Thursday, November 09, 2006

Knitting (and other) miscellany

Did anyone else notice that they started piping out the Christmas music at the mall already? Yeah, like on November 1st! Two things happened: (1) I started getting excited about Christmas, and (2) I started freaking out about Christmas! You see, I bought this pattern for a knit nativity a zillion years ago and had planned to knit a character per month so that come Christmas this year, I'd have an astonishing knit nativity to lay out under our Christmas tree. I was also going to knit the advent calendar ornaments too...there are 24 of them! It was a glorious plan except they are already piping the Christmas music at the mall and all I have knit so far for my fabulous nativity display is this:


That would be the gown, right arm, collar, partially stuffed head, and scarf of Mary. Oh and there's a partially completed baby Jesus somewhere too who, well, let's just say needs to be reworked ;0) Oh, and this is how far I got before halloween...I've been procrastinating since because I'm too afraid of the face embroidery (it's what ultimately felled my first baby Jesus attempt...he ended up looking like he had fetal alcohol syndrome. Not good! Definately not divinely inspired!)

Speaking of halloween though (no I'm not changing the subject just to avoid setting forth a timetable or revised plan for my nativity, why would you even think that?), here's a photo of our little lion blowing his nose! Ain't he cute?

We didn't take him out because it was cold and damp, but we let him give out the candy and he had a blast (and his very first sugar high!). So much fun. I can't wait until next year when we can take him out trick or treating. I think he's really going to love that!

And now, to justify the title of this post, are some completely unrelated knitting items that I wanted to share with y'all...

  1. Did you see grumperina's cable twist socks (the pattern is from hello yarn)? I think they're so cool that I've actually cast on a pair of my own in some delicious Fleece Artist sock yarn that I won in froggie meanie's blogiversary contest. Did I even tell you about that yet? I'll have to take some decent photos and tell you more about it. I'm loving the yarn and the colours are sooo pretty ;0) Thank you thank you thank you Froggie Meanie! For being a fabulous blog pal, an inspiring knitter, kitty costume sewer (how cool is that kitty costume she made for Claire...seriously, Renee, you rock!), and for possibly becoming Julian and Logan's future mother-in-law. What? She's got the girls and I've got the boys? Think about the potential knitting progeny (is that a word and does it mean what I think it means?)!
  2. Have you seen this celtic alphabet chart generator yet? Is it ever neat! I'm so going to have to use it on something. It just so pretty ;0)
  3. What about this? Did everyone hear of the Tsarina of Tsocks yet? I have to get me some of these Imbas socks! Seriously, if I ever manage to knit those, I'll never take them off my feet. I think I'd even bath in Eucalan so there really would never be a reason to pry them off.
  4. If you are lucky enough to have a little girl to knit for this holiday season, check out this simple but really special flapper hat from Sara + h. Too cute and perfect for holiday knitting too since you could probably hash one out in an evening if you had too...and you just might ;0)
  5. I joined a new knitalong, knitty bloggy baby bumpers, which is for anyone who is expecting and knitting for baby or for anyone who is knitting baby garments period. It's a really cool place. Check it out if you're into making baby things...
  6. I finished my Soctovember socks last weekend! I'll have to take proper picks and show you next time.
  7. Stephen and I were lucky enough to get to see Bob Dylan live in concert last night! Too bad I fell asleep during the intermission and really had a hard time staying awake when he finally got on stage...my bedtime is 8:30 these days y'know? I think I'm too old for rock concerts ;0)
  8. Oh, and YARN HARLOT IS COMING TO MONTREAL TOMORROW NIGHT and I am so there bay-bee! I called the bookstore to ask if we should reserve spots...they told me it was a knitting book signing and figured there'd be lots of room. Boy are they going to be surprised! Check out the deets here if you're in town and want to check it out too.

Ciao for now...

18 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:08 a.m.

    I am so curious where you found the Lion outfit. I've been looking everywhere in Montreal for cute baby costumes, and have had no luck. Do tell where you got it at! (email me at graphicdesignchick@hotmail.com please). I shall see you tomorrow at the McGill Bookstore for the Yarn Harlot - I am sooooo there too!

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  2. i just saw the harlot wednesday night in kingston. you will love her!
    enjoy!

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  3. I saw the Harlot in Kingston on Wednesday- she was great! You will enjoy her! (AND she wore the wedding shawl- wait until you see it- she says that now it is finished she is going to wear it everyday)

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  4. I remember when you posted about knitting the nativity scene - I love what you have so far (and you know what they say about the best laid plans!)and look forward to more in the future. Your little lion is adorable! He will probably get more out of it next year (especially with a new baby sib in tow!) and I am sure handing out candy was pretty exciting for him anyway - all those costumes at his front door!

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  5. I am trying to get it together to come to Mtl today for the Harlot... maybe I'll see you there!

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  6. Ok, that is one cute kid!!!!

    You could leave the nativity knits faceless. I sort of like the idea. And it saves you embroidery. Just a thought.

    I'm glad you're liking the Cable Twist socks. I've found them surprisingly pleasing. And they'd look different using different yarns - there are so many possibilities.

    I'm definitely going to make that flapper hat. How adorable!!!!

    Have fun at the signing!

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  7. Anonymous10:15 a.m.

    I admire your desire to make an entire nativity seen out of yarn. Keep working and you can have it done by NEXT christmas.

    By the way, Montreal is one of my favorite cities. My brother-in-law lives in Brossard and I can't tell you how many times we have visited Montreal - LOTS!!

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  8. Your Mary-in-progress looks great! As she is right now, she reminds a lot of the Steiner dolls at http://soozs.blogspot.com
    /2006/06/how-to-make-steiner-doll.html. I think I heard somewhere that Steiner dolls are made with very simple faces when the children are young, and then as the children get older any new dolls will be given more detailed and complex faces. I don't know if that's for the child's benefit or the doll makers'!

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  9. My m-i-l has this beautiful rustic, wooden nativity that is faceless. I think your knit one would be beautiful without faces.

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  10. Anonymous2:07 p.m.

    hi!!! So nice to see a post from you. I miss you you know!

    Great link to the Celtic crosstich generator. How cool is that?

    Thanks.

    Also, I absolutely love that you are knitting the knit nativity to put under the tree. It is going to absolutely beautiful.

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  11. Thanks for the lovely compliments! I would love to be mother-in-law to your boys. Imagine the knitted goods our grandchildren would get!

    I'm glad your yarn made it there and I still haven't forgotten your stitch markers.

    Julian made an extremely cute lion. At one point in our evening of trick-or-treating I upgraded Claire to "panther" so she could compete with all the more threatening felines on the street ;)

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  12. Anonymous5:49 p.m.

    Hey there, Anny Purls. Just wanted to thank you for mentioning my Flapper Hat and for being complimentary to boot. And your right, it's totally something any moderately experienced knitter can crank out in an evening.

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  13. Cute Julian in his little costume as always. Cant wait to see your prize too, and you are so lucky going to see the Yarn Harlot. I wish she would come to Australia and visit. Good to hear from you again too, it seems to be ages since you posted.

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  14. Anonymous10:06 a.m.

    where did you get the knitted nativity scene? My mother loves nativities (no joke we have like almost 40 and I wanted to add to her collection) you can e-mail me at: demonic_angel132007@yahoo.com or check out my blogspot (I'm not online b/c I'm stuck at school and the stupid computer won't let me sign on!) at: totalkyknitwit2007.blogspot.com
    Later!

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  15. you are famous!!! the harlot blogged you!

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  16. I wish to express my thanks to the writer just for rescuing me from this type of matter. Just after browsing through the internet and getting methods that were not productive, I thought my life was done. Existing minus the answers to the issues you've sorted out by way of your entire post is a critical case, and those that would have in a wrong way affected my entire career if I had not come across your blog post. Your own personal understanding and kindness in touching all the things was excellent. I am not sure what I would've done if I had not discovered such a point like this. I'm able to now relish my future. Thank you so much for the impressive and effective guide. I will not be reluctant to refer the blog to any person who should have guide about this subject matter.

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  17. HOLA AMIGA ME PUEDES ENVIAR LOS PATRONES DEL NATIVITY YO LO TENGO ME LO ENVIO UNA AMIGA PERO ESTA BORROSO POR FAVOR GRACIAS

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  18. MI CORREO ES VITTO_1970@HOTMAIL.COM
    POR SI ALGUIEN TIENE EL NATIVITY PARA QUE ME LO ENVIE GRACIAS

    ReplyDelete