Deadline Knitting

I sailed in and out of the polls mid-morning today to cast my vote.  Voting is always exciting to me and it makes me feel oddly proud and wildly patriotic.  They said there were long waits this morning, but I tried to time it when I wouldn't hit the normal work rush, as I have to work an odd evening shift tonight.  My husband didn't get up early to vote, so he'll be waiting in lines, no doubt, tonight after work and picking up the kid from wrestling practice.  Mom called me up this morning.  She got to the polls this morning at 6 am and she said at least 50 people were ahead of her in line.  She said how glad she was to see a broader spectrum of ages and races voting this time.  I'm anxious to see how Missouri turns out.  Historically, in every election but one (according to my sister), how Missouri has voted has echoed how the presidential election has turned out.  I read an article this morning calling the state of Missouri a bellwether state.  I had to look up the definition of bellwether, but it means an indicator of trends.  Who knew that Missouri was such a trendsetter.

Speaking of trendy, the second pair of Halloween striped socks were finished up on October 31.  These were fun, silly socks.  I'm not the kind of person who goes for holiday fashions, even though my mother-in-law often gave me those god-awful Christmas-themed sweaters as gifts, but these socks were fun.  

Right now, I'm trying to finish several baby sweaters on a deadline.  I'm leaving for Portland, Oregon for a few days on Thursday morning to visit my sisters and I need to finish some gifts beforehand.  The first gift was finished last night.  Whew.  This is a pink version of the blue "Get Ziggy" sweater I knit in October.  There's a baby shower for my girlfriend this weekend, but since I'll be in Portland, I wanted to have the gift ready to go.  My other friend is bringing it there for me.  I knit this out of Cotton Ease, because I thought the machine-wash/machine-dry yarn would be important, given that this is my friend's third baby (although first girl!) and she needs easy laundering options.  Love this pattern, especially the lap shoulder neckline.  My friend isn't "girly girl", but she likes pink and chocolate brown together, so I thought the cabled sweater worked.    The rolled brim hat was made with the leftover yarn.  I hope she likes it.  I'm just glad I got this one done before I went out of town.

Comments

[Danielle]

Did you know that a bellwether is also the sheep that leads the herd? Some spinning trivia for you :)

[Rachel]

Love the sweater and the socks!!

[Jocelyn]

The sweater is great -- I bet she loves it! And I know what you mean about that thrilled feeling when it comes time to vote :)

[Lise]

According to NPR a bellwether is, more specifically, a castrated ram (wether) wearing a bell who leads the flock! Who knew?!