As modern knitters we are blessed with a potentially mind-boggling array of new methods for knitting.
For centuries knitters used Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) for knitting small circumference items like sleeves, sweater necks, mittens, etc. But, with the advent of circular needles, knitting with two circular needles became another method.
When Socks Soar on Circular Needles came out, we had quite the civil war in the building. I, for one, completely converted to knitting with two circulars.
Then, Bev Galeskas wrote The Magic Loop and I embraced that method. I prefer to think of myself as an early adopter rather than fickle.
Since then we (knitters) have seen dozens of new books focusing on using one, or all three methods to knit socks. Here is where the confusion begins.
“How do I convert a pattern that is written for DPNs so that I can knit using the Magic Loop Method.” Or, “I much prefer knitting …

We are heading into the third week of renovation chaos in the office. Thankfully my office space is shaping up nicely and I’ve been able to be productive all day! What a nice change!
The problem is that Xena is not at all comfortable with boxes in hallways, strange men walking around pushing big, heavy carts and people in new spaces! When she does find someone in a “normal” space, she demands attention. Kate offered some love and comfort.

When all else fails, she jumps into her bag – the ultimate comfort!

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Can you believe that Christmas is only 10 days away? And Chanukah is already here!!

I’m 90% done with my holiday knitting, I have a few more ends to weave in, and two edges to reinforce with crochet, and then I am DONE! I think I’m going to make it, but if I don’t, at least I have these cute downloadable IOU’s as a back up. It’s nice to have a contingency plan.
I’m planning on including our printable care labels with my knitted gifts this year (my sister accidentally felted the cowl I made her last year, oops!) and while I’m at it, I’ll probably use the gift tags that match.
If I have extra time, maybe I’ll even knit Grumpy or Lumpy as package toppers out of stash yarn. Don’t you love holiday freebies? How’s your holiday knitting coming? …

Ok, yesterday was a crazy day!! I was running behind schedule and grabbed the first pair of socks that I touched in the sock drawer. And, look what I had to deal with all day!

Store bought socks!! Yes, I have, what? – eight pairs of lovely hand-knit socks in that same drawer!! What was I thinking! No more sock selection before coffee!
This morning I redeemed myself for this blow to the sock knitting community. I love listening to the Martha Stewart channel on Sirius. Whole Living with Terri Trespicio was sending a call out for Things You Would Rather Make Than Buy as gifts. Well, hello!! Socks!!
I called and I actually got to sing the praises of sock knitting!! I hope the sock knitters will welcome me back into the fold! …

To get into the Christmas spirit, everyone at the office dressed up in holiday sweaters today and brought in cookies.
Things were very festive around here.

KP was the most festive department by far. Who knew what our designers could do with LED lights and tinsel?!

The guys around here are really good sports too.

It’s fun going into meetings when everyone is smiling. You can’t wear a sweater like Marci’s without smiling.

And Kate was even fuzzier than me!

I didn’t wear a sweater, I get too hot. I might have begged for a few cookies though.
I hope you’re all having fun-filled holidays too! <

Have you finished all of your Christmas gifts yet? I’m working on a double knit argyle scarf that probably won’t make the deadline, but we made a video to share ideas to incorporate knitting into your holiday gift wrapping. Whether you want use scraps of yarn to wrap your gift, personalize a gift card, include knitted ornaments with a gift, or make a last minute IOU placeholder gift, we have ideas for you!
For reference, those are Lumpy, Grumpy, and the Tidings of Joy ornaments in the video. <

Giving a knitted gift? Here’s a little video that can prep your lucky recipient on how best to react to your beautiful, thoughtful, labor-intensive gift. 😉
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