Ring of Fire

This beauty was inspired by KnittinMama, who had it out to tempt me. I had a skein of Anne I didn't know what to do with and this pattern was the one! It's a Heartstrings pattern, I am officially a fan of the writer who took good care to explain everything thoroughly. It would be a great beginning lace project. I have a couple more repeats to go, I'd better be able to finish this before winter.

Kaia's Hat

I meant to post this forever ago. I couldn't find the picture, surprise surprise. The computer often foils my plans. This is made out of Iceland from Cascade yarns on a size 9. The letters are duplicate stitch and there is a orange hem inside the hat. It was a big hit at this 2 yr old's bday party. She opened it and immediately put it on and there it stayed for the rest of the party-this was in March by the way. That's the kind of kid who will get more knitted things in the future!

Summertime (Will Smith style)

Yay! We had out first hot and sunny day...finally! At least that day landed on Grand Old Day. Now I can be excited about knitting summer tops like this! It's a Sirdar pattern for their bamboo yarn, but I used Shibu- a washable silk, pretty spiffy. It knit up really quick-just a couple of weeks. You'll soon be seeing a lot of Norwegian mittens. Arnhild is teaching at Borealis this month so I got excited and started to plan xmas gifts. I hope my relatives don't look at this.

Peek a Boo

I was very pleased with this hat, it was very putzy and I wasn't sure I would like how it would fit in the end. You can't really tell from the pic, but the top of the orange section was very pointy. I was grateful the purple neatened that right up! The pattern is from Lace Style and I used Gems Opal, the sport merino wool. I was kinda bitter for a few days when I found out I was running out of purple. You see-I debated over the color scheme until I settled on the purple because that one came in a 50 gram hank (the last one by the way)-which the pattern calls for- lo and behold the hat takes more than 50 frickin grams of yarn. So not only did I not use the color I really wanted (peacock), but I had to buy a 100 gram hank of the purple...in a different dye lot!! But it doesn't bother me too much, really. OK ranting done, I really do love it and it fits well, that bitch was well worth the pain.

This is who I want to marry?

Ah..my own personal incredible Hulk. This is a sweater that I started earlier this winter for my sweetheart. It is made from Magpie by Rowan. I love knitting with it, although it is a bit scratchy. Chris put it on and gave me the funniest look, "it's itchy" (in a whiny, pathetic voice). I know it will get much softer after it has been washed. The good thing is that we are about the same size so I will gain a new sweater if he doesn't like it! I finished one of the sleeves but I am blogging about it to give myself motivation to finish it. I am in a "starting-a-new-project" mood; so I am trying to get excited for my old projects in order to keep me from bringing home some Elsebeth Lavold Bamboucle to cast on for a summer top. It has worked so far today, wish me luck the rest of the week at work.

Fanning the Flames

Although this is not proof, I have finished this pair of mittens. If you've seen me around out in the cold you would know I am telling the truth! This pattern is called fanning the flames, it's a type of domino knitting. I love this technique because you just can't put it down, you always want to do one more section. At Borealis we just got a new pattern in for a blanket using the domino or mosaic knitting, I have been inspired by both of these projects to make a blanket using all of my leftover scrap yarn from socks. Including the leftovers of these mittens.

Oklahoma!

Oklahoma was everything it's cracked up to be...nothing. We went down there for Chris' cousin's wedding. We made a good time out of a lot of bad situations, but I'm glad to be home. This is the fine chapel at a truck stop somewhere in Missouri, one of my more interesting photos (besides the wedding). The oil pump with Chris down below was in the front yard of the ranch where the wedding was held, who knew? The lovers mittens I made for them was a huge hit. I was an idiot...I didn't get any pics of the mittens sorry to disappoint you!

Your Peeps are Calling!

This is a Fiber Trends pattern that I've always wanted to try-a felted hen and her chicks. I started with the babies...because they are scraps!. They ended up as ridiculously cute Easter chicks inspired by peeps-hence the unnatural colors. I have been doing all sorts of fun knitting, but my computer has been cranky lately. I never know when I'll be able to post, I apologize for the irregular blogs. I just finished knitting the cutest hat for my cousin's 2nd birthday, as soon as the thing is tidied up I will get a picture on here.

I have strong urges to start new projects, but I just can't justify it. The two projects I am looking at both use size 9 needles. Now I know I have several size 9 needles, but I can't risk permenantly abandoning the projects from which I would strip these needles from. I have picked up the aran coat I started last winter which is pictured here. It is on size 9 needles...but then Chris started asking me about his sweater that I also started last winter, damn that one is on 6's. I am glad to say there is progress on both sweaters. I completed the front of the aran coat and started with another sleeve, then I will have the other front and the collar to go.

Fair Isle Fever

I think fair isle fever is an appropriate explanation for what I've been going through. Or maybe I should call it what it really is-crack. These projects keep me up late into the night just to see what the picture will look like. I finished this a couple weeks ago and also started some lovers mittens then too. Arnhilde makes it so I can't sleep at night!