19 days
Christmas knitting is in full panic mode here at Chez Elliphantom. If there were a virtual elli-cam you could witness me flitting between projects and not being able to finish any of them because I keep distracting myself with something else I should be working on. I totally love the holidays. So productive. Too bad it makes me all twitchy. Here's our sampling for today:
First up, Mum’s blueberry-flavored Shetland Triangle:
Hello. I am silky and blue.
This project hasn’t managed to make it onto the blog yet for various reasons. Back in October I knitted almost an entire one of these in navy Cashsoft 4-ply before I decided that it wasn’t up to snuff (read: too chunky and blah-looking). So that version got sent to Project Purgatory to await its fate, and I ordered up a hank of Blue Moon silk thread in the Haida colorway. Much better. I’m knitting the shawl with the yarn doubled and it’s turning out just exactly as I’d envisioned. Hooray!
Ho there.
The Chicago cardigan for my sister Rae is on the home stretch. All parts are knitted and the main body of the sweater is assembled. Still left to do: picking up and knitting the neckband and buttonbands, weaving in ends, and sewing on all those dinky little flowerlings. Anybody want to come over and help with that? I’ll feed you Christmas cookies and homemade hot cocoa! Anybody? What, no takers? Darn.
The current Plain Old Socks:
Mmmmm...cookie
The usual recipe. Knit with the rare and wonderful Cookie A. Handpainted Sock. Kricket has claimed this pair already and, since she’s worn the heck out of the last pair I gave her, I have no qualms about sending these her way. We’ll see if they get done by Christmas. They get lower priority since she did get a birthday knit this year.
In other knitting, the Argyll vest knitting is on hold until I get Chicago and the Shetland Triangle finished. More projects planned. Stay tuned.
p.s. those of you drooling over the fishie bobbins from the last post...I regret to inform you that I found them at the thrift store. I do recall that they were made by Phildar, and it looks as if they have some similar ones for sale on their website. I have no idea what shipping from France costs.
p.p.s. no links in this post. I have to get back to my knitting.
Comments
You're welcome :)
But seriously, I love the way the shawl is turning out. Haida was definitely the right decision.
Posted by: Wen-Wen | December 5, 2007 7:15 PM
I'm in a Christmas knitting frenzy, too, but on a much smaller scale. I've also borrowed some of your Korknisse ideas from last year. Can't wait to see the flowers on the Chicago cardigan!!
Posted by: Kathy | December 5, 2007 7:50 PM
I feel your C-day pain. I have over optimistic plans for my gifts! Rather than get bitter at my knitting, I've developed startistis for myself. It doesn't look like it will all get done.
Your gifts are quite beautiful!
Posted by: loriz | December 5, 2007 8:18 PM
Keep rocking those projects, that Chicago cardi is going to make your sister die of happiness because of its incredible loveliness...
Posted by: Heather | December 5, 2007 8:30 PM
We have the fishie bobbins at our local yarn store
Yarns Etc. (g*ogle for the website, Mary would be delighted to hear from you ;)
They are made by Pony.
Posted by: greta | December 5, 2007 8:47 PM
I want to eat that shawl.
Posted by: Christina | December 5, 2007 10:18 PM
Chicago looks great and it's really coming together! Can't wait to see the FO :)
Posted by: lyn | December 5, 2007 10:25 PM
Those look great! And I"m glad I'm not the only one flitting between projects!
Posted by: Eliza | December 6, 2007 12:25 AM
Goodness. And I thought the argyle vest alone was ambitious! Frantically knitting here, as well, for two brothers-in-law and one sister-in-law, chosen, I'm not sure why, to receive handknit socks this year.
Posted by: Siri | December 6, 2007 12:49 AM
Wow, you are taking your knitted gifts to the next level.. I am so impressed! I am also in freak out mode, eep!
Posted by: Alice | December 6, 2007 1:29 AM
Wow, those are some gifts! That shawl is going to be spectacular when it's done -- can't wait to see it!
Posted by: Sarah | December 6, 2007 7:39 AM
Chicago looks fabulous! I'm so impressed. What a lucky sister you've got!
And wow, that is one pretty sock. I love those colors.
Posted by: whitney | December 6, 2007 8:21 AM
I always get a bunch of Christmas projects going at the same time and worry because I have forty-eleven unfinished things on the needles...not realizing that if I just sat down and FINISHED something, I'd feel much better!
The cardigan is really really pretty! It's going to make a beautiful gift!
Posted by: jenna | December 6, 2007 8:32 AM
I don't know whether to thank you or curse you for reminding me that there are only 19 days. Fedex is going to love me. I'm stunned with how well you are doing on the Xmas progress, though - impressive!
Posted by: Julia | December 6, 2007 11:56 AM
Go, Elli, go!
(Also, I wanted to post this comment so I can share with the world that Elli is not coming to our knitting night tonight because she says she is... wait for it... too busy knitting.)
If I finish my own Christmas knitting in time, I'll help you weave ends!
Posted by: orata | December 6, 2007 12:19 PM
Pretties!! I like how when you "knit Christmas" you don't mess around. Go, Elli, go!
Posted by: nova | December 6, 2007 1:47 PM
Ooh--the Haida shawl looks beautiful. I love the color!
I am also madly knitting away, but on things like scarves and hats. Your gifts are much more elaborate--I am definitely in awe of your knitterly prowess and generosity!
Posted by: seedless grape | December 6, 2007 5:50 PM
Oh My Gosh, that sock yarn is like, the epitome of my favorite colors.
Posted by: Kaith | December 6, 2007 6:14 PM
back you go! Everything's beautiful. =D
Posted by: Julia | December 6, 2007 7:36 PM
i feel your angst about the xmas knitting. However, I feel weirdly in control right now. Guess the urgency of the issue has yet to set in. Just wait for another week and I will be pulling my hair out.
love the shawl color. It is so elegant!
Posted by: Nubiancraftster | December 7, 2007 12:53 AM
The Shetland Triangle shawl is truly gorgeous in the Haida. I'm eager to see it finished and blocked!
Posted by: Opal | December 7, 2007 6:46 AM
My grand-mother used the same fish bobbins! Her sister had a Phildar franchise, so my grand-mother knit only with Phildar yarns (aka acrylic, at least back then).
Love the yellow-green for your sister's cardigan!
Wow, all your holiday handknits are impressive :)
Posted by: Veronique | December 7, 2007 3:30 PM
Gosh, that all looks great and very productive. I have only managed one scarf! Your leafies are on the way! (I hope!)
Posted by: Lin | December 8, 2007 3:10 PM
Your blog is such a pleasure for the eye! Nice projects, reaaaally!
Posted by: Maryse | December 8, 2007 6:56 PM
Please - where is the Chicago sweter knitting pattern?
Posted by: Sheila | December 8, 2007 8:12 PM
I will second the other poster and let people know that the fish bobbins can be acquired at your LYS. I saw the Pony ones last week in a store.
Posted by: Jenna | December 11, 2007 1:41 AM
All is looking gorgeous! and you're way more ahead in your christmas knitting than I am.
Posted by: Navi | December 11, 2007 1:40 PM
I love the colour of your socks that you are knitting. Love it! Love it!
Posted by: Lynne | December 12, 2007 9:16 AM
I AM dying of happiness over that Chicago. SOOOO cute!!! Yay! Yay! Yay!
Posted by: Rae | December 12, 2007 10:25 AM
Again, you are a machine!
Posted by: yaiAnn | December 19, 2007 6:35 PM
Your work is gorgeous! I hope you were able to finish everything in time!
Posted by: Carolyn | December 22, 2007 9:51 AM
hi,
i am just discovering your work and this is really beautiful!
i am looking forward to seeing the progress on the argyle sweater you were showing in the previous post, i love it!
and happy new year!
em
Posted by: em | January 4, 2008 6:12 PM
Drooling over the sock yarn... You're a stronger person than I am, if you can bear to give those socks away.
Finished a pair of your beautiful Herringbone Mittens for my husband - missed Christmas by a week, but I was close. I thrummed them for extra warmth. (He works outdoors in New England, so extra warmth is much appreciated!)
Posted by: gayle | January 13, 2008 2:06 PM
Elli, are you out there? Happy New Year!
Posted by: Amy | January 14, 2008 11:14 AM