A Look Back at Knitting 2011

I have to say that I am amazed at how much knitting I got done in 2011.  More importantly, when I look at my Ravelry site, I am amazed at how many completed projects are on view there for 2011.  Very few UFO's for this past year!  I find I am becoming more focused on what I am knitting and really try to finish one project before going on to the next.  It helps to be knitting for young grandchildren knowing that these projects need to be finished quickly before they grow out of them.   Here's a few of  my projects:

Two Maize sweaters for my son and grandson:

                                                                                   

A poncho and sweater for Maeve:

                                                                     

                                                                           
                                                 
 Hats, socks and the Donner Pass Cowl:

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                 

The Blueleaf headband and the Shawl Collared Vest:

   

       
    You can see the rest on my Ravelry site.  My first project for the New Year is the Sweetheart Pullover for my grandaughter Maeve:

 
This is done in AslanTrends Del Cerro and I happened to find some on sale in a perfect color for a Sweetheart sweater:

                                                                                                                             
Happy New Year everybody!  It's Fiber Arts Friday so go check out what the Fiber Arts gang has been up to this week on Andrea's Wisdom Begins in Wonder site.
                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Getting Ready for Christmas

Lots to do to get ready for Christmas, but one thing I try to avoid is knitting presents for those near and dear.  I am in awe of those who actually get their projects done in time and sympathize with those who don't and Stephanie Pearl-McPhee - The Yarn Harlot - has written many a funny story about all this.

I do like to knit Christmas stockings and finished the Holly Stocking  for the newest member of our family, Forest, with time to spare:

This pattern calls for Bartlettyarns, a good sturdy, scratchy worsted yarn from Harmony, Maine, and although it may not be soft against  your skin it knits up into a nice sturdy stocking, meant to hold lots of little presents without sagging.  The heel was done with yarn over short rows and this was new to me.  Check out this You Tube video if you want to learn how.  Here's my heel:

                                                                         

 

And here's Forest who is feeling quite pleased with himself for finding a nice comfy seat in the kitchen drawer:

                                                                                   

Also finished some socks for myself in an Opal colorway that may not appeal to everyone but I love shades of brown and green:

                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                           

 

Happy Fiber Friday!  Check out Andrea's blog to read about talented fiber artists and what they have been creating.                                                                              
    

  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!

                           

                                                                                     


                                                                                                                                                               
                                                                   

Harry Potter and The Donner Pass Cowl

It feels so good when you finish a knitting project or, in this case, two.  If you are stuck in a rut and are looking for a project with instant gratification,  I would recommend the Donner Pass Cowl.  It's an easy pattern and knits up in no time with just one skein of yarn.  The secret to these kinds of projects is a colorful hand dyed yarn and I used Lorna's Laces yarn that was custom dyed to celebrate the last of the Harry Potter movies.  It's Lion and Lamb and the color is He Who Must Not Be Named:

 

                                                                                                                                                       

Also finished the Maize sweater from the first Nashua Handknits collection:

                                                                               

Now to finish a Christmas stocking.  This is  Annie's Woolens  Holly Christmas Stocking:

                                                                             

The yarn is Bartlettyarns worsted which makes a good sturdy stocking ready to hold lots of little presents:

                                                                                 

Over the years I've knit lots of Christmas stockings but I seem to like Annie's the best.  Here are a couple hanging on the fireplace with some others I have made: