You know that expression

"It's a marathon, not a sprint"? Not this season, my friends, not for me, nor, I imagine, for many other people who make their holiday gifts. No, I'd have to say that when you look at it, the list of to dos and the number of days in which I have to do them, it's both a marathon and a sprint.

I've no one to blame but myself, really. I got this early start back in July, was feeling all prettygood about my planning and got sidetracked somehow (how? how?????). Now, in the midst of holiday season parties, I'm in full-on panic. Trying to make the most of my stash and also create lovely gifts for my loved ones, my head is spinning with options and indecision. In a fit of full-on rationalization (I have the perfect yarn, I just need the right patterns!!), I bought Whimsical Little Knits, 2, Ysolda Teague's latest collection of patterns. This turned out to be a wise move, as I was able to whip up this beauty in just four days:

That's a sneak peak. I hope to get a better shot of it with it's intended recipient, with more details to follow. The yarn is a smooth yet bumpy silk that I purchased last summer in Uppsala at Yll och Till. It's nice to work with, especially when using plastic, rather than sticky bamboo, needles. It's the same yarn that I used to make Adrienne's Ishbel (another Ysolda Teague design. Hmmm . . . I'm seeing a pattern in my pairings of yarn to designs). I like how the creamy color and the lacy design combine to create a Victorian doily effect. I have fantasies of working up a pair of her Veyla fingerless mitts before the 25th, as well. Wish me luck!

One thing that's slowed my Christmas knitting progress is December birthdays. I've always felt that December birthdays get the shaft, especially when it comes to giving "combination" gifts. Those are insulting. Better to give a card for one occasion and a proper gift for another than to give a combination birthday/Christmas gift. No one pulls that crap when your birthday is in May, like mine. So, filled with conviction about the wrongness of such deeds, I put my needles where my mouth is (mixed metaphore - sorry) and made these for my friend David:

Details:
Pattern: Dashing, by Cheryl Niamath
Yarn: Blue Moon Fiber Arts Silkie Socks That Rock
Needles:US5/3.75mm
Started: December 1
Finished: December 3

These were a fun project. The Silkie Socks That Rock is a really soft and bouncy 81% merino/19% silk blend. Because I wanted a sturdy and somewhat wind-resistant mitt, I held the yarn doubled and used a small needle. This yielded a dense fabric that I think will be perfect for chill, but not frigid, days weather. If anyone doubts the utility of fingerless mitts, behold:

They're great for climbing your way out of cemeteries when you;e being chased by zombies, trolls or vampires. They're also handy when you're cold, but need to open a bottle of ketchup (or beer, as the case may be)

OK, what am I doing here? I've got things to make! Schnell! Schnell!