Faroe Vine cardigan update

I have dived back into my Faroe Vine Cardigan. I finally finished both sleeves and attached them and am now working the shoulder/collar decreases. I am so excited to finish this! Over the next week I should have all of the body knitting complete. Then I will need to do the steeking , neckband and hem, and then the front button band. And I just ordered some buttons...Here's how we're looking:

SKP sock 5 finished!

I have finally finished my last pair of socks from the 2008 Pentathlon. I actually finished them a few weeks ago, but finally got the time to post them here. But first, here is a recap of the pentathlon:

And the final sock:

Cable down back through heel
Lace around front and foot

Project Details:
Pattern: 2008 Summer Olympic Medals Socks by FrauHugs/char (group moderator); top down
Yarn: Lang Yarns Jawoll Superwash Solid, 1.5 skeins
Color: dark navy blue
Gauge (after blocking):
Needles: US#3/3.25mm

Thank you to the organizers of SKP2008 and the pattern contributors. And congrats to the winner, Barbros (an amazing knitter who completed every sock first). I have had a fun 11 month knitting adventure!

And now prepare for SKP2009...starting tomorrow! Click here for the Yahoo group or here for the Ravelry group.

Block-a-Month

This year, I am knitting myself a quilt! Together with my Ravelry cohorts Monthly Adventures, I am knitting a block a month. Each block will be 12 inch square and will have a different designer. The overall theme of the blocks will be texture and cables. I am so excited about this!

Here is the gorgeous yarn I got for the project:

It is Elann's "Superwash Chunky" in colorway 06: Sable Gray. It is soft to knit with and even softer after blocking.

The first square was designed by Julie aka Fibers on Ravelry. She is one of our fearless moderators. She presented a lovely double moss stitch square. I am using US9/5.5mm needles, cast on 52 st (including my 2 selvage sts), gauge 4.25st/inch:

This photo really does not do the yarn or block justice, but there you have it. Can't wait to see next month's block!

Errol

Do you know who Errol is? You would if you lived in our house! Errol is from the Harry Potter series and he is the old owl belonging to the Weasley family. He was also a handknit gift for my daughter Grace this Christmas:

Grace is a huge Harry Potter fan and she loved receiving this little owl.

Here are the pattern details:
Pattern: Errol by Andi Smith and from the book Charmed Knits. The pattern was available for free from the website: Click here.
Yarn: a random skein of single ply, bulky, handspun wool (I think it is romney)
Color: natural grey
Gauge: didn't check...
Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm
Comments: The pattern was written for flat knitting, but I did it in the round. I used glass beads for the eyes.

Scarf Swap

Yesterday I mentioned that I was in a scarf swap with Jamie from Deep Space Knit. Here is the lovely scarf she knit for me:

And a close up:

It is long and beautiful!! We first swapped the yarn that our scarf was to be knit with. I sent her Blue Heron Yarns "Rayon Metallic" (above) and she sent me Nashua Handknits "Ivy": an alpaca/merino mix with a hint of sparkle. I adapted the Meandering Vines Shawl by Susanna IC (pattern available as a Ravelry download) and knit this scarf:

Unfortunately, that is the only picture I took of the scarf. I hope it is keeping Jamie warm!

Christmas Gifts

I was too busy November - December to blog much, so I am trying to catch up and share some of the holiday knitting I did. These were quick and fun:

These are a great way to use up some scrap yarn. I definitely like the look of the solid yarn better with the cables. The pattern was from Interweave Knits Holiday Gifts 2008 magazine and was available for free download here. I will be making more of these with my solid yarn left overs for next year.

The ornament on the left used yarn from a scarf swap I did with Jamie at Deep Space Knit. I will post about the lovely scarf I received from Jamie tomorrow!

Happy New Year!!

Here's to a happy and healthy New Year. May your yarn basket be overflowing!