...the goose is getting fat...

As we fast approach my most favorite holiday, Thanksgiving, I am also quite mindful that Christmas is coming just as fast. You'll find me humming christmas songs as I prepare this week.
Did you ever wonder why there are no "songs" we really sing for thanksgiving ? It seems to me that there should be. I just plain love this particular day. .. yeah, before you all write and chastise me, I know there's 'we gather together'.. but that song always feels more like church to me, and not so much thanksgiving... but I digress. Perhaps the thing I love most about this day is that nothing is expected of anyone, except to show up, eat and enjoy each other, while giving thanks for all our many blessings. That's just about perfect in my book.

I have been cleaning like the energizer bunny, and the house is ready for company. I even washed the windows. It looks glorious, and I am well pleased. Now all that needs to be done is to enjoy my family - that is truly the best part of this holiday.

Between dyeing new batches of fiber, and sending out packages (that's K's job) I've been doing a bit of knitting - hurrah!
Here's some completed Christmas gifts :-) and definately no hints as to who they are for! You never know who might peek into blogland!

First up, Socks:
Twist and Shout -
this is a pattern written by Heartstrings. It has hearts all around the ankle and top of the foot, and it definately fits this recipient (whom I dearly love) I'd model them to show you the hearts, but they're already washed and ready to go. You'll just have to imagine.






Ain't No Mountain High Enough -
these are in progress. I've begun the heel on one sock, and am about 1/2 inch from the top of the heel on the second. Please forgive the color being "off" in this photo - they are much lighter than they appear here. for accurate color, look here.
The pattern I am using for these is the Madder Rib, from Nancy Bush.
soft and yummy.


Fingerless Gloves-
I knit this up with Debbie Bliss, cashmerino. absolutely divine. The pattern is from Karen Alfke, I got it in a class that I took last year (where I knit my very first cables.. don't faint Carole, they are easier than they look :-) I just wish that I could figure out a better place to hold my cable needle than in my mouth (tee hee)
and yes, there is already a pair of these!
I made them a bit longer than normal, since the recipient has elegant long fingers (longer than mine *grin*) and I think that she'll enjoy them.
I have to hide them from my cats until they are wrapped. The cats seem to love all things goat - they continue to steal them, and prance all around the house with the glove in their mouth, like they have stalked some kind of prey. very silly.





And finally, I just began these fingerless gloves:
I am using some silk-merino by Louisa Harding to knit these. Can everyone say oooooooh-aaaaahh... yes, they feel like heaven. I will edge them around the cuff and the top with the multicolor green mohair-silk just to add a tiny touch of 'bling'. The recipient of these is certainly special enough to me to merit this divine yarn.
I am knitting with another cable design - which I am totally enjoying - this is one that I modified from a sweater pattern in the Viking Knits book that is also pictured.
The gloves are so satisfying to knit. They only take a couple of days, and there is no worry about whether or not I know what size someone's foot is. this is good.

How are all of you doing on your knitting for the holidays? I still have a bunch to do, and I'd better get it in gear, since almost all of my gifts have to fly their way to remote locations :-)

Happy thanksgiving to all of you - may you be blessed throughout the holiday season.