Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Back from Battle

Well hello there. Anybody miss me? I feel as though I've missed two blog posts and I've never been away for that long before. I've been wrestling my demons with the usual result that I want to cut off contact with the world. But here I am, crawling out of my cave which is a good thing.

Of course I've been knitting, but progress seems slow. I've finished up one of the traveling socks.

I've got to get a daylight picture for you, because the diamond design is quite pretty and travels to a nice point on the foot. That might be difficult since we're well into winter weather here in London Ontario, with grey clouds either looming in the sky or being swept briskly along by strong winds. October extended summer with warm temperatures and sunny days, but November is getting us back for it.

My mother's Christmas present is all done.

These are based on Selbuvotter NHM #7, but I changed the cuff design and the thumb. I'm particularly pleased with the thumb because I just knit it up on the fly, basing it on what's on the cuff. It seems very elegant to me. Mom should be well pleased with these. The Selbuvotter design is very dramatic in white and black.

I've also finished up one of Dad's gloves for Christmas:

This is Annemor #7 from Selbuvotter. I know it's supposed to be a reindeer, but doesn't that look like a Canadian moose on the hand? Love it!

My dad used to go moose hunting every fall when I was a kid. Mostly he brought back squirrels and grouse, but I know he had a soft spot for the moose. I think he went mostly to have an excuse to hang out with his buddies in the woods.

When I mentioned I might make him gloves for Christmas, my Dad noted that mittens would be easier so of course I had to do gloves. The pattern was wonky when it came to the fingers so I made it up. The pinky needs about 5 more stitches than what is called for in the pattern. Three I increased on the back of the hand, and the other two I cast on in addition to the two the pattern calls for. It doesn't really matter so much because you'd never notice it when the glove is on. The main idea is to continue the palm pattern up into the fingers, and have an even number of stitches between the front and back.

I really like how my parent's mitts and gloves are similar yet different. They belong together. Finally, I got all three from two skeins of Shelridge Farms soft touch. Whoop!

Obviously fighting my demons hasn't curbed my enthusiasm for knitting. Here's to you demons!


15 comments:

  1. Beautiful mittens!!! I love the detail in them. I want to make them but I'm not ready for using more than one color of yarn yet. Heck, I need to try to make a pair in a solid color first. LOL

    Very nice work, I am certain they will bring love and warmth to your parents!

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  2. Anonymous11:50 pm

    You too, eh? I've got full on demon wrestling going on, too - I think the only month I hate more than October is November. Love the last glove picture!!

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  3. Definitely a moose!

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  4. Those are great. I'd say moose as well.

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  5. Wow, Laurie, you are a master with those gloves. They look amazing. The sock is great too. Too bad it will be hidden under jeans and inside boots. Love it.

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  6. Wow, what glorious colourwork you've been up to. Black & white counts as colourwork; right? I love that last pic ... you tell 'em, girl!!

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  7. I can empathize with you about the demons. I think November and January are the two worst months for me. Love your mittens and gloves . well done ! I'll have to keep an eye out for that book , looks to have some interesting patterns in it.

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  8. If ya need to get out for a coffee or some girl time, let me know.
    Moose, for sure - let them demons have it!

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  9. Well, that would scare my demons away! Lovely mitts! Lucky parents! Run demons - she's coming for you - and we're all following with sharp, pointy sticks!

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  10. I love the moose gloves. My dad brought home a moose almost every year when I was growing up. My mom would take a moose roast out of the freezer and leave it on the counter for days and days. When it started to turn green she would cook it. The most tender meat ever!

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  11. Those are some beautiful mittens and gloves - and the moose is great. And what a relief to have some of the holiday knitting done in November.

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  12. Anonymous10:37 pm

    Sure I missed you! Glad you're back. What do you mean progress is slow? Just look at those mittens and gloves! I only dream about venturing that far at this point myself. I'm joining the clan with pointy needles against the demons. We all need kilts and a piper. Picture it, our clan charging the demons, bagpipe music in the background, pointy needles drawn! Och!

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  13. wow, you've been busy and some people are getting great gifts for christmas! the gloves are beautiful and those socks are WOW.

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  14. Anonymous7:17 pm

    Such intricate beautiful work Laurie!
    (and there is no way that is a reindeer!)

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  15. Man, I've tried twice to leave a comment about those gorgeous mittens and gloves! I believe that's my new goal, to knit something so beautiful and then be able to give away. Great work!

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