Unbelievable Winter

It has been so cold in Detroit that I've been in a terrible mood for the past week. It just makes me angry. Leaving the house and getting smacked by that frigid air is just an insult. On Friday I had to take our Little Man to daycare and the windchill was -27 (minus 27 degrees) INSANE. I literally had difficulty breathing, it was that cold. Today was much better since we hit the low 20's. We went to the mall for a bit but the baby was asleep so I went in for a quick run and then we headed back to Detroit where most spots were closed, so we ended up at a sports bar that makes great burgers, had lunch and then came home.

My spinning class was canceled because my instructor had appendicitis. I don't know when we will resume our classes.

I'm trying to finish my Bella Mittens. I've got one mitten down and the second is progressing. I will post pics soon. I want to cast on Biker Boy for Luke. I've had the yarn forever and gave up on the Cycling Aran because I kept losing my spot on the chart. The complex cables just require more attention than I am able to devote to any pattern.

A Year in Knitting

I have definitely improved my knitting skills in 2008 and have been much better about finishing my wips. One of the difficult steps I took a couple of months ago was frogging a bunch of hibernating projects. But here is a sampling of the things I finished. Not too bad.

Holiday Knitting in Transit

I did some holiday knitting over Thanksgiving while my dear partner drove, and drove, and drove. He did all the driving and I did all the rest stop diaper changing. Not so bad since baby boy did cooperate.
He is the best traveling baby. Doesn't complain at all. Next time we go for a long road trip I will have to be more organized with his food. He did not eat well on the road. None of us did really. You know how that goes. But in the rush to pack all the necessities: pushy toy, pack-n-play, diapers I didn't bring his favorite steamed veggies. BAD MOMMY. Next time I'm on it.

So while baby boy slept (we affectionately call him Chooku) and daddy drove, I did some knitting. Here's a sneak peek at my first Baby Kimono. I had to frog back because I had misread the pattern. But now I'm on track. So far it's looking pretty good. I want to finish this first one and knit one more for my newborn niece and another for her big sister.

Another project that I'm determined to finish and gift to myself for Christmas are the Bacchus Socks from Fall IK 2008. I've been struggling with the Turkish Cast On but Allison from Ravelry was a huge help as was Ericka from knitting group and now the socks are cast on and moving along.

Knee Deep in Moving Boxes

I've been out of the loop for a while because we are busy preparing for our move. Yes we are heading back to the Midwest after living in the SF Bay Area for two years. We're going to miss California but alas this is what happens to postdocs, we get jobs and then we move.

I've been able to get some knitting done, or at least started . Here are some EZ Norwegian Mittens (my first attempt at serious colorwork), Chunky Mittens from The Knitter's Book of Yarn, and an earflap hat for my husband.
[can you see a trend here, we are moving to the Midwest!]






I've also started some Mrs. Beetons for myself (have I mentioned how much I hate working with mohair - I've got to find a better alternative). I joined the Summer of Lace so I'm hoping to finish at least two lace projects by the end of the summer to give as gifts to our baby's godparents.

I'm on a stash diet -- NO MORE YARN PURCHASES UNTIL THE END OF THE SUMMER! And that includes sock yarn. I'm going to work from my stash until then and honestly I don't think I'll have much time to knit with the move and the unpacking, the search for childcare, the start of a new job, and just the general adjustment to the system shock that a move always sparks.

Oh and I forgot to mention my husband and I decided to give up tv. No really, I'm serious we handed over our tv set to his brother-in-law this morning and it will be interesting to see how we hold up. I love tv, especially really bad tv. But now there will be more time for knitting and spinning, right?! I will be back with an update from the Midwest as soon as I set up my new internet connection. Until then happy knitting everyone!