NaKnitMo...

It's almost over, and I'm right on target. So far this month I've knit 24,484 stitches. My goal is 30,000. As I've got a seemingly never ending list of Christmas crafting to do this year there should be no problem fitting in the rest of the stitches.

This past week I finished one WIP, and completed two new projects. The WIP was my Dierdre Afghan, that had been hibernating in a closet since January of 2008. It's now finished and waiting to be wrapped up as a gift for my MIL. It's shown folded so that you can see the neat "weaving" on the reverse side.

Saturday I finished up my Cozy Cowl, a new project and a gift for one of my youngest son's Sunday school teachers. It's a gorgeous knit, and I'd really love to have one for myself....I foresee another on the needles one day this winter when I'm snowed in on this mountain!

Yesterday I cast on and knit a beanie for my father, who recently had his long locks chopped off for donation to Locks of Love, hence the project name of Lost Locks Warmer.

Dad usually does this hair donation every other year, but said that his hair drove him so crazy this time that he thinks it was his last time. A bit sad, really, as I'm so used to seeing him with a ponytail at this point.

This morning I hope to cast on a pair of Mobile Mittens, by Maria Moesby, for him...to match the beanie, of course. I need to have them done by Thanksgiving, however, as his birthday falls on Turkey Day, itself, this year and the set will be his gift from me.

Now that I'm done updating on my crafting progress I guess there is nothing more to do but sing off and get back to it! Everyone have a wonderful Monday...and make sure it includes some chocolate!

Another project done!

My second NaKniMo project is finished! I finished up my NYOBE 2008 Lapghan last night.

With the work that I did on my Dierdre Afghan tonight my total stitches for the month are at 12,802. Not bad, but I was really hoping to be past the halfway point by now. I guess I'd better get cracking!

I'm hoping to finish Dierdre tomorrow, and cast on a cowl for my youngest son's Sunday School teacher this week. If the real life monster can be tamed, that is. The pictured lapghan is heading out the door Wednesday for donation to the local Ladies' Auxiliary, who give to local veterans' homes.

NaKnitMo

I joined the NaKnitMo group on Ravelry. I missed out last year, only finding out about this gem at the end of the month. This year I almost forgot again! Hey, no judging, alright? I've been battling pneumonia, and my youngest had a tonsillectomy on Friday. Right now I'm doing well to remember my name.

Anyways, getting back to the point, I cast on a Coal Springs Scarf for a teacher's gift for my youngest on October 30th. I figured since I was sitting around bored to death recovering I might as well get a tedious project out of the way. Don't get me wrong...I loved the pattern, truly...it's just that a scarf project is SO boring. Same repeat time and time and time and time again until it's FINALLY long enough. I figured that this scarf was perfect for starting out NaKnitMo with. Turns out I was right. My goal of 30,000 stitches is now 9, 360 closer for my efforts, AND I've finished my second Christmas gift of the season!

Now. About the pattern. I strongly recommend this pattern for anyone just venturing into the world of stranded knitting. There are no wraps necessary, making it an ideal beginner project, and tension won't be as much of a problem as normal as it's a scarf...which means that any discrepancies would be easily hidden. I'd rate it medium on the difficulty scale, simply because it is a stranded project, and the end result makes it a show-stopper. In other words, what are you waiting for? Grab some needles and make one, already!