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See those up there? I designed those. And now, after they’ve been test knit by others, I’ve made the pattern available for you all for free. Because free is nice. And because I can’t claim that I came up with the idea for owl cables, as neat as that would be, so I didn’t feel right charging for the pattern.

The story behind these mittens started last November. I wanted to knit a pair for my youngest sister for Christmas in this lovely DK yarn that my LYS had. So I bought the yarn and figured that Ravelry would help me in finding an owl mitten pattern suitable for my gauge. No luck. But I really wanted to knit these, so I resigned myself to having to do math. To make sure that they would be worth my time, I e-mailed my sister with just this line: “You like owls, right?” Her reply: “Yes? Your question scares me.”

I’ve been busy, but I have a good reason for my absence! See the above pic? *That* is what I’ve been up to. IVDC (InterVarsity Dance Competition) was held last Saturday at Blackpool. Once again, I got to dance in the Empress Ballroom in pretty dresses. :D

I’d say that Ian and I did quite well. We entered Novice and out of about 170 couples, we made it to 40th in the Ballroom dances. But only 101st in the Latin dances. Still, considering that Ian totally forgot our routine at the previous comp, getting through a round at IVDC on an almost improvised Jive routine (learned it the week before) is quite good.

Oliver was dancing in the ex-student category, so he wasn’t competing against me. He and Eleanor won fifth in the ballroom dances and came home with a shiny trophy.

Then it came time for the team match. Ian & I were chosen to dance the Waltz since that’s what we’re the best at. No ex-students were allowed in the team match, so we were bumped up to A Team this time. Believe it or not, we as a team won second place in Division 2! I’ve got a medal to show for it too. Engraved with “2nd” and everything. :D

Now, Ian wants to compete at the next open comp which is being held in Stockport on the 14th. I said sure, why not? And then we found out that it’s not WQCJ, it’s WFCJ for our category! I don’t know any Foxtrot! Well, I was taught a few steps on Monday, but we don’t quite have a routine. So Oliver’s coming with me this Saturday to dance practice and he’ll show Ian’s corresponding steps to what I was taught on Monday. The 14th will be interesting if nothing else.

The Bex socks are done!

Out of 100g of yarn, I had 3g left. Talk about cutting it close! All in all, I really like the pattern. Got into a nice groove once I had it memorized. The leg portions took forever (approx 2 mins per needle, yes I’m a dork and timed myself while knitting during my lunchbreak at work). The foot just zoomed by in comparison.

So now I’m taking a small break from cabling and cast on the Bitterroot shawl from Knitty. Since I’m using the yarn from the first Sip N Stitch shipment (The Unique Sheep Luxe (75/25 merino/silk) in Joe Van Gogh), I’m making the shawlette size. I’ve already completed one repeat of Chart A. ^_^

I’ve been knitting on my Bex socks almost exclusively this week. Today, it’s the only project that I’ve touched. Past the gusset decreases now. Kinda worried about running out of yarn. :/

So to steel myself against that possible eventuality, I’ve made my self a drink: Apple Sourz and lemonade (the British kind, sort of like Sprite).

Still snowing. Still knitting. But now with chocolate buns at O’s request. ^_^

First of all, the snow is still here. I took that pic on Jan 5th, but the front yard still looks pretty much the same so I didn’t bother taking a new photo. Pretty, isn’t it?

Secondly, even with all of this snow, the buses are still running so I’ve been working during week. This explains why it’s taken me so long to finish any knitting. But I do have an FO! These are the Garden Trellis mitts I knit for a friend’s birthday. Took me about a total of six hours for the pair.

And I’ve finally bought buttons for my Lorelei cardigan and they’re already sewn in. Tomorrow, I’ll try to get O to take pics of me wearing it so I can show it off. ^_^

Everyone seems to be blogging about all that happened to them in 2009. I shall sum up my year thusly:

1. Finished my MA 2) Lots of knitting (esp socks, but a sweater or two or FIVE snuck in there) 3) Got a baby brother and learned that a nephew/niece is on the way in spring 2010 so this all means even more knitting. Good thing baby stuff is small-ish, right?

I was hoping to finish up my Lorelei cardigan before the year ended, but I can’t make it to Hobbycraft for buttons until Jan 2nd. All that’s left to do is the buttons. So I’m still counting that in my sweater tally since the knitting (and seaming!) is all done. I’ve also got a blanket that needs finishing. Three more squares to go. Don’t think I’ll get those done (and seam the darned thing together) before the year ends, but I’ll keep plugging along.

As for what’s up for the coming year? 1) More knitting! I’ve got a test knit waiting for me as well as a pair of socks (Bex from Sock Innovation) that I can’t cast on until Jan 1st. 2) Saving money: I want to get a decent amount of savings that I can then use on plane tickets and visa applications etc for our eventual move to Canada. We still haven’t picked where in Canada, but I feel it’s a good thing to be flexible and not set on one particular place. 3) Hopefully buying a car (now that I have job so we can afford to have one) 4) Finally publish my two patterns. One of them has been test knitted, the other is being tested as we speak. Both will be available on here on my blog and one of them is for freeeeeeeeee. :D

And so I’ll leave you with a pic of my latest FO: A pair of Wanida socks (from Sock Innovation) knit in Darkness (Goth Club shipment from Handarbeitskram by Selana).

See you in the new year!