Thursday, January 23, 2014

Stashing!

I had two FOs this week - a matchy-matchy set of dragon hoodies!  The pattern is the Cute Creatures Hooded Sweater by Paula M (available for purchase on Ravelry). It's the same basic pattern as the owl hoodie I made for my niece, but with different appliqués.  They were a gift for a friend who is expecting her second baby any day now - she said that she's not normally a fan of matching outfits, but that dragons are definitely an exception!


I worked on my Oceanic socks, and I've finished the first and started the second.  I'm not even halfway to the heel, though... Hopefully, I'll get a lot of good knitting time this weekend so I can finish these and then start on a new pair, because I got new yarn!

I updated my stash on Ravelry tonight, because I have had a lot of enhancements in the past month, but didn't get around to adding them.  First, Christmas present yarn!

 Shiny pink yarn from Colby and David! They know me well ;) It's from XrayAnn's Etsy shop, and it's a superwash merino/nylon blend with sparkle.  It's going to be my next pair of socks, and I can't wait.

Next, souvenir yarn:
I found some gorgeous lace yarn while I was up visiting my family at Christmas, and now I'm on the hunt for the perfect shawl pattern.

I also got some prize yarn:
Green and sparkly, from Jen of the Commuter Knitter podcast.  I can't decide if it will grow up to be socks (it's a merino/nylon blend) or a shawl.  I'm leaning towards socks.., and matching handwarmers.

I also got club yarn, thanks to my sister who got into the Sunnydale Yarn Club from Dizzy Blonde Studios:
I'm excited to start this, but I'm not sure if it'll be socks or handwarmers or a hat or a shawl, or something else entirely.

And then there was yarn because I found new yarn shops:
 This pretty stuff came from FLEECE in Cumming, Ga, and will end up as a pair of socks for my beau.

 These came from the Cast-On Cottage and Needlepoint Garden in Roswell, Ga, and will be a gift for my sister... So you may not hear any more about them until she gets the finished object!

And finally, I got two skeins today, because it's Thursday:
I'm turning into such a Malabrigo fan! I've already started working with it for a secret project on Ravelry, and also a pair of handwarmers for myself.  I also got a skein of Koigu, but I somehow forgot to take a photo of it.  It's super-bright, and will eventually become socks.

Wow.  I think, maybe, it's time for a yarn diet...







Thursday, January 16, 2014

Testing, testing!

This past week, I participated in a test crochet for Owl Luv Crochet on Ravelry. The pattern has been released as "Cute Creatures Hooded Sweater" by Paula M. I made an owl in the 12-18 month size, using Red Heart Super Saver. It might not be the softest yarn, or the schmanciest, but it works well for a kids' sweater that needs to be machine washable. I think it turned out adorable, and I'll be sending it off for my niece this weekend. 


Tonight, I finished sewing a project bag for myself. It's long and skinny, but I think it's going to work for several projects I've  got in mind. It took less than two hours, and I've already figured out a few things that I will change for the next one I make. I've already got the fabric and zippers - just need more time!


WIPs:

I'm working on a pair of socks for myself. I turned the heel of the first one last night while waiting for my cookies to bake, and I should have time to finish the first sock this weekend, and maybe start on the second. 

I'm also working on a secret project for BatGirl and Sir Fox (my friend's kids), but I won't say any more until the gifts are given. 

With all the upcoming baby showers at work, I've started on a yellow baby blanket. I've got plans for three more. Sigh. 

And I'm still working on Tara's shawl and Paul's scarf... They're on my list of 2014 goals!

So I've got lots to keep me busy! But I love it. I hate just sitting still.


Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Well. I dropped the blogging ball, didn't I?

Hello again!  It's been more than two months since I last blogged - oops.  Although I can't say I'm surprised.  Would you like to hear my excuses?  It's quite simple.  My family came to visit in October, and I wanted to spend time with them, rather than at the computer. In November, I participated in (and won!) NaNoWriMo for the tenth consecutive year, which meant that my evenings and weekends were spent writing instead of knitting.  I also had a conference to attend for work, which kept me away from both writing and knitting for the better part of a week.  And December? The first part was spent recovering from November! And then I spent nearly two weeks back home with my family.  

Most of the knitting and crafting that I did during these months was for gifts, so I couldn't have posted them anyways - I'm never sure who's going to be reading this, and I'd hate to ruin a surprise.

But it's a new year, and I'm back at it!  And because it's a new year, I'd like to take a moment to review 2013 in crafting.  Last year, I made a lot of stuff.  A lot.  The projects included:
- 10 pairs of socks 
- 3 Drizzle hats (pattern by mskiknits, available on Ravelry)
- 2 matching Christmas sweaters for my nieces
- 5 other hats
- 8 baby blankets
- 9 sets of handwarmers
- a sweater and a tank top for myself
- a Cornish Pixie
- a shawl for my mum
- 2 scarves
- 2 mug cozies
- 16 tiny baby bunnies
- 5 necklaces
- 2 pairs of baby booties
- a picnic blanket
- a cute ugly monster

Wow.  That's a lot.  I have 57 completed project pages on Ravelry for 2013.  I still have 9 WIPs hanging out there, too, and I'm hoping to get through several of those before the end of this year.  I've joined a few KALs this month to work on reducing the stash and WIP pile, so expect to see more FOs in the next few weeks.

And speaking of FOs, here's my first of the year:


These are my Christmas socks, using my own vanilla sock pattern and the Fish Lips Kiss Heel.  They're knit from Never Enough Thyme's SW Merino/Cashmere/Nylon in Starlite Mint.  It was my first time trying a different colored toe, heel, and cuff, and I'm quite pleased with the results!

I also finished this:


This is my second-ever handspun yarn.  It's a single, 1 oz, approx 30 yards, spun from La Tea Da Designs' Golden Browne Alpacas Yuki.  I LOVE suspended spindling! I've already started on another ounce, and I can't wait to get more fibre.

I think I'll hold off until next week for my 2014 goals, but I can tell you that I've got a lot... But given what I accomplished in 2013, I'm sure I can do it!

Until next week, make more stuff!