So. It’s been, what a couple of months? How’ve you been? I know, I look like hell — work and stress have taken their toll. Not to mention this dry winter air.

I started a new project Monday night. It was originally going to be just a practice knitting-in-the-round dealie, but now I think I might turn it into a hat for a small child — after I felt it, that is, and assuming it shrinks to the appropriate size. The yarn is super-soft Crystal Palace Labrador (100% Australian wool), but I’m not loving the color (Picnic). It reminds me of a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I’m hoping after I felt it, the color will meld into something subtle.

Since late 2003, I’ve made:

• Seven scarves! The first was a Fibonacci sequence, slate blue and taupe stripes, for D. The rest have all been fluffy Crystal Palace Splash concoctions for Christmas gifts (my mom, D.’s mom, Amy, Becky, and me), plus a lilac wiggle-worm scarf for my niece (she’s two).
• Half of a dark-blue-and-purple stripey chenille scarf made from Berroco Chinchilla. I got bored switching colors every few rows.
• A coin purse for Judi — see above Picnic yarn.
• Two sets of booties — a lilac pair made from Rowan Polar (they call the shade “Smirk”) and a deep red-and-slate-blue pair for some as-yet-to-be-determined child. Maybe I’ll give them to my cow orker Julie.

My stash is getting pretty low. Maybe I’ll orchestrate a run to Windsor Button downtown with Becky, Jess, and Judi. I don’t think I can afford too many trips to Mind’s Eye or Woolcott & Co. — at $10 to $12 a skein, I’d be broke in no time flat.

Non sequitorious note to self: do not buy another slice of Pizzeria Regina’s “St. Anthony,” who must be the hagiographic patron of slimy green peppers.