Dec 06: Holiday Cheer

I know I've been AWOL for quite a while. On the downslope of my mission to complete one handcrafted item for everyone on my gift list. Things were going really well until I started these fingerless gloves for oldest daughter. I've seen them on a couple of blogs & their real claim to fame is that it should only take a weekend to whip up a pair. I've never knitted gloves or socks but sheesh - it can't be as difficult as I'm making it (Am I really supposed to knit with 3 needles?). I've read through the directions countless times and have started and stopped just as many times. Gonna go to my "how to" books to decipher what I'm supposed to be doing. Hopefully in time for DD to get these at Christmas (lol).
In the meantime, got some great stash this weekend. First, I'm at my favorite Dollar Tree store and there on the bottom shelf is Lion Boucle!! I cannot pass up $1 yarn but I did limit myself to 8 skeins (how's that for willpower?). Next stop - Michael's - where I was supposed to be just grabbing a small circular needle to make hats for the grandbabies. But the Bernat Matrix was shouting at me: 2 skeins for $4.00!! What's a girl to do? Of course, buy it.......
I know it looks like I've forsaken my favorite pasttime - cross stitch - but don't be fooled. The cold weather here in VA has me hibernating so there's a little bit of everything going on. The new year of course will bring new projects and I've decided to tackle "The Baptism" from Green Apple Southern Roots series. It's 239 x 140 stitches - large by my standards. I'm looking for the just the right linen cause the colors are so muted & it's definitely one that I'll keep for myself. Happy stitching, knitting & crocheting to all. Be back soon........