It was a cold weekend, but I did manage to get out on Saturday to visit an LYS where my friend Amy was having a pop-up. I don't think I've seen her since I last went with her to Rhinebeck (that was in 2021), and she was absolutely gobsmacked to see Molly because the last time she'd seen her was, we believe, 2019.
It was my first visit to this particular store, so naturally I couldn't leave empty handed. Molly picked out this set of mini skeins, and I picked up a much-needed set of 40 inch size 6 needles (that was the size giving me trouble on the sleeves of my sweater). Amy also has asked me to design something new using her yarn, so I came home with this skein of her Funky, designed to be a dupe for Spincycle. She's going to be sending me a skein of a natural color to go along with it, as I have a colorwork pattern planned.
Much of my knitting time over the weekend was spent working on my brother's gnome. I've included a ruler in this photo because before I started knitting, I really didn't have a sense of just how big this gnome is.
The pattern does give the finished dimensions, but I didn't even glance at them until recently. Fully completed and stretched out, it'll be almost two feet tall! I should be able to finish the body today, so at some point I need to dig out the poly pellets and stuffing.
I am starting to get a little panicked about not having enough time to finish all my holiday knitting -- in addition to this gnome, I need to finish my sister-in-law's socks (sock 2 is started) and cast on my youngest nephew's gnome and a hat for my oldest nephew. I know that if I really focus, I should be able to get it all done, but I also have to work and do all the usual chores around the house and pack for our trip to Florida and do all the other social things on the calendar this month. Too much to do and not enough time -- must be December!