Been out of the loop for awhile

it's been a while since I've had any finished objects to post. I did manage to make 2 baby hats from my One Skein book and as soon as I get the picture downloaded off my camera, I'll post it. Otherwise I've been stuck on finishing projects. I have a sweater where the sleeves are a bit too long, and I'm debating whether or not to take it apart and fix it, a baby shawl collar sweater that needs to be pieced together (which really just reinforces the fact that I hate the final step and stitching the pieces together). And after looking up a few directions and help on crocheting from S, I should be able to finish those cozy mittens she made. Considering I had the last 2 weeks off and a combined total of over 40 hours spent on a plane in the last month, you would think I could have gotten more done. Did splurge a bit and picked up a couple of skeins of really soft yarn in Tokyo. sadly, they only had 2 skeins left in the color I liked, so I'll just have to make a hat without a scarf, unless I can manage the hat on 1 and the scarf on the other.

Promise to have some finished projects pictures posted soon.
- E

FO to report

And another finished object to report. I feel like I've been slogging along on this thing forever, but I'm also feeling that it's soft I may never take it off. And while it was an easy, easy knit, it seemed to go on forever. Included is the obligatory bathroom mirror shot as thee is no one to take it for me...and the real camera seems to provide far more flatter pictures than my built in camera on the laptop. Still not the best picture, but I'll take what I can get without a makeup artist and hairstylist after the week its been.

Silk Shrug from Blue Sky Alpaca

7.5 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca - Alpaca Silk in Plum

Addi Turbos US 4 and 9

It was a really easy knit requiring only knit, purl, increase and decrease. No adaptations to the patten. Loving the softness though. Only complaint with the yarn ws that I kept having to cut little balls of fuzz that formed on around the yarn I was working with. As well as some knots as E will attest to, there was always a knot when I talked to her.

Next project is the minialist with B.

S.

Mittens for Winter

Just to prove that someone other than B has been knitting. As the weather has started to turn a little cold out here, I decided it might be a good time to try and actually finish (and we all know I mean start) some cold weather gear.

Gifted Mittens by Kate Gilbert

1 skein Debbie Bliss Superchunky Cashmerino
8 dpn and 10.5 circular and dpn clovers
Started 11/29 - Finished 11/30

Loved the pattern. Very quick knit. Love the yarn as anyone that knows my knitting, I will use any excuse I can to knit with it. Although they don't quite look like a matched pair, doesn't really matter as they are the softest mittens I've ever owned. Now if I could just figure out exactly how to modify the pattern to make them fliptops. I am working on that. I have one finished. We'll see if I do the second one.

I am working on some other projects...I just need to do some finishing. Maybe over Christmas.

S

Everlasting Bagstopper

I know that I finished the Bagstopper ages ago, but I know that it's been received and put to work. So, without further ado, and since there has been a distinct lack of knitting in this house this week, I bring you my Bagstopper (1 skein of Louet Euroflax Sport in French Blue). -B

Knitting Updates

Well, there has been knitting around here at the house when I can grab time. I'm about half way through the My So Called Scarf. Below is a picture. This is definitely a pattern that I will knit more than once. I love the design and the look and have some other yarns in the stash that would suit it.

I've also been making some progress with the Minimalist Cardigan. I'm working on the back first (as pictured above). I love the Mission Falls yarn's color and feel and found that using a row counter has helped a great deal since I don't get to knit on it as much as I would like. Hopefully, once work lets up after this week, I can get some good time in with this. -B

Why I'm Buying Handmade this Holiday Season

The main reason why I am buying handmade this holiday season is to help promote artists and artisans who are independent and selling what comes from their hearts and minds. The second reason is to take a break from the big box stores and encourage originality. The third is the mall. The mall on a Saturday scares me, and that tends to be why I shop on random weeknights if I have to go. But, we have DH's 10th high school reunion tonight and I needed a new pair of "slimming" underwear and a new lip gloss from Bare Escentuals at Sephora. I somehow got in and out in 30 minutes and was relatively unscathed. However, I could not get over how busy it was. I have never been a Black Friday shopper (except for when I ordered handmade Hanukkah cards from etsy.com yesterday), so I was blown away by the crowds today. Well, I better get back to coordinating our holiday card list so that I can start getting a few done each night over the next two weeks. Best of luck to all of you braving the malls!

-B

Ravens and a Blogiversry

Well, it's tough to believe that a year has already flown by, but on Tuesday, it was our one year blogiversary. Yay!! It's been a great venture and we are truly enjoying the blogosphere. My only knitting update this week was that I had to restart my Minimalist Cardigan because something was off. It's ok, as I was not too far in at the time of frogging. But, I have worn the Chevron Scarf to work and there has been much oohing and awwing. So, that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. Very proud of myself for that one!

On the 5th, I took part in the Ravens frenzy over on Blue Moon Fiber Arts, and below is my take. Gorgeous, is all that I can say. I cannot wait for the accompanying book in January. Now that I've spent my free day this month on this purchase, I am making a mental note. Must bust stash!

Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted in Grawk (I have two! I feel a Wicked sweater coming.)

The rest of these are all STR Mediumweight: (If you click on them, you can really, really see the colors!)

Valkyrie

Raven

Corvid

Korppi

Tlingit

Fire on the Mountain (not a Raven, but I couldn't help myself)

Farmhouse (same as above; I have no willpower)

-B