The Year of the Blanket

So, in considering projects for 2013, and in looking around at UFOs in the workroom, I'm sensing a theme.

First, I have a good number of squares of like this...


which are the beginning of Fussy Cuts Blanket

by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne.  Love it.  Can't wait to see it all together.  I'm using Lion Brand's Amazing.

 

Then I have at least 10 squares done like this, which is  the Square-a-Day Blanket

by Lorna Miser.  It's for a gift, and is on a deadline - but a long one.  Still.

 

Then I have all the yarn to do this one, and have completed one square.

 

Mitered Crosses Blanket--for Japan

by Kay Gardiner

 

I have a repair to do one my grandmother's blanket, and an ABC that I'm putting together.  And then, for Christmas, my wonderful husband who supports my knitting habit, gave me the materials for this....

 

 

Hue Shift Afghan

by Kerin Dimeler-Laurence

 

Can't wait to start!

 

So, while I do have some other things to finish, (ahem, some Christmas presents remain undone.)  And I may pick something from THE LIST from time to time, I am proclaiming 2013

 

THE YEAR OF THE BLANKET

 

Let the knitting commence!!

 

 

 



 

 

It's been a while...

I've been so scattered lately - like my whole life is a game of 52 card pick-up.  I have got some stuff done, though.....

1 pair of cloisonne mittens
1 + pair of cloisonne mittens
                        (the question before us is...how many pair can you get out of 4 skeins of cascade 220?)
1 short-ish honey cowl (for Christmas)
3 dishcloths (thus satisfying my quota for the year)

um....that may be it.  Or not.  I can't remember.

and I have started the BFF Cowl.  For my BFF.  I didn't get very far on it last night, and it turns out that's a good thing, since I was using the uncorrected pattern, and I think I'm just going to start over.  I'm excited about the project, but it makes me miss my friend, who I will not be seeing this holiday.  Again.  Sigh. 

Knitting shouldn't make you melancholy, should it?

So close it counts

Owl sweater is done!  Almost.  It's drying now, and then I have to sew on the eyes, which I have to wait until we go to a bigger town to buy.  But the knitting and end-weaving-in is done - so I'm calling it!  It came out beautiful, and I can't believe I have to wait until Christmas to see it on her.  But I also can't believe that I have it done so far before Christmas, so that's kind of a trade off.  I'll post a photo as soon as its really, truly dry, but until then, contemplate this.....

 

 

It's somewhere between the size of a walnut and a mandarin orange, and it's all the yarn I had left.  Whew!

Finished!

Finally!  Finished Gemini, and it fits, AND she likes it!  Win, Win, Win!  it even looks good with the jacket..

I'm so pleased!

In other news, started Christmas sweater, and it's flying along - found the needles I need for the sleeves today, and I'm hopeful that I'll have it finished by the end of the long weekend.  We'll see!

Dog Days of Summer

I've been knitting - honestly, I have.  I've gotten to the point of Gemini where I have to change needles, and have been waiting for my mom to finish with my needles.  I've started on a cowl for Christmas, which is turning out really beautifully.  I did my August washcloth, which I LOVED, and no one else appreciated enough, possibly because I kept showing it to them, saying "FEEL THIS!  SO SQUISHY!" and apparently, that gets old after awhile.

It's The Circle Cloth - and this isn't a great picture, but it's a great cloth.  Did I mention it's squishy?

And then Bea chewed through her leash.  So I made this - 

 

- and became obsessed.  So quick!  So colorful!  So fun!  And useful!  I think I've made all the alterations I need to - and I'm loving them!  There will be more of these in my future, I think, along, possibly, with matching collars.  Perfect for the Dog Days of Summer.

But tonight, it's back to Gemini.  The end is so close, I can taste it!

Christmas in July

Still plugging away on Gemini - just haven't had the motivation or the energy, although I did help finish the backpack that Kate has wanted made out of the fabric she brought back from Ghana.  (take-away?  Backpacks are labor intensive)  I'm ready to move on to something else - really ready - but I'm making myself finish it.  And then, it hit me.

Christmas is 5 months away.

So I need to get started on something approaching a reasonable list, and get moving!  This will remove me from THE LIST for a while, unless something on the list can become a gift (and that's a possibility - I'll have to look)  But in the meantime - I need to get my butt in gear.  Or I'm going to be one sad, tired little elf.



Not Knitting

It's not knitting, but I did finish this back a few weeks ago, in time for Kate's birthday....

And she's been carrying it constantly since.  Which is pretty amazing, since she rarely carries a purse.  It came out nice, and I'm pretty proud of it - and even happier that she likes it enough to use it!

(for those who wonder, if there is anyone out there - the book is "Tales of Mystery and Imagination" Edgar Allen Poe.")

One the knitting front, had to rip out 5 rounds of Gemini, to fix some stitches that just weren't sitting right - but I'm happier now, and plugging away.