Finally Finished

I kept knitting and knitting... and near the end I kept having my husband try it out and see if it was going to be the correct size. In fact, because he's so tall, we actually order lots of extra yarn so we wouldn't be limited by yarn on hand when we determined it was done.



Now that it's done, I don't think I'll be blocking it. The squishy-ness of the knitting seems right somehow. The lace is pretty enough without stretching it open, and this wrap definitely doesn't need to be stretched (well, maybe width-wise, but it's okay the way it is)



Even though I couldn't get a modeled shot my sweet husband has been wearing it on the couch every night and keeping warm in our cool winter house. I could barely convince him to take it off long enough for me to weave in all the ends (ulgh). I'm glad it works for him.



Both sides are so nice looking, and it just looks great throwing it over the chair or couch.

Details are on Ravelry, but here's a quick note: Stonewall by Anne Hanson (knitspot.com) done with Silky Tweed on US 4 and 5, I followed the pattern (34 repeats and all), although it appears now that my gauge is obviously not right on, as it used a lot more yarn, but it all is great, as it fits nicely.


I also have worked up this hat (modeled kindly by Lily) for a local group called Warmer Winters (which my mom is running for Springfield)


up next... more hat, scarf, wintery things, and some spinning and a small sweater for the Little Tomato

Post-Christmas Post

Christmas is now very much over and I can finally post the finished projects (sorry for the interesting photos, I remembered to take them right before wrapping them up and shipping them off.)

First, was for my almost 2 year old nephew


I made up a couple of these yarn balls and also wrapped up a collapsable laundry hamper for throwing fun.

I also got foot measurements for my brother and his wife. He got these:



Just plain socks with ribbing on the instep and cuff.

...and she got these:


they are not that pinky/red - they are a much deeper wine color. (both the ink and the wine are knit picks kettle dyed, I really liked how they looked once they were worked up.)

The sock almost looks normal on the foot, but the reason I made them is I fell in love with how they look off the foot (in their restive state)


Aren't those just cool?


I also finished a hat that was swapped to a friend. She got a cool hat, I'll get the use of her photography skills for my kids. I, of course, forgot to take a picture of it, so I'll have to see if she can take one for me.


I told my girls that AFTER christmas we could make gingerbread houses (they kept seeing the kits at every store we went to) so last week, while my sweet husband was out of town for business we spent several days to that end. We made the dough one day, cut and cooked the pieces the next day, and then put it together the third morning and decorated it that same afternoon with a friend.


I think this is my first time making royal icing as an adult - what fun! ...especially using meringue power so it is quick and edible. After all the pieces were firmly attached we made up another batch, added the chimneys and then thinned it down to use the rest for gluing the candy in place.



We might use a slightly smaller pattern next time, but I think the kids could talk me into this again, especially if you consider all the time it used that can be considered different schooling areas.


I am almost done with what was supposed to be a birthday present (early December), and then a Christmas present... and now it's just a present for my sweet husband. Pictures of that next time...

Post 21

I just realized it's been over a month since my last post, and only 20 for the whole year. (Getting close to the 200 total posts!) It's been a busy crazy year - mostly fun and a lot of trying to get stuff squeezed in (like sleep?). I do have some things done...

I finally finished the slippers for my husband (I still need to take a final picture of them with the leather bottoms on)



I also worked up a shower gift. I love this hat. Curly had helped to make one like it for the Little Tomato and it fit forever since the rolled brim kept getting rolled less and less, in fact his just now doesn't fit. I hope this one will fit the new baby for a long time.


I just realized that I never took a picture of a earband and cowl that I made for Lily - so pics and details of them next time.

We took a break on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and went to see some things we've missed this past year...






We've never been to this farm before, although I have seen them at some different fiber events. It was a fun drive and very relaxing (especially as we drove by the mall and saw the nasty full parking lot and traffic) and of course, the whole family enjoyed seeing the animals and the yarn and fiber for sale.

I've also been working on Christmas presents that I won't post about until after Christmas. ...and knitting, and cooking, and cleaning, and decorating, and schooling, and baking, and sleeping, and holding the baby, and being social, and shopping, and reading, and such. Enjoy!

The Zipper is In!

I finished sewing in the zipper, so my orange bag is now DONE! It's so funny how such a little thing delays completion for such a long time.

I'm still working on the nightcap. I am now down to 20 stitches per section.... and every three rows I drop another stitch per section. Decrease row, knit plain row, purl a row... 19 more times and a tassel and then I'm done. ...then I can work more on the slippers and stripy socks and new projects!

Current (and Finished) Projects

I finished something...


Curly chose this yarn back many months ago. She wanted to make something with it, and I suggested a bag. It turned out to be too fuzzy for her to help with, so I did it while she did things for me. I just did a rectangle and then did a 3 stitch I-cord, picking up a stitch through both layers every other I-cord row (and then psso the last of the 3 stitches with the one I picked up). I did one side, then cut and put it on a small holder, did the other side and then kept going until the yarn was almost gone and then grafted the two I-cords together. That way I used up the yarn completely and got the handle as long as I could.


...and I am still working on the nightcap from the most recent knitty.




It will end up being big, but fit perhaps? My husband will have to try it one night and then we'll decide if we need to add some light elastic, or machine sew a bit to make it narrower, or just leave it alone. He's trying to talk me in to making a second one with less stitches around.... we'll see. We'll definitely have enough yarn, it's just up to my list and priorities.


...and I've got a pair of socks started (well, one sock started)

This is going to be a pair for my husband (I didn't knit for him all year, so suddenly all my projects are for him) and he wants them a bit tall, so I'll just get both feet done and then keep going.


I am still spinning the alpaca (one skein done, 3 or so to go). I had to bring my yarn down this weekend to regroup (plastic bags were taking over one corner of my room). I still have one rubbermaid container of yarn and one of fiber (and then a big webs bag of lopi - skeins and scraps). I ended up keeping yarn out for two new projects.... which will start as soon as I finish the night cap! ..well, at least one of the two will!