Stashalong and Works in Progress

Hi,

I survived 4 months of not buying yarn with Stashalong in 2006 and want to get back on the bandwagon. Kim, the owner of the site, gave stashers 3 options this year to make their stash reduction more interesting. I really need to finish some Christmas presents (most people got IOUs from me this holiday), so I went with Option 3 which is a plan to finish at least 5 WIPs in one month (and also not buy yarn).

Here are my works in progress:

• Pocket shawl (pattern from KnitPicks) made with Lion Brand Kool Wool from stash
I'm making this for my mom:


• My Favorite Poncho (my own design) made with Gedifra Distrato (color sunset) from stash. I'm making this one for my sister Patty:





• Snowballs Chance Armwarmers (pattern from Anti-Craft) with knitpicks telemark from stash which I'm making for my niece Lisa. I haven't started the duplicate stitch yet:





• Swell hat (pattern from Knitty) with Patons Classic Wool doubled from stash. This one is for my nephew Frankie.



• Cigar gloves (pattern from Knitty) made with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes from stash for my brother-in-law Frank. I haven't started these yet.


This should keep my mind off of buying new yarn for a month. If I just rotate around these 5 projects, completion may be mine.

take care, Sue

Santa sent me a new camera!!!

Hi,

I'm really hoping that my blog can go to the next level now that I have a REAL digital camera. I've been knitting like crazy and have some shots of christmas presents that I finished. My fantasy knitting life and my real life hit a major road block the friday before christmas eve when I realized that I had only finished one present (my list included at least 15 projects). I have no discernment when it comes to the time it takes to make a nice knitted object for gifts. So instead of having 15 wrapped presents for my wonderful family I gave them each a card with an IOU.

My nephew and niece were the only ones who received finished projects:

Here is Sheldon the Turtle for Pipey:

This pattern is in the new issue at knitty.com. really fun to make!! and pipey loved it!!

I also made what I call the "Ringo Hat" for my nephew Farrell. He's 6 and his dad is a HUGE beatle fan so I crafted this version of the brimmed hat from the Knit.1 men's issue.



Here's some more shots of Piper and Farrell during their christmas romp at Nana's:








OK, I'm being kicked out of my favorite wireless coffee shop so I will devulge more about christmas knitting another time.

take care, sue

Swallowtail Shawl

Hi,

Another holiday project: two Swallowtail shawls made with Knitpicks Alpaca Cloud: one in a teal color the other lilac. I've sent in a request to join the Swallowtail knitalong, which always helps me stay focused. This is really my first attempt at real lace so I hope it goes well. I know this is way too ambitious to pull off but I love to challenge myself.



My holiday WIPs are now: Swell hats for 2 nephews, Argyle socks for 1 brother, Pocket Shawl for mom, and two arm warmers for whoever ...

Other WIPs for me: Silkroad Cardigan, Vintage pullover and I need to alter my pattern for houndstooth and make another sweater. I'm really hoping to submit this pattern somewhere, somehow!

take care, Sue