Anchor cozy

Yarn bomb. Newburyport MA

Hexed

Yes, I've worked on other projects in the past 3 months, but this is my current obsession. I bought the pattern last summer, but didn't get started until last week. I had plenty of yarn lying around, what I didn't have was the rest of my set up--a perfect little bag to carry things around in, and tiny size 4 dpn. Once I acquired those things the hexis began.

And, I finally found what I wanted to spend my Loopy Ewe gift certificate on--yes, can you believe I've had it for 2.5 years.
Miniskeins!

We'll see how long the obsession lasts.

Review of 2011 projects

Here we are again at the end of the year, a good time to take a look through the projects. See what I've done, and what I would like to do.
I almost wrote "review of knits" but this year my fiber crafting went beyond knitting.
I'll start with the knits. Some of my projects include multiple pieces, but I will lump them together.
In 2011 I knit:

1 baby bag
2 sets wash cloths
2 hats
4 shawlettes
3 slugs
1 pair baby socks
1 bunny
2 owls
3 baby sweaters
4 mini mittens

Incredibly--none of these items were for myself, though some were for my children. Hmm--I've got to work on this. In the line up for the new year is a new sweater for me me me. The yarn and the pattern have been purchased and are just waiting for me to get my act together. We'll see how that goes.

My other projects this year included weaving.
In 2011 I wove:

1 stuffed animal blanket
1 scarf
1 set of wash cloths

Among the woven items--well, I use the wash cloths (for the baby).

I also got some spinning done. Lots of little batches of things to test out, but my big project was about 700 yards of 2-ply lace weight bamboo merino, in winter of my discontent, from Sereknitty. One goal for 2012-- knit something (for ME) with this lovely stuff.

I also leave some things undone.
In the UFO pile for knitting:
2 owls
1 cowl
a pair of bunny slippers

All the knitting is done, just the finish work is left. I also just started a scarf, but that was just started, so I'm not counting that as a UFO just yet--it is still a WIP. Unlike the other projects that have been waiting around for me to sew things up.

And some weaving UFOs too:
a set of spa cloths--9 of them, on one long warp. Waiting for me to learn how to use my sewing machine, and
2 rainbow scarves, also waiting for finishing.

I've also got a spinning UFO--I started some nice silk merino blend. I've gotten through over half of it, but it got stalled for holiday knitting. This is also destined to be 2-ply.

So overall, lots of little projects in 2011. Lots of gifts. I'm glad I was able to get something done, but it would be nice to dig into some bigger projects. Also, I really should learn how to work this sewing machine. I've had it nearly a year, and I'm still scared of it. And of course, my child free time is limited, and learning how to use the sewing machine has just not made it to the top of the list of priorities.

But overall, 2011 was a pretty good year for fibery things. I have high hopes for 2012. Maybe I'll even learn how to crochet.

Slugette

Anther slug. This one will travel eventually.

Goldie

Another gift knit.
My friend's daughter recently redecorated her bedroom--an owl theme. Well since I have the power to make owls I thought I'd make her one.
Behold, Goldie



Pattern Owls Two Ways (knit) by Ana Clerc
Plymouth Yarn Encore Worsted

She was well received, and I think she will enjoy living in a owl filled room.

Babies, babies, babies

Much of my knitting time has been spent making smallish and tiny sweaters.
I made one for my little guy who is now 18 months old! So not a baby any more :( but a toddler now.

I loved the baby elephant pattern, but didn't want to make too many elephants (a bit too girlie) so I just used one. As I have stated elsewhere--live and learn. Do not put a garter ridge in your raglan decreases, unless you want a 1980's members only thrilleresque look. Luckily, babies (um, sorry, toddlers), don't have much say in what they wear.

Baby Elephant Vest by Melanie Rice
Needle US 8 - 5.0 mm
Yarn Lion Brand Wool-Ease Solids, Heathers & Twists

Next I went on to make a baby kimono, from Mason Dixon knitting.
One-Piece Baby Kimono by Cristina Bernardi Shiffman
Needle US 7 - 4.5 mm
Yarn Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash
I added snaps rather than ribbon to keep things closed. My only disappointment is that I had to leave the baby shower before my co-worker opened it.


On to another sweater, also made for a colleague (and fellow knitter, mellenknits). I used what I learned from the first baby elephant to make a tiny green one. I added some green beads for eyes.
Needle US 7 - 4.5 mm
Yarn Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash



I'd like to get my act together an make one more baby sweater for another colleague, due in November. We'll see what I can manage.

Four years of Ravelry!

Just a quickie post here to say

I LOVE RAVELRY!

But you all knew that right?

Today is my four year anniversary of getting my Ravelry account.

What's new that I love about Ravelry? Well, I can now post a picture to a project page, or to a forum post directly from my iPod Touch or iPhone. Totally cool. With the iPhone I can take the picture and post it within seconds! This is a new service that Ravelry is offering. You've got to download a free app to make work, and you get a 2 week trial for free. Ravelry is asking $5 per year for this service, which I found to be very reasonable considering much of my current on line time is spent on the ipod or iPhone. When I went to pay for the service I found a gift coupon! Because I have donated to Ravelry in the past they waved the $5 fee!!

Happy Anniversary to me :)


ps had some technical difficulities--so this posted a bit late.