Headband

So, I must have a huge head. I knit this headband on the Red Heart website exactly to gauge with size 8 needles and it barely fits my head! Good thing I have a few friends with children that this could fit. Just need to block it (the sides curl pretty badly) and put the finishing touches on it. I finished the kitty kicker that I did, but still need to stuff it and crochet the edges.

I love my interchangable harmony needles from Knit Picks. The only complaint that I have so far is that my yarn slides just a little too easily from needle to needle. I have slipped stitches when working on a small project. They do allow me to knit a lot quicker than aluminum or bamboo needles. I really can't be happier with them. Best Xmas present ever.

Ravelry

I love Ravelry. (pssst - shinypapillon there) I keep finding amazing patterns and getting wonderful ideas. For Xmas my mother got me a knitted ear-warmer/headband. It's adorable, but I knew I could knit it better. I tried to figure out the increases, but wasn't getting it right. I found a pattern on Ravelry that was better and used worsted weight yarn, which I have a ton of that I want to use up.

So, a little modifications and it will be a head-warmer for a coworker w/kitten ears done with pink in the ears. She's begged for one, so she gets one. I hope to have it done by the end of this week.

Currently finishing up a kitty kicker (as the pattern is easy and I have it memorized) which has become my "in between projects" project. Made quite a few for Rob's step-mother and they were a hit with her kitties. I also did another octopus and a few whales that look like strange fishies.

Kitty knitting is so quick and easy. I know that most cats are pretty easy to please. It's the picky ones like my Ruby that give the most satisfaction when they play with a toy you've made.

Scarf for Kat

I finished Kat's scarf with plenty of time for the holidays. Because it got so cold here so fast, she got an early present. She loves it and I think it turned out pretty spiffy. I love the colors and the way they are blocked instead of smaller stripes, as I was originally thinking.

Sure, it's just garter stitch, but it's warm and durable. I also found out that the Vanna White yarn is just a bit smaller than the Loops and Threads yarn as far as weight. I didn't realize that I had picked up two different brands until I got home and just worked with it.

Knit knit knit

It's that time of the year and I am busy with parties, work, cooking, cleaning...and knitting. OMG knitting. So far I've finished two scarves and a couple kitty kickers. I have a few more octopus cat toys to make for the boyfriend's stepmother. I have swore to not give my family knitted presents, so instead I'm doing a really neat thing with the shells collected in Destin this October on my first family vacation in about 12 years.

This time of year also means snow, which makes me just want to hibernate. I should head south with the migratory birds every year.

Oh, wait... I'm going to do that with my aunt during the first part of the year! Yes!!!

Until then though, knit knit knit...purl purl purl

Yes, pics will be forthcoming.

Knit knit knit

I'm working on presents already and a lot of work has been done. I am not knitting much for my family, as I'm sure they are sick of hats and scarves, but I'm doing something really special for them.

Again, those with kitties are getting kitty presents. SURPRISE!

Busy Little Bee

I've been quite busy lately. Work has had me quite busy and add in the animal care and housework, on top of getting my holiday presents started, I've been quite busy. I'm excited though. I'm getting stuff done and have been knitting a lot more than in years past.

With all the business comes stress, and with stress comes a little bit of a melt-down. I am currently medicated and the first time in, well forever, the combination works. That doesn't mean I have bad days, just days that aren't as extreme as they were prior to medication. I cope a lot better and I tend to get through things easier. The stress over the last few days has been overwhelming though. I am going up on my anti-anxiety medication and I am getting medication to try to help me sleep better.

I'm hopeful of things to come and hopeful that this will continue to be more and more manageable. Right now the fight in my head is one of therapy vs. no therapy. With bipolar disorder it is a given that I will always need medications, and therapy will help. I have been in therapy and know what it is to do, but a part of me thinks this is a time I need someone that doesn't know me to give me that little push. I'm seriously considering it's time again to lie on that proverbial couch.

Off to be social, which will be discussed later as it takes a lot to get me out and around more than 4 people at a time, and knit with friends. Well, I will knit and chat as it is comfortable to me.

This Week's FO's

This weekend was productive. I finished the kitty kicker and made a little octopus toy for the kitties. Both were fulled with stuffing rolled in catnip, so they were a pretty big hit! My goal is to keep making cat toys out of my own patterns and eventually have an Etsy store for them and then do some art fairs/pet fairs with them.