New Year Catch Up

January is probably my least favourite month of the year - bleak and dark, no Christmas round the corner and a feeling that I should be good - eat less, spend less - all the recklessness of 'it's nearly Christmas' gone. Today, however, I feel like this could be a great January. After having most of December on holiday and away from home, having had a fabulous Christmas and caught up on some sleep, I'm feeling ready for the steadiness of routine and cosying in until all is lighter and brighter again.

I have much knitting to be keeping me busy as I have three outstanding Christmas presents to finish - that is three I am acknowledging as Christmas presents and will endeavour to finish this month. The cardigan did not make it, along with the earlier abandoned Dad's socks and Chris' scarf. All other gifts in progress/in mind are being reassigned for later events in the year.
The socks sadly look much as they did in San Francisco, so no new photo of those. The scarf is coming along now I am actually knitting it rather than just thinking about it. I'm using Manos in a wonderful olive green/brown mix and am very pleased with how it is looking in the My So Called Scarf pattern. This gift should make it around the neck soon I think, and at the desired width of the recipient now he had the chance to stick his oar in to the creative process - good job the surprise Christmas scarf became the not so surprise January scarf. The cardi is having a little rest while the other needle of the pair is relocated; otherwise of course it would be done by now ;o)
Christmas was a bountiful one for knitting related items; just look at this clutch of fabulous books and yarn (Thanks Fran, Delia and Mum :o) I also got the Happy Hooker book, some magazines and little bits like a mighty useful needle gauge. Plenty to keep fingers and brain busy and the January blues away.

There was also a very special knitting gift. Crafted by Chris and his Dad I now have my very own swift! Big thanks to the talented duo; this is a really wonderful addition to the knitting kit and I have the urge to ball up every skein I own just for the fun of seeing it whirl round!

Credit for dimensions etc should be given to Owl Knits I believe - great tutorial here; though I think this swift must be 100% unique as there can't surely be another out there with a slate ash tray as its base! ETA - Apparently credit is actually due to Crafty Diversions at this site which gave the inspiration for the swift above; lots of clever people out there!

Happy 2008 to you all; I'm off to get some fresh tea as I settle in for a mega catch up on the blog reading.