Today was a Sunday off for me. I mean really a day off. I've been in Austin all the past week working on my latest D. Min. project. The work went well, and the weather was cold and wet, so there was little incentive to do anything but work. Then yesterday the weather broke, and I headed out to do the shopping I wanted to do while I was in the city. That left today with nothing that has to be done. Not exactly a Sabbath, since I also chose to ditch church. But a real day off.

So of course I immediately grabbed my knitting needles. I've been working on this waves wrap for a while and decided it was time to finish it off. I'm a little disappointed; I wanted it to be wider. But from a technical perspective it was a success. It was the first project I used my new Harmony Options needles on, and they turned out to be perfect. The project called for a provisional cast-on, and I just did it over a spare cable, then capped the ends. When I was ready to work the second end, all I had to do was attach the needle tips and go. Then I wasn't absolutely sure of the length. I could just leave the one end on a cable until I had finished the other end, then make the final decision about how many repeats of the last pattern to work.

So another time I will add some repeats to the pattern and make it wider. I do like the way it made up in the mohair; the lace is apparent, but the mistakes are not glaringly obvious.

So the wrap is done. So are two mitten/hat sets. Since I've been here. Ok, I've done a lot of knitting. I even took my knitting with me when I went to Threadgills this morning for the gospel brunch. Talk about stepping outside my usual Sunday routine. I even had a mimosa. Actually a mimosa and a half. I went to get a second plate and while I was gone, my table got bussed. So the waiters apologized all over themselves and got me another drink. It was a good thing I was walking home. Anyway, I worked 4 rows on my jaywalker sock while I sipped my drink and listened to the music.

I've also been on one Stash Enhancing eXpedition to Hill Country Weavers, and another is in store before I leave town. So far I've gotten some merino lace weight that will probably go into some future knit-along, and some Euroflax linen for spa towels. But I patted plenty of other things that will need to come home with me. There's more wool from the South African co-op I like, and there's some yarns bundled together that will make a lovely shawl, and, and, and . . . . Oh, and I need some more sock yarn and a pair of needles suitable to try the socks on 2 circs technique.

I tried to do this on Monday, but I couldn't get my computer to cooperate. I really do want to keep this blog going on a more regular basis, and since Monday is my Sabbath, that's a good day to catch up with all these fun things that get neglected the rest of the week. So much for great ideas.

I heard a saying that whatever you spend the most time doing on New Year's Day is what you will do the most during the rest of the year. I hope in my case that gets translated as "quilting," not "making a mess." As you can see, I did a thorough job of trashing the studio on New Year's Day while I feverishly worked on a mystery quilt, trying to get it finished before the end of the day. I didn't quite finish, and in fact, now I'm making some changes in the design, so it's still sitting in pieces waiting for the final product to come together in my mind. But I had fun, and got some fabrics out of the stash that needed to be used.

Speaking of using things that need to be used, one of the things I'm trying to do right now is use up some of my "ugly" yarn. When I buy large lots on Ebay, some is good, and some is okay but not the prettiest I've ever seen. And when I'm making hats and mittens for kids I want them to be bright and colorful and fun to wear. So I'm acquiring a pile of the other stuff. I thought it would make nice "kitty kosies" to give to the vet clinic. Andrea is always looking for towels and other such to use, and the critters don't care much about color. I've made a couple that are basically a crocheted circle, with the yarn doubled, and a little bit of decorative stitch on the edge. I decided it was time to test them on my own critters to see if they were acceptable.
Clearly this one is. Callie has hardly moved off it since I "accidentally" left it on the bar. And judging from her, the size is just about right. So I have a new project to work on in the mornings while Amy and I have our Literati fest.

Other projects on the needles: the mystic waters shawl is coming along slowly; I'm starting the toe on the first of the Sock It To Me socks; I'm working on some spa cloths to sell at Doorway to the Delta; and there's always a hat or two in progress.