Camp & ...Christmas?

Two days left until camp! I just have to make sure my yarn is delivered before I leave on Saturday morning. I plan on casting on at camp for the Ravelympics (Afghan Marathon!) next Friday evening when the opening ceremony is on TV at home. ..Though I won't be watching it.

But I digress.

I have found the perfect Christmas gift for all of my friends. Scarves, hats, etc. are costly and time-consuming to make (especially for over 25 people not including family - yikes!). I thought I was going to make coin purses, but I decided against it. I have guy friends too, and I'm not sure my hardcore guitarist guy friend would particularly enjoy a small feminine coin purse. So I made my way over to Lion Brand, where I saw a link for Amigurumi toys! My mind was made up. These are the things I'm possibly going to make for people on my list (I'll probably condense the list more later):

+ Berry-Topped Cake
+ Hi-Life Cupcake
+ Love Birds (matching ones for a couple)
+ Frosted Doughnut
+ Little Lamb
+ Turtle
+ Cat
+ Penguin
+ Lion
+ Guy
+ Gnome (one of my personal favorites)
+ Pig
+ Bear
+ Alien
+ Elephant
+ Octopus
+ Panda
+ Snowman
+ Holiday Penguin
+ Best Bunny

They're cute, simple, and though not very practical, they're sure to touch the receivers' hearts.

If you are a knitter, crocheter, seamstress, or anyone else who makes all holiday gifts, then this whole "Christmas in July" planning thing is nothing new. However, for my fellow classmates, this is what we do. We plan ahead.

Off to go pack for camp.

The Final Word:
+ "We're halfway there, livin' on a prayer." Livin' on a Prayer, Bon Jovi


Updated at 3:55 to include:

I just made my list of people I need to give gifts to this holiday season. I'm currently at an astounding 58, and I still haven't counted family yet. I have no idea how I'm going to swing this. 58 gifts! Pure insanity. Maybe I'll just make around 30 bears and pigs, and then make the rest of them specialized to fit the recipient.

Yes, 58 is not a final number. Later on during the year, I'll probably look back at the list and delete about a dozen or so and add another dozen, or maybe I'll end up deleting more than I add. 58 is simply an estimate, but still - that's almost 60 toys I have to make! I am overwhelmed. I don't know how I'll ever get them done.

One of my favorite quotes, from the Andy Griffith Show, Opie's Charity:

Andy: I’s a readin’ here jus’ the other day where’s there’s somethin’ like four hundred needy boys in this county alone, or one and a half boys per square mile.

Opie: There is?

Andy: There sho’ is.

Opie: I never seen one, Pa.

Andy: Never seen one what?

Opie: A half boy.

Andy: Well, it’s not really a half a boy, it’s a ratio.

Opie: Horatio who?

Andy: Not Horatio – a ratio. It’s mathematics. ‘Rithmetic. Look, now, Opie. Just fergit that part of it. Fergit the part about the half a boy.

Opie: It’s purty hard to fergit a thing like that, Pa.

Andy: Well, try!

Opie: Poor Horatio.

Nifty House Sock #1

I was lucky to get online this morning. We have to get Comcast and fast.

I've been working on my Nifty House Socks. They're really coming along. :) I couldn't resist trying them on.


I'm so proud of them! I can't wait until I'm actually done with this one and the second sock. Hopefully this one will be finished today, and the second sock later this week.


Updated at 11:54am to include:

I found this picture somewhere on my computer earlier today. I'd have to say it's my favorite picture of all time.

In orchestra this year, bassist Kyle pushes fellow bassist David into a band locker.

AT&T IS THE WORST

It's been difficult to post lately because our internet keeps going down. We have AT&T. I have this to say: NEVER EVER GET AT&T! Expensive and useless. Pathetic. We're getting hooked up with Comcast soon.

CI-655313 <- Something I need to remember. :)

Happenings

My violin teacher got mad at me for not telling him that I had an audition next week for camp. Oops. :)

Surprise surprise. Here are what I've been working on:

First official sock! :) Way too big, but I'm still proud of it.

I ran out of yarn just after I passed the heel.

Lace Ribbon Scarf.

Nifty House Socks!

Plus Shades of Green and Snow Blocks Afghan. Lots to keep me busy. I love the way the yellow looks on that last picture. It looks so bright and sunny, though it's really a mustard yellow.

The Final Word:
+ Are you ready for this?


Updated a few seconds later to include:

That's right, I have camp next week! I leave Saturday morning and return Sunday afternoon (of the following week; it's a nine-day camp, not two). :) I'm excited. I plan on getting a lot of knitting done before I even go to camp (like get the yarn, start, and FINISH a crochet cotton scarf). I wonder if I'll even get the yarn at all before I leave.

My friend's birthday is August 2nd, the day I leave, so I'll be dropping off Seeing Green at her house on Friday.

Now to get red yarn for the scarf my mom's friend requested.

Sockey?

Class is over. Yay!

I made a sock. My very first. :) Made from worsted weight (scrap acryllic that was bugging me), it's too baggy to wear around the house (or at all). At least now I know what to do for the next pair.

The pdf of the pattern I used is found here.

I made several modifications, including the number of stitches I picked up. I picked up fewer than were recommended, but it worked out in the end.

Progress

Guess what finished blocking today. :)


Pattern: Woven Transverse Herringbone from A Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker
Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted, 604 - Golden Ochre
Yardage: 100 grams, 216 yards per skein
Yarn Source: ImagiKnit, San Francisco
Needles: 14" size 8's
Gauge: 16 sts x 28 rows = 4" x 4"
Modifications: selvage: sl 1, work in pattern until last st, k1.

I'm amazingly happy with this scarf. :)

Stripey

Such beautiful shorts, right? :) They're my house shorts.

Inside-out in my very girly room.

Pattern: 13. Tassled Earflap Hat from KnitSimple Magazine (I don't know the issue number; sorry!)
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, half skein each in Sky Blue and Charcoal
Yardage: 170 gram skeins (106 yards)
Yarn Source: Leftovers from other hats (birthday presents); stash
Needles: 10mm, 24" Addi Turbo Circulars
Gauge: 2 sts/inch over stockinette
Modifications: switch to cc on Row 3, alternating mc and cc throughout; border in cc; ties are basically thick cords

It's my newest project, Stripey! :) I love it! ("Too bad I have all these extras. One of these would only make half a hat. Wait a second...!") The tassel's a bit short, but overall, I'm overjoyed. I realized that I had never done multicolor knitting before this. I was so thrilled watching it come along, that I took many pictures, all of which are posted on Ravelry.

I'm willing to bet that Mary Weaver will be the next Eunny Jang, and hopefully I'll be her right-hand, er, lady. I definitely want to be the next Kim Werker. Now that would be awesome.

The Final Word:
+ "Really? I thought it would be yellow. She reminds me of butterflies." Friend's Grandpa