Happy New Year!

Yes, I know I'm a little late, but better late than never, right? The holidays here in Charlotte were nice, if a little hectic. I made Christmas Eve dinner for my family and a few friends, and it all came off pretty well I think. But now my decorations are mostly down, and 2006 has hit with a vengeance. Work has changed drastically for me in the past week. Without getting into too many details, our group has merged with another small group about an hour north of Charlotte. The other group lost a couple of physicians in the merger and I was voted volunteered to be the sacrificial lamb to help keep everything afloat and patients happy. Last week I spent three days travelling to and from this northern location, jumping into a foreign electronic records system, techs who aren't familiar with the type of work-ups I like, and a full schedule of patients to be seen. It was challenging, to say the least, but I think the transition went well, considering. From here on out I'll be going up there only two days a week, which will be more manageable.

I know the question everyone has for me is whether I finished the Manos Christmas tree skirt or not. (Well, perhaps not, but humor me please.) Nope! I released myself from any guilt associated with that. It still sits prominently in my living room and I do intend to have it done for next year though, along with the matching Christmas stocking.

After knitting last minute gift scarves like crazy, it was definitely time to start something for me. My next sweater is going to be the Tweedy Aran Cardigan from the winter 01/02 IK that Ei made last spring. I'd have never picked it out of the magazine, but Ei's version was just gorgeous. I'm making fairly quick progress of it. The photo shows the back and left front, but I've also finished both sleeves now, and am working on the right front. I'm using Rowan Yorkshire Tweed Aran in color #415, Maze. I'm knitting it up at a pretty tight gauge, and the yarn and gauge tend to make my hands a little achy, but I'm really looking forward to having a new sweater to wear on my ski trip later this month. It would be only appropriate for me to finish in time for the trip since I brought the yarn back from my ski trip last year.

I also wanted to show off one of my Christmas presents:

I mean, that's a swift! It's from the Strauch Fiber Equipment Co. and my mom and I admired these at Maryland Sheep & Wool last spring. At Thanksgiving I casually mentioned needing a new swift to replace the blue plastic one I had, but didn't think I'd end up with this beauty. Love it!

Comments

[michelle]

I love the colors of that Tweedy Cardi - it's coming along very nicely. Your new swift is the best - how cute is that!! My husband thinks my wheel is like a piece of (modern) art - maybe I can add to the collection :-)

When the new years starts with such a bang - it makes you tired I tell you, tired!

[Beth]

I tend to pass by so many things in magazines and books - it almost always takes someone in blogland discovering how great it can be before I give it a second look.

[alice]

i have the same affliction, things always look better after i've seen someone else in blogland bring it to life. and wow, what a beautiful swift!! i have GOT to get to one of those fiber festivals this year.

[jody]

happy new year to you too!

tweedy looks awesome. that magazine pic did not do it justice. i will have to keep it on my mind for next fall/winter.

even though you've had a really hectic life (all that driving back and forth for work must take a lot out of you) it looks like you've had a good amount of time for knitting too. that's great -- i know it's the part that keeps me sane when everything else is crazy!

[diane]

don't you just love being voluntold for stuff nobody else wants to do???

[Jean Miller]

You casually mentioned...? Mom

[sue]

Welcome back!
And happy new year to you too.
I love your mom's comment...

[Laurie]

Happy new year! Isn't the swift just wonderful? The wood feels consonant.

Where is your ski trip?