FO: Kennedy's Cabled Rainbow

Project: Woollen Cable Sweater - Natural Knits for Babies and Toddlers
Start date: 3/30/09
End date: 5/15/09
Yarn: 5 Balls SWTC Karaoke; Colorway Playful (Soy Silk / Wool Blend)
Needles: size 7

I absolutely loved this project. The yarn is single ply, so it splits fairly easily. I followed the pattern as is with no modification. The pattern called for 4 balls of yarn for the sweater and one ball for the coordinating hat. I had to use all 5 for the sweater with just enough left to taunt my cats. Kennedy looks adorable in it and wore it when we went camping last weekend. Due to the wool blend, she stayed toasty warm when it got fairly chilly at night. Plus, I made it just a little on the big side for her so it would fit this fall.

I've already moved on to my next projects; more socks (for me) and more baby knitting on the way!

FO: Yellow Jacket with Fur

Project: Yellow Jacket with Fur; Sandnes Mandarin Petit (0305 Barn 0-4) Design by Ingjerd Thorkildsen
Start: 2006
Finish: 3/29/2009
Yarn: Mandarin Petit, yellow #2004 3 balls
Unknown yellow/light green fur, 1 ball
Needles: size 2 and 3
Size: To fit tiny babies sized 1-3 months old
Project thoughts: Tedious and engaging. No modifications were made other than a change in the recommended novelty fur yarn. This pattern book was likely written in a different language (I presume French or Danish?) initially and translated for distribution in America. Hence, the pattern was less comprehensive than the ones I usually work from. All the same, it might be the cutest little thing I have ever knit.

I originally started this garment for my daughter Kennedy when i was pregnant with her in 2006. I lost interest, or saw something shiny, who knows. It fell by the wayside in the UFO bin. I knit a bit more when I was pregnant with my daughter Ava in 2008, and again, didn't finish it. Now, 10 months later, the little jacket won't fit her. So, the jacket was finished for my dear friend's daughter, expected to make her grand arrival in June. Miss Chloe will look smashing in this, don't you agree?

FO: Husbeast Socks

Project: FO Husbeast Socks by Boogie Knits
Start date: 2/09
End date: 3/22/09
Yarn: 3 balls KnitPicks Swish Superwash; Squirrel Heather
Needles: size 5 dpn's
Mods: I skipped the ribbing at the top of the sock and started directly into the pattern. I knit the large size version of the pattern to fit a men's size 12 foot. The instructions were rather flexible to accomodate the wearer's foot length and length of calf on the upper portion of the sock; i knit to 8 inches on both ends before starting either the heel or the toe.
Pattern Thoughts: This pattern was really comprehensive and would normally have been a quick knit for me due to the worsted weight yarn and larger needles. Life became a little hectic, otherwise these would have been done from start to finish within a week max.

These socks are for my father- in-law and I can't wait to give them to him. I had started his original pair (see Thuja sock post) for Christmas, but knit them too small by mistake. I promised to keep his feet toasty warm with woolly socks during the cold winter months... so, even though they are a LOT late, another winter will be around the corner in no time. Besides, it is St Louis; it's inevitable we'll have at least one more snow before the end of April!

FO: Thuja Socks

Project: Thuja Socks by Bobby Ziegler
Start date: 12/15/08
End date: 2/2/09
Yarn: 2 balls KnitPicks Swish Superwash; Jade
Needles: size 5 dpn's
Mods: I used different yarn than recommended and dropped the needle size down one. I wanted a little tighter gauge since I was knitting these for lady feet. No other modifications.
Project Thoughts: I really like this pattern because it was very easy to memorize and take on the go. This is my 3rd pair of this pattern to knit; the first one I was able to do while waiting in line to vote.

After having knit a handful of socks now, I think that the DK or worsted weight socks are my favorite. I don't mind the challenge of a size 0 - 3 dpn needle and resulting fingering or sock weight yarn, but it sure does do a number on my fingers.

In other news... I have decided, like many of my fellow knitsters, to bust out my UFO's and finally just get them done. I'll have to search my many hiding spots to find all of these unfinished projects and then I'll create a list here. I know I have a 1/2 finished Clapotis in my stash that's been in a holding pattern for over 2 years. Seems a sin to keep that gorgeous Lion and Lamb waiting.

FO: Tea Cozy

Pattern: Two for Tea by Amy Barker (Stitch n' Bitch Nation)
Started: 1/29/09
Completed: 2/1/09
Yarn: 1 skein KnitPicks Swish Worsted - Bok Choy, Remants of Cascade 220 (color unknown)
Needle size US 6 and US G/6 crochet hook
Mods: Aside from the different yarn selection, I chose not to add any of the intarsia patterns as written in the original designs. I used a regular mattress stitch to join the front and back and did a single crochet edging along both handle and spout openings. I attached a bow made of crochet chain above the handle opening.
Pattern thoughts: Ridiculously easy project and very straighforward pattern. I made this for mom's birthday this coming week and I think she'll enjoy it. I prefer coffee to tea usually, but I feel inspired to have a cup of Earl Grey upon completion of this project.

I guess this means I can no longer procrastinate on the socks I've had on the needles for 2 months. I have only one toe left to complete for the pair. After making 3 pairs in a row at the holidays, I had lost my enthusiasm for toothpick-thin needles and dental floss-like yarn. So say we all...