Got a Neck - Need a Cowl I Say!

I was going through other people's blogs and came across one that had a pattern for a cowl - AKA neck warmer (I apologize that I can't remember which one blog I found it on. It's funny how when you are looking for a site that you've already been to, how hard it is to find your way back. The net is definitely a super highway, and just like in real life, I seem to be lost.) . And I said to myself, "Self - that is a great idea!" The pattern actually used alpaca yarn that I had in stock from my last shopping trip with Nancy and called for exactly one skein - which again, I had just the perfect amount (which is why I still had it - because I needed 2 skeins at least to make a decent scarf - which when I bought it I hadn't realized). It was as if the knitting gods had looked into their pattern books and said, "On this day Angela will knit a Cowl with thy alpaca yarn-th that-th she-th already bought-th and then-th she-th won't be wasting money-th." (It's kind of funny that the knitting gods have a lisp - probably why they like to stay at home and knit :-). Plus I kind of needed a tiny break from the sweater that I'm also knitting, which is just on the knit- purl stocking stitch body part that gets a bit tedious. Plus I'm really trying to open my horizons to having several projects going on the same time so that I never get that feeling of panic when I go search for the next project to take on. So I know that you are getting anxious to see how the cowl turned out, so here it is:
I know you say that it looks good on arm - but does is it really functional around a neck? Since I'm having a bad hair day, George the wonder cat said that he'd step in and model even though he pointed out that he already has quite a full set of hair on his neck that keeps him quite warm. So without further ado, George the Wonder Cat in "Do I really have to put this on?":
Poor George - He is such a good cat - but more importantly such a great knitting model!

I also made a purchase last weekend to make some Christmas Stockings (I bought them on Patternworks.com if you are interested) to hang out for Santa. I have always wanted to make some hand knit stockings like the ones I had growing up. Ours didn't have this much pattern - but they reminded me of them and that's good enough for me. Plus they look big enough to put some really great stuff in- but small enough so that Santa doesn't have to break his back bringing it down the chimney. Plus, if my present is too large for the sock - he knows he can always just prop it up next to the fireplace or under the tree. Plus jewelry should have no problem fitting into the stocking (If anyone talks to Todd, that would be a good hint as to what I would like this year :-).
I'm going to try to put our names on the Stockings in place of one the Peace, Love, or Joy spots. I actually ordered the Peace Stocking - but in realty they are all the same pattern (minus the words) with just different color placements.

Well, since my side of the family has decided to celebrate Christmas on Thanksgiving - we are holding our first annual "Thanks for Christmas" celebration. I have to go shopping this weekend to get ready. If you need me, call my cell because I'll be at the stores. I'm hoping they won't be as crowded as when I normally shop. Plus the stores started decorating before Halloween here (the city of St. Charles already has their street lights decorated with Christmas trees!) - so I shouldn't have any problem finding presents. Wish me luck.