, so I can finally try out some of the lovely patterns I have found.

This weekend, I attended the yearly holiday soiree hosted by Bruce and Mundee. The food and company was extremely cathartic as always. It somehow doesn't feel like Christmas until I exchange gifts, drink too much wine and manage to disgrace myself. This year was happily no exception.

One of the main selling points of the party (besides Mundee's incredible food) is seeing people from out of town. Victor and Susie were a happy surprise. Gracia even turned up wearing a hand knit scarf! The disease has slowly infected friends and coworkers alike. I will not be satisfied until there are vast numbers of personal friends and acquaintances who have a pair of needles and a ball of yarn hidden within their homes in secret shame.

Speaking of which, I am really looking forward to teaching people to knit at Ohayocon in January. My panel is scheduled for Saturday, January 5th. This falls on my birthday, so I am asking that people behave politely to me and each other.

Owning Up

Cashmerino Chunky
Originally uploaded by craftytails

I admitted to a few more (well, a lot of) lost orphans within my stash recently. To my lame credit, I bought a ton of expensive yarn when a local quilting store decided to liquidate their stock. Basically, anyone who was very lucky enough managed to snag pricey yarn below cost. I am embarrassed by my gigantic stash, but there is hope. There will be much rejoicing when my yarn storage finally reaches human proportions. Then again, I shouldn't have asked for Webs gift certificates this year. Um... Oops?

Speaking of yarn crack, Dee posted some new items in her store that sold very quickly. The Starry Night colorway was simply HOT. As lovely as the photos are, they do not give the colors justice. I strongly envy curse whoever managed to snag that skein.

In the indie dyer vein, carrot cate plunged into dyeing last weekend. For a fist run, she did an admirable job. I think I am going to jump on the bandwagon once I deplete my horrendous stash.

I received a stern talking-to. It wasn't pretty.
C'mon. Fall into the rabbit hole with me. You know you want to.

Gambled and Lost

J. Knits
Originally uploaded by craftytails

Knitting for the holidays is really burning me out, but I am finally nearing the end of the line. I swore I wouldn't buy new yarn, but I had a moment of weakness when idly picking through a pile of new sock yarn at my LYS. I feel so... dirty.

Once I finish Josh's hat with the cursed brown yarn, I am probably going to make the sushi toilet tissue cozy. I was briefly distracted with starting a Foliage Bear, but I think I can push past this to complete the necessary knitting. I cannot wait to get back to my Central Park Hoodie once the holidays are over. Seriously, this is just getting silly.