Mitts for sister...

my sister's birthday was yesterday. i didn't get to see her, but today her and our mom came down for a nice lunch out and a bit of shopping. even in our relatively quiet town, i get worn out from tramping from store to store, and i'm glad to be home again, watching the glow of the christmas lights i put up yesterday and the two candles now lit for advent.



i always have trouble finding something for my sister. we are eight years and a generation apart, and although we get along well, we don't have similar tastes at all. when you factor in that her birthday is so close to christmas, and so i have to be thinking about another gift for just a few short weeks later, i tend to really struggle. so while i have not figured out christmas just yet, i hope she was happy with these fingerless mitts i knit up this week. full details can be found here. i knit them from a sturdy superwash wool (my sister can not be counted on to handwash), in a pale icy blue colour. considering she showed up today with a coat and scarf in the same shade, i knew at least the colour was a win. i'm hoping she'll get some use out of them on cold mornings heading to work or taking the kids to school. i wrapped them with a nice candle for these dark days.



so that's one project down. so many more to go before the big day - yikes. i better get on it. i always try to incorporate some relax time into this month, but i also always have big goals for gifts. i always have trouble in stores - either the items just seem cheap, or i figure i could make something better. if only i could get more organized and start earlier...