Totoro's Awed by Giant Acorn

Totoros, on the Eve of Christmas were awed by the large acorn brought as a gift by giant Korknisser.

Tree Pattern: Fuzzy Mittens Wee Tree Pattern with Through the Loops Fun Fur Variation

Merry Christmas!


Not sure what kind of flower this is, but it sure jumped out at me in all it's orangeness.

Must Have Haiku

Knitting Must Have sleeves,
The mind wanders to Clapotis
and lusts for Noro.

Sleeves just seem to go slowly. But of course there are the holidays, too what with all the cookie baking, shopping and parties. I took off a week from work but it's just not enough time!

Must Have enabler Kim praised me as "prolific knitter" but I don't hold a candle to Opal who I think has knit enough garments for a small country since I've met her.

I still want to knit Kirsten's Thorpe and some of Barbara's cute Christmas trees but will there be time?

It doesn't help that I'm easily distracted by stuff like Bumpy Doink's Japanese meme link. I have to work on the music meme she tagged me on, too!

I managed to crank out some more stitch markers, maneki neko (shown in black but also in white and gold) and apples. I recycled some turquoise beads and added some silver leaves. I'm also trying to use up some of my pearl and Swarovski crystal stash and go big with the earrings, as the younger girls seem all be in to huge dangly things.



And then of course there's the angst of work. I found out one of the ladies I walk with also put in for retirement. It was suggested by the walking group that when I feel a whine coming out I just call her up and quack. Maybe I'll try it!

Time to get out that Acorn Tree

The dried starfruit with li hing powder was a hit a work. I still think these are a bit strange tasting, but as the neighbors tree is all ripe at once I decided to make a really big batch. I found slicing them thicker works better as the first batch came out like potato chips. These take a little over 24 hours. I coated them with lemon juice and a little honey before drying. Tomorrow, the powder!

Having succumbed to Ravelry, I found a small group of Miyazaki fans and one knit a very cute Totoro. My version came out quite plump as I took the instruction "stuff firmly" seriously. He is posing under the Christmas Acorn tree with his new found friend. The yarns are Cascade Pastaza and Malabrigo. The eyes and chest markings are needle felted on.


Must Have is chugging along. I have two fronts going on at once. I find myself flirting with new yarn. Never mind that I have sock yarn in my stash. I'm trying to save up so I can splurge at Madrona, since it's so much more fun to buy yarn I have been able to meet in person.











The rain let up enough for a walk. It was so green!
Which reminds me. I have officially tendered my resignation, effective 6/30/2008 and I am happy about that:)