Seriously - has it been that long?

So - I am at my knitting group today (it has been weeks since I have been able to join them) and my dear friend Susan mentions the blog, and that I haven't posted anything in weeks.   Seriously, has it really been that long?

I hate it when people apologize for a delay in podcasting or blogging or whatever, because we all have busy lives and you have to make time for the important things in life - but you know - the holidays, family, baking, knitting, working - I have all of the same tired, old excuses.  Sorry for the absence - but I'm BACK!

A few weeks ago, I showed the ear flap hats that I had been working on - and now here are my two incredibly handsome nephews modeling the finished products!  I enjoyed making them for Gary and Cody - and I hope they rock on the ski slopes!

Now that all of my gift knitting is done - I'm kind of at a loss of what to knit next.   I'm not saying I don't have several WIPs, or that I don't have about a ton of yarn calling me - but just nothing pressing to do.   I started a pair of socks to fill the void, until I am ready to tackle a new project.   I am using Three Irish Girls, Octopus Garden yarn, custom dyed for A Good Yarn in Sarasota.  I love love love the colorway and it feels good to be knitting socks.

Since I have been back in MI for 6 weeks of cold weather, I pulled out my stash of hand knit socks and started wearing them daily.  What I discovered is that many were made 7 or 8 years ago, and that after a few 10 hour days of standing on my feet in the pharmacy, I developed holes in several pairs.  I know that they served me well and that I have worn them a lot, but it is kind of like saying good bye to an old friend.   The holes are too far gone for darning, and I know I need to toss them...but for now, I washed them again and put them back in the drawer. 

What do you do when your hand knit socks get a hole?

How about a sale?

Are you looking for one last minute project for Christmas?  This is so quick and easy, you can knit it up on Christmas eve, sitting around the fire, drinking some hot cocoa. 

I have a few Christmas Ornament kits that need good homes for the holidays...so how about a 40% off sale?  Yup, you heard me correct!  You can purchase them from my etsy shop at http://www.kalamazooknit.etsy.com/.  When you make the purchase, use the coupon code to get your 40% discount.  Coupon Code: Blog 12  

I promise to ship out your kit the next day, and will ship via First Class or Priority Mail -which ever is cheaper.  (to be truthful, hubby will actually do the mailing - he is my Director of Distribution!).

This is the Christmas Ornament Kit - it includes the clear ornament ball, pattern and yarn.  You just add US size 2 needles!

Regular price is $10.00 at my Etsy shop - but now available for $6.00 using coupon code: Blog12 (plus $3.00 for shipping).

Operators are standing by to take your call! (I'm kidding)

Show and Tell

I'm on a roll, getting my Christmas gifts done.   I think being back in the COLD Michigan weather has inspired me on these four gifts.   What do you think of these ear flap hats?

My nephews were looking for mohawk ear flap hats - I hope they like these!

For the less adventurous on my list, ear flap hats minus the mohawk!

The pattern I used for these is available on Ravelry, called Thorpe.  I kicked it up with my own fair isle designs and worked the ear flaps down to 3 stitches.   I made the Large size, but knitting the base of the hat to 6.5 ".

If you are looking for a quick knit, this is it!  It uses bulky yarn and knits up quick. 

Next post, more of my gift knitting!

Moving

Sorry for the delay in posting.  Hubby and I are in Florida, moving into our new condo.   We are only here for 5 days and I was hoping to spend two days moving and have the rest to lounge around and knit.   Best laid plans and all of that...   Needless to say, today is our last day here and I still have tons of stuff to do.

The real crime in all of this is that I haven't knit for about 4 days.  Gasp! Shock!  I have a few gifts that need to be done for Saturday, for Hubby's family Christmas party, and I need to get my knit on.  I guess there will be time to knit on the flight home tomorrow!  I plan to make it to A Good Yarn in Sarasota yet today, so that will satisfy my fiber needs.

Thats all for now - see you back in Michigan!

Now Available for Purchase

It is official. Our new pattern, Better Basic Mittens, has now been published.

You can purchase it from your local yarn shop (ask the shop owner to order it for the shop!)
or my etsy store (http://www.kalamazooknits.etsy.com/) or from Ravelry.

For you local knitters, you can purchase if from Your Local Yarn Shop, in Battle Creek, MI.
Stop in and meet Kelly J, the designer. She has some cute models for you to try on and decide which size you need. They are soft, warm and cozy - you will fall in love, I promise.

Kelly's husband Mike did the photos - they are so cool, I had trouble deciding which pic to use.

Don't you need to knit some mittens right now??