Top Secret Knitting.

Most Decembers, I'm knitting all sorts of top secret things... things that will - hopefully before Christmas - be finished, wrapped and gifted with love. But this year, I've been working on a different kind of Top Secret Knitting. and I have this to report:

Knitting a top secret sample in December is not a good idea. (This is my first time knitting a top secret sample; maybe they're never a good idea!?!)

Back in October, the owner of my LYS called to ask if I'd be interested in knitting sample(s) for the Spring Summer 2017 Shibui release. This was the first time our shop had been asked to participate in the sample knitting and I was flattered to be included. Of course I said yes. The next week Sam was born. Two weeks later I picked up my sample materials, briefly noting the December 31 due date. It wasn't even Thanksgiving yet and I was going to be knitting a short sleeved sweater in DK weight yarn on size 7 needles. I was happily knitting on No Tails, finished a pair of socks for Sara and a hat for Sam (still to be blogged).

casting on the 2nd sleeve - that Due Date SO visible!

Two weeks ago I finally took a serious look at that sample knit. A little over 1,000 yards. Pieces. Seams. I figured I should swatch. (and I did - and got quick approval to cast on.) I decorated for Christmas. I made a holiday playlist. I kept knitting No Tails, sure I could finish it before the sample.

Last Thursday, I finally set it aside (still needing 5" of cowl neck and two seams) to cast on the sample. Then early this week, I realized I really needed to have that sweater done well in advance of December 31. More like December 21 (so I could enjoy the holidays and Sara's visit). Whoa....

The first piece of the sweater took me five days to knit. The second took two, the third one and this morning I finished the second sleeve. Whew. monogamous knitting FTW!

taking a bath early this afternoon

It's drying now. It still needs to be seamed (which is never my favorite part of finishing), but hopefully the hard part is behind me. I won't be able to share anything more about this project until the pattern launches - in February? - but I promise FO shots then. I think it's a winner.

...and now back to the not-secret parts of December!

yesterday morning, waiting for the puppet show to begin (Katie drove; I knitted in the car :-)

Hope you're somewhere safe and warm, with knitting and a beverage of choice. I'm going to be picking up No Tails again. and relaxing with a (well-deserved ;-) glass of wine.  Happy Saturday!