Cabin Fever

Now that all the Christmas knitting is finished I have been working on Cable Dress & Hat. Do you remember that? I was working on it back in the spring before I started in on my gift knitting. I reached the first decreases last night. It now measures fourteen inches long.

I was lucky enough to receive several knitting related things for Christmas this year. I was given a set of size Us 10.5 dpns.

I also received a book on natural plant dyes.

It is by Sasha Duerr and is titled The Handbook of Natural Plant Dyes. It is informative, easy to understand, and has several examples of projects. I created an iron mordant friday evening. Here’s what it looked like the next morning.

It’s one part vinegar to two parts water and some old rusty nails. The book says to let it sit for a week or two and it will be ready to use.

I have a case of cabin fever now, waiting to be able to try out the plant dyes. Right now my yard looks like this:

I obviously cannot find any plants but, I might be able to try a birch bark dye. There are several of them growing in the woods behind our house. It will turn out pink. I hope. Although with the six inches we’re getting today I don’t know if I’ll be able to get to them before the sping thaw.

Hark!

Christmas eve at 10:18 PM I finished Booties. I started using the second skein of yarn about 1/2 way through the slipper.

I also made a very interesting pot holder.

Apparently I have yet to master crocheting a rectangle. That’s a task for another day. Now it’s time for me to go dig myself out. If only I could get

Hark the Herald Angels Sing

out of my head.

Persephone is hoping we’ll keep the tree up a little longer.

Green is for Grinch

Today on the radio the winner of the true or false contest said she had all her presents and shopping done. I am very jealous. Today I realized that for Booties I Need. More. Yarn. I also do not understand the sewing instructions. Curse my sewing inability! Ah well… I might be able to get it done. I am also trying to remain as un-grinchy as possible. Wish me luck.

Falalalala lalalala

I’m no Gift Wrap Guru but I’m certainly not gift wrap-challenged. Last night though I was having some trouble. With the ends mainly. They just weren’t even. I managed to squeeze F.T.L.O.C. into this box:

I thought putting it in such a small box would throw her off since she’s getting exactly what she wanted. Maybe it’ll bring back a little bit of the surprise. I wrapped everything up last night except the bag and Booties. I’m so close though.

Fralinger’s Salt Water Taffy. This box had been passed around for years. I remember when my SIL got it for the first time she thought it actually was taffy. I’m putting Pop’s Socks in it.
Here’s all my knit gifts. Quite a pile right? I’m gonna make it! Jingling all the way too.

Knock on Wood

I started a Jewelry bag yesterday.

I am using size 2 needles and Panda Silk Crystal Palace yarn. The color is 5116. Unfortunately I believe he have discontinued this yarn. 😦
This is my second-to-last gift. My other one is Booties. I need this for this weekend and I don’t need Booties until Christmas. Knock on wood I might get everything done on time this year. Including my December Design it! entry.
I know my blog posts have been waning in frequency and I ope to fix that soon. I am finally getting internet at my house sometime before the new year (I hope). This will increase my posting. I also plan on uploading the pattern for Bow Wow Beanie.

How Much is the Doggy…

Friday night, after supper (tacos), after the dishes were washed, I put on Billy Joel and sat down to write Bow-wow Beanie. It is the pattern for my Design it! group November entry.

Sorry it’s sideways. If you want, you can vote for me in the Design It! Group in the November Design contes mini voting thread. Thanks!