Projects old and new

Ever since I finished my Christmas knitting, I've had the itch to cast on many new projects. I even have the yarn for most of them in my stash and I hear its siren call. I promised myself I could only start a new project if I finished one of my works in progress. The winner was the Backyard Leaves scarf, started January 2008. I finished half of it last Spring and then it got put aside while I did things like knit other projects and have a baby. The biggest problem I had with the pattern was that you had to repeat the main part of the pattern 11 times for one half of the scarf and then again for the other half and it was not a pattern you could memorize. Even though I could knit the pattern very quickly after a few times, it was tough mentally to start it all over again right away so I always put it down. Well, I persevered and, one year later, it is finally finished.


Pattern: Backyard Leaves by Annie Modesitt, from Scarf Style
Yarn: Valley Yarns Valley Superwash
Needles: US 8

My new project? A felted tote. I am ridiculously excited to felt for the first time.
Oh, and these socks, too. I am weak.

Baby Blanket 1

I finished the first of the twin blankets! I'm really happy with the pattern I chose: it was quick, easy, and attractive. Plus it is soft and cuddly for a baby (and machine washable!).


Pattern: Sheldon Baby Blanket (sans pocket and Sheldon himself)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine worsted in apple green, bachelor button, and cream
Needles: US7
Now for the second one. My plan is to reverse the green and cream colors for number two. Get it? They will be fraternal twin blankets!

New Year, new project

My first completed project of the year is a hat for me. You might remember my mom did a little Christmas shopping at Rhinebeck for some Longwool yarn from Cranberry Moon Farm. I'm happy to report that after naming my blog after the Longwool sheep, I have finally knit with Longwool yarn. The yarn actually turned out to be a bit sticky, but I think that was probably the result of the dye used. The stickiness was gone after washing and the yarn has a wonderful luster. All in all, I'm quite pleased with it.

Pattern: Chunky Cabled Hat (somewhat modified to fit my gauge)
Yarn: Cranberry Moon Farm Leicester Longwool (Charles)
Needles: US 8
I'm not the only one with a new hat. Bia made this lovely hat for Nathaniel.

I've also been hard at work on the baby blankets and should have one done soon.