Paraskevidekatriaphobia

Okay, how sad is it that I just noticed that it's Friday the 13th. I'm really out of it lately. I'm not especially superstitious, so it's like it matters. This does prove a certain obliviousness that I am not fond of, but does comes in handy sometimes. But I regress, er...digress?? Anyhow, let's move on.

This is a picture of my progress so far on the hat. I think this is pretty good, especially once you consider that I had been using 3 dpns, and decided that for my Grandfather's larger than usual melon, I would need to increase way faster. Also, while the slightly, pointy, my hat it has three corners look is cute on a kid or a woman, it's not cutting it for the 70-something retired surgeon. So, I ripped out the progress (I had gotten up to 42 stitches or so), and cast on again. I'm going to doing this cast on in my sleep pretty soon. (Speaking of this cast on, I was wondering if this was roughly the way one does the crochet-provisional cast on? Only with a different yarn, instead of around the working yarn. If it isn't, I think I might be on to something...) Then I spent the rest of the night working round and round, making stitches left and right. This is one dpn short of an increase. I find that to be a good stopping place. That way I know exactly which dpn to start with, which direction I'm going, and what I should do next. This is good since I'm not quite able to figure out to read the knitting yet. I just know that those cute lines that make the x are there because of the increases. So far I think it looks pretty good and that I have miles left to go. I'm thinking that this hat needs to measure at least 23 inches and be in a very stretchy stitch that is yet to be determined. I'm also thinking that I'm not going to have much of a choice but to switch to a circular needle. I'm hoping to be able to finish the increases before I have to switch, so as to not confuse myself (Is that increase before or after the marker? Am I on a plain row on an increse row? Where the hell did I leave my brain?) I'm just sayin'.
So, considering this is my last Christmas gift to finish (blush), I've been thinking alot about my next projects. The only thing I've ever knit for myself (you know, cuz I've been knitting soooo long, pffft) was that ugly garter stitch scarf I made. You, know the one that will only see the light of day from the window that it is near? Yeah, that one. So, in light of this fact, and the loads and loads of things I need to learn, I've developed a bit of a plan. I want to start with some smaller projects like socks which is why I've ordered Knitting Vintage Socks. I plan to do my first sock from there. I am also interested in the 2 socks on 2 circs method and the magic loop, so I'm thinking about doing these afterwards. In that same dpn and 2 circ vein I'm thinking of doing the little elephant doll from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. My mom has collected Elephants for most of her life, and this guy is just so adorable. I thought it would make a nice easter or mother's day present. I'm investigating the whole thing now. I also think with some cunning and pattern manipulation that I could make an Eyore doll - with a removable tail and all. My aunt loves Eyore, and I think that making that would be lots of fun.
Also in the queue are the camisole and the hourglass sweater from LMKG book. I'm looking into this yarn for the cami and this one for the hourglass. I was looking into shine as an option for the cami, but I'm just not fond of too many of the colors. It's what I made the baby blanket out of, and I'm kind of sick of it right now. I want to branch out a bit. I have already bought the baby cashmere yarn from elann, and while it didn't end up being knit as I had planned, it's still a wonderful yarn and is sitting in my stash-ette. Plus, you can't beat those prices =) Especially considering that my hands really want to make the hourglass out of Rowan calmer or cashsoft, or other fabulous yarn by them, but seeing as how my wallet doesn't have a death wish, I'm improvising.