No knitting to post, sorry

I can't post any of my knitting pictures, but trust me they're good! Unfortunately they are all of Christmas presents and the only people who actually read my blog are people who are getting knit Christmas presents from me and I can't ruin the surprises! So, here's a picture of the pups being very ambiguously gay!!

Pup picture

I forgot to post this a minute ago. It's just a picture of my pups cuddling on the couch.
How adorable are they?!

Holiday knitting begins

I said I wasn't going to do any holiday knitting, but now that I've been working from home I seem to have an extra few hours every day (the time I would have been commuting). So, I'm going to knit as much as I can for the holidays. I started with some washclothes and then I will make homemade soap. This will go to the women in my boy's family, my cousins, my aunt, and my grandma.

I know this is a horrible picture. It's the only way I could show some of the pattern. It's supposed to be a leaf pattern. And an i-cord is woven through the top row of holes to hold the soap in. I've got 3 done and I need 8, I think.

Next I started on a bag for my niece. She loves pink. I made the pattern up as I went and thought it was just going to be a purse, but I had enough yarn that I decided it should be a messenger bag. I don't know if it will fit her as a messenger bag, but it barely fits around me so I think it will fit her fine. Here's a couple pre-felting pictures:

It's knit using Paton's Classic Wool and an embellishment pack of ribbons from my sister's local yarn shop, Wild and Woolly Wools. If you're ever on Long Island, you have to stop in. The owner is a hoot and she has a great selection of quality yarns. Anyway, here's a picture of it felted:I haven't decided yet if I should trim the ribbon or not. I think I'll leave it long and leave the decision up to my niece. It's cute though and the fabric is really thick and sturdy and hopefully it will last a while.

I took a trip to my local yarn shop, Knitting Sisters, today to get some needles to make another Christmas present and another ball of yarn. I so don't need it, but it was what they called for in the pattern and I didn't have a substitute in my stash, imagine that! It was a fun trip and I was actually amazed at how little I felt like I HAD to have. I think my stash is becoming overwhelming, I have to start using it up!

Charity auction craziness

I don't have any pictures to post. I know, what fun is a blog posting with no pictures. Well, i will point you in the direction of a blog with lots of pictures:

Jasmine Trust Charity Auction

I've been working on putting together a website for an auction to benefit the Jasmine Trust. Peopl ehave donated so much stuff for the auction. I personally have my eye on a piece of jewelry and a hat.

I'm in full out Christmas knitting mode. I told myself I wasn't going to knit this Christmas, being that I'm attempting to finish my doctoral degree, but who knows when that will actually happen. But, I'm making little knit washclothes and then I'm going to make some handmade soap to put in them and that will be all the girl presents (well most of them at least). I'll actually have to shop for the boys. Unfortunately the number of boys I have to shop for has increased dramatically when I married my boy. He's got his dad and 3, yes 3, brothers. Gift certificates for the lot of them! They don't care anyway and I don't have the time to go shopping.

My niece will be getting a special present this year. I'm knitting her a pink bag that will be felted. It should be pretty cool cause I'm adding ribbon as I knit, we'll just have to wait and see what that will look like felted. I'm also thinking of doing a few other special knitted items for Christmas, but I'm waiting for yarn and needles that were ordered online before I can decide if I have time for them.

Pictures of my washclothes and my nieces bag will be up soon.