The Wayward Skein – Episode 67

Hello everybody! I posted a brief teaser on YouTube earlier in the week that I was planning a podcast episode, and here it is! (apologies for production quality, I misplaced my webcam in the move, and I was forced to use my camera to livestream to YouTube)

Finished objects:

Instead of posting photos, I have linked to both my project page and the pattern pages for each item.

Project: Midas Hat by Laura Reinback (for fella)
Yarn: Zerger Garn Opal 4-ply in 5190 (Marine) bought at Yarns Ewe’ll Love in Kanata in 2022
Needles: US 3 (3.25mm)
Time to completion: 19 days

Project: Jason’s Cashmere Hat by Melissa Thomson (for Zach)
Yarn: Stylecraft Life Aran (Nutmeg Marl) bought at Real Wool Shop in Carleton Place in 2010
Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) and US 8 (5.0mm)
Time to completion: 23 days

Project: Basic Children’s Mittens by Elizabeth Durand (for me)
Yarn: Schachenmayr SMC Colorful (00080) bought at Janie H. Knits in Perth in 2012
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm)
Time to completion: 2 months (53 days)

Project: Basic Children’s Mittens by Elizabeth Durand (for Zach)
Yarn: Schachenmayr SMC Colorful (00083) bought at Jane H. Knits in Perth in 2011
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm)
Time to completion: 9 days

Project: Central Park Hat by Knitting Expat Designs (for charity)
Yarn: Unknown orange wool/acrylic blend (don’t even know where it came from)
Needles: US 6 (4.0mm) and US 7 (4.5mm)
Time to completion: 6 days

Project: Spiral Scrubby by Clickety Sticks (experiment)
Yarn: Bernat Super Value Solids (7445 Yellow) given to me well over a decade ago
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm)
Time to completion: 2 hours

Project: Linen stitch coaster (no pattern or project page)
Yarn: leftovers from Zach’s and my mittens
Needles: US 8 (5.0mm)
Time to completion: 3 days

Works in Progress:

Project: Princess and the Pea Socks (self-designed)
Yarn: Mia Bella Kitten (Blue) bought at Stitches Midwest in 2015
Needles: US 1.5 (2.5mm)
Started: March 2017

Project: Mitered Square Blanket (no project page, sorry)
Yarn: Random acrylic & wool scraps
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
Started: 2019

Project: Elven Pixie Baby Blanket by Tall Gal Knits (for ??)
Yarn: Schachenmayr nomotta Bravo (08184) bought at Sew Crafty in Rideau Ferry in 2012
Needles: US 7 (4.5mm)
Started: January 2016

Upcoming:
Project: Papillon Shawl by MarinJaKnits (for Kristie of Fiber Stash Dyeworks)
Yarn: Fiber Stash Dyeworks Twinkle Toes in Temple of Sap and Grayt Scott, March 2020
Needles: US 4 (3.5mm)
Started: March 2020

Project: School at Play by Sharon Winsauer in Sock Yarn One-Skein Wonders
Yarn: Tanis Fiber Arts Blue Label Fingering (Lilac) gift from Krystal in 2017-2018
Needles: US 5 (3.75mm)
Started: April 2019

Stash Enhancement:

I got this GORGEOUS set of mini skeins from The CATT Lady – it’s her Valentine’s Day Conversation Hearts mini skein set (she still has one or two left at a VERY GOOD price, if you’re interested). They are soft, squishy 20g mini skeins, and I love the colors so much. I can’t wait to figure out what I’m going to knit with them!

That’s all for this episode 🙂 I haven’t decided if I’m going to record weekly, biweekly, monthly… I guess it’s going to depend on how fast I knit. But I have missed you all so much, and I’m very happy to be back. ❤ Take care!

Podcast Episode 62 (Sorry Enid!)

Tea of the Day: Today’s tea was Twinings Peppermint and Creamy Vanilla (sold as Buttermint in the US). It’s one of my favorites, and I’ve gushed about it many times before 😉

Knitting Content

I added two squares to my Mitered square blanket (based on Knitted Patchwork Recipe by Martine Ellis). The first square is Red Sock Blue Sock Sock Adventures in an unknown colourway, and the second square is Fiber Stash Dyeworks Tweedy Toes in “Turquoise” (from Witchyknitts.
Goal is to add one more square by the end of the month.

I finished the first of Rob’s Wedding Socks (based on Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee). Knit out of Night Owl Fibers Basic Sock in the Rusty Hook colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.

I’m test-knitting the Alyoop Hat by SLOrnamentals (Kasteyl Lukes from Seattle Sky Dyeworks). If you head on over to her website, newsletter subscribers will be given a code to download the pattern for free once it’s released! This is knit out of Bernat Softee Chunky in True Grey, on size 8mm (US 11) needles.

Anotehr new cast-on is A Baby’s Mitered Square Blanket, also based on Martine Ellis’s pattern. For this one, I’m using leftover yarn from Sarah and Steven’s wedding present. I had several skeins leftover from knitting this wedding blanket, and I intended to keep it to make a blanket for their first child. Sarah is now expecting in May, so off to the races! It’s knit out of Valley Yarns Northampton Bulky in the Colonial Blue, Pacific Teal, Dark Green Heather, Light Gray, Stone Blue, and Lake Heather colourways on size 10mm (US 15) needles.

On Screen: I’m still slogging through the original A-Team series. It’s a bit more enjoyable since they got rid of the Tanya character in season three. I’m going through it slowly though, because i’ve been watching a lot more podcasts recently.

Reading: I finished Samantha’s Secret Room by Lyn Cook. It was an enjoyable read, but I felt like the climax was kind of rushed. It was a decent read, and I really liked it! It’ll be going on the Free bookshelf at work, and one less book will have to be packed at the end of it all! I’ve started reading The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama (again). I had started it a while back, and then misplaced it, so I’m happy to be reading it again. I kind of feel like I need to read this right now, because I need some hope to deal with everything that’s going on in the world right now. I can hear his voice in my head when I read it, and I find that very reassuring.

Podcasts

I’ve watched so many podcasts in the last two weeks!!! Little Big Knits Podcast, Episode 33 with selmaknits; The CATTLady Podcast, Episode 104 with TheCATTLady; Hawthorn Cottage Craft Podcast, Episode 33 with ARunnerBean; The Knit Girllls Episodes 468 and 469 (I watched the 2nd one last night after I recorded) with LaLa and udontcallmeles; Hand Me My Knitting Episode 32 and Knit from Stash KAL with handmemyknitting; Suburban Stitcher Podcast Episode 182 with dbbstitch; By the Lakeside January Vlog with SandyRan; Night Owl Fiber Podcast Episode 43 with sweetknits1997 and Nightowlfibersmom; Stitching the High Notes Episode 77 with OperaJo; and Must Love Yarn Podcast Episode 152 with KellySpins and jrbirdkid.

I have added three new podcasts to my subscription list!!! Podcast On / River City Yarns Episode 36 with HyaCynth and barb77; Knitting with Frogginette Episode 3 with frogginette; and Ruby and Roses Podcast Episode 1 with Addyson (she doesn’t yet have a Ravelry presence, but she’s working on it! She does have an Etsy shop over here!)

It’s been a super busy couple of weeks, and I hope everybody’s doing well! We survived “snowmaggedon” last weekend (didn’t really affect me much, I take the bus to work and we really only got a few inches). I hope you all have a fantastic week until we see each other again, and spread that kindness around!

Podcast Episode 60

Tea of the week: Twinings of London Peppermint & Creamy Vanilla (aka Buttermint in USA). This is a smooth, decadent tea that has become one of my very favorites! It’s also more affordable than loose-leaf orders from David’s, so it’s a nice, inexpensive splurge.

Actual Knitting Content:

Rob’s Wedding Socks, knit out of Night Owl Fibers Basic Sock in the Rusty Hook colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.
Goal: Finish the leg on the first sock by his birthday (NYE).

Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry. I didn’t reach my goal, but that’s because I had a new cast-on. Knit out of
1- Oasis Yarn Aussi Sock in a OOAK colourway.
2- Zwerger Garn Opal Vincent Van Gogh in the Starry Night colourway.
3- Bernat Sox Multi in the Faded Denim colourway.
4- Zwerger Garn Opal Regenwald / Rainforest 4 fach/4 ply in the Panama Franzi colourway.
5- Open Skies Yarn Tweed Sock in the Chilly Mornings colourway.
Knit on size 4mm (US 6) needles.
Goal: I’m so close to finishing section 9, I’m hoping to get it done by December 31.

Mitered Square Blanket – added my two squares this week (see notebook). Based on Knitted Patchwork Recipe by Martine Ellis. Knitted on 2.5mm needles (US 3). Added 3 squares this week:

Fiber Seed Sprout Sock “Blue Suede Shoes” from Witchyknitts
Fiber Seed Sprout Sock “Beach Party” from mandypinecone
Bear in Sheep’s Clothing, Bear Masham “Squall” from ARunnerBean

Goal: Add 1 square per night during Hanukkah, to be shown during nightly vlogs.

Basic Knitted Dishcloth by Jane Lake. Knitted out of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Ombres & Prints in the Lavender Ice colourway on 4mm (US 6) needles.
Goal: Make one more dishcloth, likely during appointments tomorrow.

Snowy Owl by Claire Garland. Knit out of Red Heart Très Chic in colourway 4351 on size 6mm (US 10) needles.
Goal: Obviously, as this is meant to be a Christmas present, I need to get it done by the 25th. My goal is not to lose my mind and/or tear my hair out LOL

I’ll be casting on a test knit for a bulky-weight hat for Kas of Seattle Sky Dyeworks, but that won’t be until Chicago

Vlogmas Episodes: I’ve been watching the following podcasters’ vlogmas episodes: Hawthorn Cottage Craft with ARunnerBean, By the Lakeside with SandyRan, The CATT Lady Podcast with TheCATTLady, Knit Night with MekaMika with Shamekaknits, Steeped in Books with TrueCanuckGirl, and Suburban Stitcher Podcast with dbbstitch.

Podcasting News:

I imagine not many people are posting regular episodes, since so many people are vlogmassing (yes, I made a verb out of vlogmas – sue me). But this week I got to watch Stockinette Zombies episode 272 with jknitma and justrunknit, and Must Love Yarn episode 149 with jrbirdkid and KellySpins. Next one’s a big milestone!!! I can’t wait!

Everybody have a fabulous week, and a fantastic holiday (I won’t be posting show notes for the 8 Nights of Vlogging episodes, although I will post the episodes in their own special thread). Please, especially during this holiday season when we’re all so stressed and rushed, take the time to be kind to one another!

Episode 59 – with show notes!

ACTUAL KNITTING CONTENT~!!!!!

FO: Finished a Basic Knitted Dishcloth by Jane Lake. Knit out of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn in the Lavender Ice colourway on size 4.0mm (US 6) needles. GOAL: I’ll be making several more of these in the next week or so.

WIPs:

Work continues on my Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry. Yarns used so far are Oasis Yarn Aussi Sock in a OOAK colourway, Zwerger Garn Opal Vincent Van Gogh in the Starry Night colourway, Bernat Sox Multi in the Faded Denim colourway, Zwerger Garn Opal Rainforest in the Panama Franzi colourway, and Open Skies Yarn Tweed Sock in the Chilly Mornings colourway. Knit on size 4.0mm (US 6) needles. GOAL: I’d like to finish section nine this week (thirteen is near the end of the pattern, no idea why I thought I was there).

I’m still working on my Straight and Narrow Socks (own pattern). They’re knit out of Mia Bella Kitten Sock in the Sapphire colourway (who knew it had a name? It didn’t when I bought it!) on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles. GOAL: to finish the first sock. I won’t cast the second one on right away, since I want to start a different project, and I’m not ready to start writing the pattern up yet. The pattern should be out some time in the next couple of months.

I have just cast on a NEW Scrappy Blanket! I’m loosely following the memory blanket by Georgie Nicolson. Squares added so far include Three Irish Girls Adorn Sock in Zuzu’s Petals, an unknown striped/patterned yarn, and The Plucky Knitter Plucky Sock in Apple Cider (first and third from my friend krysknits). Knit using 3mm (US 2.5) needles.

VLOGMAS

I have always loved watching Vlogmas episodes. Here are the ones I’m following this year!
Hawthorn Cottage Craft with ARunnerBean
MekaMika with Shamekaknits
By the Lakeside with SandyRan
The CATT Lady Podcast with TheCATTLady
Steeped in Books by TrueCanuckGirl

Other Podcasts:

Other podcasts I have watched since I spoke to you last include:
Little Big Knits with selmaknits
Must Love Yarn with jrbirdkid and KellySpins
Night Owl Fibers with sweetknits1997 and Nightowlfibersmom
Hand Me My Knitting with handmemyknitting
Ninja Chickens with NinjaChickens
Espace Tricot with EspaceTricot
The Knit Girllls with LaLa and udontcallmeles

Have a great week, and please be kind to one another!

Finished projects? What finished projects?

So apparently I really suck at taking photos of my finished projects before I give them away. Here, let me show you…

pdcast1

Now, two of those projects haven’t been given away. They’re mine. But I’ve misplaced the mittens (and I really miss them, because it’s COLD outside), and I haven’t blocked the Color Affection yet, because I suck at blocking. (For the record, clockwise from top left: Color Affection by Veera Välimäki knit out of Night Owl Fibers Basic Sock in colourways Rusty Hook, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Leather Boots; Knotty Mittens by Tessa Rexroat knit out of Bear in Sheep’s Clothing Bear Masham in the Squall colourway; Winterlong by Bristol Ivy knit out of (discontinued) Filtes King Velour in colourway 1317; and Peppermint Mocha Socks by C.C. Almon knit out of Tilting Planet Apollo Sock in the Ocean in a Bucket colourway.)

It’s kind of like when I’m cooking, and I think afterward, “Man, I really should have taken pictures while I was prepping this, because it’s really good! And I want to share the recipe on the blog, but now I have no pictures!”

Suffice to say, I’m not very good at planning out blog posts ahead of time. But I’m going to try to improve on that. Just like I’m constantly trying to improve my organizational skills and my abilities to plan things out before they surprise me. These are things that are negatively affected by depression and executive dysfunction. So I’m a work in progress. Just like my knitting projects 🙂

I’m still working on the same two projects, incidentally…. Find Your Fade by Andrea Mowry (Drea Renee Knits designs), and a sock pattern of my own design that I’ve been dragging my feet on (see what I did there?) because I decided to try something different out for the sole, it’s not working out, and I can’t bring myself to rip back AGAIN. So I’m just not knitting on them right now. I have other WIPs that are more time-sensitive, but the Find Your Fade is bringing me joy right now, and I need a bit of that, so FYF it is! (By the way, I was at Rhinebeck, and I was THIS CLOSE to Andrea Mowry! I was too shy to bother her.)

20191019_130944

Some of my upcoming posts will be about pickling, knitting, and cooking. I’m trying to work out a schedule so that my updates are more regular. And then maybe I’ll feel a little bit less like life keeps tackling me as I’m trying to walk down a flight of stairs. Maybe. 🙂

Podcast Episode 52

I recorded this VERY late Monday evening, and it turned into a sort of exhausted stream-of-consciousness thing, which was not my intent. I’m still working on sorting out my recording setup – I still need a tripod, and a new chair, which will have to wait for post-Rhinebeck, unfortunately.

In any case, here’s the episode. There was no tea, and I’ve been knitting on the same project for about two months now, so I have nothing exciting to share on the knitting front either. But here’s the episode, such as it is.

In other news, I’m currently cooking a kick-ass pumpkin and fish curry, and if it turns out, I may share the recipe in a week or two!

Episode 44

I’m so sorry I’ve been neglecting the blog – Honestly, lately I’ve been podcasting so late in the day, I’m lucky if I get show notes up at all. I’ll try to do better, Enid! I promise!

COUPON CODE for Night Owl Fibers

Rachel has generously offered us a 15% off coupon code for her shop, using the code WAYWARD15. Go show her some love!

Tea: Today’s tea was Strawberry and Vanilla Fool by London Fruit & Herb Company. It was procured for me by the lovely StormCoast prior to New Hampshire Sheep & Wool. Thank you Jen! I also made a pot of Twinings Buttermint tea to drink iced over the course of the day. It was delicious!

Knitting

I made some progress on Rob’s Denim Socks (based on Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee). Knit out of Fiber Stash Dyeworks Strong Toes Sock yarn in the Ink colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.
Goal for next episode: I want to finish the leg, heel flap and turn before I next record.

I also got quite a bit of knitting done on my Lace Chuppah by Kat Coyle. It’s knit out of Bartlett 2-ply Hand Dyed in the Oatmeal colourway on size 9mm (US 13) needles.
Goal for next episode: I would like to make it to the half-way point in the first chart.

New cast-on! I cast on the Branching Out scarf by Susan Lawrence! I’ve been wanting to knit this for YEARS. It’s knit out of Berroco Bonsai (97% bamboo, 3% nylon) yarn in colourway 4149 on size 5mm (US 8) needles.
Goal for next episode: I think I’m going to set a goal of one pattern repeat per day.

Tragedy has struck, and my scrappy blanket has gone missing and is presumed dead. I’m very sad, but I have learned a valuable lesson about putting things away and keeping my house tidier. So I have a goal of starting a new scrappy blanket in the coming week. If I only get one square done, so be it, but I want to at least make a start. I’m working on organizing my knitting area so I have a box/bin to keep all my WIPs in so that tragedy can’t befall them again! (I also have to take a lint brush to ALL my project bags, since the cats think they make the BEST pillows!)

Flipping pages: I finished Elevation by Stephen King. It was a pretty quick read, being only about 150 pages. I was pretty happy with it, since it evokes imagery from a lot of his older novels, such as Thinner and several short stories and novellas. Some of his more recent novels have been a welcome return to his pre-accident writing style, and I’ve been enjoying them immensely!

I have now picked up Deadly Whispers by Ted Schwartz. It’s a true crime story about Tom Bonney murdering his daughter Kathy, and claiming multiple personalities as a defense. I can’t say I’m enjoying Mr. Schwartz’s writing style at all (he’s very repetitive and preachy, and doesn’t seem to have a very strong grasp of style or grammar). The book also doesn’t seem to bring anything new to the table in terms of story – it’s just a rehashing (reminiscent of 90s era A&E crime drama shows) of the evidence presented in court, and some pretty ridiculous speculation. The author never even met Mr. Bonney, so there isn’t even a fresh interview or any insight at all. I’m not enjoying the book very much, but I do want to try to finish it. Goal is to get through it before I record again!

On Screen: I had been watching Quantum Leap, but then someone spoiled the series finale for me, so I’ve put it on hold for now. Ironically, I had been having a discussion at work about spoilers, and one of my coworkers teased me, saying nobody was going to spoil a 30-year-old series, because nobody would even be talking about it anymore. And then the NEXT DAY, someone outlined the entire series finale, and why it was such a disappointment.

So I’ve switched over to Schitt’s Creek, which is a HILARIOUS romp by Eugene and Dan Levy (also starring Catherine O’Hara and Annie Murphy). It’s VERY Canadian, and I’m enjoying it immensely. I just went through all of what’s available on Netflix (only the first 4 seasons). So I’m going to have to wait until they’re added before I can watch the last two. I highly recommend it.

I also watched Salt Fat Acid Heat, which is a FANTASTIC miniseries by Samin Nosrat. I found it a fascinating, sensual journey into what makes good food. I was drooling by the end of every episode, and I really want to pick up the book and read it now.

Podcasting world: I haven’t talked about podcasts in so long, there’s quite a list built up of ones I’ve missed. So I will simply give you a short rundown of most recent episodes.

Steeped in Books has had several videos per week recently, and they’re all fantastic!
The Gentle Knitter put out an episode just a few days ago that I really enjoyed.
The Knitting Expat posted an episode (mostly about spinning) the other day.
The Knitting Pipeline has a sister episode! (GO WATCH! Love you guys!)
The Bakery Bears have a new episode I’ve watched bits of (It’s a long one).
Ninja Chickens has a new episode out (Indigo and Ecoprinting featured)
Can’t forget The Knit Girllls!
And I think Night Owl Fibers deserves a bit of love, especially as thanks for that fantastic coupon code!

Have a great week, everybody. And as always, please be kind to one another!

Episode 32

I don’t usually do episode titles, but given that my friend Brandi had been posting since last night about today being “2319”, I kind of felt like I had to add it in 🙂

image title

Knitting Content

Rob’s 2019 socks, based on Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. Knit out of Gnomespun Yarn Phouka Base in the Brave colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.

Color Affection by Veera Välimäki. Knit out of Night Owl Fibers Sock in Rusty Hook, Pumpkin Spice Latte, and Leather Boots, on size 4.5mm (US 7) needles.

Tea: Tonight’s tea is David’s Tea Green Maitcha – it’s a steamed Japanese green tea with toasted and popped rice. I find it a very relaxing flavor, very similar to what you’re usually given in sushi restaurants! It’s one of my “calm, centre, and focus” teas slightly_smiling_face

On Screen

I finished watching Marvel’s The Runaways – I’m still not entirely sure what to make of it. It doesn’t seem to have anything remotely to do with the Marvel universe, and was a very strange show. It almost made me feel like I was watching a David Lynch series at times.

I’ve now started watching Season five of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and the premise just keeps getting weirder and weirder every season. I’ve heard in various places that the series really jumped the shark before season five, and I’m kind of feeling compelled to agree. I think it jumped the shark at the end of season three to the beginning of season four. I’m kind of looking forward to being done with it so I can move on. I’m only ONE more series away from Infinity War! It’s so close, I can TASTE it.

Pods Cast around the Internet

So this week in podcasts…

TrueCanuckGirl released three new videos on her Steeped in Books Booktube channel, including her January 2019 used book haul, the February To Be Read list as well as the Weekly Reading Vlog. MinaPhilipp released her Vogue Knitting Live recap and haul on The Knitting Expat Podcast. fiberific has put out a new Live CraftNChat (sort of like a VKN) this week. Selmasknits has released episode 32 of her podcast in both Englishand French this week. udontcallmeles and LaLa put out episode 425 of The Knit Girllls podcast. jrbirdkid and KellySpins released episode 120 of the Must Love Yarn podcast, and TheCATTLady released episode 90 of The CATT Lady podcast!

I don’t have much else to talk about this week, and I didn’t want to tempt fate with the new recording software. It didn’t quite work out the way I had hoped, but I will be getting a better laptop in the next few weeks, so hopefully that will end my recording woes (and then I can concentrate on lighting!).

Be kind to one another! 🙂 Have a great week, everybody.

Podcast Episode 30

No tea this week, sorry!

Knitting Content

Knitting goals were nearly accomplished. I got Row 8 started on my blanket, finished Rob’s first sock, and NEARLY finished the chart on the 2nd mitten.

Scrappy blanket, based on Knitted Patchwork Recipe by Martine Ellis. Met my goal of starting row 8. No goals for this one this week.

Knotty Mittens by Tessa Rexroat (heavily based on Knotty Gloves by Julia Mueller). Knit out of Bear in Sheep’s Clothing Bear Masham in the Squall colourway, on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles. Goal for this week is to finish the 2nd mitten.

Rob’s Red Socks (based on Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee). Knit from Gnomespun Yarn Phouka Base in the Brave colourway, on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.

On Screen

I started watching Marvel: The Punisher, and I’m finding it very difficult to watch. More graphic (if that’s even possible) than the previous Marvel series, and quite a bit more violent than I like. I had a lot of difficulty with the first episode. I ended up watching a couple of episodes of Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up, and liked that a lot better!

Podcast-wise, I’ve been enjoying new episodes from The Knit Girllls, Must Love Yarn, Espace Tricot, Knitterific, and The CATT Lady podcasts.

Knitalongs

I’m excited to start my sweater for the Garments Galore KAL that is being jointly hosted by Little Big Knits podcast (selmaknits) and Hawthorn Cottage Craft podcast (ARunnerBean). I’ll be knitting the Heart On Your Sleeve Cardigan by Fiona Ellis. My goal is to cast this on before January 31.

We’re also in the home stretch for the Pigskin Party knit-along in BostonJen’s Down Cellar Studio Podcast group. If you’ve been participating, it’s time to finish up those languishing projects, and get your points in!

That’s about it for this week! Be kind to one another 🙂

Episode 27!

The holidays kind of got away from me, but I have a brand spanking new episode for you guys!!

BIRTHDAY SHOUT-OUTS

Happy birthday to all our December babies!!! Hope you had an excellent birthday month, and I hope nobody tried to scrooge out of giving y’all TWO presents 😉

Happiest of birthdays to MargGerth, cookier293, hmcteer, Asteride, SheThatKnits, camphillpeaches, delainey33, Falllittlestar, annum, myidestiny, GaleWinds1, Jencitaa, auntval, barbn77, craftsnevercease, hungryforyarn, quiltladycrochets, KnitnOne, Kris26d, kibblesworth, krysknits, macaroniduck, sophiechihuahua, KnittingJoa, lip, and RabbitRibbit!!! (Happy birthday to Rob too, but he’s not on Ravelry!)

Tea – today’s tea is David’s Tea Apple Cider! It’s a smooth, fruity, delicious tea, and I now have to go out and buy some, because that was my first time trying it!

Works in Progress

Knotty Mittens by Tessa Rexroat (heavily based on the Knotty Gloves by Julia Mueller). Knit out of Bear in Sheep’s Clothing Bear Masham in the Squall colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.

Rob’s Red Socks (based on Sock Recipe: A Good, Plain Sock by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee). Knit out of Gnomespun Yarn Phouka in the Brave colourway on size 2.5mm (US 1.5) needles.

Scrappy blanket, based on Knitted Patchwork Recipe by Martine Ellis. Knit on size 2.75mm (US 2) needles.

On Screen – In the last two weeks, I’ve finished the last few episodes of Season 3 of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I then FINALLY got to watch Black Panther, and it was every bit as excellent as I remembered ❤ Then I blitzed through Season one of Luke Cage. It’s time for Doctor Strange now, but I haven’t had the chance to sit down and watch it. Very much looking forward to it!

Podcast-wise, I have religiously watched all of ARunnerBean’s Vlogmas episodes of the Hawthorn Cottage Craft Podcast, and caught up with selmaknits on the Little Big Knits podcast. LaLa and udontcallmeles kept me company the other day during the most recent episode of the Knit Girllls podcast.

Between the Pages

I have been reading The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle by Avi. Very much enjoying this YA novel that won several awards. A thirteen-year-old girl is left behind in England to finish school while her family returns to America. This is the story of her journey across the Atlantic Ocean to join them.

I also picked up a copy of Elevation by Stephen King this week. I can’t wait to dig into this book!!! I also picked up the Instant Loss Cookbook by Brittany Williams. The book contains 125 recipes that Brittany used to lose over 100 lbs in less than a year, using her Instant Pot pressure cooker.

Life has been a bit crazy during the last few weeks/months. I want to thank every last one of you who has stuck with me through it! You all mean so much to me! ❤