Monday, November 16, 2009

Blankets & broken promises

Yesterday I said I would have a proper update on the Crackghan, and here it is:
It's up to a whopping 16.5 inches long - only 43.5 inches to go!

If you're a regular blog reader, it's not a big stretch to assume I haven't been working on it steady. All the cardigan, shawl and sock knitting has gotten in the way. That's why, since the last update a few months ago, I've only added 5.5 inches.

That... and these squares are really freakin' small. Each one is only about 2.5 inches, and takes about a 1/2 hour. So - 111 squares so far = 3330 minutes, or 55.5 hours - yeah this blanket isn't getting finished any time soon.

But I don't care. I love it. It's just starting to get big enough to cover my lap as I knit, and it's like sitting under a pile of your favourite socks. Of course, as you can see from last blog, Tux loves it too for the same reason. As soon as I pull it out of the basket, he's there!

Tonight however, I set it aside and cast on for some Christmas knitting.

Yes, I know - I promised myself I was going to be totally selfish, and not do any Christmas knitting this year, but cash is a little tight this Christmas, and I have a pretty decent stash - no need to buy yarn, so knitting it is.

I already have some of it done. The pink Berry Hill socks are going to Dave's mom. The fan shawl is going to his grandma. In the summer I went on a little binge and knit a bunch of hedgehogs - those are going to my neices. I test knit a baby sweater for mom, and that is going to one of my friends babies. When I get the second maroon sock done, it will be wrapped up with the first and gifted, and I will probably cast on a couple of other pairs for other recipients.

But that's not what I cast on tonight. Nope... this one is for another baby - the youngest edition to our friends' circle of spawn. Her name is Olivia and she's the baby I designed Little Princess and Baby Janes for. I was going to design a cardi to go with Little Princess since I have lots of the yarn left, but then I found this:
A nice feather and fan cardigan already designed for me!

Of course this means I'm no closer to getting the sock pattern to you, sorry. I'll cast on for it soon... I'm sure... well before Christmas anyway...

7 comments:

Knitting Linguist said...

Oh, you are so good! I'm being very selfish this year, and my christmas knitting list is vanishingly small. But I do love that cardigan!

lexa said...

That afghan is going to be so nice when it's finished, even though it will take awhile.

I usually don't like to part with my sock yarn stash, but I've got at least two skeins that I'm going to use for both SILs for socks for Christmas. I don't know if I can part with any more, I may have to break down and buy some. (Definitely for the men -- my stash lacks man yarn.)

TheBlackSheep said...

The blanket is going to be fabulous! It might take a couple more years to get it done, but it will be worth it.

Samantha said...

I love the sockghan. It's AWESOME. Can I have it? ;)

Lee said...

The sockghan is looking great. I love all the different squares. I think that cardi is going to be awesome as well. I am looking forward to the sock pattern but no rush;)

Rhonda said...

You could've made the squares bigger ya know.

Jeanne said...

The sockghan is looking great! I can't believe how big it is already.

Good luck with the holiday knitting!