YOP Week #21

Well, the Christmas presents are coming along....slowly but steadily and really I think I'm ahead this year although I don't want to jinx myself!  I'm already cutting corners on a few of my gift giving plans so it should all work out.  Speaking of gifts......I have a finish (except for weaving in some ends but that will happen during t.v. watching tonight.)  The shawl for my daughter.........yes, I've decided to give it to her......I bought a second skein and made it big enough to wrap around your neck like everyone does nowadays............

There is also a little ruffled edging............I made a mistake on it....it was supposed to be 3 DC in each DC from the previous row but I misread and only did 2 so it is not as 'ruffled' as it is supposed to be but that's fine because my daughter and I are not the 'ruffle' type anyway so it's good as is..............

I'm not going to block it as it's acrylic...do people block acrylic yarn products?    Maybe a wash and dry in the machine?

I got some work done on the giraffe....can I tell you how much I detest stuffing and sewing on limbs and embroidering the face details?  The knitting is fine but the rest of it not so much fun.  I never seem to get the limbs attached symmetrically and the facial features are not my strong point either.  But I will forge ahead except I ran out of orange yarn, I need to get a pom pom maker as I did it the old fashioned way last time with cardboard and again....it was not fun.  So, anything to make this job easier is a plus in my book.

Also, no more acrylic yarn!!!  It doesn't stretch or move and it is hard on my hands to knit or crochet with.....some of the newer brands are soft but still...........I was listening to the gal on The Spicy Homemaker podcast who knit a toy monkey for her nephew and she said it was the most enjoyable project and she had bought some nice yarn at her LYS....not acrylic.   But then her son wanted one too and she had been given a bunch of acrylic yarn by a non-knitter who's mother had passed away so she thought she would use it for the 2nd monkey.  She said it has been an awful experience and she is having a hard time finishing it.  So, I guess that explains a lot with my 3 giraffes (only on #2 so far).....ugh!  Never again...I am going to become a yarn snob now...be forewarned!
In fact, this little project was a kit that came with beautiful hand dyed yarn.....I hope I can wait until after the gifts are done to cast it on but I'm not betting the farm on it! LOL! 

   I have worked on my sweater too and I'm pretty sure I am done with the sides and back and now I will be knitting the bottom edging and then the sleeves.  I need to try it on one more time to ensure it will be long enough....I'm wondering if I should have knit a bigger size as I knit tightly....but we shall see.  If it doesn't fit me it will fit someone and it has been a pleasure to knit and it has given me confidence to knit other garments in the future for sure!  My next garment I will do a swatch!
I didn't post a picture as you have seen it a zillion times already.
I did my 4 squares on my CMB and it is starting to go over the side of the bed....I just can't make up my mind if I want to be able to tuck it in like a regular blanket or just lay it over the bed under the quilt.  What do you think?  Would it be too bulky to tuck in?  Thoughts?

Here are the squares from this week.....the bottom 4...........

 They always look wonky like this but there will be an edging of some sort when it is finished and maybe a lining on the back?  I've seen some knitted blankets lined and it helps them hold their shape but I have no idea how they accomplish it....does anyone know?  Just thinking ahead!  It will be awhile so I have time.
I found some new and interesting pod casts this week and I also found some wonderful new patterns and yarns to get for my 'post Christmas' knitting.  I already have my sock yarn for Little Bobbin's Christmas Eve cast on of socks.  But for the other projects I need to order supplies.  Somehow  I have to squeeze it out  of the budget which isn't easy at this time of year but I must!
The podcasts I watched this week were:
The Bakery Bears (still catching up)
A Friend to Knit With (I LOVE her projects and the yarns she uses!....she's my Friend for life!)
The Spicy Homemaker
These are very good and almost professional in their pod casting skills.
That's all for this week!  I've been up since 1:15 this morning so I am just trying to make it to 8:00 p.m. before I crash.  I will be shopping tomorrow for Thanksgiving so I will try and catch up with everyone at some point....
Happy Thanksgiving if I don't talk to you before then or if you only stop by for YOP.
Happy Trails regardless!!!