Phil the Crab

Let me introduce you to Phil the crab. We all know how much I like to knit pointless animals, but they're so darn cute. Plus I'll soon have a kid to play with my goofy toys. This guy is from Knitty's summer issue and it's designed by a woman from St Paul who shares an obsession with Deadliest Catch with me. I put him in the state fair and he got 3rd place, I'm so proud of my little guy! He now lives on the dashboard of my car to navigate us through traffic or to make me smile when I get road rage.

Shelly Belly Melody Hat

This pattern was awesome. It's from a small magazine out of Madison called Knit Circus. The name of it is really the musical note hat. This is for Chris' aunt Shelly for xmas, she's the most styling musical lady I know. I used gems sport weight. (are you guys diggin' the turtle tank backdrop?)

Here's the first documentation of the holiday gifts. This is for my aunt Diane, her birthday is on New years, hence the 2010. I made her dog mittens last xmas so these will help complete the set.

Finally!!!

I finally figured out my password AND user name so I'm back. Which really doesn't mean I will post on a regular basis but now I have the power! Now we have to get our camera back in action too.

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.