Numbers 2 and 3

  The second finished project of 2011 is a hat.  The pattern is Spry from Knitty.  I knit it exactly as the pattern is written, using the same yarn (Noro Kuryeon) even.  I really enjoyed knitting this hat.  It features four intarsia panels in a colour changing yarn.  The designer also wrote a fingering weight version featuring 6 intarsia panels.  I think I'd like to knit this again.  I'm not sure who or where this hat will end up with, but my gift knitting for Christmas 2011 is off to a great start. 

Another item for my gift knitting box is this great Shawl that I finished.  FO number 3!  Its designed by Susanna Ic.  She designs these perfect little shawls that are so wearable.  Wear them like a shawl or a scarf or a kerchief.  I knit her Abrazo Shawl from twist collective last summer and I really enjoyed it.  I liked knitting this even more since it was done in a worsted weight yarn, knitpicks Andean Silk.  This is a wool/silk/alpaca blend and I really, really enjoyed knitting with it.  (Dangerous for me to even look at knitpicks website - way too tempting, and I'm trying to cut back...well...somewhat)

I'm always amazed at pre and post blocking pictures.  This one is no exception.  Can you believe that some people never block their work?

The picture on the bed is closer to actual colour.  Look at my yellow croc.   

And here is my attempt at an artistic shot off my back porch.  Sadly we don't have a lot of snow. 

I'm off to a slow start!

My first fo of 2011 is the leafprints shawlette by Anne Hanson.  I've joined several KALs on Ravelry, including 12 shawls in 2012, and 52 projects in 52 weeks.  I'm a week behind on that one. 

The details about this shawlette?  Its knit from Tanis fiberArts Purple label cashmere sock yarn.  I bought this yarn from 'A Good Yarn' in St. John's/  Its a cashmere blend and is really lovely.  I love the grey/blue mix.  Of course I love all of Tanis' yarns.  But look at how close I cut it.  Seriously, thats all that was left. 

I'm very happy that I bought those blocking wires from knitpicks.  They make blocking less tedious thats for sure.

Happy New Year!

Yeah, I'm about a week late.  Oh well.  Things have been busy - work, life, etc.  Aimee and Max have move out, which makes me so sad, in ways I can't even explain.  It has been an absolute joy to have them here, especially on the heels of Mr. C's passing.  They filled a void for us.

Now, I've taken over Aimee's empty room.  Everything is now in there.  My two wheels, drumcarder, loom, skein winder, niddy noddys, sewing machine, yarn stash, fabric stash.  I could go on and on.  Some day, I'll post photos of my lovely craft room.  I'm very happy with it.  It is so nice to have everything in one place. 

I usually set some goals for myself in the new year.  Fiber goals that is.  Personal goals, I won't go into here.  Though maybe I should.  It might make me more accountable.  Well, in 2011, I would like to

• knit, crochet more from my every growing library.  I have been so fortunate to have a family that gets my fiber addiction.  Every occasion usually means I get some new books and magazines.  I love that.  They are a great source of inspiration.  But, I seldom knit from them.  I want to knit more from my knitting library.
• knit using my handspun.  I think I mention this quite a bit.  I love spinning, but find it incredibly difficult to find projects 'worthy' of the handspun.  I have to break this mentality somehow.  2011 will be the year to do it.
• knit a sweater for my mother.  I have had a fleece artist kit in my stash for some time now.  I love the pattern and the yarn.  I just have to do it.  Christmas 2011 - I hope to have a sweater for mom.
• knit more for Kev.  Poor Kev.  I never make him anything.  This has to change.  He is such a great supportive partner in everything I do.  And he spends a lot of time outside.  He needs to be warm too.
• start making and spinning batts.  I love to spin batts.  I have a drum carder.  There is no reason why I should be buying batts.  I could make them easily.  I need to do this more.

Speaking of batts, I was lucky enough to get some of hobbledehoy's batts just before the holidays.   I just love the way it spins up into a thick and thin single.  You can't see the sparklies in this, but there is just enough shimmer in here.  I think I'd like to weave this.  I've been so, so happy with weaving lately.  Its unbelievable how fast weaving goes.  Here is a simple scarf that I wove for Heather B.  Simple yarn, but with the slow colour changes, its very effective.

 One last photo to show you.  Here is a trio of handpun hats that I made for my trio of daughters/stepdaughters.  I love the hats,  I love the girls.  I hope they will wear the hats.   Picking a favorite would be like picking a favorite daughter right?