Monday, December 31, 2007

Another Productive Knitting Year Draws to a Close!

Despite a busy year of juggling work, family and other commitments (or maybe because of the juggling--a needed stress reliever and escape!) I managed to complete 21 projects this year, and have two works in progress. I hope to be even more productive in 2008, perhaps learning some new techniques along the way and making a significant dent in my significant sock yarn stash! I have found that the members of my family are the most enthusiastic about the socks I've made them. Like many others, once they feel the hand-knit socks on their feet, they are as addicted as I am to making them, and they want more!

My current socks on the needles are the Priscilla's Dream Socks from Favorite Socks(with some modifications of the heel and toe from Sensational Knitted Socks), in University of Michigan colors for my son. The Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn is absolutely luscious--so soft and silky-feeling, with vibrant colors.

I have had Scarf Style for about a year and believe it or not, I FINALLY finished a scarf, Midwest Moonlight, from this lovely book. After I was about 40% of the way done, my husband expressed interest in this scarf so I accelerated its place in my queue--concentrating on it instead of making it third in line meant it got finished MUCH faster, although it still took quite awhile to finish. He wanted the scarf to be wide and long, so I blocked it as much as I could, gaining about 4 inches in width (it's now about 13 inches wide) and about 10 inches in length, to 70 inches. The blocking gave it a pretty, more open look too. I'm quite pleased with the result and hope he is too!

More details on my Ravelry page.
Happy New Year and a year of enjoyable, productive knitting to all!

Another Productive Knitting Year Draws to a Close!

Despite a busy year of juggling work, family and other commitments (or maybe because of the juggling--a needed stress reliever and escape!) I managed to complete 21 projects this year, and have two works in progress. I hope to be even more productive in 2008, perhaps learning some new techniques along the way and making a significant dent in my significant sock yarn stash! I have found that the members of my family are the most enthusiastic about the socks I've made them. Like many others, once they feel the hand-knit socks on their feet, they are as addicted as I am to making them, and they want more!

My current socks on the needles are the Priscilla's Dream Socks from Favorite Socks(with some modifications of the heel and toe from Sensational Knitted Socks), in University of Michigan colors for my son. The Cherry Tree Hill Supersock yarn is absolutely luscious--so soft and silky-feeling, with vibrant colors.

I have had Scarf Style for about a year and believe it or not, I FINALLY finished a scarf, Midwest Moonlight, from this lovely book. After I was about 40% of the way done, my husband expressed interest in this scarf so I accelerated its place in my queue--concentrating on it instead of making it third in line meant it got finished MUCH faster, although it still took quite awhile to finish. He wanted the scarf to be wide and long, so I blocked it as much as I could, gaining about 4 inches in width (it's now about 13 inches wide) and about 10 inches in length, to 70 inches. The blocking gave it a pretty, more open look too. I'm quite pleased with the result and hope he is too!

More details on my Ravelry page.
Happy New Year and a year of enjoyable, productive knitting to all!

Friday, December 14, 2007

Holiday Fever!

Not content to make my slew of Everlasting Bagstoppers (I'm about halfway through the second one), and also admitting that I wouldn't finish enough of them for all the people I want to gift at work, I decided to use some of my stashed handmade washcloths to fill in the gaps. I had two washcloths and just cast on for a third. I'm using the Mason-Dixon Washcloth pattern that I made over the summer, and using up some of my assorted Peaches & Creme cotton. I think this will be it for me for washcloths--they really don't excite me. But I bought some cute wicker baskets at a local drugstore and will add some bath gel to each basket with the washcloth--I think it makes for a cute gift, don't you?

The bags will have to be for after holiday gifts..and maybe even for me.

Finally, I cast on for my son's University of Michigan color socks, using the Priscilla's Dream Socks pattern from Favorite Socks. I got them started through one color change and will now put them away for our holiday vacation--the washcloth and Bagstopper, as well as my husband's scarf (about 2/3 of the way done!!) all need to be done first.

Holiday Fever!

Not content to make my slew of Everlasting Bagstoppers (I'm about halfway through the second one), and also admitting that I wouldn't finish enough of them for all the people I want to gift at work, I decided to use some of my stashed handmade washcloths to fill in the gaps. I had two washcloths and just cast on for a third. I'm using the Mason-Dixon Washcloth pattern that I made over the summer, and using up some of my assorted Peaches & Creme cotton. I think this will be it for me for washcloths--they really don't excite me. But I bought some cute wicker baskets at a local drugstore and will add some bath gel to each basket with the washcloth--I think it makes for a cute gift, don't you?

The bags will have to be for after holiday gifts..and maybe even for me.

Finally, I cast on for my son's University of Michigan color socks, using the Priscilla's Dream Socks pattern from Favorite Socks. I got them started through one color change and will now put them away for our holiday vacation--the washcloth and Bagstopper, as well as my husband's scarf (about 2/3 of the way done!!) all need to be done first.

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Holiday Knitting

I interrupted my Retro Redux Shrug knitting, much as I was enjoying it, to focus on a couple of quick holiday projects. I broke out my full cone of Peaches & Creme and made an Everlasting Bagstopper in a weekend. Now I'm just waiting for the ribbon and drawstring that I ordered to finish it. I started Bagstopper #2 and figure I'll make as many as I can before the holidays. It's a really cute pattern and easy as pie.

I am also making good progress on the Midwest Moonlight Scarf for my husband, with the hope that I will have it done before our ski trip later this month. The temperature is certainly cold enough for a nice warm scarf, and the KnitPicks Merino Style is wonderful to work with.

Back to the needles!

Holiday Knitting

I interrupted my Retro Redux Shrug knitting, much as I was enjoying it, to focus on a couple of quick holiday projects. I broke out my full cone of Peaches & Creme and made an Everlasting Bagstopper in a weekend. Now I'm just waiting for the ribbon and drawstring that I ordered to finish it. I started Bagstopper #2 and figure I'll make as many as I can before the holidays. It's a really cute pattern and easy as pie.

I am also making good progress on the Midwest Moonlight Scarf for my husband, with the hope that I will have it done before our ski trip later this month. The temperature is certainly cold enough for a nice warm scarf, and the KnitPicks Merino Style is wonderful to work with.

Back to the needles!