The Holiday Crunch

I'm alive! Really, I am! I know it's been ages since I've posted and I miss it. I mean to sit down and write a blog post every day, really I do, and then, well, I just don't.

It's nearing the end of the year and I'm sort of falling into my normal introspective, reflective mode. This has been a very busy and exciting year for me, full of so many life changes, and crafting has really had to take a backseat. I most definitely underestimated how much more time another little one would take away from my creative pursuits (well worth it, of course). I've gone through periods of frustration when I can't dive into my sewing room as much as I'd like, but I think now I've come to peace with it and I'm just trying to enjoy my little girls as much as I can. Just popping in to work on a project for 15 minutes or pet some fabric helps. Of course the big move also took every minute of spare time for the last few months to pack, deal with the house closing and then unpack, but we're really getting all settled in now, loving our new house and I'm looking forward to a nice, calm period after the holidays.

And can you believe Christmas is almost here? I need more time! I have managed to finish a few holiday gift knits. This one is my favorite - the Avery Cowl for my mom. I knit this from quite possibly the world's perfect yarn, 100% Aran cashmere from the Plucky Knitter. Luckily it's a fun and easy pattern because I have at least two more of these to knit, one for my mother in law (she will be getting a beautiful green half-knit cowl wrapped up with an IOU note!) and I won't be able to resist one for myself too of course :)

I also knit this hat for my little brother. I think it's a perfect 'guy hat'. The pattern is Windschief by Stephen West, and the yarn is madelinetosh Vintage in Mare. 

I've got another hat almost finished up for my dad, a quilt to bind for another brother and some place mats and napkins to finish up for Mark and I think I'm done with gift crafting. As much as I enjoy giving hand made, I think next year I'm swearing it off! Too much pressure and I'm just too slow. I always like to pretend I can knit five times faster than I can. If only.

I did make this pretty cowl for myself last month-

This pattern is called Millwater - a great pattern if you're new to cables, and very wearable. I hardly take it off. The yarn is another favorite base, Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in the color Vogue.

I wish I had a cute holiday photo of the girls to share with you, but it was all I could do to even get them dressed up to see Santa the other day. A trip that, by the way, was a complete disaster. No Santa photos for us this year! 

I'm so happy I was able to pop in and say hello. I'll be off now to try to cram about a month's worth of holiday preparations into these next three days and try to relax while doing it. I hope you are all well and eating lots of baked goodies - that's the top of my agenda today!