Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

And so Christmas Eve is here! Em is feeling unwell today, just a bit of a cold, but she had to have a nap earlier in the day. Probably a good thing as we’re off to Midnight Mass for the first time this year. I’m hoping that getting home at 1am will help her to sleep until at least 8am. Fat chance 😉
Hubby has been very busy with Christmas feast preparations. Behold, the chicken that looks almost too good to eat. Almost.

The last minute preparations have been taken care of, the prawns are bought, the chook and the pork are cooked and in the fridge, and Em baked cookies.

It was hot, too hot to knit the shawl, so I learned a new technique.
Look!!

Two socks on two circs. I used the cyberclass at the socknitters site. I found it difficult at first. I’m a visual learner, I like to watch things to learn them, and I found the written directions confusing, but now that I’ve worked it out, it is far, far, easier than I expected.
The socks are being knit in Trekking XXL, shade 110 for DH. I am not worried about making them identical, becuase I wound the 100g ball into 2 balls to do the socks and couldn’t get the ends to match up. I just hope it won’t drive me totally insane as I’m knitting them!
Em and Twinkie are waiting for Santa.

I’m waiting to see if Em is still awake for Midnight Mass!

Today it was 34C here, so not much knitting got done. Instead we were stupid and hit the shopping centre again. This time, however we got clever and caught the train instead of trying to find a parking spot. It was much easier! Not recommended if you’re shopping in bulk, of course.
Tomorrow we’re expecting temperatures of 39C (102F). Not looking forward to it, and despite swearing off shopping centres until at least June, we may end up at one just to sit in the airconditioning. (Does anyone else remember the episode of “Married with Children” where Al packed the whole family up and set them all up in deckchairs in the supermarket?)
So whilst we were out and about, I saw this.

I’m learning to love the camera on my phone!
He’s about four feet tall, and has a motion sensor, that when set off makes him sing a christmas song and play the guitar.
Unfortunately, there’s no gift that big under the tree, and Em assures me that all my gifts are under the tree, and that there are no four foot high parcels hidden about the house. Dammit. 😉
In other news, this

needs to become a tutu asap.
Can you knit a tutu?

News just in! Emily has a bedroom floor!

That’s about as clean as it gets. I should have taken a picture on Tuesday afternoon, just to give you a comparison. At least I have proof that it can be done now.
I didn’t make the shawl on her bed, that’s a DK weight crochet shawl that my Grandma made for her when I was pregnant.
However, I have been knitting on my shawl.

It’s growing. In fact, I’ve got as far as I can until I do some more of the test piece to work out the next chart. I’m really pleased with it so far, and a little worried that I won’t want to give it away once it’s done.
Here’s a close up of one quarter.

Nice, huh? This much has been done using patterns from various books. The next bit is my own chart, and it didn’t go quite as planned. Hopefully, I’ve sorted out the problems.
Stay tuned!

Another finished project!
Actually this one has been done for a while, I just never got around to blocking it until now.

It’s “Mary Ann’s Cashmere and Pearls Lace Scarf” from Sivia Harding.
Here’s a close up. It isn’t as dark as it appears in these pictures, either.

I used Madil Kid Seta (1 ball) in the shade 467, and “A Touch of Glass” 6/0 seed beads in “Teal Transparent”. (Found at my local craft store – I couldn’t find an online resource).
This was a really enjoyable knit. I always enjoy lace, and I like to knit with beads. The pattern wasn’t too difficult, although there is occasional patterning on the purl rows. It’s also the first time I’ve used the loop method to knit the beads, usually I thread the beads onto the yarn before I start to knit. I think I prefer the threading method, but for this fluffy & sticky yarn, the crochet hook method was probably better.
I love Madil Kid Seta! It’s so fine to knit with, the scarf is as light as a feather, and it blooms beautifully after you block it. But it isn’t pleasant to rip if you make a mistake.
The mailman brought me a lovely gift from the Stripey Tiger today!

There may also have been a Caramello Koala in there, but he escaped. Luckily, I caught him with my mouth 😉
Isn’t the stocking cute? Beautiful job, Stripey, and thank you!
Probably no more knitting tonight and most of tomorrow, as I’m heading in to Em’s room to clean it myself. Pass the gas mask. Lets hope I don’t find another sandwich.