We had an estimate done for some basement/foundation work this morning. In one word: depressing. Let me tell you.. it has set the tone for my day. With the temperature outside, a balmy 48.. and expected to climb higher tomorrow, it only adds to this melancholy feeling. Because, by Friday we'll be back in the deep freeze that is January in upstate New York. In a nutshell, I've discovered over the years, that I'm a prime candidate to be one of those people who spend the summer up north, and the winter down south (that is, if I could find a nice liberal, nicely colored blue locality somewhere in the south!)

Additionally, I have another sinus infection brewing. Saturday was pretty horrid, fighting off the intense pain behind my eyes and forehead - all day long. By Sunday it lessened, but it still feels a bit concrete in there. Oh, and the resulting discomfort while eating, associated with a sinus infection. Bleh. But enough about that.. I've been working through it... and the theme is Gretel!

I just can't get enough of this pattern! You'll recall I did one some time ago for Cassidy in Pink Jaeger Shetland Aran. But I was wearing it earlier this week due to the extreme cold temperatures and everyone said it looked great on me. So stash diving I went, emerging with the leftover custom spun alpaca merino from last year's spinning guild holiday wool. I thought for sure I'd have enough to complete the fitted style of the Gretel hat, but no such luck. A frantic email to Christina was composed, and I was able to retrieve 2oz of this coveted and one of a kind yarn at our spinning guild meeting yesterday. Once I wind up that 2oz skein, I expect I'll be done in one evening.

But after the yarn shortage mishap, I couldn't just let go of Gretel. Another dive in the stash resulted in 2 balls of Karabella Aurora 8 in a "coal" looking color that I bought for a mere song at the Mission Rose yearly sale. I looooove this yarn. I don't like the retail price of it.. and I'll never knit an entire sweater with it because of that.. but I do love it. I cast this on around 3PM on Friday afternoon, and was finishing it up Saturday evening around 10PM (this is how I dealt with the sinus headache, all day long on Saturday.)

Now if that wasn't enough Gretel.. Cassidy reported to me that her pink Gretel is a smidge too big, and that my new black one was "perfect for her". So while we were out on Sunday morning doing some shopping, she picked out this multi blue Patons Merino. I'm not entirely confident that this multi blue will show the cables well, but its what she wanted.

I have so much more to take pictures of, but I'm a little picture lazy this week. There are the breeze Shibui socks.. the Bird In Hand mittens that I started before Christmas (50% done), a Koolhaus hat. But after my lengthy hiatus, perhaps I'll spread it all out this week, so as to not overload everyone. Especially my non knitting family and friends who stop in every day. I can literally sense the yawning over the internet after a knitting post.

Oh.. and Happy St. Distaff's Day. This means I need to remember to get my wheel out of the back of the van, and make some time, once the children are pajamafied and tucked in to do some spinning.

*this is not the best image. darn cloudy skies. damn lack of decent indoor lighting. and where the hell is the tripod?

Around a year ago on this day..

• St Distaff's Day - 2007