New bag

Pattern: Felted Tote Bag from Hip to Knit by Judith L. Swartz
Yarn: Cascade 220 (the orange and beige were new, the blue from the stash)
Needles: US 8
Thoughts: Felting is so fun! I'm eager to try it again.



Already the new bag is being put to good use. Can you guess what my next project will be? (Hint the yarn is the one called for in the pattern and I even chose the same color as the sample. Boring, I know, but you can't mess with a good thing).

Toasy Topper

My friend Bia made Nathaniel a toasty topper for Christmas and it is such an awesome hat that I had to make one for a friend who is expecting a baby boy in June (shower next week).
Pattern: Toasty Topper
Yarn: Berroco Ultra Alpaca, Cashel Blue
Needles: US 8 & 7

My model wasn't very cooperative. I think he knew it wasn't for him so he didn't want to wear it.




Finally, I leave you with some naturally occurring poetry I saw today: the bicycle icicle!

Twin blanket 2

Here is twin blanket #2. It's the fraternal twin of the first. My parents are visiting this weekend so I'll be able to send the blankets home with them. Hopefully they'll soon be keeping 2 little babies nice and cozy.

Pattern: Sheldon Baby Blanket (sans pocket and Sheldon himself)
Yarn: Knit Picks Shine worsted in apple green, bachelor button, and cream
Needles: US7

Now back to more exciting knits!

Winter blahs

Recently I was feeling the frustration of having 2 small children in the winter. Going outside to play is often not an option, particularly with a baby, and tensions tend to run high. And of course getting ready to out anywhere also takes so much longer. I think it is easier to stick a cat in a carrier to go to the vet than to put a toddler in a winter coat when he doesn't want to.
Then I thought of all the things I like about winter (in no particular order):
fires
sledding
ice skating
snow days
hot cocoa
knitting with wool (not that I don't at other times of the year, but it's more cozy in the winter)
wearing wool (I am currently wearing my green hooded pullover and conwy socks)
shoveling (at least the first couple of times and mostly when it is light and powdery)

Feeling better about winter I pulled on my snow boots, bundled myself and Nat (Owen was at school), and went for a walk. This was last Thursday and it was the morning after a snow/sleet storm. I was walking past this old mill building when an avalanche of snow fell off the roof on top of us.
We're fine. Amazingly we escaped with only cuts and bruises and a sore back for me since that I bore the brunt of the snow and ice falling on us. Two really nice men who saw it happen helped us out and called for an ambulance. The experience was horrendously terrifying. All I can say is ROLL ON SUMMER!