That Year End Post

The end of the year is always a good time for reflection. I think I knit more in 2015 than I did in the prior year but that's mainly due to the birth of my twins. My favorite knits for 2015 would have to be:

My Rhinebeck sweater tops the list. I in no way fashion myself a "sweater knitter", but I decided on a Tuesday that I was going to knit a sweater in a week, casted on the very next day and was done by the following Friday. My favorite attribute is the bright neon green contrast color. It's so unexpected and unique (just like me!).

Pattern: University Sweater by Rosi G.

Yarn: Plymouth Encoure Worsted in Medium Grey & Neon Green

My next favorite knit has to be a cute little number I knit for my friends toddler. I love knitting baby things because they go so darn fast, although the cables seem to slow me down a bit. I actually paid for this pattern which doesn't happen too often. I am so pleased with how it turned out and I think the pattern was absolutely worth every penny.

Pattern: Silverfox Cardigan by Frogginette Makes Things

Yarn: Loops & Threads Woolike in Mauve

Rounding out the list is a kit I bought on Craftsy as part of a mystery knit-along a couple of years ago. I know the designer and I like to support my knitters when I can. I didn't think a lace beret would be my style but I'm glad I tried something out of comfort zone. I thought I was the beanie type, but I'm really diggin the slouch. The silk content in the yarn is good for my coily hair and the wool helps to regulate my head temperature. I don't think I've sweat once while wearing it, which says a lot.

Pattern: Iced Eucalyptus Beret by Angela Tong

also available as a kit here.

Yarn: Cascade Venezia Sport in Deep Sea

I had to add these socks as an honorable mention. They took no less than half the year to knit. The fact that I think they're stunning was the sole reason I didn't rip it out halfway through knitting and throw the yarn out the window. I don't know why it was such a difficult knit but I'm so glad it's over. I use to love knitting socks but I may need to take break before I start my next pair.

Pattern: Pucker by The House of Hogbuffer

Yarn: Knitpicks Hawthorn Fingering in Serpent and Slate

My current WIP's are a cowl, ardigan and shawl which I will hopefully get to finish next month. Wishing you all a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Joyous Kwanzaa.

And may the new year bless you with the opportunity to attain your wildest dreams!

Listen

Do you ever feel like the universe is talking to you? Leaving little clues, that if you're perceptive enough to pick up on, can be decoded into one blaring message thats been right before your eyes for the longest time. I don't mean to get all hippy dippy, but I feel like I'm always searching for answers- answers to everything and maybe all I need to do is listen to the universe. I don't have the slightest idea why this thought just popped into my head and why I feel the need to document it in this blog, but I do so I am.

Since I'm here, might as well talk about crafty stuff. My needles have been click clackin' like crazy. I've been repeating the mantra "knit faster, winter is coming" as I knit warm woolies for the family. I started with hats for the twins,

 then moved on to a hat for hubby

 and recently finished a hat for my older son. 

I had to compromise on his hat because he wanted a yellow hat with black zig zags on it to simulate the hair of his favorite Dragon Ball Z character. I let him have the yellow, but I picked the pattern I liked and omitted the black. I also finished cowls for them too. I made the structured cowl for hubby

 and the ribby cowl for boy wonder.

Next on the needles are mittens and gloves and then I'll have time for some selfish knitting.

Not quite right

Remember the teal and gray baby sweater from my last post? In case you don't, here's a pic.

Nice, right? Let's take a closer look shall we....

Notice anything? I'm not talking about the difference in color between the blue's. I'm talking about the shoulder.

Guess who forgot to sew the shoulder seam before picking up stitches for the hood? Yup, this chick right here.

I just haven't had the energy to rip it out and fix it. Luckily I have a few more months before the boys will be able to fit them. I started the second one, but as usual, I ran out of yarn. I ended up starting a new project in the meantime, in between time.

I have a bunch of pre fold diapers, I mean a BUNCH! I failed to realize before putting a gaggle of them on my registry, that you need a wool cover to go over them. You also have to lanolize the cover which is a whole 'nother story which I won't go into just yet.

The great part about knitting soakers is that you don't need much yardage so I can use up some of the handspun stash. Only downside is most of my handspun is in feminine colors so it was really hard finding appropriate yarn.

I finally settled on yarn I spun from my previous Spunky Club subscription ( which I miss dearly). I'm almost done, just have to add the ribbing to the legholes.

Even though I'm getting some knitting done, I'm still pining for my other crafts. I can't wait to break out the wheel and sewing machine. Hopefully they'll make an appearance soon.

Hiatus

I seem to be a pro at disappearing for long stretches of time, and yet for some reason I always seem to return. A lot has happened since my last post. The most notable is that I had a couple of kids and at the same time even! I just had twin boys two months ago and I guess the monotony of daily life has me wanting to mix it up a bit, hence this post. I probably won't be posting any pics of my little one's faces just because I'm one of those paranoid moms. Since this is a craft blog, I'll oblige with a little craft update.

Since having the boys, I've wanted to knit a whole lot more than my free time allows. I'm one of those knitters that likes to work on one project at a time. I'm currently working on hoodies for the boys. I finished one and working on the second. I'm making both in contrasting colors using a pattern called Hooded Baby Sweater by Halliday Nelson which can be found for free on Ravelry.

I like the simplicity of the pattern which makes it easier to customize. I'm actually following the pattern to a tee but I made it my own by changing the sleeve and band colors.

I'm also using this project to practice my lever knitting. Lever knitting is a way to knit with the right needle tucked under your arm. The Yarn Harlot knits this way and it is known to be a more efficient way to knit. It also produces a more even fabric. In my case, I knit tightly and it has relieved some of the tension I use to feel in my wrist and I noticed that I don't "row out" as much too. Here's a video of Stephanie lever knitting.

The boys are starting to stir so I'll catch this blog on the flip side. Craft on.