Beginning to thaw out here. Takes 8 inches a while to melt when it’s not all that much above freezing. I didn’t have to get out in it, didn’t want to, so I didn’t.
The way I look at it, this is why God gave us lap robes, hot tea, and knitting. And internet radio. . .
I have a hard time tracking lines on a knitting chart without help. Best $10 I’ve spent in a long time (except to buy Chiaogoo Red Lace circular knitting needles . . .) was on this typist’s stand. Does exactly what it says on the tin. (Of course, if the chart is not very wide, a large rectangular sticky note works, too.) I’ve started the hat. Won’t care about messy floats as I’m using my hemmed toboggan pattern and the hem will cover them. Now that I’ve gotten all the urgent Xmas knitting out of the way, I’m looking forward to finishing some of my (many) WIPs*:
A Malguri Morning shawl for me (named for Ilisidi’s mountain fortress Malguri from the Foreigner books by C. J. Cherryh — I’m a huge fan. Both she and her wife Jane got one of these last Xmas. This one is Jane’s. Making me one out of the same yarn but with only one solid blue stripe.) 
Najidama Bay shawl — another Foreigner themed shawl named for the bay where Bren’s estate of Najidama is located.
Reader’s shrug — if this kind of weather persists, I may have to make another one in worsted weight yarn. . .
Two rectangular shawls that I’m knitting horizontally from side to side: (BTW, if you want to be a test knitter for either of these rectangular shawl patterns, let me know.)
Kildare Cobblestones shawl (using dental floss for lifelines!)
Blu Fiorentino Shawl
and a rewrite of this shawl pattern with five sections instead of four in the same yarn, which I’m calling Pentaluna and oddly don’t have any pictures of. Haven’t decided if I’ll use this edging on it either. I may use the edging from Blu Fiorentino shawl as it has wedges.
And if this isn’t enough, if I get money for Xmas, then I want to do this sweater in cotton yarn (allergic to wool!). And I’ve got at least three hats I’m working on to donate to my local cancer center for chemo patients. . . .
Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop, ya’ll.
*WIPs – Works In Progress
The Owl Underground 
Here’s an unexpected addition to my own cold-fighting tools: the heated pad I bought for Dixie Rose to help with her arthritis. I spotted it today and thought, I wonder how that would do on my computer chair? Just fine, as a matter of fact. Granted the heat it provides is fairly localized, but every little bit helps!
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