180

Wow, did life chez Dearknits every do a 180 over the past 2 days... First up, I'M GOING TO PARIS!!!!! Yeehaw!!! My sweet Dad and stepmother Margot graciously offered to step in and save the day, and no sooner could I say "non-refundable ticket", said tickets were booked, bought and electronically delivered. I'm psyched, I'm excited, I'm slightly nervous about being so spontaneous (we leave January 17th). But that was one of my resolutions for 2009, right? Go with it! Live high, Live mighty (I got the latest Jason Mraz CD for Christmas, which is awesome by the way, definitely check it out).

I was also thrilled to score tickets to a favourite local artist of ours, Daniel Boucher, who recently came out with a brilliant new CD in November. We'll be seeing him at Club Soda in April with some friends (we may have been pimping him a bit...) and we're calling this a "Happy No-Smoking Anniversary" present (we both quit smoking 8 years ago this January).

And the knitting is going well, too! For instance, I finished my dad's hat last night (how fortuitous!).

It's a bit, um, snugger that I would have liked, but on the bright side, the lack of circulation means he won't feel the cold, right? Just kidding, it's not THAT bad. It fits Phil fine, so I'm not worried. Much. No really, I'm sure it'll be fine. Right?

Since I finished that project, and I can't work on my Noro scarf until the new yarn arrives (I'm going to alternate lot numbers in case it looks a little funky), and I don't want to start a new sock before I finish the second (technically third) Miscellaneous Man-Sock, take 2 (the yarn has also been ordered), I cast on the the Sweater for Purse Size Tissue Packet last night. It'll take no time at all (and I'll have plenty of yellow left over for your blankie project, Robyn) be a fun little something to add to my grandmother's socks when I finally get off my arse and mail them already (insert sheepish grin here).

And I'm pleased to announce that this morning, I actually sat down and doodled a couple of sketches for MY OWN DESIGNS. Crazy, right? One for a hat (sort of a play on the Turn a Square Hat, actually) and one for a scarf and/or hat, depending on whether I can get my brain around the crown decreases (it involves cabling - shudder). I really need to get my hands on some stitch dictionaries, though... I might cast on for the first idea over the next few days, I've got to take a look at the stash first.

Happy Knitting Everyone!