I've been knitting like a mad woman! As a reward, I gave myself permission to cast on yet another project! A shawl. As I've told you all previously, I flunked at knitting a Westknits pattern. Yvonne figured out the Sharktooth pattern and is enjoying it. Maybe I really should give it another shot. But before I do that, I decided to knit an easy pattern - Damson. Since I have the Bugga November Nudibranch caked, I used the yarn. This is the beginning...

This is what it will look like. I snagged this from Ysolda's pattern page:

There is a possiblity that I may run out of yarn so I have to be creative with the edging, or I could go with the modified pattern by Linda Butkus. But, I like it to be more sporty and less feminine-ish so I may stick with the original pattern.

Yesterday was a holiday from work, but I did not knit a single stitch! After kniting a lot on Saturday and Sunday, I had to get my butt off the knitting chair and finished some chores around the house. Mystery clues came out on Sunday. I finished clue 3 of the SKA Mystery Sock - sock #1. I got caught up with clue 2 on the Sock #2. Clue 3 consisted of the heel flap, turn, and gusset. I haven't taken a photo of the completion of clue 3, but this was taken while I was knitting clue 3.

On the Through The Loops Mystery Sock, I finished clue 2. Clue 3 consisted of the heel flap and heel turn. I should be able to complete that. Unfortunately, this is the most challenging pattern I'm working on, so I have only completed 1 sock. This is what it looks like now:

Sock #3 - the Cookie A's Rambutan Socks. I'm now knitting the boring stockinette section. Don't have a progress pic either.
Sock #4 - Hunter's Linaria Bipartita. I finished the first sock, but have not cast on the second sock:

So the status at this time:

Other than the above, I've been working on my Never Ending Sock Yarn blanket. My goal is to knit 120 squares a year. I have 35 columns. Knitting 4 rows a year would yield 140 squares. I may need to be more aggresive at knitting 10 squares a month (which I have done so far this month). Just for fun, I dug up photos of when the blankie was born. Nov, 2010:

Then, I gave the red blanket to my Mom. So, I had to use a different blanket for size comparison. This was taken in June, 2011:

And over the weekend, it is now at this size:

I am crazy!! But this will be beautiful. It will be drapped over my casket at my funeral to show my love for knitting as we don't want socks all over the casket.
And last, but not least, I should show you some new bags I've acquired. Remember the Tom Bihn Swifts I acquired last year? First, it was the Purple that was too purplish so I sold it to Purple Kathy...

Then, the Navy and Steel.

Now, I bought these other Nylon ones because the Cork one was out of stock. It was a couple of weeks ago, but before I bought the Cork one, I tried to sell the Navy and Steel. Since it was no longer available in that combination of colors, it was snagged up within an hour of my posting it for sale. I promptly ordered the Cork Swift and I'm as happy as a clam with this knitting tote. It seems bigger than the other ones, but it shouldn't be. I know I'm finally at peace with this one.

Also, in the past months, due to discounts offered for my birthday month... I was able to acquire these Knowknits pouches. Despite all the pretty project bags I have, if I have to just grab a project bag on the go, I use the Knowknit pouches to snap it on my purse. They are available in all sorts of colors. I love Denise's collection!

Anyway, the new ones I got was the Fur (I love petting it!)

and the Ostrich (I don't know why it's the Ostrich)

And finally, here's my latest distraction. The January pattern from Stephen West (Westknits). I may have to try this AFTER Damson is done. Snagged this photo from Ravelry member, Mabuli.

Until then, I hope I don't cast on any other projects!