Over the last two days, we took down the Christmas tree and put away all of our decorations.  We brought our daughter to the airport this morning so that she can begin her second semester at college.  We are back to ordinary every day life.

I am trying to be positive–not dwell in the past, but I cannot help remembering when holiday break was just beginning and it was all ahead of us.  If I could, I’d love to do it all over again.  *sigh*  Goodbyes and endings are sooo very hard for me.  Do you find that too?

When I look back, though, I see that it was a productive holiday break.  I knit some “to be worn by people” items: a cabled headband and a pair of socks for my daughter, and also a cowl for me.  My daughter got bitten by the jewelry making bug.  She made countless necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.  My gold-filled chain is totally gone.  I gave her free reign on my stash.  I have so, so much!

My first pair (not just one) of socks was made for my daughter.  She’s wearing them, for the second time, right now!  It really and truly warms my heart!  They were knit with Knit Picks Stroll Tweed in Garnet Heather.  They fit her pretty well, however, even though I used a stretchy bind off the cuffs are still pulled to the maximum when putting them on.  I need to research and find a stretchier bind off.  I used the Russian Bind Off for this pair and made the stitches as loose as possible… or I thought I did.  Any suggestions?  Anyway, she loves them!

After frogging (rip it rip it 🙂 ) my first cowl with this lovely colored blue yarn, I made another on much smaller needles and used a broken rib pattern.  I wanted a fitted looking cowl that sort of hugged my neck.  This came out exactly as I had hoped.  It is made with Knit Picks Shine worsted in the Clarity color.  I used my new Hiya Hiya Sharps interchangeable circular needles in size 3, although I cast on and knit the first row on DPNs.  I used a lace cast on (110 stitches) and bind off and the broken rib stitch for the entire cowl.  I knit around and around until I used up almost the entire 100 grams of yarn.

Hmm, now that I’m looking at my quilt… I need to get some work done on that, don’t I?

And, I haven’t totally neglected my little girls.  Gina, my Little Darling, is all cozy and rosy in her new pink ensemble.  Her tights still need to be made, but look for this OOAK ensemble very soon.  Just like us real people, she’s decked out in hand knitwear and accessories.  Here’s a sneak peek of dear Gina.

Hope your having a lovely day, my friends.  Thanks for visiting with me on this bittersweet day.  I love your company!

❤