Two more projects finished

Just in time for Christmas, two more projects are finished. The scarf is definitely a Christmas present for my son-in-law. It turned out really nice, using two skeins of Cascade 220. I used all, but a few yards of it. The scarf was designed by Margarete Dolff and offered through the German Yahoo Group Weihnachtsgeheimnis. It's one of those patterns that are gender neutral. In a different color, it would also be perfect for a woman, but not this year. I am averse to knitting scarves, simply because they are so repetitive which I equate with boring. This pattern had enough complexity to it that I had to pay attention, confirmed by my incessant need to "knit backwards" when I was paying too much attention to the television set. But I like it. The pattern is based on a simple knit 1 purl 1 pattern with a series of 5 crossed k1, p1 cables running through it. My hunch is that this technique is adaptable to a variety of patterns and garments.

The second finished project is a pair of socks through the Mystery KAL Mary's Garden hosted by Melly's Lace Place. I used an Opal Uni obtained at a very good price from Little Knits. I haven't decided yet whether or not this will be a Christmas present or will be mine, all mine. Melly gave us several options, one a patterned vs. a plain foot, a patterned heel vs. a plain one, and two types of toes, a round one and a star toe. I chose the patterned heel, plain foot (by accident) and the star toe. Therefore, I can knit the sock again with another combination of the various options. This was definitely a five star fun knit. Unfortunately, the pics do not give justice to the finished socks. The photos are not as clear as they normally are. I have no idea why, but I think I need new batteries and no one wanted to climb in the car and go to the village grocery store or pharmacy and get some.

Two more pair of socks are on the needles.

"Knit on."

Mittens

Two weeks ago Afghans for Afghans send an urgent request out for mittens for school-age children. They wanted to send 300 pairs of mittens to Roots of Peace, a humanitarian organization that transforms minefields into agricultural land. According to a4A the mittens are for the girls and boys attending their schools built through their Pennies for Peace campaign.

Afghans for Afghans wrote in their e-mail:

We thought the goal in this short time frame would be a challenge ... We were thinking ... our major youth campaign for the winter ended just a couple weeks prior and didn't everyone deserve a break? And, time to start focusing on Thanksgiving ... and making gifts for family and friends for the holidays? Yet, we'd give it our best try anyway. Have a seat ... the results are spectacular ... We counted 1,017 pairs of mittens at the end of the day, today. Yes -- 1,017 pairs of lovingly made, gorgeous mittens for young hands in Afghanistan.

So here is my contribution to those 1017 pairs of mittens. A short foray into the netherworlds of my stash, reslulted in small balls of leftover yarn, just right for such a project.

"Knit On!"

Commentary in Pictures

I can't help myself; I pilfered from the Internet again a variety of photos which, to me at least, say it all. If you are easily offended yo may want to stop after the first picture.

Knitting is even in French Fashion Shows. Of course the question is would you want to wear it?


My sentiments exactly! That about describes my life. Do you think it might work if I made such a hat for myself? Nah, forget it, too much work.

An answer to the current controversy of Proposition 8 out of California.

Another answer to Proposition 8 or may be you can use it in your next conversation with someone who thinks you are threatening the continuance of heterosexual marriage. See, there are many more serious dangers out there if we are allowed to marry:

Rustic Helga

I finally got on my knees and blocked Helga. The design is by MMario. She is a grand shawl, warm and cuddly and big enough to tie in the back. There are a couple of mistakes in the knitting, but I sure cannot find them even though I know they are there, some place. The shawl is knit with hand spun yarn from my daughter's stash of unknown breed origin. We think the natural white is Suffolk, the breed of the brown wool is no longer known, and the colored stripes within the brown where bought at various Fiber Fests. She does such a fine job on spinning, doesn't she.

"Knit On!"

Works in Progress

We won't mention the three shawls that are in my knitting basket which need to be finished, but I have three small projects on the needles right now which are much more fun than a humongous shawl.
The first is Nelly's scarf designed by Daniela Johannsenova from Maschenkunst. It is being knit with hand spun yarn in various purple and green shades. It's an easy knit that most likely will be a Christmas present.



The second project is a KAL by Melly called Mary's Garden, after the nursery rhyme "Mary, Mary quite contrary." I am using Opal Uni for these socks. The pattern cries out for a one colored yarn.

The third project are also socks. Also a Christmas gift. This pattern is called Earl Gray by the Yarn Harlot. The pattern has an "ugh" rating on Ravelry. So far I haven't found any error, and it is an easy, but classic looking, pattern to follow. The yarn is again Opal Uni. A dark brown. I bought it a couple of years ago from a LYS that is now out of business. The yarn is definitely "ugh" since something has chewed through the outer layers of the yarn. I have a host of small and very small balls, but since I had the socks already started, I've decided to continue with the yarn and weave in the ends and use the one big ball I came up with for the feet. This is the second ball of Opal Uni that I had bought from this particular LYS which seems to have been visited by "meeces" aka mice. It had to be the yarn store because I have no other problems with yarn in my possession.

Knit On!