Great Big Sea

These gorgeous Handmaiden yarns arrived in my mailbox this week. Fondle, fondle, drool, drool. The colors are fabulous and I expect the drape will be too.

Three skeins of Steel above and two skeins of Peridot below, destined to become shawls. Specific pattern suggestions welcome.

How Lucky Am I?

I scored a Spin-Out package from Cara.



This wonderful holiday surprise included three skeins of Classic Merino Lace in Red Violet from Knitting Notions, one skein of Sundara's sock on Cobalt over Mediterranean, some great yarn notecards, Soak, knitter's hand balm, and my favorite - the adorable copper sheep shawl pin by Designs by Romi. Yippee!

As a way to "pay it forward" and make room for my new goodies, I am planning a major stash reducing event: my very own yarn auction for charity. Score your own prize by bidding on lots of handpainted yarns and other fabulous fibery options. All proceeds to go to charity, probably Heifers International. Details to come as soon as I have the logistics worked out.

Happy New Year!

With everything we have had going on this year, I almost forgot how much fun it is to connect with the amazing online community of knitters, but I'm back to blogging for 2008. Wishing you and yours peace, joy, and lots of walks on the beach in the new year.

Christmas Knits, Part I

My DH was sure that I wouldn't finish his (size 12) socks in time for Christmas but finish I did. No surprise here, because I had to make sure they fit along the way, but he was thrilled anyway.

Yarn: Socks that Rock Heavyweight (That's right, Heavyweight - hey, he's got a big foot!)
Pattern: My own, loosely based on Blue Moon pattern
Comments: Had to decrease to smaller number of stitches for foot than I used for calf to get right fit. Would make longer heel flap next time because of shape of foot.

Also whipped up the requested red hunter's cap for FIL in Colorado.

Yarn: Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted
Pattern: My own
Comments: Knit tightly to be extra warm. Can't tell from the rough photo but the color variation in the red was gorgeous.

And, in a completely unexpected move, MIL knit matching socks for little LoveBug and me. They were her first, and she says, her last. They are made from Mountain Colors Bearfoot in the Raspberry colorway. I am thrilled.

Family Socks

Photos of cabled hat made from yummy Sanguine Gryphon worsted cashmere and Noro hat and scarf set to follow soon ...

Baby Knitting 2007

I've done a ton of knitting for babies this year but can't seem to remember to take pictures of the gifts before I give them away. This is one of my favorites, though.

Baby Henry's Raglan and Cap

Also made a baby shrug with matching ribbed cap (from pale pink Blue Sky cotton), a pair of Saartje's booties (from green/pink/purple/magenta Koigu), and a dozen or so roll brim hats (mostly from Debbie Bliss cashmerino) for various babes. I'm currently working on EZ's February sweater in a beautiful raspberry alpaca, and have several more hats the lineup. Will be sure to be better about photos in 2008.