on needles: checking things off

I’ve been casting on and off this week with nothing much new to show for it.

The fifth of six striped hats is on my needles and will soon be off. I should have known that beginning a hat for one meant finishing hats for all. And I don’t mind one bit when I receive these knit requests (although I may be ready for the end of the stripes). The little people have even made it easy for me, choosing wool from my stash and all in the same pattern I’ve knit many times. Now that I’ve started knitting for them they’ve all informed that they need new mittens to replace the pairs outgrown or the singles lost (I think I need to knit mittens in trios for the inevitable lost mittens). There was great hilarity when I pulled Sarah’s knit mitten on her hand after months of ski mittens – her fingers have grown so long! So I’ll begin with pink mittens for her with orders for at least three more pairs to follow them.

I do enjoy getting lost in the simple repetition of these familiar patterns. At times it gets dull but there has been much to think about lately and with fingers on repeat my mind is free to wander and mull.

The gorgeous Downton Cowl came off my needles these past week –  I only needed to steal one metre of wool from my second skein of tosh vintage. Now it awaits blocking before I can reveal it in its true glory. I’ve been knitting it along with Shannon‘s Downton Abbey knit along. I’m so excited to start wearing it!

I have far too many plans for the next projects on my needles (last week‘s wool has been wound into cakes!) but I’ve resolved to get down to business completing some unfinishables (those blasted UFOs).

First up is the baby vertebrae missing only the ribbed edging on the body. It’s been sadly waiting in the bottom of my knitting bag while Miss Mira could be wearing it. Maybe I’ll steel myself to the task of picking up those stitches and have it to show next week?

I’ve still been enjoying Gluten-Free Girl. Shauna writes less about living without gluten and more about discovering an abundance of food to enjoy beyond it. Her writing makes me feel both hungry and more adventurous in the kitchen. Just the kind of inspiration I was looking for.

While we had a sweet girl recovering from a kinked neck, we put on a familiar audio book. We’ve enjoyed The Famous Five during some long car rides and it kept the two oldest entranced for a couple of hours this week. We love Enid Blyton’s stories, the adventures are fun and though my gang are a very sensitive bunch they haven’t been too concerned about the suspense.

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Now what about you? Have you been working with needles or hooks this week? Is there a good book in your reading pile?

::joining Ginny‘s yarn along::

P.S. Tomorrow is The Lexicon Project – we’re revealing our photos and announcing next week’s challenge!