holiday extravaganza

Thank you all for your comments about Birch! That was a comment record for me! You all make a girl feel so good!

I haven't been knitting that much lately* (on which you can blame my lack of posting), but have been planning some holiday projects. Can Christmas really be 2 weeks away? For some reason I feel silly starting any holiday stuff until after Thanksgiving, but at that point it seems Christmas is already here. I'm also a procrastinator. This is not a good mix for holiday craft making goodness.

Anyway, starting today I'm working at full throttle on my holiday projects. So far, I've been shopping. That counts, right?

Here's what's on the agenda.

PROJECT 1 - WEEKENDER BAG #2
Yeah, so I'm not *exactly* finished with Weekender Bag #1, but I've never been big on finishing. I *will* finish that soon, though. And the half-finished interior hasn't stopped me from using it. In any case, my sister requested her own for xmas and how can I turn that down? I'm still waiting for the exterior fabric and zipper to arrive, but here are the other ingredients:

Basically a big ol' pile of interfacing, peltex, cording, and the lining fabric. Shopping the second time around was so.much.easier. Let's hope the bag construction follows the trend. The exterior fabric is the only surprise of her gift, so that will have to stay under wraps until official gift giving ensues. At least I'm working on a deadline, so we know it will happen. (actually, she told me I can take until January or February so I've got some time)

PROJECT#2 - LEGWARMERS


My sister-in-law has been requesting leg warmers since, oh about mid-summer, and I just happen to choose her in the secret santa so these made the holiday project list. I didn't want to spend $50 on legwarmers with the prescribed yarn, so I opted for some Cascade Alpaca. Duuude, this yarn is yum-my. Yummy like I'm considering knitting a bed out of it. I'm using smaller needles than the yarn suggests, so they will be thick, warm and soft - all required attributes for legwarmers. (well, and that they stay up). I'm using the pattern from LMKG and think they will work up quickly.

PROJECT #3 - LONG OVERDUE ORANGE HAT a.k.a. LOOH
Last winter, a friend requested an orange hat. I made him this (scoll down a bit). Wrong yarn + Wrong color = ugly, unwearable hat. That's why he needs a new one. I'm letting this one be a surprise. I have yet to cast on, but I can guarantee this version will be much better. Here's why:

The perfect color, weight, and softness only found with malabrigo. I still have to choose a pattern, but I'm thinking a standard bottom rib, stockinette body.

OTHER PROJECTS
I'm also planning on making all my christmas cards (I predict this to be my downfall), baking, and making those ubiquitous sweater ornaments to top everyone's gifts. Oh, and I want to finish Beau so the hubby can show it off on Christmas (I plan on making him wear from December 20 to 31st). Although none of these are giant projects, I'm intimidated (but confident!) by what's on my plate.
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*one of my knitting distractions was tending to this little cone dog.

He had to wear this for almost a week after getting fixed. Poor little man. It was pretty comical watching him bang into walls and try to climb stairs, though. In a cute way. Okay, fine, I'm a terrible person:)

Back soon with progress!