Tradition

Every year the Smallies and I choose a few new ornaments for the Christmas tree.  We always get the pretty blown-glass ones from Germany, and we try to choose the ones we think symbolize what was important to us during the prior year.

This year Lindsay learned that keeping a fish aquarium may be more work than a girl as busy as she is wants to commit to (we lost several specimens, and there were, um, discussions).  She thought this beautiful Koi might be the right sort of fish for her: sparkly, elegant, and non-biological.  Campbell took up the guitar this year, so we were delighted to find this perfect replica of his beloved six-string waiting for us.  I picked the owl, because a dear friend says I remind her of a baby owl, and calls me "Hufflett".  I'm hoping it will help me Wise Up.  Paisley (our black scottie dog) got a fire hydrant, because we already have a black scottie dog ornament to match her.  And the white scottie is our favorite this year, because it's our first Christmas with Bailey.  We think it might be his first Christmas ever - he's a rescue dog, and it's hard to imagine that he'd know much about festivities, based on where he came from.

So in a way, the annual ornament gathering is our Huff family Year in Review.  What was important to you in 2011?
 

Four-Eyes

I stopped by the optometrist's to get some more of the spray-on glasses cleaner I like.  It seems I've been using it on my laptop monitor a lot, because I'm nearly out.  While I was in there, I thought I'd see when it was time for my next eye exam.  My glasses are starting to get wiggly around the hinges, and sliding down my nose in a way they never have before.  Some things just don't hold up very well.

Or so I thought.

The reason I'm out of glasses cleaner is the same as the reason my frames are breaking down:  The cruel and indisputable passage of time.

"How long has it been since you were in?" asked the nice lady behind the desk.  "Oh, around a year?" I guessed.  I couldn't actually conjure any memory.  "Oh, here you are," she said, looking it up.  "No, it's actually been four." 

Four Years.  Since my eyes were checked.  Man, you write two lousy books and everything goes all to hell.  What else have I forgotten to do?  No wonder my glasses are falling apart.  They aren't poorly-made; they're eroding.  And I can't believe the little bottle of spray cleaner they gave me lasted that long!  Good thing it finally ran out or I would never have thought to go there in the first place.

The eye doctor turned out to be a knitter, so I knew I was in good hands.  She very kindly pronounced me only a little more blind than I used to be.  She wrote me a prescription and sent me on my way to pick out some swell new spectacles.

Being made to select new glasses is nothing more than a punishment for failing eyesight.  Much like the making of coffee in the morning, or the purchasing of one's first motorcycle, the choosing of glasses is only undertaken by those least qualified to do it.  And being in denial as I was about the need to even GET new eyewear, I didn't think to bring along a friend for help.  The best I could do was to take a few pictures.  Which I also couldn't see all that well.  Here's how it went:

Sarah Palin, but without the lipstick.

Elton John, but without the Grammy. Or the Knighthood, for that matter.

Keith Olbermann, but without the biting commentary.

Every woman in The Far Side cartoons.

Don't bother voting for your favorites, because I have no idea which ones I picked.  I got so frustrated I finally just shoved a pair toward the ordering lady and promised to come back when they're ready.  Can't tell you which ones they were because, like I may have mentioned, I can't SEE!

The good news is that once they arrive, for better or worse, my new glasses will only be an eyesore/delight to those around me.  Once they are on my face, I will neither observe, nor think about them.

I suppose eyewear, like everything else, is in the eye of the beholder.

Schedule Some Fun

It's hard for me to imagine anything as far away as late winter and early spring, denying, as I am, that it's already November (although I did turn on the furnace, under duress).  Be that as it may, I'd like to tell you about three exciting things today.  Think of them as carrots for getting yourself through the holidays:  Once you power through the annual round of giving till it hurts, you can then enjoy these fun treats, which you cleverly planned for yourself, "Way back last November":

Exciting Thing Number One:

Beginning in January, I'm planning my first-ever Mystery KnitAlong.  For those who haven't tried it before, a Mystery KAL is a pattern that is given out in parts, or "clues", with no prior information of how the finished item will look when it is completed - hence the Mystery. You receive only part (a clue) of the pattern each week for a specified time period until all "clues" have been given. Once you've finished knitting all of the "clues" you will know the final look of the design.

The Mystery KAL will be a stranded Colorwork project, suitable for adventurous beginners.  You'll subscribe to the clues, which I'll then deliver to you via e-mail, at the rate of one per week.  I'll post the subscription info sometime this month (as soon as I finish swatch-knitting for my book, or I run out of Month, which ever comes first).

Do you have a stranded colorwork sweater pattern you’re not sure about tackling on your own?

Do you have a  colorwork sweater you’d like to adapt to knitting in the round? 

Do you have a pattern you love but need to make some size adjustments to?

Would you like help designing your own colorwork pattern?

If you answered yes to one ore more of these questions, then I have the class for you!  Beginning January 14,  2012, we will spend one day a month together working on the steeked colorwork cardigan of your choice.  Before the first class, I'll help you choose your ideal project, including yarn and color advice, should you need it.  Then we'll meet four times, during which I'll teach you all you need to know to knit your dream cardigan, finish it, and wear it in May.

Contact Linda Lingle at the Nordic Heritage Museum Education Department for additional course information and registration at 206-789-5707 ext. 21, or email lindal@nordicmuseum.org. 

In February I will again be at the Madrona Fiber Arts Winter Retreat; February 16-19th, 2012.  This year's exclusive design will be an entrelac hat and mitten set.  A list of classes and teachers can be found here right now and registration will open soon.  In addition to the all-day (Sunday) "Entre to Entrelac" class, I'll also be teaching 90-minute classes on finishing, and on introductory stranded colorwork.

And don't forget to check www.maryscotthuff.com for my 5 new patterns, containing Dala Horses, Queen Bees, Frog Princes, Orca Whales and Dancing Chldren.  It's all for you, Gentle Readers. 

Mary Scott Huff Hand Knitter: We Never Close!