What do you mean I have too many projects???

It is hard to believe that an entire month has gone by in 2011 already! I have been busy knitting and trying to get a little crocheting done. Throw in sewing projects, making stitch markers for knitting and the quilt I want to get done..... You may start to see the picture!

I was able to finish James's Christmas present on Christmas Day. He received a head warmer and matching mitts out of wool yarn that just so happens to match his work coat. I also managed to complete another test knit for a "Ducati Cowl." I used a nice bulky wool that was an off white to black variegated and had lots of big chunky cables. I hope he will find it warm with this cold weather!

I started another test knit project that was called "Pretty As a Petal Ponchette." It is a very shortened version of a poncho that will be nice to wear over a spaghetti strap top or dress when the weather warms up some. I chose Knit Picks Stroll yarn in Gypsy and it is a pretty variegated red. It is a soft, squishy wool blend that I think will work well to cover chilly shoulders. I have knitted in circles many long hours to finish this project and am finally working on the petals that complete it.

I have a black wool scarf on needles too, and you would think I could complete something and move on to the next adventure. Not me! I found a perfect pattern that would make a great gift for a family member and the next thing you know I am at the yarn shop buying yarn! I admit that project is napping right now because I need to be able to concentrate and with Colton around that won't happen!

Attention Deficit Disorder may be hitting me hard lately. As I was scrolling through patterns on the internet I found that people are making scarves for the Special Olympic Winter Games. Of course that is for a good cause so I had better get some yarn to make scarves!!! A couple of days later a friend posts on Facebook about the scarf project. I have one blue and turqua scarf done and have a second crocheted one about half way done. Again, I have one on knitting needles too I just need to get it done! Hopefully at least three scarves will make it into the mail within the next couple weeks.

My memory afghan I started earlier in the winter is still resting in a tote with the yarn that will make it complete. I walk by that tote every day and look at it knowing that those blocks are sitting inside waiting for me to work on them again and make them whole. Kind of sounds like life sometimes doesn't it?

Is it a glove? Is it a mitten? No! It's a glitten!

While on Ravelry one day looking for ideas for a gift to make for James I ran across a glitten. What is a glitten you may ask??? It is a great device for warming your hands but then transforms into something great! You can free your fingers so you can do tasks that require dexterity while still keeping your hands warm. I modified the thumbs so they also have a pop top allowing texting on a cell phone as well. You never know when you will need to text while standing outside during a blizzard! It also allows the thumb to be seen in case you feel like hitch hiking.

I knit the glittens using Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool. The yarn still has some lanolin in it making them water resistant. This should be a nice feature when he is outside working and his glittens get damp--hopefully his hands will still stay warm and dry! When James read the label and saw it was virgin wool he couldn't help but smile--I had to explain what that meant in terms of yarn.

I rounded up my size 6 Bryspun plastic circular knitting needles to knit these. I had bought 12 pairs of Bryspun circular needles at a local thrift store for a quarter per circular needle. They were still in the original package and at the yarn store they cost $7 for a single circular needle.The pattern called for using double pointed needles but I prefer to use two sets of circular needles so I avoid the "ladders" that can occur while using dp needles.

The only issue I had making them was starting the fingers. It seemed like a wrestling match to get the first couple rounds done but after those rounds were done it was easy to knit. There were also a lot of tails to work in but I did that as I knit making less work to do when I bound them off.

I am happy to have them done and James is happy to get them and try them out. Seems I finished them just in time for winter weather!