final FOs of 2008

Happy New Year, all! The past month has been an absolute whirlwind of travel, fun, visits, and parties, and I’m just now finally starting to settle down. I’m back in Singapore for the month of January (the switch to Food Blog will commence!), but first we need to weave in some loose ends.

Christmas really really snuck up on me this year, as I know it did a lot of you. Stupid late Thanksgiving! Also, this was the first year I have done Xmas with anyone other than my nuclear family. Which meant I needed gifts for a whole branch of my family. Somehow, I whipped them all out in the two weeks before the holiday—three of them in the three DAYS before Christmas.

After finishing that 2×2 hat in Manos, I just ignored knitting for a while. But in a spurt of productivity, I knit a Koolhaas in two nights. The more complex pattern was always intended for my Uncle Mark, of course, host of our holiday gathering:

koolhaas from the top (by mintyfreshflavor)

Note the deep-fryer in the background! Christmas dinner was a deep-fried turkey. I may have found the sole reason to move to the suburbs.

And then I hit this downward spiral of bad planning and even worse time management. Ultimately I did manage two more FOs, both completed on December 24 (one started that morning!).

This 2×2 hat was for my cousin Patrick, whose head is huge. The fact that it goes on his head is accomplishment enough for me!

2x2 hat for patch (by mintyfreshflavor)

My cousin Meaghan got a bulky moebius cowl in seed stitch. Back after Thanksgiving I’d seen Carrie knit one off a pattern, and I liked it enough that I “unvented” it for myself. I estimated about 22″ around, put in a twist, and knit until it looked tall enough. I never even measured it. It’s not as wide as Carrie’s, but it fits nicely.

moebius for meg! (by mintyfreshflavor)

Also knit but ultimately a total FAIL was a pair of fingerless gloves for my aunt, whose hands didn’t fit in them. Luckily (?) I only finished one of them. So I’m back to square one there. I have them with me and have already made progress on reknitting them.

Still, all in all, I couldn’t believe I finished ANYTHING in time! Go me! This brings my total FO count for 2008 up to new highs. I’m pretty thrilled. Recap for the year to be posted soon!

23 Responses to final FOs of 2008

  1. Jocelyn says:

    Love that Koolhaas! Makes me want to keep on chugging away at my frogged Noro Koolhaat.

    Did you use a cable needle? I found it too fiddly so I put he project aside for now.

    The Mobeius looks delicious.

  2. Johanna says:

    I came across your blog a few weeks ago and thought I might say hi! today, especially as I can absolutely chime in with Koolhaas love :) I just recently finished it in Rowan Cashsoft DK (? I think) for my bf and absolutely love the outcome. I kept ooh-ing and aah-ing while knitting – it’s that beautiful. But two nights? Wow!

    Jocelyn, I did use a cable needle – parking it in the already knit part when knitting the cable-intense rows (with the parked stich on it as well as without it) worked fine for me. It is a pretty labor-intense pattern though.

    Greetings from Germany,
    Johanna

  3. k says:

    Great last batch of knits for the year! Also a nice theme of bluey-greys.

    Koolhaas in two days is pretty impressive – even using the cable without a cable needle technique, that hat is labour-intensive.

  4. naomi says:

    You might be able to get away with having a terrace in the city–I know people who live in Philly and have a turkey fryer (and use it).

  5. mai says:

    happy new year, erin! i can’t believe how much christmas knitting you did…i just can’t knit christmas gifts because i don’t do well with timelines. i tend to not enjoy my knitting when the pressure is on. i hope you have a great time in singapore. safe travels!

  6. Lara says:

    I love the cowls – I haven’t been a fan of them so far but I can feel them slowly drawing me in. The seed stitch looks fab in chunky.

  7. Rene' Sharp says:

    I have only recently rediscovered my passion for knitting, and after finding your blog, was totally inspired!! You knit SOOO beautifully. I can’t wait to see the update of all your work.

  8. Sophia says:

    Hey Minty! I have been reading your blog for almost a year now and have been LOVING it! My husband was raised in Singapore and we go there every few years. We are planning a trip in the Spring/Summer. I am a new knitter (have been knitting for 1 & 1/2 years) and was wondering if you knew of any cool/fun/interesting Singaporean crafty places? Could you include some along with your food extravaganza? Enjoy your bandang and nasi lemak!

  9. Nell says:

    Mmmmm…. deep friend turkey. It’s genius really- danger and food. My family started throwing everything into the oil once the turkey came out. Shrimp, jalapeno poppers, pizza rolls- it was ridiculous. And delicious.

  10. Juliet in Grand Rapids says:

    Been at Yarn Harlot and saw your pattern. So lovely! I downloaded it and am looking for the right yarn. Just a matter of time. Thank you! I can tell right now I love it. “Perform a standard short row heel…” Sweet!

    Your FOs are beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I need to put that Koolhaas in my queue. Thanks for the reminder.

  11. Betty in Texas says:

    Happy New to you! You surely will enjoy your time in Singapore. (Not going to wear that Manos hat there, are you? want to send it to me? ha ha.) we finally got some cold weather here and out came the hats and mitts and scarves I have been “finishing” since November. But I want more! that moebius looks inspiring, and I just found the stash yarn that wants to be THE ONE. thanks for the pix of the kool hats, too!

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