Now that holiday knitting is out of my way, and I hope it's been successfully completed and out of your life for another year as well, I'm at a bit of a loss as to what I should do next.
Just kidding!
Now I'm ready to start up the projects I couldn't touch while I was doing all of my holiday knitting. There are things I want to make for myself, things I want to just try out, and.....things I need to get started on for gifts.
In the grand scope of things, I don't have to do much for holiday knitting. My side of the family draws names, and my husband's family doesn't expect a lot of handmade things from me (God bless those lovely people!). But the knitting and Knooking I did do this Christmas kept me pretty well occupied . And I do like to make things for family and close friends on their birthdays. I've got a few months of free time, but I know it won't last long. Because there's another group to craft for: The Babies.
I really am starting to think of those kids in capital letters. The Babies.
Several months ago, some friends announced they were pregnant and I was, of course, very happy for them and thought about some bootees and a hat or two. Then another set of friends announced they were pregnant--with twins. Then I found out I was getting another friend at the end of this summer. And another.
And I've been stalking a good college friend's Facebook page because I have my suspicions.
And I have cousins. In the South, having any number of cousins means you'll probably get yourself some baby cousins at any given time. It's science.
Brace yourselves. The Babies are coming.
But before they do and totally dominate my year, I've got a few things I'd like to try out first.
For myself.
Watch out! Okay, fine, I realize there are people out there who make things for themselves all the time and it's not this radical act like some people make it out to be. (But the fact that the mere act is usually called "Selfish Knitting" [or crocheting] is pretty telling.) But I do tend to make things for other people, and I've been looking forward to January because it's turning into the the time of year where I get to work on projects I queued up for once I finished making things for everyone else.
First on my list is the Starter Cable Hat from Expand Your Knitting Skills. I have the yarn and I have the needles and I have a cable hook. Plus, it's freezing and I want some bulky weight yarn around my ears. I may even cast on tonight because that's just how I rock out on New Year's Eve.
Next on my list is the Three Cabled Handwarmers, also from Expand Your Knitting Skills. They're so cute, and not knit in the round! Yes, I'm going to buckle down with mittens some time very soon, but for now I would like to have warm hands and free fingers because my office gets a bit chilly. Plus, these are very cute.
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See? Super cute. |
Next, is a sweater for myself. I don't think I'm going to finish it any time soon (The Babies will see to that), but I'm looking forward to casting on. I'm not sure of the pattern, but I have 4 skeins of Cascade 220 Superwash in gray that are ready and waiting for me.
I can't wait!
Do you have projects you reward yourself with when you finish something for someone else? Or are you one of those people who luxuriates in a giant pile of granny squares all year long, cackling to yourself "Mine! Allllllll miiiiiiiine!"? If you are, can I party with you?
*Both photos were completely stolen from the Ravelry project pages for the book.