Option 1 – would that be denial? =)
Option 3 – even if you stopped working on the Thrum Mittens, it might still be hard to finish the Ombre Blanket on time. 3.33 hours on a weekend might be OK, but if you had to knit that long on one project for 20 days in a row, AND finish Ronnie, you might hate knitting by the time Christmas gets here.
Option 4 – laughed out loud when I read this one. I’m sure I’ll feel that way when I start hitting the shops to go Christmas shopping.
I vote for option 2. If you put the Ombre Blanket aside until after Christmas, you could probably finish Ronnie and the Thrum Mittens, right? So you would have 2 out of 3 Christmas presents done on time! Perhaps you could give the person a beautiful IOU for the Ombre Blanket? Good luck with your knitting.

I have wrapped things still on the needle, and then once the recipient has opened it, I take it back and finish it. As long as said recipient is of the good natured type, of course.

Option 2 sounds like the way to go.. of course it would be wonderful if everything could get done by Christmas, but what about your sanity?? Stay warm :-)

I like Option 2 also. Get what you can get done, and then wrap up Ombre as is. OR (if you're up to this one) you can knit a "mini" Ombre, maybe coaster size and give that and say that it's a sneak peak of what's to come. That way you don't really ruin the surprise and when you give her the finished one, it will be like Christmas all over again.

I'm kind of liking the options where you set one of the projects aside until after Christmas. I think you should aim for that, and if it so happens you finish the rest of your stuff early, then you can pick up the aside project once again!

4, Definitely 4. Hmm, that's a tough decision though. Let me remember, is Ombre for your mother? If so, she'll understand, wrap it up on the needles, with a promise to have it finished before the end of winter.

Otherwise, I bet you will come really close to finishing it all. See this is why I never count stitches, or why I don't until it's all done, 43,000 would inflict sheer terror upon oneself.

I'm all for option four, but I think the sanest thing to do is finish up everything but the Ombre blanket. Get as much done on the blanket as you can, wrap it up and finish it after christmas. The recipient will surely be gracious and understanding.

Knowing who the Ombre is for....I suggest option 2. If anyone is understanding and will appreciate the fact you tried, the recipient is just that person. Don't stress out. For all you know, somehow you can pull it all off including the Ombre. I seen you pull miracles off before.

My gut says option 4....but, go with 2. Mmmmm, umbrella drinks...cabana boys...sand instead of snow. So seductive.

Ditto the wrapping & gifting of Ombre while on the needles - as you once reminded me, this is supposed to be fun, so give yourself a little slack. You'll still feel good because you can finish the Thrums and Ronnie, and you won't have too much stress.

Definitely leave the blanket aside for now. If you finish everything else with time to spare, you can always go back to it. But anyone special enough to get tens of thousands of stitches knit for them probably cares more about your sanity than the finished product.

43,000 stitches!?! Yikes. I agree with everyone about option 2. You could knit a sample swatch to gift wrap for the recipient, along with a little note explaining that the blanket is on the way.

Although, if you decide to run away to a tropical island, please let me know so I can come too! I could use a break from reality right about now myself. :)

4 is the best idea, but since your family might miss you, I vote with setting Ombre aside and doing all the other stuff. Work on Ombre after all the other stuff and wrap on the needles and finish after Christmas. I bet that would be just as appreciated and less stress for you. And WOW that's a lot of sitches. We knitters are amazing!

Haha! Yes, I see, yes, me too...really. I was thinking 1.But really. 2. Well, 4 is the best. Too funny,...my MIL birthday is in february too, I was thinking to do her scarf for that, cause it just is not gonna happen!

What about my blog? Any idea where blogger went? I am here waiting to post...no blog.

OPTION 2!!!! I also have Ombre on the needles and there is NO WAY I could work on it as much as you have. You have been inspiring me to keep at it, but my suggestion is that you don't put that much pressure on yourself this time of year.... Plus, this is a wonderful project to work on after the holidays,,,, when it's colder and quieter.... Happy Holidays!!!

I will tell you this in advance: you are going to completely ignore what I'm about to type. I know this, but yet I persevere.

Knitting is supposed to be fun. So whichever of those options you choose, please don't lose sight of the fact that you are not a sweatshop knitter.

Now, who decreed that your Christmas presents have to be knitted? Seriously, who said that? Would it be so bad to go to a store and buy a nice pressie or two, and thereby redeem and save your pre-holiday? Then, when you feel like it and aren't stressed, you can finish and gift those lovely hand-mades when both you and the recipient have time to focus on them?

Granted, I have limited patience for those who make up unreasonable and unnecessary deadlines, then stress about having to meet them.

So, that is why you will ignore me. Too much humbug.

;-)

I would knit a mini swatch as suggested with an up-to-date photo and an IOU.

If you go for Option 4... call me and I'll go with you.

I am right there with you in everything that I want to finish and the actual time it's going to take to actually do that - and 1+1 isn't equaling Christmas in that equation. I keep thinking I am going to have to wrap up one sock, or one mitten, and then send the other one in January. I'm just afraid I will get so frustrated I won't actually finish the others and then people would be left with a lovely sock/mitten puppet.

I like Option 2... finish the smaller projects and then you've got some sense of completion versus everything being incomplete. (Although getting ahead of the game for your MILs Feb b-day isn't such a bad idea either.)

Hmmm, isn't it sort of ironic that the pattern for Ombre comes from a book called 'Last Minute Knitted Gifts'...
I'm with the others - take some time to relax and (dare I say it?) UNWIND... don't stress over the blanket!