Back in the Swing

It has been a couple difficult weeks in my household so I have been lax in posting my efforts. But, as Christmas approaches and illnesses have diminished, I can once again begin with my blog and keeping up on events and knitting progress. I don't have photos to share but I will describe what I have accomplished (or set aside) and set a few goals for the coming weeks.

Just as many Americans are doing now, I have been in the midst of Christmas preparation. Handmade items are being completed and wrapped to give as gifts. The crocheted afghan for my daughter's boyfriend has been tabled because I have to make it fit such a large person. He is 6'3" so I had planned on making it 54 x 72. I made 4 squares of a modified log cabin pattern and then put them together-2 on each side- with alternating rows of 2 colors. Then I started to frame that whole section in a 3rd color. But time is running out so Justin will get an IOU for a afghan and a store bought blanket until I can get that one finished.

I found myself infected again with another illness, possibly flu, so I got behind on the Advent Scarf KAL from the Ravelry group. But in the last few days I have almost caught up and should have it finished tonight. I'll wash and block it for wrapping for a Christmas gift. The daily quotes that came with the patterns will be bound to go along with the scarf. I hate to speak ill of anyone but I have to say that I am disappointed with the pattern for this KAL. There were several days of patterns that  were written wrong or had to be modified to fit stitch count. I would have thought that the test knitters would have picked up on the mistakes. If this was a free pattern, I wouldn't say anything but I paid for it and some people even purchased yarn from the shop to knit it. It seemed like the pattern instructions and recommendations just weren't right for this pattern and many of the people in the group found they had to change things like recommended needle size and yarn requirements. But, even so, the scarf is pretty and I think my mother will enjoy it.

I am on the 2nd sock of the short sock pattern that I have been making for my youngest daughter. Originally I have intended to make it toe up with an afterthought heel, but time constraints for Christmas were not condusive to so many new techniques at once. So I went back to the tried and true top down, and gusset pattern. I'll work on learning the afterthought heel when time allows.

There are just a few rows to go for the hats that I had started some time ago. Then 2 more gifts will be completed. All the dishcloths have been completed and gifts given to co-workers. I ended up with a callous on my index finger from knitting with the cotton. I really didn't enjoy knitting with cotton so I won't do such a large project again.

Another event last week really affected our family and left a bit of a hole. My oldest daughter who was about 16 weeks pregnant suffered a miscarriage on December 10. It is really amazing how quickly a child becomes an intregal part of your family and all future plans include the expected addition. We have had to rethink and replan to adjust for the changes. Life does go on but this baby will always be remembered. She will in my heart be my first granddaughter.

As the final days for Christmas are counted down, so many things still need to be done. Baking, gift wrapping, house cleaning, etc. But as always the time with family is the most important part of the holiday. I love the joy the kids all share with opening gifts. The best Christmas is when the paper flies!! If I don't have the opportunity to get back to my blog before Christmas, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy day. Keep those who have experienced such tragedies in your thoughts this holiday season.

God Bless!!