A New Project

I have finally given in to the call of a new project. 

I've cast on for these socks!  

How cute are they?!  The yarn I've chosen is a self-striping yarn that goes from black to blue to black to green to black to pink, so there is little stripes of color that pop out of the fabric.  And I am slowly working on them.  They are my "in between projects" project. The repeat on these socks is only four rows long, so they are great for setting down and picking up as I have time.  I've got no time-line on finishing them, although they seem to be going pretty quickly despite not having a lot of knitting time right now.

If you haven't checked out the Knit Purl Hunter KAL sponsored by Skacel, you should check it out.  Michelle has come up with a different KAL for the first 6 months of this year featuring a different Skacel yarn.  The projects have either been socks or mitts.  I've already picked another pair of socks from this, but they will have to wait :)

What about you? Have you given in to any new projects?

Indulgences

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Yesterday I had a major craving for a latte, and denied myself the indulgence.  Don't ask why, I'm not sure really either.  A friend told me that coffee prevents people from killing other people, and that I should get one before someone got hurt, but I just didn't do it.  I think it was because it was the first 90+ degree day and I didn't really want to leave the house to go get a hot coffee. 

Anyway, my resolve was not nearly as strong today.  The kiddo and I headed out early this morning.  Early enough to beat the heat and get a breakfast of hotcakes and sausage at a favorite fast-food joint.  And there I gave into the craving.  Granted it was far from gourmet, but it certainly did hit the spot.  And that means that the general population should be safe for another day.

I am also resisting the urge to cast-on these socks.  I love everything about them (so far- as I can only see them in pieces).  The picot edge, the anklet length, the heel, even the patterning.  I think it will be my next project, as I have a test knit that I need to be focusing on currently.  I definitely have a case of the starts, and that is an indulgence that is hard to ignore!
 

Gifts

I wasn't too ambitious this Christmas as far as crafting went.  Last year, I made every member in my family a hat.  Which really wasn't so bad.  This year, however, I decided this year I was going to cool it and give gifts that were already made ahead of time.  No frantic last-minute knitting, just relaxing and enjoying the season!  Here was what made it through...

A HAT

Pattern: A Cloche Call  

Yarn: JoAnn Sensations Cosetta

 PILLOWCASES

A PAIR OF MITTENS

Pattern: Palm Surprise Mitts

Yarn: Katia Austral

A PAIR OF SOCKS

Pattern: An Anklet a Day

Yarn: Premier Yarns Serenity Garden

I also hand-dyed some cotton yarn, but gave it away before taking pictures!

A Handsome Hat

Here is another finished object. I did it earlier this fall, but was waiting for the designer to release the pattern before sharing it with you. It is called "Burning Love Hat'' and can be found here.

It is really a great cabling pattern. And she even gives hints about how to cable with-out a cable needle. Which, by the way, I totally get the hype now- it is a very handy technique especially when working small cables (one or two stitches).

There are four sizes ranging from toddler to adult and it is super fast (a couple of afternoons), pretty darn easy (despite all the cables) and heirloom quality once finished (if I may say so myself). All you need is a size US8 16 inch circular needle and a skein of worsted weight yarn (I prefer wool). Like cake.

The only thing I can add is to check it along side your favorite beanie to make sure the length is alright before you start decreasing. I wish mine was just one repeat longer...

Kiddo modeling his brand new ''hockey game hat''.

Warm Woolies

Just in time for winter...

Companion Mitts

Noro Kureyon and Fisherman's Wool

knitting...

So, really. I haven't been cooking. This week has been nuts. Most of the nights this week I have had other plans around the dining hour, so my boys have been left to fend for themselves. Thank goodness for leftovers!

I have, however, been knitting (I'm always knitting) so how about a little show and tell? Right now my obsession has been socks. I love how you can take a wad of string (usually what it looks like after my cats or son has gotten a hold of it) and a couple of sticks and make something functional and fun. The possibilities are endless! And you know it will be something you can use when you're finished.

I completed a pair this weekend (it only took a handful of days from start to finish), and can't wait to make the next pair! You can find the pattern here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/an-anklet-a-day

The yarn is Felici by Knit Picks in the color Coney Island (which has since been discontinued) and I only had to use one skein for the pair. Sweet!

Happy knitting!