Yet Another Work-in-Progress

I wish "more knitting" could be the answer to all my problems.  Life would be so much simpler.

A few weeks ago, I decided to make Spring Leaves (Ravelry link).  Except that it was October, so calling my project Autumn Leaves seemed appropriate.  Also it's yellow, although paler and more buttery than the brash gold of a Yukon fall.

(Not a perfect example of the fall colours I am thinking of, but I love the visual of the little yellow airplane with the yellow leaves.  I took this photograph on September 4th, in Eagle, Alaska.)

Now that the yarn has arrived, and I have begun my so-called Autumn Leaves sweater, the name seems a little ridiculous, what with all that snow on the ground.  But it's very pretty:

I am using Cascade 220 Sport in Lemon Yellow; it's a little washed out in this picture, but not by much.  It's the first time I have used the 220 Sport, and so far I'm pleased with it.  I hope it has the longevity of the 220 Wool in worsted weigh.  I put on my Corona the other day--knit all the way back in 2009--and noticed that it is holding up beautifully.

The only impediment to all this knitting I am trying to do is the bandaid on my thumb.  Earlier this week I was slicing mushrooms for dinner and managed to also slice open my thumb--badly enough that Ben brought me to the nursing station.  I was glad we went: it was good for my peace of mind.  The cut didn't require stitches, but I did require a tetanus shot (which also included diphtheria and whooping cough vaccines--a real multi-tasker).  The band-aid is kind of driving me nuts, though.

That being said, it is an excuse to avoid doing dishes...

Also: whooping cough?  I as a little surprised at that suggestion, but I guess I'm enough of a hypochondriac/all-around-worrier to agree to any vaccine.

Winterizing

It snowed for the first time on October 16th this year.  And today--only November 3rd!--it is -26°C out!

I have been slowly getting ready for winter over the past few weeks: got the car checked out, shrink-wrapped the windows, put away my summer-only clothes, brought the parka out of storage, and so on.  I also knit a new hat:

The stitch pattern is from some ancient knitting booklet that lost its cover before the internet was invented, and I just free-styled the rest of it.  It didn't turn out quite the way I had envisioned it, but nevertheless it looks lovely and is very comfortable and warm.  The yarn is Purple Label Cashmere Sock Yarn from Tanis Fiber Arts in the Royal Flush colourway.  I love Tanis Fiber Arts yarns;  I have ordered from her a few times (see the previously completed Swimming Pool) and have yet to be disappointed.

Despite the slow progression of preparation for winter, the fact that the ground is covered in snow, and that it is so cold out, is somehow shocking.  This is my third winter up here, so you'd think I would know what I am getting into.  Perhaps there is a difference between being physically prepared, and being mentally prepared.  Although wouldn't accomplishing one simply lead to the other?

Clearly the answer is that I need to be knitting more.

Post-Scipt:

I have to add: it is now 1:23 pm, and only just now has the sun risen above the hillside to cast direct sunlight on my cabin.  Daylight hours are so short already!