Emptyknitster

Knitting Selbu mittens has been a nice change of pace from my usual sock knitting. It's sad though, less people need mittens than socks so my mitten knittin' will soon be coming to a halt! I needed to use a smaller needle than the ones called for in the pattern and I also dropped a section of the heart pattern in order to get the mittens small enough to fit a women's hand. Pattern: Cold Hands Warm Heart by Jacqui Walker Yarn: Finulgarn Colorway: Medium Brown,  Burgundy Needle Size: US Size 4 I've also been doing a bit of baking. I had visions of becoming a gingerbread decorating expert but settled for just getting them done! Gingerbread Cookies                        (Makes 3 dozen) 1/2 cup Crisco 2 1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup dark molassas 3/4 teaspoon ginger 1 teaspoon allspice  1/4 teaspoon nutmeg ...

I have gotten into the habit of leaving a pair of in progress socks in my car. I had been forgetting to double check my purse for a project and was left several times without anything to keep my hands busy. So now with the in progress project in my vehicle, I always have something to pick up and knit a row or two. These socks were started the 29th of August and not completed until three months later. A long work in progress for me! Project: Fish Lips Kiss Heel, Basic Ribbed Socks Yarn: ONLine Supersocke Colorway: Oregon Color Needle Size: US Size 1 We are planning a cold trip in January and this is the first time Hubby has given me the okay to knit him a pair of socks. I’ve told him for years, once you put on a pair of handknit socks their the only socks you want to wear! However, I'd started these socks before I realized they were only 50% wool so these socks will go into the gift pile and I've already started a new pair with more wool content for Hubby. Projec...

I'm so glad I waited for The Tiger's Thanksgiving visit before knitting his Christmas socks.  Look at how his feet have grown! Pattern: Fish Lips Kiss Heel socks by the Sock Therapist Yarn:Cascade Yarns Heritage 150 Prints Colorway: 12 Holidaze Needles: US Size 2

Traditionally we put our tree up and decorate the day after Thanksgiving but last year we weren't at home for the turkey day and then one excuse followed another. The biggest excuse being the fact we had a new kitten who pretty much did exactly what she wanted! I was certain the tree would spend more time on the floor more than in an upright position. Even this year I was apprehensive but....... Polly LOVES the tree!

Several of Hubby's photos were featured on the news tonight!

Three o'clock in the afternoon and Denali just realized the intruders are gone. Then the unusual happened and she climbed on my lap!

I've spent most of my knitting time this month working on Selbu mittens.  Selbu mittens are usually knit in black and white and have a history spanning over 150 years. More than four hundred different traditional patterns for these mittens are registered at Selbu. There is a dramatic difference between the pattern on the back of the hand and the palm and the two different patterns are separated with a literal dividing line on either side.   Cuffs show the distinct difference between the male and female mittens. Men's mittens are knit with short cuffs all covered with patterns and the female mittens have longer cuffs with out patterns and mostly are ribbed. I love the patterned cuffs and knit them for the gals before I knew they were for male mittens. Everyone has liked the patterned cuffs and, truthfully, I've yet to find a pattern big enough for the ND Norwegian male's hands. If I were to use a bigger needle on the pattern as suggested the fabric would be too loos...