The end is in sight:

Here are my finished flowers, feather and fan scarf from Scarf Style, and finally a plain ribbed scarf being blocked.  These are going to be given as gifts TOMORROW!  I had more than enough time to make all of these things a long time ago, but I'm a big procrastinator.  Lately I haven't had much free time so I was cutting it close.  All I have to do is weave in a few ends and sew on some pin backs and then I'm home free! 

Last night I was knitting like a maniac because I was trying to finish another Karyl's Kerchief for a gift tomorrow.  But after talking to my mom, I decided that this LOVELY (read: finished) pink scarf would be just fine.  I like the lace pattern on the kerchief but I just can't pay close enough attention when I'm knitting on a deadline.  I managed to take a break from watching 24 and had this tasty snack:

Fresh homemade MOCHI (rice that has been hammered into a thick paste and then cooled, reheated and slathered with hot azuki paste for a tasty treat)!  This is not your normal snack food.  This stuff is soooo good, but certianly not Atkins-approved.  When my friend dropped me off the other day she wished me a Happy New Year and warned me not to eat too much or I might turn into mochi.  I just might...

I just finished watching tapes 5 and 6 of the 2nd season of 24.  That is SUCH a good show.  No, I haven't finished the first season yet, but I have been watching it for months and the tapes I want are just never in stock at the video place.  So I had to give in and start the second season.  Yes, it ruined the end of the first season for me, but I just couldn't wait.  I'm headed out to the video store now to see if any of the tapes I need (season 1 or 2) are in so I can relax and watch them while I finish wrapping these gifts and maybe even knit for myself.  Could it be? 

Posted by Molly at 03:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)

Look what is in my future!

It is a lace kit with some gray/brown merino lace that I got for Christmas from my Aunt Lori (and her family, of course--but I know who picked out the gift).  The color looks weird in this photo because apparently late afternoon light is no better than indoor light.  Even though it's not what was expected, I think it will look great with all the black I usually wear.  Just what I need!!  I am still struggling to finish the Christmas gifts that I am bringing with me when I go on Friday to stay with friends for New Year's holiday.  It's going to be a close one, but someday soon, when I finish all those gifts and hopefully polish off a few other things too, this will be waiting for me. 

Posted by Molly at 11:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I'm not ill OR on drugs, don't worry.  Just stayed up all night and slept all day.  This picture looks ridiculous but it's the best one I had.

Here is the finished scarf that I am giving to my good friend at school tomorrow.  I think it turned out much nicer than the first one I made, because I realized that I was doing the lace pattern wrong.  Today I got the most thoughtful card and gift from her so I'm happy that I have something handmade to give her tomorrow.  I hope that she likes it! 

Now I just need to make one more of these, a ribbed scarf, and a few flowers before I head to visit family friends for New Year's.  I can do it--if only because I want to get back to my capelet, cable sweater, gloves, hat, and soooo on. 

Posted by Molly at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Can I finish this scarf before Friday?  That is the last day that I can give it to the one person at school who I have become really good friends with and who has essentially given me a social life and helped me make friends since I've come here.  It is the same Caryl’s Kerchief pattern that I made before, and even though it was kind of tricky the first time, I am whipping through it a bit faster now.  The color is a lot more orangey in real life, and even though it is kind of bright pink, my friend wears orange all the time so I think it will compliment that nicely. 

I also have to whip out a few flowers, then another of these scarves and a 2x2 ribbed scarf by around  New Years when I will be giving some belated Christmas gifts (read: more time to knit frantically during school vacation). 

I just received my flower swap flower from frecklegirl and it is sooo nice!  I'm very impressed with her handiwork--the stitches are small and perfect, and she did some fancy beading on it to boot.  The flower made its Japan debut on Sunday in Nagoya and it was a big hit.  I also lucked out and got some Christmas treats from home!!  I tore into them right away but although they are not so photogenic anymore, I am still trying to milk them through until Saturday.  Thanks so much Jess, you were a great flower swap pal (even though you posted that tempting picture on your website before I got the package).  There is actually a much nicer photo on her blog so you should check it out if you want to see a true close-up.

With all the great mail I have gotten recently, I really can't complain about being homesick for the holidays.  I have my Reese's cups, my Godiva chocolates, my candy canes and my Ritter Sport so I'm ready for anything!  Maybe I should pack them in a bag by the door just in case there's an earthquake...

Posted by Molly at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This morning I was actually running late but when I got the word from Mariko that the "Don't open 'til Xmas" tape was decorative, I had to rip into that box and see what was inside. 

I still almost can't believe it--thank you so much!!  Nothing can shake me out of my not-a-morning-person daze like a box with a cute handmade pouch, fun candy and Christmas-y stuff from home.  I fondled everything and fought to urge to eat the candy but 5 minutes later I had to hit the road  (at which point I was running REALLY late--it's hard to make up for lost time on an uphill bike ride too). 

After just getting a great package from my Secret Pal (AND one from my Aunt Lori) last week, I am starting to feel a bit spoiled.  Knitters are definitely the best! 

Posted by Molly at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let me show you.  This is the shoulder seam of my capelet that made me realize that I completely forget how to sew a seam like this.  It's been so long since I've made anything substantial.

Luckily for me I picked up this great book a few weeks ago, knowing that I would need some help on  the seams of my sweater.

It has great illustrations like this that show how to do just about anything, and explains a million different Japanese pattern symbols.

I succeeded with the shoulder seams, and although they are not perfect, I think decided that they looked good enough to move on to the collar.  Shortly thereafter, I finished the turtleneck and was thrilled to pull it on and dance around.

Note to self:  Use stretchy cast off at the top of a turtleneck.  (This is the most accurate shot of the real color of this yarn). 

So here is my progress-to-date.  When I have the energy to bind off the turtleneck, all I'll have to do is knit that ruffle at the bottom and I'm all done!  Would you believe it took me so long?  I'm deleting my works in progress from my sidebar right now because I'm sick of reminding myself how slowly these things are moving along. 

One last thing.  I got a notice for an unexpected package today!  I called the post office, explained that I had a package and gave them all the details they needed to redeliver it tonight.  What an accomplishment.  I haven't opened it yet because this super cute packing tape was on the outside of the box.  Do you think it's decorative or should I really wait?

Posted by Molly at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Why, it's another boring glove shot!

If I knew that all I had to do to get my kids interested in English was bring my knitting to school, I would have done it a long time ago.  I have had 5 show and tell classes so far, and the response has been overwhelming.  Girls and boys alike are totally wowed, I can't believe it.  In some of my more "genki" classes, the kids actually scream like I am some teen hearthrob and jump out of their seats.  Watch out Yon-sama, here I come!!

I think I have figured out the whole glove process.  Putting the thumb stitches on needles and actually poking my thumb through is making it  much easier to figure out where to stop for the fingers.  I am hoping that things will turn out better on the left than the right...

So after work I was innocently enjoying a slice of my Chocolate Orange (yes the one I was saving until Christmas--whatever) when the mailman came and brought me the best package ever from my Secret Pal 3!!!  Check out the haul on my brand-new futon cover:

Hi back, pal, I love that card!  It's on my bulletin board now.

This was the best gift ever from my super generous secret pal, Anne.  There is a new Knit 1 magazine, a scarf making kit, the Knitting Pattern-a-day calendar, an R2 scarf kit, some Godiva chocolates which I amazingly have yet to break into and a skein of Koigu Kersti that I really LOVE.  I have never actually seen (or rather touched) Kersti before and I love it.  Any ideas of what to make?  I have a bad feeling I am going to save it for something special and never use it, so I have to be proactive about picking a project and starting it just as soon as my knitting schedule opens up a bit. 

This is possibly one of the best things I've seen in a while:

I didn't know what I was going to think of this whole Secret Pal thing, but I decided to give it a try and I could not have been happier!  Speaking of swaps and such, I have to finish my flower swap mission (yes, I am working really slowly on that too) so I can get it out this Wednesday.  It's coming soon, frecklegirl, I promise!!

Posted by Molly at 07:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Tomorrow is the big day.  We are starting a show and tell unit in English class at school and my show and tell topic is none other than my yearlong obsession, knitting.  We were supposed to pick something kind of funny and weird that the kids wouldn't expect of us, so this was the obvious choice.  Oh, what will happen?  I don't think I could become much less popular at school, but you never know.  Will this revelation propel me to stardom in my school of 1,000 students?  Only time will tell.  The question is, what do I bring?  My hat, my gloves, my capelet, my sweater... I have way too many things going right now. 

Posted by Molly at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well it's been a few days, but I have nothing to show for myself.  I haven't started my second glove, (or my second first glove as I will probably have to re-knit the first one...), I have advanced on minimally on the front of my cable sweater, and though there has been some secret flower swap knitting going on, I obviously can't show you THAT!

In other news, I missed the deadline to reveal myself to my Secret Pal.  Nice, huh?  Sarah has been working hard--check out the large array of knitted wares in her most recent post!!  They all look really great, and make me a little nauseous thinking of all the things I wanted to make but which are not happening yet.  I think a lot of the people I know here are going to be getting out-of-the-blue February gifts.  They don't really celebrate Christmas here anyways...

Hi to my secret pal Anne who sent the yarn that made my now almost worn-out legwarmers.  Everyone needs a pair of hot pink legwarmers, it's a fact.  I can't wait to see what else the post will soon bring.  Thanks, Anne!

One last thing--if you like Christmas music, you HAVE to check out Accuradio Christmas Edition.  I LOVE it, and even though I'll Be Home for Christmas gets me every time (if by home you mean Japan, oh I'll be home alright!).  If you're lucky you'll catch It's a Marshmallow World or Christmas Wrapping, my favorites.  Just be sure to skip over Ruban Studdard, he's a doosy. 

Posted by Molly at 10:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Posted by Molly at 11:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)