DONE!!!!! And Plans for 2006

Yessssssssss, Christmas knitting is finished!!!! Just completed weaving in the ends on the second of the socks for my dad, and it's taking a Eucalan bath as I write. Tomorrow I will take photos and update this post with them--including all three pairs of socks in their nifty little sleeves.

Details on Dad's socks:
Pattern: Basic sock--stockinette foot, afterthought heel, 3x2 rib

Yarn: Briggs and Little Tuffy Smoke

Needle: Sz 6 40" Addi Turbo (one sock at a time on Magic Loop)

Start Date: December 15, 2005

Finish Date: December 18, 2005 (Gotta love that heavy worsted yarn for speedy completion of a project)

This yarn feels rough while knitting, but seems to soften up when washed. I knit a swatch and then washed and liked the way it turned out. Then after reading about washing millspun wool before using, I tried this, but didn't really like the way the yarn felt after washing--don't know if it had started to felt, or if I used too much Dawn. I think I'll just knit and then wash as I have in the past.

Dh has tried the socks on as I have knit them and he really liked that I made the leg longer (8" of ribbing). I already have some Tuffy on hold for another pair of socks for him--I'll likely start them the day after Christmas. He wore his wool/alpaca socks to the Skins game today--was all in a panic this morning when he couldn't find them. I had washed them yesterday, and they were drying on the kitchen table under the fan. Still can't get over how he loves these socks....and I made them! So cool!!!

My list is all ready for the work/chores/shopping that needs to be done between now and Friday. Whew!!! A little bit each day will make the load easier. Tomorrow is shopping first and foremost, then a few chores around the house. We have Christmas dinner with my folks on Friday evening, church and open house here on Christmas Eve, and of course, all the festivities of Christmas Day. Thank goodness the pressure of Christmas knitting is off!

Sharing the Wealth
A couple of the families we are friends with from church have daughters who knit. I was talking with the moms about knitting, in general, and socks, in particular, last night at a Christmas get-together. I said I'd teach the girls--and maybe even the moms--how to knit socks on the magic loop in January and February. Sounds like a fun thing to do in the dead of winter. This morning I took a huge bag of yarn to one of the girls to do with what she wills. It's Plymoth Encore, which I now dislike intensely due to horrible pilling on my preschooler's Wallaby. There was more than enough yarn for her to use for hats, socks (after our mid-winter lessons), sweaters, you name it. Plenty to fool around with, experiment with, learn with--and she won't have to spend a dime. Hope she has a ball with it!

New Year Planning

Now I can think about the fun knitting I want to do in the New Year and read some of the books that have been lanquishing beside the bed while I've been madly knitting for the last three weeks. I almost bought some Noro Kureyon (sp) today at the lys when I went in to pick up my 220 Aran Stitches and Fiber Trends Felted Clog pattern. I think I want to use the clogs as Christmas gifts for 2006 and will try to make them throughout the year rather than rushing to finish them all in the three weeks prior to Christmas Day. Also on tap for knitting in the New Year is the FLAK. I need to do the swatching for that prior to January 1--but have plenty of time. My yarn is already here, so I may work on that in spare moments over the next week or so. I also hope to make the Crossed in Translation cardigan with the KAL that is supposed to start January 1. I know what yarn I want to use, but have not yet ordered it--money already received for Christmas from my in-laws will go to purchase the yarn for this project. Another possible project is My Favorite Cardi-again as I want something other than a sweatshirt that I can throw on when in the house (we're keeping the therm set at 62 deg F to try and help with the power bill) or out and about running errands. I plan on having a pair of socks on the needles pretty much all the time. Now that I've learned the afterthought heels, socks are even more of a joy!

That's about it from here--the Redskins trounced the Cowboys, so all is right with the world! I'm gonna go read! See ya!