Partly sunny

Is this what the weather forecast has in mind when they say 'partly sunny'? No photoshopping, just a strangly glowing sun(set - if you want to call it that around 2:30 pm).

As ususal I tend to underestimate the work load at the end of the year. There's the term's end with the always completely surprising number of exams and study papers. As if that wouldn't be enough, there's the growing amount of Christmas post, which does help financing my studies considerably, but also blows up my day job up into a 10h/d range. No time for knitting, well almost no time. At least no big progresses on anything.
Eris is steadily but v-e-r-y slowly growing. I added one entire skein to the finished collar. Problem now is that I don't know wether I really like how the collar's top looks like. The instructions, though very clear, left me puzzled about how the different increases work together to form a straight line down the tip. Of course the whole sweater depends by its design on the collar. There is no way to decide later that I'll just knit the collar again. I don't know what to do. Rip it again? I can't even decide, if I dislike the part so much that it's worth it - let aside the fact that I don't know if it would turn out different next time. Maybe, what I call fuzzyness is the design after all?

On socks, I added a few lines to the Elfine's, turning the heel soon. [The tights are now so necessary that I even wear them inside. No walking on snow for some while I guess. Bloody wintertime!]


Then there's something that should have made its way into the New-vember. Well, too late. What you see here is fish skin. A dyed lax skin and I think the other is called 'leopard fish' (don't nail me down on this!)

Fish skin products, such as purses, wallets and other stuff are quite popular here. I thought I can do it myself. After purchasing the skin, I have these two little contradicting voices whispering
a) I can't do this, I don't even have a proper sewing machine and thus no sewing knowledge.
b) Everything I try out for the first time usually works fine, I just shouldnt try to repeat it 'properly'.
I will keep you informed.

Last but not LEAST, my yarn from the sock scrap swap arrived! Thanks go out again to Katie, who organised this swap and of course to Judy, who was my 'swapper'. I think it only took so long because the postman had to carry so much. What a load of scraps! Look!

I am still wondering how Judy is able to knit socks without yarn. I mean, she almost send entire skeins but she affirms that she knit socks from these very skeins. Have to take her word for it. It is beautiful stuff. A lot of yarn that I haven't tried yet like the Trekking and some cotton blends and I really like the colours. Thank you so much, Judy!
In case the 'scraps' are not enough for ankle socks, I think I will knit something from this booklet. Woohoo.. knitted toys, I'm all into that. Pretty nerdish to knit toy robots, but I like it. (order this booklet from Jess Hutch, who seems to be not only a funny, gifted designer but is also a very friendly person to communicate with.)