See ya 2013...

The end of the year is upon me and I am reflecting on my finished projects and totals.  I lost a good week of knitting thanks to an unpredicted hospital stay a few weeks ago.  Ugh.  On one hand I am incredibly thankful to be home and getting better, but it was a wrench in my final few projects. 

My Christmas gifts have all gone to their forever homes.  For my mother in law was a set of All the Water mittens by Kristen Kapur in Blue Sky Suri Merino.  If you've ever used this yarn then you already know they are soft and lovely--no surprise there.

 

Previously finished was a Windschief hat for my father in law.  He and Phillip often bike together so hopefully the hat will be helpful this winter.

As I think about all the projects I finished, I can't believe my hands went so quickly... I managed to finish 38 projects, 11 of which were full sized garments.  It's insane to think that many yards (16,400+) and that many skeins were wound, knit, and blocked into submission.  I can't even imagine what will be done this time next year.  I also managed to begin (but not finish) three new projects prior to the hospital stay including a Rock Island Shawl for Julie, a Zig and Zag Cowl for Rachael, and an Indigo Ripples Skirt for me.  Hopefully these few will be done quickly and I can move toward beating my yardage totals in 2014.

 

 

Happy Knitting (and New Year)!

Finished: Seagrass & Sand and Sea Shawlette

Well, we had our first snow day this past week and it was every bit as delightful as I hoped.  I am getting a tad stir crazy now as I approach three full days in the same pajamas but returning to work ought to fix that right up.  Anyway, it gave me plenty of time to knit, so no complaints here.

 

I was able to finish my Seagrass cardigan by Cecily in Berroco Vintage DK.  This thing is pretty cute! I tend to prefer really oversize or tight and this is tight in a way that I am not accustomed to.  Overall, I am pretty happy with it and it took very little yarn;  I think I barely broke into the third skein.  And it took me less than a week.

 

I also finished a gift for a dear friend K, the Sand and Sea Shawlette in Coastal Knits.  This one is made with tosh merino light and as you can imagine, is to die for.  I am really sad to see this one go.  The yarn is so subtle and the pattern was well written.  I made the body in garter to avoid having to pick up all the wraps, and I have to say, I think I like it better than the stockinette versions I have previously stalked.  Hopefully she will love it.

 

 

I've also just begun a secretive color work project for Rachael, who gifted me the beautiful handspun.  Once that is complete, it is off to Rock Island for Julie... you know, I keep reading the pattern, over and over and over and over, and it appears to not be too difficult but it's one of those times that you know when you're actually knitting it, it has the potential to make you want to rip your hair out? Oh, but the finished project will be amazing.  I just know it. 

 

Off to wind some yarn...

Happy Knitting.

Stash: madelinetosh

My Webs order arrived yesterday and I would be lying if I didn't say that I wasn't still in a yarn-y fog.  I immediately told Phillip that I needed more...poor guy. But seriously, holy shit I am so excited!

 

Skeins for the previously mentioned Rock Island shawl for Julie arrived.

 

Skeins of tosh merino light in beautiful Jade came for an unpicked Rose Beck shawl.

 

And the finale, a sweaters worth of tosh sport in Composition gray... swoon.

I keep going back and forth on what to make with these skeins: Poolside or Audrey in Unst.  Either way, it can't be wrong as this yarn is to die for.

 

Other things arrived too: replacement needles, gift tags, crap that means nothing when you get your first whole box of tosh.

 

Happy Knitting!