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.
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.
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 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!
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.
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!
The Double Happiness sweater I just finished is up at Borealis. I want to give you proof of another finished project so I would feel justified plotting for this delicious yarn. It is a Cherry Tree Hill yarn, bulky pack-it was one I had to fight for, almost literally. It comes with a generous amount of yarn so I am thinking of a long cardigan with wide seed stitch bands and maybe a nice detail in back with cables.
Another finished object under the belt! This sweater was really fun to knit because of the interesting construction. It is a design from Norah Gaughan out of her book, Knitting Nature. I wanted to finish this one quickly before the eighties trend is over. It fits me much better than I had expected with its unflattering shape. The wide band along the bottom really pulls it together. I would call it a successful experiment in odd shapes, which is probably pretty rare, thanks Norah! 
A few days after Christmas I was given the wonderful task of knitting this kimono jacket for a shop model for Borealis. This is what it looked like Sunday morning, I finished it that day and will put it up in the store on Tuesday. Bruce has given me his approval as usual. It is a extravagant kit from Twisted Sisters-its like knitting with the rolls royce of yarns. The blue/brown is mohair (called "mojo") and in the green areas it is held with a rayon and cotton blend ("oasis"). It knit up fast on size 10 needles. The kimono was a nice reward after all that frantic xmas knitting. I am trying to finish up a few things before staring new tempting projects. There is an end in sight for my bubble sweater, hopefully you will see that this week.
I had a successful gift giving Christmas. It was a lot of fun to give gifts that I knew would be loved. This first picture is a little creepy but I find it hilarious. The girls at the yarn store joke about each other having knitting elves in their stash at home that finish all of their projects fast. This is as good as Bigfoot footage! Call the national enquirer! No, wait, it's just a doll for the little cousin.
