Stinkin' Scarf

HELP!

I am nearing the end of the second hank of yarn for L's scarf, patterned after the men's cashmere scarf from LMKG.

However, I am starting to panic about how much it is curling in on itself. I know, why have I not panicked until now? Let's call it knitter's denial. But there is no denying this.

Of course, I searched the internet today for others who have knit this pattern, and found a few bloggers who have also experienced curling. So now the big question: what should I do? Do I keep knitting, praying that most/some/even a little bit of the curling will come out once it is blocked? Or do I frog L's stinkin' scarf for what has to be the 25th time, and pick yet another pattern? I think I have bad knitting luck. It seems as though every project I attempt to knit has some sort of problem with it. I'm beginning to question my ability to knit at all! Please, offer me suggestions/advice/a knitting self-help group with a curling recovery program before it's too late...

Sock Box

Hmm, what could this be? A gift from my Secret Pal 9? (that apparently has been sitting at my post office since November 7. I never got a delivery slip, and therefore didn't even know I had a package waiting! But my SP was kind enough to send me an email asking me if I had received it, with the package number and everything. Is she kind-hearted or what?)

Notice the fancy box underneath the wrapping. My SP9 must already know me well - I love any container/organizational item!

Look at all the great stuff inside!

My SP9 has sent me an awesome package, with 4 skeins of Knit Picks Dancing sock yarn (2 different colorways,) the books Knit Socks! (which was on my Amazon Wish List,) and Knitting for Babies (for my niece), patterns for sock earrings, Christmas stocking ornaments, and a keychain sock blocker, a set of DPNs (for the new great patterns,) a sunflower planting kit, and 2 coupons for free Ben & Jerry's ice cream! BTW, I love ice cream! And I love this gift. It could not have come at a better time. The dark, cold weather has been bringing me down a bit lately, and to top it off, today was a tough day at work. It meant so much to me today to receive something so thoughtful. My Secret Pal 9 is fantastic...

The Cold & The Rain

It has been raining all day today. With the wind, it is downright cold. Great night for a little TV and knitting. Which means I need to get off this computer and get down to it. L's scarf is coming along, slowly but surely. Knitting it has taken some discipline on my part. For some reason, I have lost some of my will to knit - is this what people always refer to as their "knitting mojo?" I have never understood what that means. I honestly have become somewhat of a couch potato, literally doing nothing but watching shows on my DVR. My sluggishness is practically sinful! I keep blaming it on the weather, the time change, or whatever comes to mind. But tonight, knitting and hot chocolate are my plan. L's scarf WILL be done for Christmas!!!

T was here this past weekend. He of course had to make the comment that L's scarf looks like a man's scarf. I am using a pattern entitled "men's," but I really believe it is a neutral pattern. I think T made his comment because it is black, which does seem a little masculine. And yet, black is what L requested. So the knitting continues.

I am anxious to take some pics this weekend, hopefully when there is sunlight. I can't seem to get the black to photograph well in my unnatural lighting at my apartment. Soon, you will see progress. I promise!

3 Confessions

Ok, so I have to confess something. I ripped out the Column of Leaves Scarf. Again. And I have now chosen to knit a much easier pattern, using the Men's Cashmere Scarf pattern from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. Except it's not for a man. And it's not in cashmere. And it's on Size 8 needles, not Size 11. Well, it's pretty much not the same scarf at all. But you get the gist, right? As much as I loved the first pattern, I have had to rip and restart so many times. I am starting to panic about Christmas being next month, and in all reality, the first pattern was fairly girly, and L is not really all that girly. She would probably want a tougher scarf, more heavy-duty, right? (Notice my quick justification here.) Most importantly, I will be able to knit in front of the TV, and will definitely finish by Christmas.

Ok, here's another confession. I spend more time looking at blogs filled with knitting and other crafts than I do actually knitting/crafting/blogging myself. I just can't help myself! The inspiration and talent out there is overwhelming. Thanks to everyone who shares so much of their talent. I am in awe.

Ok, third confession. I am watching the CMA's right now. Anyone else a country music fan? Anyone else really fall for all the gorgeous cowboys out there?