In a finish or frog it decision I decided to felt this mitten and make it a cat toy.  It was too big and I was not [...]]]> I’ve been working really hard to finish up some really old projects.  They had been WIPs way too long and that had to come to an end.

In a finish or frog it decision I decided to felt this mitten and make it a cat toy.  It was too big and I was not going to knit the mate.

Finally got this tea cozy complete.  Again it turned out a bit too small and too long.  It was more like a coffee press cozy.  However, I made it work and was able to ditch the pom-pom on top.  Fits my 2-cup Brown Betty nicely.

These car socks sat in the car way too long.  Finally finished them up and another pair of useful socks for the drawer to replace the few blown out ones I had last winter.  See how I said last winter – we won’t count those nasty snowflakes that tried to fall on Saturday.

"Finally! I get a sweater."

Here’s the Rav link.  This was really a fun project and happily it blocked out large since my gauge was off.  He pranced around the back yard ready for his close-up.  Big thanks to Lucky Penny Knits for a [...]]]>

"I'm so handsome in my new sweater."

"Finally! I get a sweater."

Here’s the Rav link.  This was really a fun project and happily it blocked out large since my gauge was off.  He pranced around the back yard ready for his close-up.  Big thanks to Lucky Penny Knits for a great sweater pattern.

A completed Yoda sweater for Max is on the horizon.

Coco says she’s not jealous.  Happy Dog’s on Thursday.

I learned to knit English.  I have always [...]]]> So Julie and I took 5 classes at the WI Sheep and Wool this year.  Yes we are crazy and that is why we are now busy recuperating.  One of the classes was a Russian continental knitting class.  Technically this is an Eastern combined knitting technique.

I learned to knit English.  I have always knit English, but have yearned to go faster and easier on the wrists – of course.  I’ve ventured to two-handed knitting when doing Fair Isle, but for the most part I have reverted back to English.  This time I thought I would practice with a simple dishcloth that used a cable and some other common stitches.  Thanks to the Combo Ravelry group I was directed to a translation from Western to Eastern and this lovely dishcloth was an evening knit.  I think I’ll have to practice more to get it totally down, but it may be doable.

I stuffed it with white floral styrofoam, which worked perfectly.

This was based after Alan Dart’s Wedding Cake Pattern.  I switch the top out tothe crochet rose pattern available free for on Ravelry.  I also added a 5 stitch I-cord along the bottom.  It’s off [...]]]> This was a very fun project.

I stuffed it with white floral styrofoam, which worked perfectly.

This was based after Alan Dart’s Wedding Cake Pattern.  I switch the top out tothe crochet rose pattern available free for on Ravelry.  I also added a 5 stitch I-cord along the bottom.  It’s off in the mail tomorrow and will go to the EGA National Seminar as part of table decoration.  I hope it’s enjoyed.

I’m knitting the Wedding Cake from Alan Dart.  Well, for some reason I looked at this and my brain said – hmmm…must be knit [...]]]> I think I may have now been knitting for so long that sometimes I read directions and my brain translates them to how it thinks it should be.

I’m knitting the Wedding Cake from Alan Dart.  Well, for some reason I looked at this and my brain said – hmmm…must be knit in the round, so I knit the top of the cake in the round.  I started knitting the base in the round and was happily knitting around when my brain said something isn’t right here.  I decided a good re-reading of the directions was in order and next thing you know – whoops… It’s supposed to be knit flat.  So I ripped out the base and am now re-knitting it.  I’m at the point I ripped -so all is good, but I decided to leave the top in the round and see if it works when I go to stuff.  If not, I’ll rip and re-knit.

The top -

The bottom -

So far I’ve knit 27 out of 57 diamonds and half-diamonds.

I figured out that she has quite the little barrel chest.

I realized I may not have made this large enough, but instead of ripping I decided the smart thing to do was to put in a [...]]]> Coco has a sweater.  This pattern is from Doggie Knits and is the Piccolo Sweater.

I figured out that she has quite the little barrel chest.

I realized I may not have made this large enough, but instead of ripping I decided the smart thing to do was to put in a gusset.

This seemed to work out just fine and we have a happy little puppy.

Well… that feels good.

Also I’ve completed a few [...]]]> So here we go… I finished up a pair of basic socks with some yarn I dyed a while ago. These have been hanging on for ages and ages, since I just worked on them a minute here and there.  The eternal car sock project.

Well… that feels good.

Also I’ve completed a few dishcloths.  I have more to go on those as I need a stack for the house, but this put a little dent in it.

Finally have you seen lavender mashed potatoes?

We got the potatoes from the CSA – they are the blue or purple variety and they make lovely lavender mashed potatoes.  They taste like the regular ones.

Ok… back to my hat knitting for Mom.  Hope to have that one finished up before long as well.