Knitting again

Earlier this month (or maybe it was at the end of last month) I made a declaration that I wasn't going to knit anything for Tetsu this Christmas, ending a nearly 40 year tradition.  I announced my decision to Tetsu who took it philosophically saying that he had SO many knitted sweaters and vests that he already didn't make good use of.  Good.  That tradition has been laid to rest and instead I bought him the funny sweatshirt from Bitmoji (which he has yet to trump up enough courage to wear!)

The cold evenings we have been having with the kettle boiling away on the kerosene stove and the cats lounging around on the heated carpet are the nights when I most yearn to do some knitting.  Instead I have been tatting but for some reason that has been unsatisfying.  I want to feel yarn in my fingers!! 

I have enough left over yarn to keep me knitting for years.  So many rolls of this and that color and weight.  I could start making socks?  or do either of us need a new muffler?  Hmmm...  I could make myself a stash-busting sweater or vest with all the mis-matched yarn... for that matter, I could make TETSU a vest with all the mis-matched yarn but I didn't think he'd really go for that... he is rather conservative.  I pulled out knitting patterns for myself...  Nah...  I wouldn't feel right declaring I wasn't making anything for Tetsu and then starting in on myself...  (Misguided guilt complex, I know.)

Sunday I had to go to a craft store to pick up some cording for a quilt I've been making (to be shown later this week).  I don't particularly think of this store as a good place to buy yarn or fabric as it is very trendy and the quality isn't always great though the prices are good.  You guessed it, after choosing my cording I wandered into the very limited aisle of yarn.  Not great, not great, passable, hmm...  this yarn is nice.   Ohh!  I DO like variegated yarn!

After a lot of considering I bought yarn again!!!  It is not 100% wool but Tetsu has complained that some of my sweaters have been TOO hot.  It is rather fine yarn probably more complementary to women's wear but it is pretty.  I'm only giving myself a month to knit something...  a vest, not a sweater but I am a fast knitter and it is what I've been yearning to do these past couple of weeks.   The inexpensive yarn doesn't really compare to the ultra high quality of yarn of past years from the specialty shop (which has pared down its inventory) but knitting SOMETHING is better than knitting NOTHING!

Tetsu laughed at my industry with the knitting needles again.

"You said you were going to stop!  I don't need another vest or sweater!  ... But I DO like the pattern that you're knitting."

I think he is rather pleased, don't you?