Hooray! The Jacket's FINISHED!!

Yesterday my Knit Meter said that I've knit 986 yards of yarn this year.  Today it says that I've knit 2,777 yards.  Why?  Because this morning I finally hid the last end on my adult version of Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket!

*HAPPY DANCE*  I haven't photographed it yet because frankly I don't want to look at it again today.  *LOL*

I have to admit that I was a bit horrified when I went into Ravelry to update my Projects page and found that I'd started the jacket almost a YEAR AGO.  Of course, I wasn't knitting on it steadily.  I had to stop and do my Christmas knitting, then there were various birthday and retirement items that had to be completed, not to mention a few baby gifts.

But all the same I'm glad to have it finished and to know it will be waiting in the closet when sweater weather finally arrives in my part of the world.

Next?  Christmas knitting.  I can't believe it's already time to start Christmas knitting, but it is.  So, off I go to check my stash to see what to start first.

Have a lovely weekend, my knitterly friends!

Nearly Finished!!

After almost a year of on-again, off-again knitting, my adult version of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Sweater is ALMOST FINISHED!!  The knitting is completed, and I'm now hiding the ends.  *happy dance*

I was on leave last week, so I was able to dedicate a few more hours of knitting time than usual to the sweater/jacket.  I was determined to get it finished in time to actually wear it this winter!  I also knew that I had to finish it pretty quickly because I need to get started on my Christmas knitting.

It's hard to believe how this summer has zipped past, but I must confess that I always look forward to fall.  Love those crisp mornings!

Okay, I must get off the keyboard now so I can get back to hiding ends.  Photos soon!

We Now Return to Our Previously Scheduled Sweater.....

Last Sunday while visiting my parents, I was knitting a couple of dishcloths. Side Note: I knit them two at a time on a circular needle, and usually knit "Granny's Favorite", which you can find in "Cricket's Favorite Freebies", link on the right.

The other day, though, one of the talented knitters I follow online, Pretty Knitty, made a few adjustments to the pattern and improved it. So, I felt the need to try it out. As I was sitting there knitting, Daddy asked what I was working on, and I told him. "So how are you coming along on that sweater?" he asked innocently.

Good question. The sweater has been languishing in a tote bag behind my couch for some time now. You'd think with a broken leg, I'd have had plenty of time to finish it. You'd be wrong.

Since it takes me practically forever to do ANYTHING on crutches, I actually have less time for knitting right now than before. But today I'm off work. I did a little household drudgery this morning, resting my leg between chores, and now I'm in the recliner. I've had a little nap and have now decided the time has come to pull the sweater out of its hiding place and get back to it.

I'll keep you posted. :-)

Just a Quick Note

Just a brief catch-up entry before I pull my Adult Surprise Jacket from its rather untidy puddle of yarn beside my recliner and start knitting a few more miles of garter stitch.

I'm honestly not complaining.  This is a day I need the lovely mindless knitting of rows and rows of garter stitch.  Today is a day away from the office and I decided at 5:00 am that the most productive thing I intended to do today was dress myself.  And "dress" is a relative term.  I'm in sweatpants and a t-shirt; I could open the door if UPS decides to make a delivery today, but I'd be embarrassed to be seen by anyone who actually knows me.

But I don't care.  I was off work yesterday, and that day was spent running errands, getting a set of tires put on the car, and going to have my eyes examined.  So I DESERVE today in the recliner.

So this morning I caught up on some home computer work (I can't believe how fast my Hotmail inbox accumulates stuff) and watched a little TV.  I also downloaded three library books to my Kindle and an audiobook to listen to while knitting this afternoon.  "Angela's Ashes"....a favorite movie, and I'm anxious to hear the book.  I sometimes have actually put the DVD of the movie on to listen to while knitting.  Maybe it speaks to my Irish ancestry, but I just love the rhythm of the words in that movie.  I'm sure the book will have the same effect.

And so, off the PC and onto the knitting!

Have a great weekend, knitsters!

I'm baaaaaaaaaack....

It's been awhile since I posted (a MONTH!) because I've actually not been able to get in much knitting time lately. Which tells you a little about how MY life has been lately. :-)

The horrific computer system they forced on us at the office about a year ago is being "upgraded". Not "fixed", mind you, but "upgraded". So, there's been lots of training, a trip out of town for a few days, and many, many teleconference calls. Sheesh.

On top of that, my beloved Dell desktop computer bit the dust, taking with it a ton of things I hadn't backed up. I have a terrible tendency to become complacent about backups when my computer is working well, and this is the second time I've been caught in this situation. Luckily, while out of town on my training I made a visit to Staples (there's not one close by where I live) and bought myself a new Toshiba laptop....ON SALE!! *happy dance* So, I've been spending a lot of time getting it set up with all the little goodies I like to have on a computer. Oh....and I bought myself an external hard drive a couple of days ago. Just in case. *LOL*

Now, back to knitting, both as a topic and as recreation!! The last time I picked up my needles was EIGHT DAYS AGO. It's been that kind of a week. However, I'm going to visit my parents this afternoon and already have my knitting bag ready to take along. I'm still working on the grown-up version of Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket for myself. I doubt that I'll have it finished before the weather turns warm for good here in my corner of the world, but I'll have it ready for next fall. It's a lot of garter stitch, but it's good relaxing knitting and believe me, I could use a little relaxation right now!

I hope you all have a great Sunday!

Hard to Believe

It's hard to believe, looking out my living room windows at the bright sunny Saturday morning, that snow is predicted for tonight. Not a lot of snow, just a dusting, but snow all the same. February. 'Nuff said.

I've been knitting this morning because my favorite Saturday morning activity is knitting and sipping good coffee. This morning I've been working on my adult version of Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. It's a lot of garter stitch, but it's good relaxing knitting. I've made enough progress on it that I can't carry it around very easily. (I usually carry socks to knit in public.) I'm going to visit my parents this afternoon since the weather's predicted to turn semi-ugly tonight, and I plan to take my Surprise Jacket along to work on it while visiting. I'm hoping to finish it in time to wear it a few times before I have to switch to my spring wardrobe. *LOL*

And so, fellow knitsters, I wish you all a terrific weekend with lots of sticks and string!

A Month??

Hard to believe that it's been nearly a month since I posted here last....this month just got away from me!! There's been a lot going on at the office, but I've been able to keep my sanity by knitting. Hooray for knitting!! *LOL* In the past month I've finished a few projects and worked on a few more:

• Soap Socks - I've been knitting these up for Christmas gifts.  Cute, fun, quick!
• Christmas Lights - I knit a set of these last year to decorate my office, but gave them away.  So, I'm knitting another set for my office.
• Zimmerman's Surprise Jacket - Adult Sized - I've knit several Baby Surprise Jackets and decided to treat myself to one.
• "Plain Vanilla" Socks - my favorite socks to knit....simple K3P1 rib on top of the foot, stockinette on the sole, good durable heel flap, and K3P1 rib on the leg.  Two-at-a-time, toe-up.  Simple, small enough to carry in your purse.  I finished one pair and started another.  Winter's coming, and I love my warm wool winter socks!
• Grandma's Favorite Dishcloth - I keep a couple of these on a circular needle all the time.  Not only are they good sturdy dishcloths, they also make nice gifts.  Everyone always appreciates them!

So that's what I've been up to, friends....now I'll close and pick up my Surprise Jacket and knit a few rows before getting back to household chores.

Have a great Sunday, everyone!