Every Stinkin' Year...

It's like clockwork. The Sheep is cool as a cucumber 10 months out of the year. Mellow as a muffin, happy as a hippo, blithe as a bunny...then November hits. Specifically, the first weekend in November. Panic ensues. And with it, judgment errors.

It is at this point that I suddenly become aware of the encroaching holidays. Dreams of colorfully wrapped packages containing lovingly crafted handknits turn to nightmares in which I hand out gift IOUs that I have hastily scrawled on the back of grocery receipts. "Honest, I swear...you will get that scarf sometime before July!" In a panic, I begin several ill-conceived projects that will ultimately be destined for the frog pond. Gauge is not checked, yardage is not a consideration...I just need to make something! I consider the whole thing a self-inflicted punishment for all those naps I took during my summer school vacation. And I vow that I will knit steadily through the months of July and August of next year if only the gods of fibery goodness will see fit to give me the finger strength to complete 45 hats between now and December 24th.

The Disaster Du Jour on the menu today was a beret. It existed for all of 45 minutes before I realized that I do not know any giants personally. I then tried to think of all the big-haired people who might be on my gift list. No dice. Unless I wanted to try and pass this off as a hub cap cozy, I needed to accept the fact that I had lost another hour of my life to a holiday project gone awry. That is actually a new record for me, time-wise. I'm getting better about this stuff as the years go by. By the time I'm 107 the holidays will be pretty stress-free.

Fortunately, there were some successful endeavors in the works today. Good thing, as it is early in the holiday season and I like to have my complete breakdown somewhere closer to December first. It just fits in better with my busy schedule.

The Feather And Fan scarf is progressing nicely. It is never going to be a neck accessory of epic proportions, but I think it will be long enough to be recognized as a scarf when it is done.

I'm just starting with skein #2 of the Koigu. Cross your fingers for me on the length!

The wheel was also whirring along at one point and the black/metallic Corriedale is well on its way to being yarn. I'm a little disappointed in my lack of patience with the blending of the metallic. I'm not as happy with the randomy nature of the gold sparklies throughout the wool as I could be, but I'm forging ahead.

There really are sparklies in there...you just can't see them. Trust me.

In the end, what will get done is what gets done. I have yet to have a Christmas cancelled simply because I wasn't ready. I have several catalogues on stand-by, ready to fill the void when I am able to accept the fact that I won't be making the deadlines on some of my projects.

On another note, my Loyal Reader count is up by two. Mommy and Daddy Sheep have "found" the blog and are perusing regularly. They are truly cool parents and highly supportive of The Sheep's fibery pursuits. My wheel, lazy kate, and swift were all courtesy of The Parental Sheep Foundation. Daddy Sheep is one of six males in the continental United States who doesn't blush at the words, "Dang it, I broke my niddy noddy!" I'm happy to have them as regulars! Feel free to wish them a hearty, "howdee-do!"

However, please take note:

There will be an increase in posts detailing the amount of vegetables I am eating.

We must all now be in complete agreement that my daily schedule includes 8 hours of sleep and giving of time to the needy.

Certain projects related to holiday gift-giving must now be shrouded in mystery.

I am in no way whatsoever behind in oil changes for the truck. Any previous references to slackness in vehicle maintenance were mere jests.

We are a well-behaved bunch...for the most part. There should be no problems. Right? Right??? Hello...

SA