January 2011...

snuck up.  Fast.  And when the arctic north opened the door, it was COLD.  So there was mitten knitting.  Believe me, I have this pattern down.  These are quick, knit with Cascade 220 and size 5's.  One skein of each color made 2 pairs of mittens.  Anyone looking for these just email me.  They can be 2 or 3 colors, are 100% wool, and are $17.00 for 2 colors, $20.00 for 3, plus $3.00 for shipping in the US.  I know it sounds expensive, but they will last and are so much thicker and warmer than the ones at certain box stores or gas stations.  And the pattern can be modified if desired.

I got inspired by SWTC's latest yarn, JAZZ.  It's bright, sparkley and surprisingly soft.  The colorway that I used is A002.  I had some Louet Northern lights in Meadow Trail, and well, I'll let the pics speak for themselves:

(DH made the tensioned lazy kate as a christmas present-LOVE it!)

And a close up:

It's approx. 267 yds, 18 WPI and 3 plies.

When I ran out of the JAZZ, I just plied the 2 little singles togther until they ran out (actually, one ran out, I need to ply up the 2nd one into more 2 ply.) It's approx. 241 yds, 21 WPI.

In other knitting, I did finally seam up my Tofu Tee. It's done in SWTC's Tofutsies yarn, and I love the way it turned out.  Head on over to the website to purchase the pattern here.

A cowl done in SWTC's Inspiration (alpaca and soy).  I'm sad that this has been discontinued, I love the blend.   I have more in another color that's destined to be a jacket.

And a close up:

And lastly, a pair of knee-highs for DD's wonderful doctor done in Araucania Ranco Multy. It's Bettie's Lace Stockings by Hana Jason; from Interweave Knits Spring 2009. 
I will not tell you her name, because I want her to stick around here. DD really likes her, and when it comes to making sure all bases are covered, she does a wonderful job. They look skinny, but that's only because they aren't on sock blockers.

And a close up of the pattern:

I've been doing designing and secret knittting that I can't post pix of. Once it's published this summer, I will. Pinkie promise.

We held Dad's memorial/funeral service on the 15th. I would love to thank my bestest friend for being there to lend me her support along with DH. He was a well-loved man who lived life to the absolute fullest he could, even when he was sick. He made the decision to go thru chemo and radiation 4 times to prolong his time with his family. As the BF put it, "Think of it as closing a great book that was so asesome, but because you know the ending you just can't read it again."

Oh, and a gratuitous shot of Dehliah and Bert:

Abstract Fiber Design

I received a package from Susan at Abstract Fiber on Saturday; it is a lovely supersock that I will be designing a scarf from. Just by touching, this is a very soft yarn and will make a great scarf.



On a different note, I've begun Deby Lake's Diamonds and Pearls as the April Sockdown Challenge for the Sock Knitters Anonymous group on Ravelry. This month's challenge is to knit an underappreciated or knee high sock. I was #6 to knit this pattern on Ravelry:

Flow Motion Done & Pedal pushers begun.

Here are my flow motion socks done; this was a fun & quick knit. I used Kollage yarns Yummy, colorway Overseas & size 5 dpns. The yarn is bamboo & wool; we'll see how it holds up.

I always have at least one pair of socks on the needles, so I began the pedal pushers by Deby Lake using Tofutsies. I love to use the Tofutsies!

Leaf & Tendril done & Flow Motion Begun

Leaf & Tendril done, originally uploaded by EeyoreknitsinME.

Leaf & Tendril socks by Cat Bordhi; knit in Kollage Lucious, colorway Asparagus, needle size 1.5. Once I figured everything out; they moved along pretty quickly. I shortened them by 1 repeat; I hate knee socks. This yarn was a pain, very splitty. Instead of keeping these, they will be gifted.

I also started another Cat Bordhi sock with another Kollage yarn-figured I give them both another shot. These are the Flow Motion socks found in either Vogue Knitting Fall 2006 or Vogue's ultimate sock book. I must say, this is a very quick knit, and I'm liking the yummy better than the lucious. My only complaint is that I found 2 knots in the first skein. Quick rant-I wish yarn companies would sell partial skeins instead of knotting a skein to make yardage/weight. Just a personal pet peeve!