Another road

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

- The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost

Can you sense me slowing down? Coming to a critical juncture?  Deciding what step to take next? 

For me, November is a month that represents just those feelings. Where do I go next? So many activities to chose from . . .

It's NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month, so I'm writing as much as I can. When I can. And let me tell you, I'm not on the downward slope yet.

It's the pre-Christmas rush. Like most knitters, I have some holiday knitting to finish up. Actually, I'd need to start it first.

It's the start of hockey season for Youngest Child - lots of hoiking gear from house to car to rink, etc. This isn't as much fun as you might expect.

I'm doing a Knit-a-long - the 2 Knit Lit Chicks gradient shawl Knit-a-long. Goodness knows why but I'm inching my way to the bind off. I'm thinking this shawl might make a two-fer as a holiday knitting project.

And there is that *&%$#@ blue sweater hanging over everything. I can only knit on it when Oldest Daughter is around to try it on. Those sleeves are killing me!

But there is the bright side of November as well:

Yarn! 

I bought some Roubaix Wool sock yarn from Winterwind Farm in a lovely heather cream color - which I have now dyed purple for Youngest Child's second pair of requested socks. The boy's on a purple kick, what can I say?

Soap!

I've been experimenting with using herbs from my garden in home made glycerin-based soap. So far, I've produced a lovely fresh Lemon Basil soap.

Marmelade!

 I am a big fan of using things up and when I discovered the bag of oranges I'd bought was none too sweet, I used them to make marmalade. Yum! (And please, please set up!)

Quilts!

 I've been hacking along on my Craftsy.com Quilt Block of the Month project and I'm practically done. The last two in fact, are on my cutting table right now. 

Special Dates! 

Yes, November is my Blog-a-versery and my birthday month. Yes, this blog started way back on November 14, 2005. Some things never change - the first problem project profiled?

The first blue sweater for Oldest Daughter!

Happy November!

Sew What!

The past two Monday nights I've been taking a sewing class using patterns from Sew Serendipity: Fresh and Pretty Designs to Make and Wear by Kay Whit.

I'm still not finished - I had to put away my sewing machine so that someone could sleep in my sewing room over Thanksgiving! - but it's been a great experience. I've learned how to sew a much better zipper than I've been using since high school and a much better way to adapt patterns. The actual skirts in the book are fairly simple but there are patterns for dresses and coats as well.

Part of the class involved making ruffles so I'm thinking my Christmas presents will have lots of them!

Thanksgiving at our house was very relaxed - lots of eating, visiting museums and trips to the movies.

I also had some time to finish up the Hedgerow Socks.  

If I had made them any longer - I would have run out of yarn!

Fancy a bite?

I also had some time to start a pair of Pop Up Paws for Mr. Daisy. Middle Daughter decided to knit a pair for herself and I thought I should give them a whirl as well. I'm not so crazy about the finger sections - they are a little rough and ready - but Mr. Daisy always wanted a pair.

I've also picked up Youngest Child's quilt. It's still waiting for the edging but one Christmas Present down, five more to go.

The pattern is called Little Bits from the Last-Minute Patchwork + Quilted Gifts by 

Joelle Hoverson.

When you have to clean house for holiday guests, you end up with a lot of odd things to give away. Two trash cans, a basket, two sewing patterns and two tee shirts. Good bye Saturday Seven!

A peaceful afternoon - alone with my iron in the sewing room

After seeing this lovely book, Last-Minute Patchwork and Quilted Gifts, over at Earthchicknits' blog, I've delved into making a patchwork blanket for Youngest Child's bed. Nothing big, just the "Little Bits" quilt.

But before I could start sewing, that meant shopping for fabric and then washing, drying and ironing it. And, while I was doing that, I figured it was time to get all of my stash sewing ready. I found some lovely fabric that I'd forgotten all about. And since it's going to be a long hot weekend, I am hoping to get some work done in the cool of my sewing room.

Knitting-wise, I've started a shawl for the Wrapped in Care charitable project - a Simple yet Effective Shawl from Cosmicpluto Knits. It's green - surprise! - and in a washable Vanna's Choice from Lion's Brand. I'm not crazy about acrylic yarn but I thought I would give it try because they wanted washable yarns for this charity project. I'm thinking I'll work another one in washable sock yarn or maybe one in hand spun for me. The pattern is fairly random and very easy to knit!