Wishful Knitting

Hat number two- for daughter number two! Just about the same as the other one, except I made the decreases more severe to have a flatter top : ) She appears to love it!

This kid is a riot- she picked out these colors herself! I am thrilled about making knitterly items to keep them warm...more to come. Pattern: Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd Yarn: Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky Needles: Size 10, 3.5 sts/inch- nice and tight for warmth Mods: Changed the crown decreases to be more gradual, added afterthought garter stitch edging and decreased a few stitches so it would hug her head more

This project is on the verge of hibernation status. I think I know why. It's hard to see the value of a cardigan that doesn't actually close down the center! This functionality is particularly important since I am visiting Ohio and it's COLD here!! (The pattern actually comes much closer in the center- this is a fit problem.) But, I have been slogging away, and I was almost done with the body of the sweater. I know you are supposed to be able to try on the sweater as you go, but I usually don't. Ridiculous, really. Sure, I had many signs the fit would not be a good one- for example, my gauge was way off. (You know, the little details!) To the frog pond it goes....but not for long. I have already cast on and just divided for the sleeve. I decided to forge ahead and see how it goes. I love the yarn, so we'll see.

There was some concern these mittens would be thumb less, but alas, all digits are covered. I made these with a very utilitarian objective- to help keep the girls warm when we get back to Ohio. Soon, these little projects became a calming outlet for my nervous energy about the trip in general. What I discovered is that they are FUN to make! I was surprised by my tender feelings when my children donned their new little mittens. I really felt warm and fuzzy inside- it seemed, through my craft, I was able to somehow hold their hands from a distance...... The knitty gritty: Yarn: - Knitpicks Swish Worsted in sunshine and Knitpicks Wool of the Andes in mulled wine Pattern: Knitters Handy Book of Patterns by Ann Budd - When I purchased this book years ago, (actually I think my mom bought it for me when I lived in Washington, perhaps California?) I had no idea what a treasure it is until this project. First you start with the yarn and then you can find a pattern. This book does all the wor...

Things are looking up....this book made me laugh out loud! I chuckled my way through it, at one point laughing until I had tears running down my face. I'll have to find her first book, too. It's a collection of essays ranging from knitting to parenthood. She's hilarious....this should get the knitting back on track : ) Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Here is the feather and fan shawl I finished a little while back- I think in November. I like the style and the drape, but it is itchier than I thought it would be. I think I'll still use it, especially if our heater goes out again. I have a bit of startitis or some kind of knitting block going on. While my mom was here visiting, we bought some yarn at the market. The yarn label didn't specify gauge or needles or anything. I was thinking about using it for a little capelet, but it's the wrong gauge. (I won't make that purchasing mistake again!) So, determined not to stash this yarn, I have tried to knit with it for several days and have nothing to show for it. I tried a cowl, a hat, some mitts, and a scarf. I also tried making my own capelet design, but I really don't want to sit there and figure it out. I just want to knit. So, there it is. I am not sure what cures knitting startitis. I also have several half-baked amigurumi projects floating around he...