Lately, I haven’t had much time for “fun” knitting. (“But, Allison!” You protest, “All knitting is fun!”) I’ve been hard at work on a very cool (yet, ironically very cozy) and very top-secret pattern. I have to knit X amount of the pattern every day to stay on track to make my deadline at the beginning of November. It’s not a very relaxing schedule for my knitting, but it’s what works best for me. If I don’t give myself a daily deadline, I try to get the whole darn thing done in one sitting and I go a little crazy.
On the days when I finish my assigned knitting early, I’ve been treating myself with Arne and Carlos’ Christmas Balls.
I got the book last year for Christmas, and have since then, I’ve harbored hopes that I could cover our tree with nothing but red-and-white knit bobbles. So far, I have made a bunch (just over a dozen), but unless we get a very small tree, it’s not going to be enough.
Despite being a little disappointed with my progress, I’m still loving making these balls. They’re the perfect in-between project. They’re interesting, and great colorwork practice. They don’t take long to make (one ball takes me about 2 hours to knit- just enough knitting to watch a movie). And, they’re very satisfying. I want to make all the Christmas Balls!
I just have to finish my stupid work knitting first… sigh.
Do you have any favorite “in-between” patterns you keep going back to?
On the Needles 
Those are so cute. You’re doing so well with them! Consider a smaller table-top tree for them, or hanging at different lengths from a mantle, shelf, or doorway.
These days my in-between is a ‘re-usable market bag in cotton yarn. This bag comes in handy for a family member who sometimes has issues with lymphedema in her arm and hand, and helps her carry stuff. It’s been a few years since I made her some and they probably need replaced.
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