A Couple of Critters

Pattern: Huggable Hedgehog from Fiber Trends
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Worsted, Berroco Disco and some scraps of Flash FX from Trendsetter and Wool of the Andes (paws)
Needles: Sz 11 Clover bamboo circulars and Addi Turbos
Dates: summer 2007 - January 6, 2008
Mods: None

Thoughts: I ran out of the Disco before the second and third sets of short rows. I dug around in the stash and found the Flash, which is a sorry substitute, but it works for a hedgehog butt. The Disco was nasty. It stuck like the devil to the bamboo needles, but switching to the Addis made it much more enjoyable. I'm so glad this is done.


Pattern: Ladybug from Buggin' Out Vol 1 by Crafty Alien
Yarn: Lion Wool and Paton's Classic Merino
Needles: Sz 10.5 Clover bamboo circulars
Dates: Sunday January 6, 2008
Mods: none
Thoughts: Excellently written pattern. Very cute! And my first hand-felting experience. I am excited to try out more of her patterns.

These FOs just keep coming! There is a finished scarf waiting here for photos, and a nearly finished vest, and I hope to crank out a finished sock or two sometime soon. I'm enjoying this, as much as I know it's the result of having too many projects on the needles!

Clogs times 2

Second verse, close to the first.

Pattern: Felted Clogs by Fiber Trends
Yarn: Ella Rae Classic (1 ball black) and Knitpicks Wool of the Andes (2 balls Mist, 3ish balls Coal)
Needles: Clover Sz 13 circulars
Dates: mid December - Wednesday December 19
Mods: none
Thoughts: they look too big, but I can always refelt them if needed.

I am very close to finishing hubbo's sweater - I have a few inches left on the second buttonband, then seaming and the collar. I really think it will be done. I also need to finish a hat and my MIL socks. But the house is clean, and I've been to the store, and my presents are all purchased, and the wrapping is done. I'll make more cookies this weekend for gifts, and work tomorrow, then relax. Relax. Ah.

A few more knits for you last-minuters. Dishcloths make a great gift - and they quick and easy! The ballband dishcloth is a big favorite, while the round dishcloth is one of my favorites, and the corner to corner is nice and easy.

Sweater update tomorrow!

Nice and cozy

It's cold here. Raining and yucky. I love it when it's like this on a weekend - snuggling up with my knitting, my furry babies and my tea (plus bad lifetime movies) make a great day. Here are my cute kitties all snuggled up on mom's lap. I know it's cold when Cocoa will share the lap with Otis.



And Otis can't be bothered with photo-shoots. He's too tired.


To keep hubbo's granddad's feet warm, I whipped up a pair of felted clogs.



Pattern: Felted Clogs from Fiber Trends
Yarn: Knitpicks Wool of the Andes - 3 balls red, 6 balls black.
Size: 13. Never again.
Needles: Sz 13 Clover bamboo circulars
Mods: none
Dates: summer sometime - December 6 2007. Felted December 8.
Thoughts: Sorry I didn't take a pre-felting picture - they were HUGE!


Since we're on a warm kick, I thought I'd share my warm gift ideas. the Felted Clogs are great, of course. Also nice and cozy are Hot water bottle covers (there are tons of different patterns), and Legwarms (also tons of patterns available).

On TV tonight - The Christmas Shoes, An Accidental Christmas, Santa Claus, A Christmas Carol, Holiday in Handcuffs (?), When Angels Come to Town and The Christmas Card. The girl and I are off to The Nutcracker though, so enjoy them for us - oh and the sock did get worked on at the movie last night - slowly but surely!

Rappin' penguin

Pattern: Playful Penguins from Fiber Trends
Yarn: Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport, some black fun fur, leftover Lovely for the hat and scarf.
Needles: Sz 11 Circular and DPNs for penguin, sz 8 for hat and scarf.
Dates: Wednesday November 21 - Wednesday November 28.
Mods: None
Thoughts - I think he is really cute! I was nervous at first, but he turned out pretty well. Last night, before I had his scarf finished, he looked like a rapper with just his stocking hat on - hence the "rappin' penguin" title. His beak is a little crooked, and one of his wings is more forward than the other, but that just gives him personality.

Unfortunately, he is not a Christmas gift, so I can't cross one off the list, but it is a WIP down!

Holiday WIPs

Last night, after surviving the first day back to school, I got down to brass tacks and started my holiday crafting. This is an entirely different category from the holiday knitting, so it requires a different frame of mind. And a different set of tools.


These little pockets were inspired by Jenny at allsorts. When finished, they will turn into this. So cute! We don't have anything other than a paper advent calendar, so I am looking forward to having this finished. Last year I attempted to create some decorations, but ran out of steam. The advent calendar is the first thing I have planned (I don't have too much planned), but I have other holiday crafting to do - some of which is gifts.


Speaking of gifts, I have another complete!



Pattern: Sophie (I know, it's really getting old)
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino - 1 skein
Needles: Sz 6.5mm Circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Thoughts: my favorite quick gift project. All of my gift Sophies are finished. I do have a skein of red Paton's to make a christmassy Sophie for me, but we'll see.

I have another project nearly done, but it requires a trip to JoAnn's, which hasn't happened for the past two nights, since we've had unexpected family stuff. Hopefully tomorrow after school.

Off to finish up another!

Do not adjust your screen

These are real finished knits you are about to see.


Pattern: Bottle Cozy from Yarns Ewenique
Yarn:Cascade Fixation
Needles: sz 6 Chiagoo DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: September-October 2007
Thoughts: One more for the gift pile.



Pattern: Sophie from Magknits
Yarn: Paton's Classic Wool
Needles: Sz 10.5 Clover bamboo circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: September-October 2007
Thoughts: Another gift compleated



Pattern: Little Pumpkin from Itty Bitty Hats (one of my most favorite books ever)
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton Ease in discontinued Orangeade and Rowan Calmer for the stem and leaf
Needles: Sz 7 Clover bamboo circular and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: October 2007
Thoughts: Super cute!

How many felted bags can one knitter make?

I've finished another bag, and another Christmas present! Yay!

Pattern: Sophie, from Magknits
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino in their new stripey colors
Needles: Clover Bamboo 10.5 circulars and DPNs
Mods: none
Dates: um, early summer until the end of July. It's been sitting around since then waiting to be felted.
Thoughts: One of my favorite patterns, and one of the few (besides socks) that I knit over and over again. I do nearly have it memorized, which is good, since I have a few more planned.

The colors are much more vibrant in real life, but it's late and dark, so this is what you get. I'm glad I have another gift for the small pile. Time to crank it into gear - after all, there are only 99 days until Christmas!

Gifts? In the bag!

I'm finally able to post finished pictures of the Mother's Day gifts for my mom and my MIL, now that the big day has come and gone. I used up some of that new Paton's Classic Wool that is varigated to whip up some felted bags.



Pattern: Booga Bag by Julie Anderson
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino Wool - just over 1 ball
Needles: Sz US 10.5 Clover Bamboo circular and DPNs
Dates: Late April to May 8
Mods: none
Thoughts: A little bit boring at the end, but very satisfying overall - and my MIL loves it!



Pattern: sort-of booga bag
Yarn: Paton's Classic Merino Wool - about 1 1/2 balls
Needles: Sz US 10.5 Clover Bamboo circular and DPNs
Dates: early May to May 8
Mods: cast on 50 stitches, knit 50 rows, pick up around the bottom, knit 60 rows.
Thoughts: I wanted a slightly bigger bag for mom, so I increased the size of the base, and therefore increased the number of stitches around.


Thanks for all the sweet comments about Otis - I wish I had more pictures for you, but he doesn't seem to hold still long enough to have his picture taken. We did have a scare yesterday when he got out the hole in the screen in our screen door, was met on the other side by the big dogs, ran off the deck and up a tree. Good thing hubbo used to climb trees as a kid! But all is well - he's still scared of the other animals, but really wants to play with Cocoa. She wants nothing to do with him. Fingers crossed that they become friends!

Don't tell the socks

The beginnings of a Booga Bag for the MIL in Paton's Classic Varigated Wool.