I'm Thankful for FOs

Okay...let's see if I can finish this without my computer crashing (again)....

I hope those of you in the States had a fabulously relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. Over the weekend, I officially named Thanksgiving my very favorite holiday -- because you get a four-day weekend and you're allowed to do nothing but eat and sleep...and eat. You don't have to buy anyone Thanksgiving presents. You don't have to feel guilty for once again neglecting your Thanksgiving cards. No pressure. Just food. I love Thanksgiving.

This year, Thanksgiving provided a much-needed break. We began the weekend by going to the Blue Jackets game with Mark. We lost in the shoot-out (and we really, really should have won), but the new coach was announced right before the game, so everyone was feeling good. We're all hoping that he can whip the team into shape (something that he already seems to be doing, fortunately).

It was just the two of us for Thanksgiving, so we were free to sleep in as long as we (okay...I -- Paul doesn't sleep in) wanted to. And we could eat when we wanted to -- and what we wanted to. Between turkey bastings, I blocked my shawl.

And later that day, I finished this:


Yea for the Obnoxious Pink Sweater! I totally love this thing -- and I'm so proud of myself for pulling off my first-ever grown-up sweater design. (I've already started sketching for the next one.) It's been unseasonably warm lately, so I can't wear it right now -- but I'm not complaining. I'll have plenty of time to wear it later -- and I know I'll wear it often. Because I *love* it.

The details:
Obnoxious Pink Sweater
Pattern: mine!
Yarn: Lion Brand Wool Ease (just over 5 skeins)
Needles: #8 circs from the good ol' Denise set (and 6s for the neck)

After finishing the sweater, I went back to working on my brother-in-law's scarf (which I started back in August and then set aside for a few months in order to work on a couple of sweaters and a lace shawl). Since Christmas is right around the corner, I've got to get my rear in gear. And, over the weekend, I managed to triple its previous size. I'm around three feet now, so I'm getting there. Pictures to come.

And, finally, on Saturday, I unpinned the Fabulous Fireball Shawl:


The closeup:


The details:
Fabulous Fireball Shawl
Pattern: mine! (with a little help from Barbara Walker)
Finished size: 21.5" x 71"
Yarn: KnitPicks Gossamer in Rose Garden (2 hanks)
Needles: #5s from the KnitPicks Options set

I actually managed to pull out another little design last week -- a great last-minute Christmas gift, if you ask me. But I'll wait for my next post for that one.