What Do You Use?

Have any of you noticed how often I've changed backgrounds lately?  I usually like to stick with a background that fits my personality, as well as the blog, but I also like to change with the seasons.  So now that it's Christmas time, I'm trying to find that background that really fits.

I can't say I've been extremely successful.  I like the reindeer I had, but the red background was a little abrasive for me.  I like the warm, red colors because it makes me feel like I'm snuggled inside on a cold winter day.  But I don't care for a lot of the red or warm color designs.  So then I think start leaning towards the blues....let's be honest, we all know I like blues.  :)  

But blues mean chilly, cold and snow.  They make me feel cold, even if they accurately reflect the holiday season.  :\  So I'm trying out a few in the meantime, seeing if I like them or not.  If I don't, I'll find something new.  

Where do you all find your backgrounds?  I've tried thecutestblogontheblock.com, hotbliggityblog.com, and shabbyblogs.com.  

Friday Favorites 12/10: Petite Purls Winter Issue

Petite Purls released their Winter Issue this week.  Today actually.  I've already looked through the patterns and marked my favorites on Ravelry.  They always have such cute patterns, I love looking through the issues when they come out.

I won't take too long today as I've got several favorites.  And in my opinion, checking out the issue and reading about the patterns yourself is much better than me telling you about them!

Skadi

by Erika Neitzke

Photo by defiKNITely

This little feminine dress is just too cute to pass up!

Leg Ups

by Laura Nelkin

Photo by Brandy Fortune

I've always been intrigued by brioche work.  I've never tried it, but this would be a simple, fun pattern to try it out!

Asa

by Talitha Kuomi

Photo by Brandy Fortune

Little boys in little sweaters. Enough said!

Uptown Girl

by Shelley D. Jones

Photo by Brandy Fortune

I love that this is leopard print.  I'm envisioning it in blue, brown and cream!  :) 

Snowflake

by Jennifer K. Cirka

Photo by Naturally Red Photography

This hat really grabbed my attention.  I don't know if it's because of the terrific photography or what, but I love it and want to make one.  It looks squishy and soft and wonderful and the snowflake accents are perfect. 

RCS: Restless Crafting Syndrome - I Have It

Do any of you out there ever feel like there is so much you want to do that in the end you do nothing?

I'm really starting to feel a bit...restless.  That's the best way I can describe it.  It's like when you've been home all day and sitting too long.  Then you go to bed and feel like you need to jump back up and get moving.  I've been knitting on the same darn project for about 3 weeks and it's close to completion, but I'm losing my drive, my focus.

My original plan was to work on one project at a time during the holiday season.  Then, as I mentioned before I caved in and started knitting on a different project.  I really shouldn't have done that.  Now all I want to do is knit on this other project...and I'm still anxious for my yarn to arrive!!

And then there's the sewing.  I'm working on needle case with fabric sent to me.  It's beautiful, satin-y material.  Soft to touch and pretty to look at.  Not my favorite to work with for knitting cases.  It turns out the fabric is very ravely and I have to be really careful not to pull at loose ends otherwise it pulls out the woven threads.  It's also thicker than your traditional cotton fabric, which is giving me issues.  I've finished one of two cases, and I'm not really jumping at the bit to start the second. But I need to get them finished and out the door.

Which makes me want to start an entirely new knitting project - aside from the ones I already have picked out.  Do you see my dilemma?  No focus.  I hate that feeling.  Not to mention I've been reading a new book (last book in Vampire Academy series) and didn't want to put it down to knit or sew.  I've always loved reading and it was a pleasant way to spend the evening last night.

So my goal for the end of the week is to reorganize and re-motivate myself.  I need to make a couple lists, and put items on the list that can easily be checked off.  I love lists and I feel accomplished when I can mark things off as finished.  Speaking of end of the week, I really need to get our Christmas decorations up!!

Are the rest of you less distractible than me right now?  :)

**I do want to mention that I feel this way any time I have too many projects going at once, whether it be during the holiday season or not.  My free time feels so much better when there's a little organization thrown in!!

Works in Progress

Now and again, I consider starting a Works in Progress Wednesday (or WIP Wednesday), but then decide I never get enough done quickly enough for it to be interesting to read about.  But I figured I'd share today a little about my current WIPs (and yes, I know it's Tuesday, not Wednesday).  Now, remember, WIPs are not the same as UFOs (unfinished objects).  At least not at my house.  If we were counting UFOs then we'd be looking at a much longer list.

As I mentioned awhile back, there isn't a whole lot I can share.  Christmas, you know.  Don't want to spoil any surprises. Although, I don't think many of the members of my family check out my blog on a regular basis, there are a couple out there that would not be surprised at Christmas if I shared many details here.

I am steadily working away on one gift that seems to be taking forever!! I was hoping it would be quick because the way in which it is knit, but no such luck.  Part of the problem is all the other stuff my time is dedicated to working on right now.  My Etsy shop has really picked up in the last month and although I'm not swamped with orders, it has affected my knitting time.  This project really should be done by now.  The good news is that it's about 60% complete.  This is progress!

Last night I also cast on for one of the other gifts on my list.  I've really wanted to start these several times over, but I keep stopping myself, telling the voice in my head that they're the simplest of all the gifts (aside from the one currently on my needles), and possibly the quickest, I should leave them for last.  I caved.  I'm knitting with Shelter, folks.  So you see, my motives were purely selfish.  I wasn't so concerned about getting this project out of the way so much as trying this new yarn!  I can't share the color because that will give it away who the gift is for.  But it's lovely.  I'm only 4 rows in and loving how the colors play with one another.  As I knit, the little flecks of color in the yarn pop up here and there and are like little surprises in my knitting. :)  It makes me smile.

I've heard a few complaints about the amount of "stuff" in the yarn that has to be picked out.  I really don't think it's that bad, and expect it with this kind of yarn.  And I can just tell this wool would be wonderful to felt with!

So aside from my moment of weakness last night, I have only started one other project (more on that in a minute).  I meant to start at least 1 of the last 2 projects earlier, but the first pattern has me a little hesitant because of the new techniques, and the other project doesn't have any yarn.  I ordered some awhile back, was promised it'd arrive by Thanksgiving, and they still don't have any in.  Bummer!!  So this may be a late Christmas present...  I hope not, though...

And finally, the 3rd project that is on my needles are the gloves for J.  He asked for them awhile back, but I've been gathering the courage to get them started.  You see, he has something particular in mind.  Something I can't seem to find (and like) in a pattern.  So I'm making it up as I go along.  I'm not sure how I feel about it thus far.  I've almost finished the cuff on the first glove.  J wants his gloves to be very snug, otherwise I would have had to start over and cast on more stitches and decrease less.

I think they're too slim at the wrist.  I may have to rip back the last few rows and take out the last row of decreases.  Once I get to the hand, it should be simpler.  Although these will be gloves and I've never knit gloves before.  Another reason for needing more stitches at the wrist...I need them to fit his hands!

I'm using Cascade 128 Superwash in Charcoal.  It's a lovely gray shade.  They should match his coat nicely.  Once this pair is finished,  and I have a little more knitting "breathing" room, I'll get started on the pair he really wants.

So there's a short and somewhat vague look into what my needles have been up to lately!

From Becky

So far, I've shown you half of what I have to share as far as Itty Bitty swaps go.  As mentioned many times before, I love them and those who participate.  Which is probably the reason I chose to participate in two at once.  What you see above is my lovely package for the Itty Bitty Christmas Swap that arrived last week from Becky (gathersnomoss).  She did such a fantastic job of making sure there was something for everyone in the box!   And although it doesn't do it justice all squished up to pose on my foot rest (by the only window/light bright enough in my house that day), there was so much stuff!

I'll get right down to the main purpose of the swap.  We were to knit either the Snowman hat or the Christmas Set by Susan B. Anderson.  The Christmas Set includes a jolly Santa, Santa's toy sack, and a Christmas mouse.  X received the Snowman hat! Which is great because he'd outgrown the one I knit him last year (darn those kids and their growing!).  Becky took the hat a little outside the box and made the snowman a striped scarf and striped hat with a pom-pom on top, instead of a black top hat.  I think this is adorable! I love seeing how one knitter can take a pattern and put their own twist on it.  So much creativity out there!

(I wish I had pictures of X in his hat, but he wouldn't leave it on inside.  I'll have to get him out in the snow to get some good pictures!)

There were actually a lot of goodies for X in the box, aside from the hat.  There were a box of crayons, some Grinch pencils, a little toy truck with driver (which X can't stop playing with!) and the book The Mitten.  The Mitten is one of the best winter children's stories out there.  I'd been thinking about this story the other day and then it showed up on my doorstep!

Just a close-up of the book here, but I have to mention that it also came with a mitten cookie cutter!  That makes it so fun.  I'm assuming that was intentional.  If it wasn't, I'll just pretend it was! :) We'll definitely have to make some sugar cookies this winter!

Then there were the goodies for me!  Becky didn't disappoint as I kept finding more and more in the box!  Becky made a lovely Christmas tree project bag (of which you never have enough when you need them), a stack of fabric (now I need a Christmas project!), a yarn-inspired emery board, a knitting magnet (see the little ball of yarn & "knitting needles?"), peppermints, 4 lovely stitch markers, and a skein of Spud & Chloe Sweater in Lake!  Hooray!

Stitch markers

Yarn...mmmm!

And last, but not least, were all the treats!  On top of the peppermints there were 4 bags filled with goodies, and a baking mix.  There were Rocky Road treats and the recipe for a treat that Becky's family makes at Christmas, a bag of Chex mix, a bag of candy complete with candy canes, and even a bag filled with dog treats for our puppies!  The baking mix is for Cranny White Chip Scones (cranberries & white chocolate chips).  They sound yummy!  We've already finished off most of the snacks!

Thank you, thank you, Becky!  It was so fun to open this package and see all that was inside.  This was a terrific package filled to the brim (literally!) with all sorts of fun things. :)  I appreciate the time you took to put this together for me!

Weekend Favorites 12/4: Yarn Spam

Today I'd like to share with you a few of my favorite yarns.  Well, let me amend that just a little.  I haven't tried  all these yarns, but would certainly love the opportunity.   Most of these yarns are variegated and they're just LOVELY!  With that said here are some of my favorites!

Yarn Love

 Sleeping Beauty

 Whisper

 Early Grey

 Forget Me Not

Belle

Katie has some beautiful yarn!  Her colorways are so diverse and inspirational.  Usually, I'm drawn to blues and greens and dark colors.  But I can't help but love these colorways above.  They include Sleeping Beauty, Whisper, Earl Grey, Forget Me Not and Belle.

Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend Multis

 Adobe

Stellar

I just recently ordered this yarn in Adobe for a Christmas project.  The colors blend so beautifully and this yarn is incredibly soft.  This yarn is kettle dyed, 30% silk, 70% Merino Extrafine Wool.   It glides through my fingers and has a luster to it that will make this project just right.  I'm not always a fan of variegated yarns when they're knit up, but this is looking pretty great so far!

Three Irish Girls

 Fitzgerald

 Byrne

 Dorian Gray

Eavan

Again, look at these beautiful colorways!  If I were one to knit socks...well...let's just say my stash would me much larger! :)

Oops!

Whoopsie!  I forgot it was Friday!  Looks like we'll have Weekend Favorites! :)