Christmas Haiku

all of the cousins
sunny snowy Christmas morn
skating and ice boats

11th Hour Christmas

I finished knitting these stockings on Christmas Eve 2003. The winter was so cold, we all moved into our Avion Trailer, the big sister to the Airstream. We had a crazy silver glitter tree with flashing disco lights, a gift from dear friends.

Though our house had burned down in January, the fog in my head still hadn't cleared in regards to Christmas, especially the need for stockings. The kids each chose their favorite all-over patterns from "Knitting in the Nordic Tradition" by Vibeke Lind, one of my all-time favorite books. The yarn is Peace Fleece, which has the best red ever, and a green so dark it is almost black. My only mistake? Making the stockings so big, Santa has a hard time filling them. Lots of apples and oranges on Christmas morn.

We are all safe and happy in the house we built ourselves. Block by Durisol block, stacked like legos by the family, filled with cement. Not likely to burn anytime soon!

Out of adversity comes ingenuity and strength. Merry Christmas!

Inside Outside

Inside Outside

Oh the comforts of home, I always wish I could be snowbound.

for megan young

Because she knows. If you don't already visit her at the scent of water you really should.

Oatmeal is all thats on the agenda this snowy day.

Craft Imitates Work

Funny how these things happen. I was thinking of knitting a mitten, and decided to choose colors I usually don't. Coming into work today, I was struck how Alison Langley's photographs have influenced my craft. Does the wavy edge not resemble the splashing seas? Do the needles not mimic the thrusting bowsprit and towering mast?

So when people take pause when I tell them my "day job", let them take a look at this symbiosis!

This sweet stitch called Fishtail is from Folk Knitting in Estonia, by Nancy Bush, one of my favorite authors, and also a great teacher, if you're every lucky enough to get the chance. I think Fishtail would make a nice sleeve cuff, or a fold up on a hat. I love the wavy bit. So many things to knit, so little time, so many crashing waves.

OK...scolling down, I see I do use these colors....why do I think I don't?... I use them when I think of my daughter Sophie's blue eyes that turn to grey.

Instant Mittens Embellished

They are called Instant Mittens, and I whipped them up and embroidered one in a flash last March I believe. It took until today to finish the embroidery on the right hand one. I get "Second Sock Syndrome" bad. In this case "Second Mitten Embroidery Syndrome". To avoid it I've invested in a couple of sets of needles in the same sizes so I can begin both of a pair of anything, at the same time. That embroidery though....I like it in bursts. I know now, I'd better finish it in one fell swoop, or it will languish for months, allowing me to lose the decorative yarn in the meantime.

The Instant Mitten pattern calls for 2 strands of yarn, but in this case I used one strand of Brown Sheep Chunky. I embroidered with 2ply jumper-weight shetland wool. After all this time I'm so pleased with the result, I might try and squeeze in another pair before Christmas. And I'll do the decorating in one sitting. I hope!

First Snow!

Let's see, it only took me 10 months to finish my Dr. Seuss socks. I need them today. See my snowy road?