Unstoppable

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I’m trying something new this year. Every year I worry about the Christmas stuff, and I try not to invite the planet to smack me for having confidence. I say “I hope I make it” and “Gee, it’s going to be tough but I’m giving it a shot.” and every year I get smacked anyway. The planet apparently hates a woosie-pants who doesn’t have confidence. This year, my approach is going to be something else. This year, I’m putting it out there. I HAVE Christmas under control. I AM going to finish. It IS going to be something I get licked. The Christmas knitting IS NOT going to get the better of me this year. I repeat, I have it licked. I know that some of you think that this is inviting an arse-kicking, but considering that I get my arse kicked every year anyway, I figure that I might as well dwell in the happy place of delusion for as long as I can. To that end, I am still whipping out the knits in a knit-fate defying way.

See this?

Holidazed311208

A full pair of socks. Done. Off the list. A full pair of socks in only a couple of days. Hear that Knit-fates? See that? A whole pair of socks for Christmas and they are done and I put them on the pile with all those scarves and there is nothing you can do to undo them.

Holidazyed211208

Yarn is “Muddy Autumn Rainbow” an exclusive STR sock club colour, Pattern “Holidazed” from Anne Hanson, also a STR sock club pattern. (It’ll be available to the rest of the world next year. For now, it’s sock club only.)

Holidazedsocks111208

They’re a little big for me, which is perfect since they aren’t for me, although I love these enough that I’m bummed about that. One gift down – but wait! There’s more! (Anybody else hear “it slices, it dices….” in the back of their head?)

I bought Laura’s Just Enough Ruffles Scarf, and whammo! In the span of just a weekend…

Ruffless211208

(Quote from the photoshoot “Sam, try to smile like you don’t resent your mother”. Sam’s answer?

“But I do resent my mother.” Ahh, the joys of parenting teens. At least she’s honest.)

Samruffles11208

Pattern: Just enough Ruffles, yarn, Beroco “Cuzco” 2 skeins in “Quenko Sky”, though I didn’t buy enough (simple math failure on my part, not a problem with the pattern) and needed to add another yarn for the INDETERMINABLE last few rows and cast off. I used Lorna’s laces Shepherd Sock, in “Quadra Island” held double. It’s a perfect match.

Scarfhung11208

I’m supremely happy with it, and even happier that something else is off the list. See that knitting fates? ANOTHER ONE off the list and there’s nothing you can do about it. Nothing. No matter what happens after this, you can’t take the glory of this moment away. I’ve tried “not tempting fate” by cow-towing to your vindictive nature, I’ve tried not inviting your festive abuse in the past because you can’t resist the smackdown, you immature and small minded holiday-achievement-haters. I’ve tried putting my expectations in the dumper and saying that I’ll just do the best I can to avoid you seeking acrimonious revenge on me for my haughtiness – but this year? This year I’m not buying it. I know that I made a whole bunch of people nervous in my last post when I said “I have this Christmas thing SO licked” but what they don’t understand is that I’ve tried to please you, I’ve tried to fly under the radar and not one year have you allowed me to finish my gifts on time – even though I’ve totally played it your way.

This year? This year I am going to drown you in my confidence. This year-you can bite me.

(Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m just going to go make sure that my box of ornaments didn’t just implode in the basement. I’m cocky, not stupid.)

180 thoughts on “Unstoppable”

  5. How do you do that? I struggle so much with my knitting and have completed a pair of socks with two completely different feet!
    Your Holidazed is pretty.

  6. Good for you! I’m getting right up there with the Christmas knits and it looks like I will make my deadline. Sorta. By removing the knitted projects for the people I realized I don’t like, and buying them some mall gift. But hey. I’ll make my deadline.
    Those socks remind me of the RPM socks. But look remarkably less headache-inducing.

  7. Good luck on the christmas knitting! I try not to tempt the fates by simply not giving a lot of knitted presents.

  8. You’ve got such confidence that I’m now concerned the smackdown will be so hard the ripple-effect will effect my holiday knitting…

  9. Alright–go you!!! It does look like you’re plowing right through all those projects (and here it is only 12/1).
    I applaud your confidence and your speedy knitting. And now I must stop typing and go back to my own very full needles.

  10. I am confident you will have Christmas licked this year. I am rounding the home stretch for Christmas knits myself. 3 gifts left and I finally selected the pattern for the last gift. It’s so liberating. Now I simply must adjust my schedule to allow for maximum knitting time. 😀

  11. I love your approach this year! I say put positivity and confidence out in the world and good results will come back to you. Plus it feels way better to think happy thoughts than to try to be just happy enough but not so happy as to make life knock you down a peg or two.

  12. I fear the reaction of the knitting fates but send any good will they have for my holiday knitting to you. (I’m not doing holiday knitting this year. HA!)

  13. Hey Steph! Just make sure not to add names to the list and you’ll be enjoying eggnog with time to spare. It’s all gorgeous and so is Megan. I’m enjoying the new book & already read the calendar so just keep writing for 2010!

  14. I have tempted the Christmas Knitting Fates by declaring that I will not be knitting any Christmas gifts this year.
    That means I will knit 5 gifts and then get suckered into knitting 3 more.
    Heaven help me.

  15. Yay, the bravery!
    Of course you will finish everything you set out to knit on your list. If, for some unforseen reason, you do not get it all done in time, just do what I do: adjust the list. I like to think of it as being able to handle an issue from multiple sides.
    Take care,
    Rosane.

  16. If the ornaments did implode, you could just knit more, right?
    Best wishes with this new-found “confidence” thing.

  18. *sound of sucking in long deep breath of air*
    I like the attitude, though. Never was there a better argument in favour of the “stick that where the sunlight don’t shine” approach. Good luck!

  20. Stephanie, the scarf looks beautiful on Sam (it really matches her eyes). I’m giggling though because I’m DONE with Christmas knitting, even though I only had to do 3 Christmas presents, but I did 12 headbeands for nieces in cotton! My hands still ache. Can you tell me how you work in cotton???

  21. I said those very words to my teenager earlier this summer while taking graduation photos. And got a similar answer.

  22. This year I burned my yarn bearing fingers over Thanksgiving, and lost days of knitting time refusing to give in and knit right-handed, so I’m royally screwed in the holiday knitting department. No doubt about it.
    Your strategy is just so crazy it might work. 😉

  24. Ahhh, positive affirmations! They work, they really do! It’s definitely different from being a cocky, overconfident knitter…in this case, you are merely affirming your abilities in time management and knitting skill! You go girl!

  25. I like the attitude, but wouldn’t a schedule from Lene at this point be the icing on the cake? Since you have Christmas licked, there will be things like “sleep” in between the magical knitting moments.

  26. I am so loving those socks! I think it’s catching because I’m into my gifts this year as well (with a slight sock break…). I love the edging on the scarf, I think the accent color made all the difference. That may just become a common pattern adjustment… 🙂
    Continue to kick arse! If you see the American knitting fates (they hide so we can’t see them until it’s too late), give ’em a good kick for me!

  27. Excuse my ignorance, but how do you become a member of this sock club? Those socks are so gorgeous that I want to join. Good luck with the Christmas knitting….I’m not anywhere close.

  28. So, no schedule required then? Because I’d like to point out that you have indeed finished on time – insane and exhausted, but on time – in all the years where I gave you a schedule. Well, except last year, but there are limits to even my ability to organize the world.
    p.s. Those socks are breathtaking.

  30. My theory? Two days before the gifts have to be ready someone is going to spill coffee (or, better yet, bleach) all over your finished projects. 😛
    The socks are really pretty! I do hope nothing dreadful happens to screw with your plans.

  31. Good for you! I have stopped letting myself be stressed over holiday knitting. Does this mean that my mother will probably suffer another year sans cozy felted slippers – probably, but only because I made a bunch of fruity and coffee flavored (not combined) liqueurs and they need lovely felted wine bags to wrap them in. My mother will understand – but only because she thinks it is due to my move to Idaho in mid-January that I am “not knitting” anything. Ha Ha… I do have great sterling and turquise jewelry to ease the pain of no flet slippers for her though!

  32. PLEASE be careful saying that the fates can not undo your knitting! I got a chill down my spine when I read that- you never know what the fates can do to your knitting!

  34. Lady, I like your chutzpah– and I’ll keep my fingers crossed for that box of ornaments too!
    And, uhmn, as a sidebar here–I went to check that website with the pattern (which I liked a LOT) and my school’s firewall told me the link was classified as ‘porn’… snark. I didn’t know ‘yarn-porn’ counted! (gleeful giggles, as though, perhaps, I haven’t had enough sleep today and find myself hilariously funny…)
    Oh yeah– my own 14 year old called me a ‘couger’ for ‘macking on her cat’. (I was petting him!) Lovely age, isn’t it?

  37. Sam cracks me up.
    Dear Harlot, there’s a difference between being confident and asking for a smack-down. Just sayin’.

  40. I need to be that confident. I’m about to cast on a Hemlock Ring Blanket that will need to be shipped. Yes, maybe a little delusional but I’ll give it my best shot.

  43. I love those socks so much. I wish they were for me!
    I also thought I had the Christmas knitting licked this year, but then my overconfidence led me to plan even more Christmas knitting. And then finals started…

  44. How in god’s green earth did you manage to get the same color to pool in the same place on both socks? Obsession or happenstance? (I was going to say serendipity but Andrea did a few posts back.)
    Now, if you’ll excuse me I think I have to check my own ornaments. Just reading this post is enough to incur smackdowns worldwide. It should come with a warning label.

  47. P.S. You do know what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, don’t you?

  48. Good Luck! Me, I knit all year round for Christmas and birthdays just so I don’t run into the fates this time of year. I can’t wait to see how everything works out!

  49. ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

  51. I swear I am going to mail you my Muddy Autumn Rainbow because it looks NOTHING like yours. I mean, I realize they are rare gems and each unique, but mine isn’t even in the same color family!
    And I like the scarf better with the contrasting edge, and I may make one for my niece for Xmas except she wants fingerless gloves. Long ones. In fingering yarn. Shoot me now, since I still have just started those three other projects I mentioned….off to quilt night tonight, and the Leticia came so maybe I’ll come back with a hat.

  52. I hope it works…I hope you lick Christmas this year! But I think spell check bit you with the interminable ruffles…that sort of thing keeps happening to me, at least!

  53. I read your post and (semi-silently) yelled “Hooray!” for the second time today (Hillary Clinton’s nomination was the first). What the heck: stuff happens anyway, so why drown in dread?
    I am now going to try and apply your bravado to some aspect of my own life.

  54. I’m commendering some of your confidence and I’ll be using it to go work on my Christmas knitting and sewing. And since that’s 7 totebags,a lap quilt,6 sets of fleece socks-hat-mitten/glove combos and knitted spa sets for 5(?) teachers,I better get off the computer and get busy!Good luck with your gift making!

  55. So, when are you going to start in on the real Christmas presents? You know – the afghan for your mom, the sweater for your brother, the long cabled coat for Amanda? The projects that take more than 2 skeins of yarn. Those projects – how are they coming along?
    I’m sorry, Steph, I really shouldn’t tease you, but you set yourself up as such a wonderful target! (and me? no one’s getting anything handknit/spun/woven from me this year. apparently, I have no heart.)

  56. …it slices, it dices…
    And if I act now, will you send me *two* of whatever it is you are selling and free shipping to boot?

  57. Wow, Sam is growing into such a lovely young lady. (Despite resenting her mother)
    I am deep in the throes of Christmas knitting myself so I am grateful that someone can tempt the knitting fates with your “cockiness”. I’m too freaked out. I’m knitting socks for everyone this year among other things and I will have to finish 2 pairs a week plus other projects to get done in time. I’m going strong so far but I’m getting more nervous as time goes on. (although that might just be the coffee.)

  58. Way to show Christmas who’s boss! I’ll take a side serving of your confidence to go, please.

  59. Hey Lene –
    Since Steph has beat (ahem) the knitting fates, are you available to schedule the rest of us with our knitting deadlines?

  61. I have been a lurker for a long time, (I really love your blog), I have decided to end my silence to warn you of my Christmas knitting disater – it has all going so well for once and then I got MOTHS! I bet its too cold for them in Canada though, so fingers crossed that it all goes to plan for you!

  62. Oh, Stephanie, how you make me laugh. I envy your up-beatness and confidence. I will be checking in to see if you make it, or not.
    p.s. those ornaments ok?

  63. Damn, that’s a nice scarf…and now I just HAVE to knit it for someone as a gift…I don’t knit fast, actually, I knit ‘methodically’ (not exactly slow, but steady); I’m busy at work (I’m self-employed); and I gave up on the idea of knitted gifts this year….but you’ve now given me two Christmas knitting ideas and I haven’t managed to convince myself that I could always knit them for next year or for birthday gifts 🙁
    I’m afraid as you get closer you’ll show me something else that I just HAVE to knit for SoAndSo and I’ll be beaten by the fates…
    I have no self-control…

  64. I love the socks. We had a snowday here in Wisconsin–I am a teacher so you know I was jumping up and down when I got the call!! Got the freezer defrosted, the Christmas cards done and some good quality Christmas present knitting done. I think I will be finished. If only we get a few more snowdays…

  65. since you have everything under control, do you think you could give me a hand with the 2,572 mittens that i have left to go? really.. it won’t take you but a moment. 😉

  67. I’m glad you’re trucking along and feeling good, but I had the same thought as rams…

  68. I love it – a fighter to the last. This seems more fitting to your personality anyway, you know. Be nice, be sweet, be calm… and then say, “Screw it” get over it. I really have never heard of someone telling the universe to Bring. It. On… while (at least theoretically) in command of their senses. This should be fun!
    PS, Sam? Thank you for reminding me that it isn’t just my son who feels that way. Not that I mind or anything, it’s just nice to know I’m not alone.

  70. Your gifts are beautiful, but if you’re going to provoke the rage of the knitting gods, just for heavens sake make sure the moths can’t get at them…

  71. I think the only statement you didn’t make to the Fates there was ‘Neener, neener’. But you’re probably more mature than I.
    Sam’s comment – priceless! And the socks are just beautiful.

  72. What I’d like to know, from you and all the others who are knitting your way through December, is how you do all that Christmas knitting without your hands totally crapping out on you?? The repetitive strain injury from my last year’s Christmas knitting has been plaguing me for a year…so NO ONE is getting hand knits from me this year!
    Good luck with the knitting fates! It seems to me if they don’t get you one way…they’ll find another!

  74. So, why is that 1970’s margarine commercial running through my head? You know, the one that intones “No one fools Mother Nature” at the end?
    The knitting fates always have the last laugh. Always.

  76. Gotta admit, I was one of the ones who cringed with fear when you proclaimed that you’ve got Christmas knitting this year “so licked.”
    Can’t wait to see if it works to turn the tables on the knitting fates!
    I love the socks.

  79. I gotta throw out a ‘you go girl!’ I too am close to completing the christmas knit-a-thon! 2.5 projects left. But out of left field came a baby shower! Yikes, looks like she’ll get a cute box with a ball of yarn in it!
    BTW – awesome socks!

  80. the yarn gods are just waiting
    just waiting they have long
    memories and big feet watch the stairs

  82. Ah. I wish I could have 1% of your confidence. Alas, the yarn I have for Christmas projects keeps looking at me (mocking), reminding me I have my work cut out for me.

  84. Cow-towing? I certainly kowtow to the wordsmith, who can, with one creatively misspelled word, fashion images of recalcitrant bovines, hoof-carving furrows into muddy farm roads (what are they resisting?)…or perhaps these bovines had too much eggnog, and are being towed on their backs in happy oblivion. Much nicer.

  85. I’m with Lene. Shouldn’t she be formulating a tenative schedule on your behalf anyway? heeheehee

  87. Ok, I see what happened here. You made 3 of those two-row striped Noro scarfs while in a daze, and when you snapped out of it, you realized that you could stick them in your Christmas knitting pile and cross a bunch of stuff off your list. Very sly.

  88. Love your confidence! I also had a grand weekend of completions. Three items completed and one convertible mitten/glove almost done. Then I found out it would be too big for the small hands my son’s girlfriend has. Now I must complete this pair(for someone else) and start a pair in a much smaller size.
    How was all this possible? I dropped a marble rolling pin on my foot and was forced to stay on the couch with it up for two days! Be very careful when tempting the fates with completed projects… 🙂

  89. Thank you so much! You go on the Christmas takeover. We just got our tree, made cider, and started the popcorn chains. I’m feeling far more optimistic now that I’ve found the Just Enough Ruffles pattern – the PERFECT thing for my secret santa recipient! What a relief to have picked a good gift. Thanks for the inspiration!

  90. Now you could smack the fates by one more way………bake early while you knit. Then figure out how to get everything in the freezer and most importantly, WAIT to eat it before the holidays.
    Did you see how Kay (of Mason Dixon) did that with her bread before the US Thanksgiving? Nice thinking, that Kay.

  93. yes.let’s do it together. this year is my first year of handknit christmas presents to everyone in the family. So far I have 9 pairs of socks to knit (for now let’s forget the baby onesey and the giant gansey I promised my hubby since Christmas last year), I have had 7 socks done, yohhoo. Unfortunately only two of the seven match to make a pair, the rest are all singles, in yarn and size ( I think I probably hate myself)…but i still have time, dont I?

  94. I myself know that there is no way on God’s green Earth that I will ever finish my holiday knitting and I eagerly fall on my knitting needles in an effort to distract the knitting fates from The Harlot. Hope it works.

  96. That “Just Enough Ruffles” is one gorgeous scarf, and I thought you’d planned that contrasting edge from the beginning! It looks lovely.

  97. Yeah for your bravery!
    But perhaps put the ready made items in a ziplock bag? I know December is not prime insect season, but, well, who knows and holes could definitely ruin it…

  98. Oh, but now you are tempting the Christmas knitting fates with an entire pile of finished knits that they can take out in one swipe! No lit candles near the pile, don’t let anyone bring pasta sauce near it, don’t allow sharp objects in the same room…Now you must protect the pile!

  99. You are so tempting the knitting goddess to come and smack you down. I can only imagine the form it will come in…. moths, carpet beetles, house fire, little kitten claws.
    For the love of knitting, enjoy your progress more quietly – pride goeth before a fall! Just smile and tuck your gifts away quietly, but don’t openly tempt the knitting goddess.

  101. You’re brave. I’m going to attempt to finish the two scarves left over from Christmas 2006 in time to give to the boys this year. Wish me luck. (Yes. I’m that bad.)

  102. I am so glad to see the just enough ruffles, I downloaded it last month and have yet to get it on the needles. It’s so pretty! And that crimeny Noro scarf, I’m glad I didn’t get AS addicted as you did- I’m not as happy with the selection of yarn colorways around my neck of the woods- probably a result of their crazy popularity. Now if I can just keep myself from knitting only Lizard Ridge squares, I’ll be right there with you on Christmas!
    YOU GO GIRL!

  103. I actually, for the first time *ever* finished! I’m working a couple of projects, but they are “because I have the time” projects. What *will* Christmas be without me up at 2:30 in the morning, knitting like a crazed person, chanting “I WILL get finished. I WILL get finished. I WILL get finished.”?? I’m hoping peaceful. 😀

  107. My oh my…somebody sure does want to be on the “Nice List” this year, eh? No I-O-U’s for Christmas this year, eh? Santa should reward you with a tree full of yarn!
    GREAT job on everything so far! Sure wish I could get a pair of socks finished in two days!!!
    Oh, and the comment from your daughter? One heard around the world by all moms. Thanks to the age of technology, my daughter texts it to me daily. Put your daughter on the “Naughty List.” That’ll teach her.

  108. That’s attitude!
    Your knitting speed is amazing. The scarf and socks are both beautiful gifts. May the knitting goddess continue to smile down upon you. Perhaps your boldness is entertaining? I know it made me smile!

  109. Both of those gifts are perfect and whomever receives them will love them!
    You have it down and I won’t even wish you good luck!You don’t need it.
    –but seriously, until you started talking about the Christmas knitting I thought I had soooo much more time. Thanks for the head’s up–That’s what the first semester of PhD will do to your sense of holiday preparedness…

  110. There you go, give the fates total attitude and have at ‘er!
    Uh, you did make sure the cat can’t unravel the knit stuff right?

  111. beware the squirrel!
    I’m glad other moms find Sam’s comment funny. I have a toddler who is adorable and I’m quietly dreading teenagerdom, when she will surely hate me (instead of wanting to climb into my lap all the time, which is quite lovely).

  112. Man, I wish I could move that fast. I have a simple scarf that’s almost reached the one month mark, and the socks were sometime in the summer and I’m only just doing gusset decreases now!

  113. Tell Miss Sam that, resentment aside, without her mother, there would be resenting AT ALL. AND don’t smile, just think of a smile. (It’s an old photographer’s trick.) If I would actually PICK UP my knitting, I would finish something, too.

  114. Love the scarf! I think the contrast adds a definite flair to the pattern. So many presents already done! Hooray!

  115. (moving slowly away from Stephanie) I don’t agree with her, Fate, I’m still hoping and wishing and praying that I get done with the 2 sweaters and 1 pair of socks before Christmas. Please don’t tar me with her karma… I still believe in your mighty power.
    That is all 🙂

  116. I don’t suppose you could knit all the socks that I have on MY Christmas list, could you?
    I’ve realized that I have to yield to the pain in my hands and just accept the fact that I can’t hold DPNs or any needle smaller than a 5 (US).
    Sigh. I guess I’ll just have to get “socked” vicariously through your blog.

  117. I’m afraid of your smackdown as I knit both that scarf and a that sock pattern (in the doctors without borders colorway) over the weekend.
    Love both patterns and I’m convinced the contrasting ruffle will be the way to go to keep my holiday budget under control.

  118. *quietly stashes her knitting and needlefelting in bomb shelter while putting on riot gear*
    Okay Stephanie, now say all of that again. I’m ready now.

  119. Um. For the first time, I’m happy I no longer live in Canada. Earthquake. Fire. Famine. Four riding horsemen.
    I have all my knitting already done, for goodness sake, but I don’t talk like this. Maybe I should go put it in the safe deposit box…?

  120. i am terribly happy for you. in fact you may have just turned my mom’s hemlock ring into Just Ruffles!!
    that being said, the only flaw in your plan is that the pretty pretty MAR socks will be on someone else’s feet! lol
    loving your picture!!

  121. Good luck to you with the ‘in your face’ to the knitting fates! I’m a little skurred ’cause I didn’t even try to tempt the knitting gods and they kicked me in the rear anyway!
    Must Have Cardigan, last sleeve, visions of seaming, hope springing eternal – and then – down in flames!
    I’m rooting for you because if you can take the fates down by the ankles, then there’s hope for the rest of us.

  122. Somebody else mentioned the cows, so I won’t. But – if the rows of the ruffly scarf were indeterminable – how did you know when to stop?
    I think the Christmas knitting fates, knowing they were skunked on the knitting performance end, put in a call to their friends at Spelling and Grammar Central and they’re getting you that way.

  123. Slices? Dices? No, really, I prefer the Bass-O-Matic, myself. And it’s turned so blasted cold here that I have been re-writing the list so some people are getting cookies and whatnot so I can knit a bit for me. Possibly starting with alpaca underwear if we don’t warm up soon. Meanwhile, I’m in for the viewing enjoyment here.

  124. Heh. Heh heh. Okay…
    Maybe you have a large fireproof box you can store all the finished items in for when your house gets struck by lightning?

  125. I love the scarf! I’m sure the Fates are lurking around somewhere, looking to have some fun, so what I suggest is, stay away from all sick people. And get a flu shot. Those nasty viruses can really put the kybosh on knitting plans. The shot might make your arm sore for a few days (it did with me) but you can still knit. With flu, you can’t.

  126. I just started reading your blog a month ago and I cannot believe I have been knitting for 6 yrs (since I was 7)(ok, I only learned that you could knit lace, cables, etc this summer, but let’s ignore that) and didn’t read it till then. Gosh that sock is GORGEOUS. I am going to beg my mom to throw everything else I asked for Christmas this year out the window and get me a membership in the Socks that Rock club… regardless of cost.

  127. ROFL, Steph, go for it, good luck, and congratulations on NOT listening to the stupidstitions 🙂
    From the Sock-Shaped State, ==Marjorie

  128. The socks are gorgeous…the yarn is to die for! As for dwelling in the happy place that is delusion, I’m glad to hear I’m not alone, it’s not such a bad place to be 😉

  130. I’ve been known to give balls of yarn. Who cares that they received their Christmas gifts 11 months later?
    I felt guilt, so I’m buying him a mall gift this year to make up for the complete and utter sock ineptitude. But, I’m a better sock knitter for it and the months of knitting the Cursed Sock.

  131. Love the sock pattern, the pattern design looks like something I am doing for my daughter’s first afghan. I would love a closer look, but I guess I will have to wait a year.

  132. Oh, Stephanie?
    You’ve forgotten that we fates have ways to get to all knits, even completed ones. We have squirrels, accidental felting through laundry, scissors, fire, and even MOTHS at our disposal. Be afraid. Be very afraid. Now go knock on some wooden needles for luck if you like those socks as much as you say you do.

  133. Ah, me. I’ve compromised this year. A terrifically fast knitter in my antique mall, a fellow dealer who takes apart thrift-shop sweaters for mittens, etc., also makes gorgeous heavy wool socks and they are so reasonable! I mean like $4, $6, etc. So I’ve cheated a bit and bought 3 pair for the giftees who always have cold feet in bed. That’s so I can do 3 pairs of wristlets, a scarf, and beaucoup baby things for a sudden and unexpected great-granddaughter due in January. My own cable cardigan – right front almost done, as are both sleeves, left front and back, all in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Bulky off-white with brown and black threads – goes into time-out tomorrow to get me back to the baby things and wristlets and whatever else pops up……maybe I’ll get back to the cardi by spring, so I can wear it in August!

  134. Who’s had time to knit? I just finished your latest book – it was wonderful! And I’m ready to read it again! I’ve also been reading the calendar, great fun, too! (I’m up to March already.)

  136. I’m with you in being confident in the face of Christmas knitting — in fact, the last of my Christmas gifts came off my needles last night at 11:48pm CST — knitting gods be darned!
    Now the Christmas cross stitching is another story……..

  140. Love the sock too much, jealous as H%** now ( not member of the club)
    But… I love the scarf even more, I think the 2 colors look WAY better than the single solid color. LOVE IT!

  141. When Rams said check the smoke detector, I thought maybe she meant the carbon monoxide detector…like maybe oxygen deprivation was clouding your judgement?
    Good luck, I’m sure you’ll make it. You always do and you’re an inspiration (and diversion) for us in the process!

  143. You show the world who’s boss! I know you can do it! My only knitting goal by christmas is to finish my Mermaid sweater. This thing BETTER be done. But then, I don’t knit for others usually.

  144. Good for you! How many do you still have to go?
    BTW, I don’t hear infomercials, I hear the cracking of a whip as you make the holiday knitting succumb to your will. Keep it up. *two thumbs up*

  145. I am curious: is there any secrecy involved in your knitting presents? I find that it is Not Precisely Subtle to wander around soliciting preferences, or detailed foot measurements in order make sure said gifts are appropriate and properly sized. Perhaps, as a standard measure, you maintain a database of said details and require all new friends (or those who drastically change shape) to provide you with the pertinent information?

  146. Wow, that scarf is gorgeous–it looks like some amazing sea-creature. I think the contrast ruffle really makes it pop. And I would really like to knit that now!
    Kit

  147. My teen hates me too. Guess it just goes with the territory (although I’ve noticed that the tune changes if they want money for, say, a movie, or something out of your closet to wear, like the most recent cashmere sweater — even in Los Angeles, we wear cashmere from time to time!).
    Great socks. Hope the attitude “adjustment” does the trick for you this year. Hand-knits are a hard sell here in L.A., so I’m off the hook for my holiday knitting, thankfully…it’s all for ME! (and the babies that keep being born)

  148. Great socks and scarf! Just reminder though, you do remember that the Fates are all female in Greek mythology don’t you? There was only one thing that I could think of as you were being so brazenly bold and that is…………Fate is just going to bitch slap you!!!!! Murphy however is both male and Irish. He doesn’t slap, he just comes and kicks your butt! I know! He does it to me every year! I hope that all of your knitting goes even better than expected because you are a far braver woman than I am. If I had said that then I would already have the world’s worst moth infestation, or some other amazingly awful calamity would have befallen me seconds after uttering such Fate challenging remarks.I know that sounds somewhat alarmist, but I have a long history of things that have happened immediately after such utterances. The list includes things like hitting a deer with my car immediately after my mom, who was a passenger, said that at least we didn’t have to worry about hitting a deer this late at night. Holes in gas tanks after someone uttered “Nothing can stop us now!” Etc, etc. The list goes on and on! All I can say is that you’re fearless (or you’ve just temporarily lost your mind LOL!) If I were you, I’d make your knitting shrine again, make some dry ice offerings, and say you’re very, very sorry LOL!

  149. “there is nothing you can do to undo them.”
    Don’t let anyone bring any puppies into your house. I had knit a hat for my husband and puppies chewed a hole in the top, had to rip back half the top of it. Still haven’t gotten it re-knit yet.

  150. I think by “INDETERMINABLE last few rows and cast off” you really mean “INTERMINABLE”. I say this from personal experience, as I just finished one of them myself about 3 days ago. That whole tripling-the-number-of-stitches thing? Not so bad on the knit rows, but my hands hated the purl ones. And, yes, I said “ones,” as I added an extra two rows to the ruffle section, to make it wider. I must say, though, that the pattern was well written and the knitting pretty straightforward. And the result? Well, spectacular! (Yours and mine, if I do say so myself.)

  152. Go for it!Love those socks. Want the yarn and the pattern. Sigh, will have to wait.
    But not waiting on this Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid, Kwanza, Solstice and other holiday thing! Sent in my $25 to Medecins sans Frontieres in honour of Tricoteuses sans Frontieres. We rock! [No celebrity sighting but thought about going to see my local city council member till I got too busy…Does a ‘coalition picture’ require three donations?]

  153. Just one word, Stephanie, just one word: hubris! Now I admire positive thinking, I envy you your courage and determination, and I wish I could emulate your yes-I-can confidence and bravery with my knitted Christmas prezzies. But I can’t. (Not for my knitting, that is; I’m sure you will be fine!) No, for me, pessimism is the way to go. Then everything that actually works out well is just such a fantastic and thrilling surprise. Oh, I think I just blew that; you can’t fool the fates.

  154. Wow, good plan; everything (sock) looks wonderful! Some churches have a Christmas knit-a-thon where proceeds (socks, hats, mittens) are given away. Does your church do this? You would be a master! (or maybe mistress)

  155. Love the Cuzco. Adding the second yarn really added the pizzazz to all that softness.
    You go, girl. We’ll see how it works for you and maybe work the plan next year!

  156. Wow! You are a finishing machine!
    I think your knitting smack down just got transferred to me though. The socks I was knitting for my MIL were left behind at rehearsal yesterday just as I was about to do the toe. So, instead I pulled out the other project I need to get done for the holidays (hoping that the socks will show up today).

  157. I’ve been wondering whether my recipients are tired of knitted gifts. Anybody out there wonder the same and resorting to amazon or something like that?

  158. It’s a game you know….the K. fates are lulling you into a faux happy place. Then “BOOM!” they’ll getcha….you & your pretty socks too (cue the flying monkeys) Heh-heh-heh!
    On the other hand I hope it works….am watching with rapt attention.
    Just having that scarf around her neck should put a smile on Sam’s face. Ahhhhhh, the teen years, I feel your pain, lolol!

  160. “I put them on the pile with all those scarves and there is nothing you can do to undo them.”
    Anybody else think that this statement is just BEGGING for a house fire?

  161. I like the scarf with the “different” ruffle. I think it adds something to a pattern I already love.

  163. Love the socks – glad I’m in the club too so I can cast them on righta fter my Christmas gift knitting. And wow, I was also knitting that same scarf out of Malabrigo (yum.) this weekend too — I feel your pain of the last rows, it took me an hour and 15 minutes to bind off! But, I’m still planning to make one for me anyway.
    Good for you for telling the fates who’s boss over your gift knitting!!! I’m doing the same. 🙂

  164. I’m knitting the Interminable Stole for my mother (I cast on in March…don’t ask).
    That’s IT.
    Well, except for the “something” I must come up with for my MiL, who was disappointed that she got no knits at all this year. But she can’t wear wool…that kills me. This probably means dishcloths.
    Just. Dishcloths. Really.
    So I am suitably impressed. Knit on!

  166. Just don’t toss anything hand-wash into Mr Washie by accident. That is, unfortunately, one trick the fates have up their sleeves for “unknitting” finished Christmas gifts.

  167. Thank you- Thank you- Thank you
    I needed a scarf pattern to use up some leftover Tahki Sable I had and this is perfect. Zipped over to Ravelry and bought it to make up this week. My son’s girlfriend will love it for Christmas. Thanks again.

  168. You are so confident you almost sucked me into doing some Christmas knitting myself (something I stopped stressing myself over a few years back).
    you’re on FIRE!

  169. Oh man. Those socks! Amazing. I have them too, but the skein is not yet wound.
    And I’m absolutely convinced you are on the right track with the knitting fates – you even look to have MATCHED the pooling on the gussets. Wow.

  170. It is my firm belief that the Universe hates weenies and eventually punishes them with more grief that their weenie-ism caused. I say, rock on with your bad self, girl!

  171. Dear Sam, Thank you for modeling the scarf today. It’s nice to see you’ve grown into a beautiful young woman from the young girl we once knew. (snarky comments aside)

  172. I don’t christmas knit for anyone anymore, (1) they got stuff last year and (2) they didn’t appreciate it. So I’m pretty safe from the knitting fates, but I’m worried about you… and all those knitters near you. Might I suggest any knitters within say, 100 sq. mil, run for cover and take their knitting with them?

  173. Lovely! Alas, one of the pairs of socks I’m knitting for a Christmas gift is too loose—drat. Knit on…

  174. On the one hand I am loudly applauding your confidence…on the other hand I cannot but help to cringe in superstitious terror at the thought of all the things that could go wrong.
    Basically, I hope you kick fate’s arse (but I am going to stand waaaay over here).

  175. First day of school, circa fifth grade. Photographic evidence shows plaid polyester pull-ons of the high-water variety. Now those were some woosie pants.

  177. Again, good luck, but I am betting your Christmas knitting-deadline-problem will now be toast for at least 5 years. Really like that scarf though.

  178. Good for you! I think I’m going to do rather well this year, too. I’ve finished 2 scarves and 1 pair of socks in the past 9 days, leaving me only 3 more gifts to knit–a pair of socks, a set of washcloths, and a set of coasters (don’t ask. I’m trying to get creative with quick knits here!). Also… what size did you knit for the Holidazed socks? I want mine to NOT pool… I want them to be like yours 🙂

  180. Gosh, thanks for all the links to Signature Needles. I’m sure I need more needles! Especially expensive ones that are fantatic and gorgeous and beautiful. Good tools ain’t cheap but they sure are worth it!

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