Immunosuppressed Knitter

I can think of two noteworthy things that happened in 2011.  1. I did not have to be admitted to the hospital. 2. I knit 6.8 miles of yarn : 30 completed projects.  I suppose this is a good thing as having a boring, uneventful life means I am healthy enough to be home.

The other big news of 2011 was Carol’s engagement.  Fidel will officially be initiated into our family this year.  Here’s hoping I will be of sound body and mind to attend the wedding.

Upon reflection, it seems the bulk of my expenses boils down to 1. rent 2. medical bills 3. eating out/groceries and 4. knitting.  This year I was going to join only one sock club, but I found out about a fairy tale themed one and gave in.  Last year I made a commitment not to buy any new yarn or knitting related items and lasted 9 months.  Not too shabby.  I won’t make the same declaration again this year, but I will make a conscious effort not to buy anything unless I’m making a specific project that requires yarn I don’t already possess.  I can already hear the “yeah, yeah, yeah’s.”

After discovering that I completed 30 projects I have decided to start logging the time it takes to knit each project; it should be interesting.

On a completely unrelated note, I kicked Carol and Fidel’s butts in Scrabble! Best quote from the game, “What’s a gatone?”

The weather here is beautiful.  The air is brisk, and it’s bright and sunny.  I know I’m lucky to live here, but I often take it for granted.  Since I’ve gotten sick I really try to appreciate the little things.  Yesterday Carol, Fidel and I drove down the coast to Half Moon Bay.  Along the way we also stopped by the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in Moss Beach.  We didn’t stop at the famous Mavericks Surf area because there were so many people, but among the surfers we saw a guy paddle surfing!  It was pretty cool… I had never seen that before. We ate lunch at a quaint italian cafe in HMB.  Their gelato was delicious.   On our way home we stopped by the New Leaf Community Market just for a look-see, but I ended up purchasing $50 worth of goodies that are hard to find elsewhere.  Granted, $50 doesn’t really go a long way at a store like that, but it was worth the stop.

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Christmas gift for Fidel

Pattern: Mind Reader (Tankeleser) by Tora Frøseth Design

Yarn: Wollmeise 100% Merino in Dora WD

Needle: 3.0mm 40″ circular ML

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I have to say one of my favorite Christmas gifts this year is a mannequin head from Fidel.  I have been wanting one to block and display hats.  We have named her Gertrude.

Christmas present for Kathy, my respiratory therapist

Pattern: Susie’s Reading Mitts by Janelle Masters for Dancing Ewe Yarn

Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend in Wildflower

Needle: US5 circular ML

Christmas present for Elizabeth

Pattern: ZigZag Mitts by Jen Hurley [modified]

Yarn: Socks That Rock Lightweight in Blarney Stone

Needle: US8 circular ML

knit for Jim : modeled by Elizabeth

Pattern: Tamara by Lindsay Koehler

Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Sport in Cloak

Needle: 2.75mm 40″ circular ML

Other Material: Darice Plastic Canvas

Brightly Colored Mat/Rug… a.k.a  A Place to Put Your Feet

House Warming Present for Jami

Pattern: Three-Green Shoe Mat by Mel Clark

Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream in Hot Blue, Hot Green, Hot Orange, Hot Pink, Hot Purple, Red, Soft Ecru, Sunshine, Swimming Pool, Warm Brown

Needle: 5mm; US 8

Other Materials: Sewing Thread & Cotton Broadcloth

looking for a home

Pattern: Ninja from Creepy Cute Crotchet by Christen Haden

Yarn: Lily Sugar’n Cream in black

Needle: Crochet Hook E

Notions: White Embroidery Floss, 6mm Eyes

for Jami

Pattern: Slip-Stitch Hat by Cathleen Campbell

Yarn: Grant Creek Yarns Cushy Merino in Persia

Needle: 2.75mm 40″ circulars ML

for a Gift Exchange

Pattern: Mini Key Ring Purses by Kathy Sasser

Needle: 2.25mm

Notions: Key Rings, Buttons, Embroidery Floss

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Knitting always seems to somehow pile up when it’s the holidays.  The ridiculous thing is that the pressure is completely self imposed.  Most don’t know that I have x in mind for y, but I’m just too much of a perfectionist.

Right now I’m finishing up a house-warming gift and am in the middle of a Christmas gift for H and have plans to knit E fingerless gloves, F and J a beanie, and my respiratory therapist something tbd.

Besides Christmas knitting, I want to get going on a couple of baby gifts and weaving the scarf I started months ago.  Last but not least, I’m still in the middle of a stole I started for myself in April thinking I’d be done with it by the time it got cold. Ha!