If you're going to ask, I'm going to answer.

One of the things that I've missed by not writing regularly is the chance to say, "Hey look at what I did. Isn't it cool?"It's not so much that I want to brag, because I don't think I have anything to brag about. It's more a reaction of "wow - I did that?" It's like when my kids were little and had to have mommy clap every time they tried diving (jumping) into the pool.

So here's the catch-up for the past couple of weeks.

Despite the Christmas knitting (which didn't all get done on time), I managed to finish a baby hat for the Loops of Love charity every week.





I counted it up, just for fun, and I knit 24 baby hats for charity in 2008. If I stick to doing at least one hat a week, I should be able to do 52 hats in 2009. I've already finished two hats this year. The baby hats are obviously one of my favorite things to knit. There are lots of patterns, so it doesn't get boring, but because a hat is basically the same no matter what the pattern, they're easy once you've done a couple. And they go very quickly. I can have a finished project in just a couple of hours.


By the way, all of my projects are listed in Ravelry along with the pattern and yarns used, which is why I don't write it out here. But I'm more than willing to share the information -- I love to give the pattern designers credit!

I also finished the three pairs of socks that I was knitting as Christmas gifts. This is the pair I did for my sister.

I forgot to take pictures of my mom's and my daughter's socks. Which is a shame, since I love the way my daughter's red and black stripes turned out. I'll try to grab a photo of them the next time she wears them.

By the way, the sock count for 2008 was 10 finished pairs. I had also knit 10 pairs in 2007. (I thought that was a neat coincidence.) I have one pair to my credit for 2009. When I told my mom these stats, she didn't think I should count the 2009 sock because I actually started it in 2008. But I'm counting finished socks, so it stays in my total for the new year.

Thanks to Christmas knitting, I have a new item to add to my favorites list -- washcloths. My daughter was knitting washcloths for a while, and I thought "how boring." I loved the finished items (even stole one that was supposed to be given to someone else), but there was no way I was going to waste my time knitting a 6" square.

But then I needed gift ideas, and decided on washcloths with handmade soap.

I'm hooked. They're quick, easily carried around, and are a great way to try out different stitch patterns. Since December, I've knit 7 washcloths...


...and one kitchen towel.



The Special Olympics Scarf Project is ending, but I was able to send off another scarf from me...


...plus one from my student. Coats and Clark had sponsored our Ravelry group (which produced over 1000 scarves), and they awarded prizes to 20 randomly drawn scarves. One of mine won! So I get to pick out 12 skeins of free yarn. Plus they're also giving me another 12 skeins for being a group moderator. I'm so excited, and I keep changing my mind about what I want.



One other project I've started is plarn market bags. These are made of recycled grocery bags (plastic yarn = "plarn"). Both of my bags so far have been crocheted because it's easier for me to design something crocheted. Unfortunately, it makes my hands hurt for the next couple of days. So I'll have to see what I can come up with, knitting. I'm going to try to sell these at the Farmer's Market the next time we go (in two weeks).

You'll notice that I still haven't finished the Mystery Stole, although I'm getting close. I only have 1 1/2 more clues to go! The Lady Sweater was put on hold until the stole is finished. I've got three more pairs of socks that are also waiting to be finished (and they're going to be counted as 2009 sock, mom!), but they're waiting until I finish my daughter's gloves. You know, thinking it, I should probably get back to my knitting!