Knitting updates

Everyone always has grand plans of holiday gift knitting. And then before you know it it's mid-December and you haven't even started on your list. Now granted I pared down my list to almost nothing but I'm still in panic mode to finish a hat and a cowl by Saturday. The hat is for my niece and it's nearly finished. She wanted a hat that was pink and purple with stripes. I'm using Brown Sheep worsted in pink and purple (I bought it ages ago so I don't know the actual colorway names because who knows where I put the labels). The pattern is the Simple Baby Cap from Itty Bitty Hats. My niece is six but the 2 year + hat pattern fits my head (albeit a little snug) so I'm sure it'll be a perfect fit for her. I cast on last Thursday night and I've just been working on it off and on since then. Mostly in the car waiting in line at the coffee shop and at the movies yesterday. Since it's a rolled brim and all stockinette it's completely mindless. I'll probably start the decreases tonight. My stripe placement is wonky, but I doubt she'll care. Now I haven't even cast on for the cowl yet. Depending on much I get done on the hat I may try to cast on tonight. It's the Stacked Eyelet Cowl pattern from Sour Cherries.

I took my Rusted Root sweater with me on my trip thinking I'd have so much plane time to knit I'd finish it. Well I didn't. I did manage to get the sleeves off but that was it. I've been focusing on it since I got back. I am not letting myself cast on another 'me' project until that sweater is finished. It has taken me far longer that it should have to knit. Now I'm at the point where it's just knitting except for the lace section and that's pretty easy. I was going to try to put in bust darts but I'm too chicken. Next sweater I promise I'll try them. I'm knitting the medium and at first I thought I'd make 3/4 length sleeves I have since changed my mind and I'm just doing the normal sleeves, sans the poof. I have to brag on my husband, who always is very supportive of my knitting and crafting in general, even though he thinks I have too much yarn (blasphemy!). After my recent hefty yarn purchases, which I didn't get wound, I'm going to have to wind a lot of yarn soon. So I found these directions on how to build your own yarn swift from Crafty Diversions. I gave them to Doug and Saturday afternoon he put this thing together and by 6:30PM I had a swift. It works perfectly too. I was thinking about getting a ball winder like this one, but Doug thinks he can rig something up himself. But for now I'm super happy with the swift.