Now would be a particularly good time to win the lottery...

...because I've got just 25 days of yarn shopping left until 2012.

Stop laughing.

Come January first, Piggy will be on a serious yarn diet. And unlike my previous -- and entirely unsuccessful -- efforts at masochistic self-denial fibrous restraint, this time I'll be in good company: several of my fellow members of the Pre-Process Knitters Ravelry group.

We're having a wee challenge in the New Year. Two, actually: a Yarn Diet (last one to cave and buy yarn is the winner) and a Stashdown (most yards knit and/or crocheted in 2011 takes the title). In addition to the obvious glory that comes with saving money and churning out lots of beautiful projects, prizes of a fibre-y nature will also be awarded. (Hint: Wollmeise Lace will be among them.)

Now, I know what you're thinking. You're thinking, 'But Piggy, this doesn't sound very pre-process.' And you're right; it's not. That's why it's a challenge, you see. And temporary.

In my case, likely very temporary.

Care to join us? Sign up here!

T'was three weeks until Christmas

And in her wee space, Piggy was tinking and frogging and cursing apace.

Well, the frogging hasn't happened yet. I'm being proactive in my verse.

As per ususal, I've far too many gift knitting projects on my list, and far too little time in which to knit them. Why do I do this to myself? Every year, I say I'll start earlier, plan fewer projects, and have them all knit, blocked and wrapped up way ahead of time. And it never ends up that way.

One bright note, though: I did manage to finish my Festivus Miracle Swap-o-rama prezzie weeks and weeks ahead of schedule. I'll post some pictures of it after next week's swap dinner. Hopefully my spoilee will like it.

I can show you the start of one Christmas project: a Multnomah (Rav linky) for my mum (who doesn't read the blog).


I'm using Handmaiden Mini Maiden in the Sangria colourway...gorgeous stuff. I'm actually a bit further along than this; I'll take another picture soon.

So, how's your holiday knitting coming along? Do you have a long list of gift projects? All finished? Haven't started? Or are you one of those wise stitchers who has sworn off holiday gift knitting?

Play it backwards, Sam

It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted here, as I was very gently reminded by a fellow Raveller yesterday morning. (Thanks for the kind words, Diane!)

The timing was ideal, really, as I’d been thinking about the blog quite a bit over the last week or two. It’s been a good couple of months since that’s been the case. I’ll spare you most of the boring (and, I’ll be honest, a few fairly juicy) details, and give you the bare-bones explanation: a fairly short, acute episode of serious depression, followed by a longer-lasting but less severe one.

The good news: I’m starting to feel quite a bit better. Which is why I can joke about the situation, and tell you it feels like I’ve been living in a country song: in the last couple of months, I’ve lost my job (contract ended), my best friend (who hasn’t spoken to me since my mood hit its lowest point) and, just a few days ago, my car (which could be revived, but at a cost far beyond the justifiable, even by a nut like me). Thank Bob I don’t have any pets...

Hence the title of this post. You know the joke, right? What happens when you play a country song backwards? – you get your truck back, your dog back, your girl back...

Seriously, though. I have a lot to be grateful for. I may have lost one friend, but I’ve become closer to others. I’m unemployed again, but I have an interview tomorrow, and I’m feeling ok about it. My car’s gone, but I’ll save some money and get some much-needed exercise by taking the bus and walking until I save up enough for a new beater.

And I’ve got a metric shit-ton (pardon me!) of new yarn to plan projects for...