It has been a very long couple of weeks.
Chris and I have had strange work schedules and late hours. I think I'm Seasonally Affected and Disordered this time of year, try as I might to fight it. (Please Mr. Sun with your Light and Warmth, come back!). My sinuses are rebelling. Are you feeling this way too?
Weekend naps, lots of tea, and knitting are a wonderful treatment. I'm more than half way done with the Noni bag.
I started ball 4 of 8 on the Gossamer Wrap. It is going to be a large paralellogram -- isn't the Clapotis knit this way too, on the diagonal? I hope that the thickness of the yarn doesn't make this look funky, but since I'm knitting it to wear as a wrap around the house, I'll try not to worry about it too much.
The Caroline sweater is coming along, but I'll wait until I'm finished with the back before I share that.
Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos read about my search for new music for my iPod, and sent me a wonderful selection of CDs. She has an amazing collection of music!! Thank you so much!!
It's still too cold to ride our bikes outdoors, but we've been watching the Tour Down Under in South Australia on Cycling.TV. The next big cycling race will be Tour of California, February 17-24. If you have the Versus channel in the US, you can see it on cable TV, and experience some sun and warmth vicariously too.
With that in mind, Meg and I are already in the planning stages for the 2008 Tour de France KAL. Even if you're not a cycling fan, or don't know how to ride, I hope you'll consider joining us. We'll share information about the cities hosting the route, French culture, some recipes, and of course, lots of knitting. In addition to the blog, there is a Tour de France KAL group on Ravelry, and we would love your feedback on last year's KAL or suggestions for what you'd like to see this year. A certain co-hostess is egging me on to do the Breton Girl pullover from Knitscene as my Tour project. Do I dare?
I may be the only person on earth with this question, but how does the KAL work? I may want to give it a try.
The Breton Girl sweater is really cute. I wouldn't blame you for giving it a try.
Posted by: Bridget | January 29, 2008 at 03:21 PM
So that's what is going on with my sinuses! It has been dreadful. One day I feel great - the next like my nose and eyes are going to fall off my face!
Oh, I think I wanna play on the Tour de France thing...I just want to be able to knit and see the pretty French countryside - and maybe have some recipes... how do I get to play????
Posted by: Sara | January 29, 2008 at 03:24 PM
Wait, how are you watching the Tour Down Under? I looked on the Versus (how I miss the days when they were OLN) site and couldn't find anything about it! Is there another channel covering the TDU? I must know!
And naturally I'm already thinking about my TdFKAL project. What will it be this year?
Posted by: Sarah | January 29, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Kitty!
I've always loved the Breton Girl pullover & it would look great on you.
Posted by: Greeley | January 29, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I'm definitely with you on feeling tired and under the weather and wishing the sun would make an appearance soon.
I'm excited about the 2008 TDF knitalong...I enjoyed it so much last year. I'm even considering knitting a full-sized gansey, now that I've learned how through the sampler I knit for last year's TDF knitalong.
Posted by: whitney | January 29, 2008 at 04:28 PM
I just love the colors and stripes on your bag!
I hope you feel better soon - come back Mr. Sun!
Posted by: tiennie | January 29, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Feel better! I get SAD this time of year too and crave lots of light. I find it helps to smile. That cheerful Noni bag works, too.
Yesyesyes! TdF KAL 2008!!
Posted by: Ina | January 29, 2008 at 05:46 PM
My sinuses are in full rebellion too. I've been trying to get a walk or two in on the weekends, but that isn't very inspiring when the sky is gray. We actually saw the sun for a couple days and it was wonderful. I love your Noni bag! I hadn't seen the Breton Girl sweater. You dare!
Posted by: Sonya | January 29, 2008 at 07:02 PM
I know what you mean about the tired. I've been on about half power for a month now. Bleh. I'll have to go check out Breton Girl, but I do believe you can do pretty much anything with the needles that strikes your fancy!
Posted by: Sheepish Annie | January 29, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Wow, I'm glad that cat wandered through, or I would've massively underestimated the scale of the wrap!
You're very welcome! Hope you find some things you like.
Posted by: Chris | January 29, 2008 at 09:08 PM
You really should knit Breton Girl. It will look so cute on you!
Posted by: Beth | January 29, 2008 at 10:18 PM
The Breton Girl pullover is so cute! Must add to my Ravelry queue. You should def knit it!
Posted by: Aileen | January 30, 2008 at 12:10 AM
Oh, I think you should knit Breton Girl...
Wow, that wrap is going to be huge! Either that, or Rosie's tiny.
Posted by: Brigitte | January 30, 2008 at 12:28 PM
All through the holidays I was too tired to do many of the things I had planned, and my sinuses rebelled. The Gossamer Wrap is looking good. I don't think the thickness of the yarn will make it look funky at all. Breton Girl would be cute knit!
Posted by: Sydney | January 30, 2008 at 06:53 PM
You will love your bag! Remember to line it with that really thick, Timtex or Peltex. It's what makes the bag have good structure. Breton is cute...go for it, Debby!
Posted by: Lylnne | January 30, 2008 at 09:32 PM
I just found your blog, and think it mighty sweet! :) I love the little illustration on the top too! I would love to be knitting at the seashore!
Posted by: Blaze Robertson | January 31, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Ah, the TdF KAL!! It's so nice to be thinking of July in January! Looking forward to our schedules calming down too!
Posted by: suitcaseofcourage | January 31, 2008 at 01:38 PM
The tour of California goes right by my house! (Well, nearly.)
Posted by: Kim | January 31, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Oh you are doing very co-ordinated knitting!! I may be at the opposite end of the Earth but I ma tired of the heat!! Isn't t funny?? I love the cold and I am looking forward to the cooler weather when I can knit more!!! Hope your sinuses are feeling better soon.
Posted by: 2paw | January 31, 2008 at 11:39 PM
I hope your winter blahs improve - believe it or not the days really are getting longer now.
I just signed up with the Ravelry group and am looking forward to the KAL. It's never too early to be on the lookout for a fitting TdeF project!
Posted by: Kristen | February 02, 2008 at 07:25 AM
Oh yeah, I think I am affected by the lack of light during the winter, too. I hate it!
Love the Noni bag.
Posted by: Julie | February 05, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Just hang in there. Spring will be here soon, I promise! It looks like you do have some good knitting to preoccupy you while you wait.
Posted by: Kara | February 06, 2008 at 02:56 AM
I've tagged you for a "Make my Day" award:)
Boy you wouldn't want to be out here right now--so very gray! My dad has had a hard time with the no sun lately too.
Posted by: deb | February 06, 2008 at 08:57 PM
I've been wondering why I've been feeling so crappy this week and I think you may have solved it for me. I'm totally with you. Your knits are looking great!
Posted by: Jessica | February 07, 2008 at 11:42 AM