"Nice Knits"!

Yes, the Snow was here.

As many of you know, we had a TON of snow the weekend before Christmas. I think we got around two feet total. It was definitely enough to close school the following week, and I ended up having that Monday off as well (Dec. 21). We weren't sure what Baldwin would think of the snow, but by the looks of it, he had previous experience. He had no problems with stomping around the yard and chasing sleds. Funny considering he won't even THINK about going out in the rain.

 
  

Someone needed a nap after all that work.

 

FO: Stripey Vest

Pattern: Neighborly by Jennifer Casa (pattern link, Ravelry link)
Yarn: Berroco Vintage Wool - Pansy, Crystal Palace Mochi Plus - Intense Rainbow
Fiber: washable wool
Amount: 1 skein and a smidge of the Vintage, 1 skein of the Mochi
Needles: US #8 Addi Turbos

I have a bunch of projects that need photos taken, but since this was worn a few weeks ago, it was subject to a quick photo session. I started this project on a whim after seeing the great colors of Mochi that were available at Fibre Space. I knew my Bean would not like Noro around her neck, so the Mochi was a perfect substitute. Plus, both yarns are machine-washable (but I haven't tried them out). I get nervous to wash handknits in the machine, so this one will get washed by hand for now.

This is a great pattern that is perfect for any odds and ends you might have laying around. It is basically just a tube with arm holes and a collar. Quick...just how I like my knits!
 

Does this parka make my butt look big?

Here are some pictures from the ICE show we went to back in December when my dad was visiting. You can learn more about the exhibit here. It was really beautiful, but freezing cold...that was why we had to wear the blue parkas. The really unflattering blue parkas. When it is only 9 degrees inside, you have a tendency to overlook the fact that you look like a giant blue penguin. The Bean thought "it looked more exciting on TV." I think I would go back next year, but maybe leave the Bean at home. Once you've seen one ice penguin, you've seen them all. (if you click on the "Ice 2009 Show" at the bottom you can see the larger version of the photos.)

"ICE 2009 Show"

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First for 2010

I told myself I would try to post at least once a week in 2010. So, here is a photo of the Bean and her new golf bag. Yes, it is pink, and it ROCKS! So does she. Here's to a bright 2010!

Made in Brooklyn

In case you didn't know, Jared Flood from the brooklyn tweed blog has a pattern book with Classic Elite coming out this August. I happened upon this fact while browsing the Ravelry forums, so here are a few links I found:

link to view the designs - I love the hats, and the cabled woman's sweater

link to recent interview with Jared regarding the new patterns

Oddly enough, I couldn't find any info on Jared's site or the Classic Elite site about their collaboration. Hopefully enough shops around the Internet will have copies for sale, so keep your eyes open for this fabulous-looking collection.

Etsy Favorite: Bayan Hippo

I, like most people who have spent any time there, love Etsy. The items I get through Etsy are definitely varied, so I wanted to share some of them here. The dress below came from Bayan Hippo. This Etsy shops specializes in handmade bags and children's clothing (mostly kimono-style dresses). I honestly bought this dress for the Bean soley based on its smile-inducing print, but I was very happy with the quality of the workmanship. It was the perfect Easter dress!

Bayan Hippo is located in Bursa, Turkey, but I didn't run into any issues with the shipping. Very prompt service, and I probably had the dress in about two weeks. The Bean was very impressed that her dress was coming from half-way around the world, and that most likely no one around here would have the same dress. Very cool in her mind. 

Bayan Hippo Etsy Shop

Bayan Hippo Blog (not written in English, but great photos of her creations)

FO: Swedish Spring

Pattern: Girl's Cap Sleeved Spring Shirt by Shellee Floyd, pattern link, Ravelry link
Yarn: Lion Brand Cotton-Ease, pale blue and yellow
Fiber: Cotton, Acrylic mix
Amount: not quite two of the blue and a tiny bit of yellow
Needles: US #6 Addi Turbos

Super, super easy top. Perfect for all the Cotton-Ease I hoarded away back when Lion Brand said they were going to discontinue it. I will certainly be making more of these. I used JCHandmade's instructions for creating gathered cap sleeves, but I think next time I will make them a little tighter. The pattern runs up to about a size 5. I made this one a little larger by changing my gauge and adding more increases under the arms. I also added some ribbing at the bottom to avoid any curling. As you can see, she thought it turned out well enough to actually try it on and pose for a few shots. She also kept it on for the rest of the day, so I guess it passed the fashion test. It gets harder and harder to compete with Hannah Montana shirts done up with rhinestones and glitter. Hannah Montana WISHES she had a sweater this cool!

  

Spur of the Moment

I love this picture because it was totally unintentional. The best always are.

Another Noggin to Keep Warm

Pattern: Habitat by Jared Flood from Brooklyntweed
Yarn: Elann Peruvian Highland Wool, color #726 
Fiber: 100% Wool
Amount: 2 skeins
Needles: US #8, US#7 Addi Turbos (knit on two circs) without a cable needle

This Habitat was made to replace the disaster of a ribbed hat I made him a few years ago. Little did I know that the lovely, soft merino wool I used for that one would stretch beyond control after being caught in a downpour of snow. This one is hardier, and in my opinion, better looking than the first. Another great Brooklyntween pattern, but you definitely want to know how to cable without a needle for this one.

Why is it my photo sessions with these three always descend into chaos?

An Orange Only A Mother Could Love

I am not a huge sock fan, but I knew that I wanted to get a copy of Wendy's sock book as soon as it was available. Most of the socks I have ever tried to knit have been either designs of hers or Cookie A's. My problem isn't really with getting a sock started and knowing what to do, but that I suffer from second-sock syndrome like most other knitters. I also have a hard time getting my socks to fit correctly, particularly when it comes to the heel section. I don't know how, but all of my Wendy socks have fit me just fine. I took a sneak peek of Wendy's book at a bookstore before I received my copy, and I couldn't believe how truly gorgeous it was inside. Most of the other books I have on socks are full of good instructions, but are not particularly beautiful to look at. This book made me WANT to knit socks...ALL of the socks in the book.

As far as sock yarn is concerned, I am a huge fan of semi-solid and heathered sock yarn. Some people fall for a sock yarn and then hunt around for a pattern to fit. I, on the other hand, am one of those that falls for the stitch pattern first. Unfortunately, I usually find that most handpaints won't really fit the bill for the patterns I like. The pattern above is the "Lacy Rib" pattern, and it will work well with handpaints or a solid yarn. The yarn is some Koigu KPPM that my Bean bought me years ago for Mother's Day. It is pretty vibrant in person, so you can understand the appeal it had at the time to a 4-yr-old. Since it is a pretty crazy yarn, I needed a pattern that wouldn't be obscured by the color switches in the yarn. The Lacy Rib was simple enough to allow the yarn to retain all of its glorious character, but it wasn't just boring stockinette or rib. I usually use the Figure-Eight toe as a cast on because I hate provisional cast-ons. I still always end up casting-on a few times before I get it right, so I thought this time I would try "Judy's Magic Cast-On" that Wendy mentions in the book. Bingo! If you haven't tried this cast-on before, go take a look and try it out. Makes toes a breeze to cast-on.

There is a KAL for the book on Ravelry, but I probably won't participate. The KAL requires you to knit a pair of socks a month, and I am just not that dedicated. I do plan to knit more than one pair of socks from this book before the year is out. And if I could add a few extra hours knitting time to my day, I would definitely knit them all.