by Kat | Dec 23, 2016 | General
I hope not. I have a few more inches of Christmas Knitting to complete, but the end is in sight and it will be done later today.
That is a good thing because I am ready to do some deadline free knitting.
Well, sort of…
There are some KAL’s coming in January and February that could be fun:
Last year I did 12 Days of Casting on with the now closed Natural Stitches, but I am not aware of any group doing this during the 12 Days of Christmas (there is a group that started before Christmas which was bad planning IMO) But, if you are interested in 12 Days of Casting on – rules are simple, cast on one new project every day from Boxing Day to Epiphany. End result – 12 items for your knitter’s gift basket… Or perhaps 12 items to jump-start your 2017 FO list… The goal is not in the completion, but rather the casting on. Last year, I cast on multiple mitts and a cowl or two and had things to gift most of the year. If you need some ideas – Gale’s Trip Mitts are super fun and a fast knit!
Now on to the KAL’s:
Kathleen Dames is leading a KAL for An Aran For Frederick. If you want to knit a sweater, or you want to knit cables – this is for you!
If your sock drawer is lacking, here are two quick MKAL options for a couple of pairs of socks in the first quarter!!
1 – MKAL – Kotukutuku Solid Sock’s – 1 clue a week beginning January 1st
2 – MKAL – On January 1st Kirsten Kapur will announce her winter MKAL Sock knit along. Knitting will begin February 1st – you can sign up for her newsletter here.
Need to ramp up your shawl wardrobe? Winter’s Whisper might be what you are looking for and this is free until the MKAL begins on February 1st.
Are you looking for a challenge? Want to learn something new? You can join Louise Tilbrook in her January Brioche Challenge!
And, last – although this is not an official KAL – I would like to invite you to join Juliann and me as we knit Thea Coleman’s Rob Roy together in a mini-KAL. Who does not need another hat? And, if you don’t – you could always add it to your gift knitting for next year!
And, finally – I would like to wish all of you a most blessed holiday weekend. See you back here on Monday!
P.S. A huge thanks to my friend Karen for her assistance with some of this linky goodness!
by Kat | Dec 16, 2016 | General
The arrival of Friday always brings a sigh of relief, but some weeks that sigh is more of a groan.
This is one of those weeks.
Yesterday, the furnace gave up the ghost. Quit. On the coldest of days.
Three cheers for the world’s most perfect timing. Ever. And, ever. And, FOREVER even!!
Because really, ten days before Christmas replacing the furnace is what everyone really wants to do! Somehow, my inner child belief in Santa does not equate to him delivering and installing furnace systems – or I would have put that sucker on my Christmas Wish List – and then hoped for an early Christmas!!
All joking aside, I am so thankful that we have the means to replace the furnace (which does not diminish the pain at all, just in case you were wondering!!)
This will put some things on the back burner for a bit, but that is alright too but, sometimes adulting sucks and sucks royally!
Peace knitting was again my saving grace. First, having wool in your hands when the temperature is 13-freaking-degrees out is a blessing as is the peace knitting process – I am jubilantly happy to report that the meditative knitting worked!!
Add to that Sherman is a superior foot warmer, which is balancing out the fact that he is refusing to go outside in this weather, to well – do his business. Yep, Poop Strike Season has begun! I am sorry if this is TMI. But, I am finding it comical – and really, laughing is so much better than crying!!
Now, for those of us who are living in the Land of Delusion – thinking that we are going to accomplish more Christmas knitting – there are only NINE days until Christmas!! So, if you have not cast on yet – what are you waiting for????
Here are some links that may or may not be of help (okay, really, they won’t – but you can start now for next Christmas and have wild success!!):
First up, I do not understand this phenomenon at all, that is until I saw this. Knitting Sarcasm FTW!!
Sunflower Mittens are delightful!
I love Short Rose – almost as much as I love the play on words!
Truly Myrtle has published a trio of lovely things – there is a hat, a shawl, and a sweater!!
End-less Squares Blanket by my friend Simone is so lovely. And, it is designed with no ends and no sewing together of squares. Yeah. Plus, scraps of yarn!! We should all get on this ASAP!
Socks with holiday names like Frasier Fir and Mistletoe are fitting. However, they won’t be available for purchase until January – but, would be perfect for next year’s gift knitting extravaganza!!
This just cracked me up! I just love the dog, the cat, and the lamb, but the Pig is the BEST!! And, if you come from Holland Michigan where the saucijzenbroodjes are the be all, end all – and so good to boot! This is absolutely going on my knit list.
Now to finish off with two final links that just might work for last minute gift knitting for THIS CHRISTMAS!! My Mini Mitts and (appropriately named) Homestretch Hat.
Have a fantastic weekend! See you back here on Monday!! Oh, and stay warm will you?
P.S. Of course this could not have happened on Saturday where temps are forecast to be in the 50’s. Yes, you read that right from 13 to 50 in 24 hours! Only in Pittsburgh!
P.P.S. For any Holland Michigan Pig in the Blanket connoisseurs – IMO Hempel’s Pastries on 13th and Maple made the best. Period.
by Kat | Dec 9, 2016 | General
My dear, sweet Friday – what took you so long to get here?! Was it just me, or did this seem like an exceptionally long week? But, Friday has made it and I could not be happier! Add to that, it was a very grey week here – so these orchid certainly brightened the week considerably!
There have been bits of knitting here and there – but peace knitting is what really kept my sanity this week! I am happily keeping up with each day’s pattern repeat – and I love that it is a simple to put down, simple to pick up knit!
I have also begun part two of the secret Christmas knitting and it is also at the point of simple to put down, simple to pick up. And, it seems to be cruising right along. I should have this gift done next week, which will give me more than enough time to get one more project in for 2016 completion!
Now, how about some links?
Gamallegur
Xuan Wrap
The New Knitty has some lovely things!
Romi has a new design that is stunning.
Are you a spinner? Jillian has A New Slant Scarf that might interest you!
Wassail Mittens anyone?
Find Your Fade
Simmer Dim appeared on my radar this week and I can’t stop thinking about it!
And, finally – Tiny Window Cats
That’s it for me this week! Have a fantastic weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!!
by Kat | Dec 2, 2016 | General, Making
The start of peaceful knitting began yesterday at Casa del KatKnits – and it feels so, well, peaceful and meditative! While knitting yesterday I was thinking of other knitters who are joining me in this journey – there are 2,192 projects currently listed on Ravelry (however as of 11/29 there were over 14k participating!!) but I am especially thinking about those I know who are knitting along with me.
I hope you all managed to get 318 stitches cast on and began knitting yesterday. I completed the cast on and the first 4 rounds yesterday. I will continue today with the second repeat of the pattern. I am happy to say that the pattern is easy to memorize.
I am looking forward to 20 more days of knitting and meditating on peace for this world.
I am fortunate Steve loves me so much, he surprised me yesterday with a pre-holiday package from Miss Babs and Jenny the Potter! A mug for me and some yarn from which I will make a hat for him. Thank you Steve!! And, thank you Miss Babs for the sample of Tarte! This will be the perfect accent for my next pair of Squad Mitts!
Now, how about some links?
That is all I have for this week! Have a fantastic weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!!
by Kat | Nov 25, 2016 | General, Making
The knitting continues – today this blue yarn will become the slippers that Steve requested earlier this week. It is a super simple pattern and will be done in short order. And, really – thank goodness for stash!
I have also been trying to spin a few minutes a day – which for me has been working out to evening spinning for a few minutes each night. During the week, I got one bobbin done. My goal is an actual 4-ply lace weight yarn. This is some old vintage Spunky Club Polwarth fiber in the “Hungry” colorway. Which after yesterday, I am certainly not! But, it is spinning up beautifully!!
Let’s get to the links, shall we?
This week has some good ones – and again, lots that can be some last-minute gift knitting:
Gift knitting ideas:
Not knitting for Christmas? No problem – some long-term knitting projects here!
I hope your holiday weekend is going well and that you are not still in a turkey coma! See you back here tomorrow!!
