Two Saturdays ago I visited my sister for an afternoon just to hang out and let the boys play.  I’m trying to keep low-key, but I’m really excited that Karen is learning to knit.  I don’t want to scare her off, but I want her to love it like I do.  It’s something for us to share.

She got some needles and yarn for Christmas, but had forgotten how to cast on.  So, I came for a visit armed with my knitting project and the book Stitch and Bitch to leave for a while as a reference (if she wanted it).  We got her scarf cast on and she got quite a bit of knitting done while I worked on my socks.  I also got the joy of a schnauzer nestled up against my leg; I miss that!  Shadow thinks everyone who looks at him is inviting him to their lap.

We had such a nice, laid back afternoon!

Here is Alejandro in his baby surprise jacket; isn’t he sweet?

In the last two months I will have made two pairs of socks for myself…how indulgent! Of course the girls at work think I stink because I’ve been cranking out the socks and none for them.

These two pairs have both been knit at the same time on two circular needles.  I like knowing that they are as close to being identical as possible.

The first pair I finished are black and the pattern is Moc Croc.  It’s a free pattern from Knit Picks.

These socks are called Girl’s Best Friend anklets and are a purchased pattern from Knit Picks.  I knit them using Knit Picks Essential in navy.  The yarn is nice to knit with and washes up nicely.  I don’t want to have socks that I have to treat any differently than the rest of the laundry.  In this photo one of the cuffs is turned down so you can see the pattern.  I am at the point of decreasing for the toe and will finish them today while watching football.

Finally I can post photos of the projects that I worked on all fall for Christmas presents!  Alas, my lace pillow got set aside during all this time, but I am eager to get back to it.

Here is the knitting needle purse that I made for my mother-in-law, Audrey.  I think she liked it!

For sister-in-law Sue I made a cabled wrap and some fingerless mitts.  The wrap fit her perfectly and I loved the mitts so much that I made a pair for myself.  My niece Sierra loved the whole ensemble also.

Before Christmas I took a class at my LYS for knitted ornaments.  Here is a part of the collection that I made.  I had intended to put them on all my packages this year, but was unable to produce so many.  So, I got enough mittens done for all the kid packages and the adults will have to wait until next year.