Burr....It's Cold Outside - Let our Iris Garden Warm You

Burr….it's cold outside, our high today was twenty-five degrees….I know it is colder in other parts of the country but I live in the south. Sunday was the first time I have worn a heavy coat in two or three years. I'm usually not a cold bodied person but chemo has taken a toll on this body and heat is a welcoming thing this year. Today I cast-on and knit the first section of a new hat. I didn't mean to start another project until after the tote exchange was completed but since I'm waiting on the postman I thought, why not? Actually I should be finishing the vest I'm working on for my sister, I do want to get it finished and in the mail so she will receive it for Valentine's Day. The hat is simple and will knit up fast and I will wear it on this bald head of mine. Actually I have already made one, ended up sending it to a niece knowing I wanted to knit another just like it, same yarn and same colors. I wear lots of hats this winter, even sleep in them.

I am anxious now to get the tote exchange bag made and mailed. I'm ready to go back to knitting on my Crayon Box Jacket designed by Chris Bylsma. I started it last year but somehow couldn't stay with it. For one thing I was knitting my husband a cardigan and wanted to get it finished before winter. I did and it turned out beautiful but a bit large. Of course he lost about twenty pounds after I started knitting it which didn't help. I blocked it to gauge perfectly but I should take it apart, block it again and re-seam the whole thing so it will fit nicely. I used Jamison' s Shetland Wool for knitting the sweater so I have enough invested in it to justify taking time to resize it.

To warm you up a little, have a look at our Iris garden in full bloom last spring.