on needles: malabrigo and aspirations

It’s that time of year when I begin plotting and planning for Christmas gifts, finding the need to be a little more secretive. My needles have been clicking away but I’ve neglected writing about it.

None the less I find myself recently besieged with a list of winter must haves from the kiddos ranging from necessary to indulgent (but far too sweet to ignore).

So of course I’ve gotten all wild with the possibilities as I search through stash and ravelry patterns. Whenever I slip down to the basement in search of a particular wool I find myself sneaking back up stacked with armfuls of other lovelies (because, of course, the one I was looking for was upstairs already).

But before I get too carried away I must come to the completion of this sweet hat. I ran out of the gorgeous malabrigo I was knitting it in (leftover from this recent knit), but my sweet mother-in-law came to the rescue and mailed me another skein from her local shop.

I’ve also guiltily unearthed a sweater I meant to finish in April. Well now it’s cold again and the little boy is quickly outgrowing his favourite sweater. The worst part is that the sweater is done – all but the collar which needs to be torn out and knit again with a looser bind-off.

Once I get those out of the way I’m looking at this pattern for the extremely picky nine-year-old. It’s met her approval – hopefully I’ll get it done before she changes her mind. I imagine everyone else will be lining up for an earflap hat soon after – should keep me busy for a while.

For now my evening has a little more steam left in it. I’m curling up with a stack of library books, and those familiar knitting needles in front of the fire. Thinking perhaps to get to bed a little earlier tonight to fight the sore throat that’s threatening.

How are you keeping needles or hooks warmed up? Have you got a great book on the nightstand? You know how easily I’m distracted…come share!

:: joining Ginny for yarn along::