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 18, 2016 | General, Making
Well, the gauge issues with the Squad Mitts has been solved!
One mitt down, one to go!
I am so happy with how they are turning out – and I am even happier they are 100% handspun yarn, most of which has been spun on a spindle!
And it is Friday!! Bring on the weekend, I am so ready for it! I am starting it off by having tea and some knitting with a friend.
I have nothing else for you except for some links:
Lots of gift knitting ideas here, it is not too late!
Have a fantastic Friday – see you back here tomorrow!!
by Kat | Nov 11, 2016 | General
This has been a very rough week here at Casa del KatKnits. Really, it feels like the longest week ever, but perhaps that is just the way it is in particularly rough weeks.
However, I am going to try to focus on other things – anything other than the doom and gloom that feels like it is smothering me – I think we could all use more wool. Lots of it! Wool, and more wool! And, maybe even more wool!
To begin with, I think that Squad Mitts, the handspun version will be cast on this weekend. I am not sure how I will use the collection of yarns above, but I might add in some of these little skeins from Koigu and Miss Babs.
I need some instant gratification knitting to instantly gratify my spirit!
And, there will be links – it is Friday after all!
How about Knitting for Peace? I am so in – who will join me? This could be instant gratification knitting project #2 and we have time to seek out some yarn.
There were these beauties this week on Ravelry:
And, since it is that season – how about some International (??) Gift knitting ideas:
And, finally – Charity Knitting. Yes, really – a percentage of the proceeds are being donated to Women of Tomorrow. You can donate the hat to a charity of your choice and increase your giving!! We all need something to feel good about this week, don’t we?
That is all I have for today, but it’s November and I will be back tomorrow! I hope your Friday is just what you need to end this week! Hug each other – the world could use more hugs right now.
