Slippers for Mom

Over Christmas Mom requested a pair of felted slippers. I recently finished a huge knitting project (photos to be posted as soon as possible), so I was ready for a a quick hit knitting project.

I had stash yarn leftover from other projects. I found the Duffers pattern on Raverly and got to work.

Knitting items to be felted is fun, because you get to use big needles and act like you are knitting for a giant.

Once felted the slippers are toasty warm and much cuter.

State Fair Knitting

It's State Fair time! This year I entered some knitted items into the Fabric & Threads competition. It was my first time entering, but it won't be my last.

I was lucky enough to win two ribbons. I won second place in the felted item category with my slippers. Now when I wear them I will brag about how they are award winning. Consider yourself warned.

I also earned a 4th place ribbon for my Mom's lace ribbon scarf. She assures me she will point out that it is award winning when she wears it.

I encourage you to head to the fair and check out the Fabric and Threads exhibit. Congratulations to all of my friends who entered the fair. I can't wait to see what you make next year.

Sock Yarn Scarf

One of the side effects of knitting a lot of socks is having a lot of tiny balls of sock yarn. I decided to work my way through some of the yarn by making a scrap sock yarn scarf.

This was mindless knitting at its best. The final product is a fun scarf perfect for dressing up an outfit.

Possum Scarf

At Sticks and Strings last weekend I explored the vendor market not expecting to buy anything. I have enough yarn to stay busy for months, so I have no need to buy yarn at the moment. As I wandered the market I discovered some beautiful yarn in bold colors. The best part? The yarn is 30% possum. How could I stay no to that?

I knit up a simple 2 x 2 ribbed scarf. The yarn is 60% merino, 30% possum, and 10% silk. It is very smooshy.

At this point in the winter I start to wear bright outerwear. I'm sick brown scarves and black coats. I need to be reminded that spring is just around the corner. This scarf does the trick.

Socks and an Amazing Weekend

If you had told me five years ago that the most fun I would have in months would be at a knitting retreat I would assumed you were crazy. Times have certainly changed. I have a wonderful group of knitting friends, and spending a weekend knitting with them was just what I needed.

I stayed up knitting until 2 am. Next year I am getting a room and staying all night. Next year I am also taking a picture of everyone.

I worked on a hat at the retreat. Carla, Jess, and I are doing a knit along making very cool hats. I hope to have my hat finished next week so I can post it. Until then I have photos of two pairs of socks.

I made a brown pair for work. There is a leaf pattern on the side. I think the pattern look stupid with variegated yarn, but I didn't hate it enough to frog it. It was good practice with lace.

I also made a pair of socks for Valentine's Day. The are my favorite pair of socks.

Seriously. Could they be any cuter?

They even have hearts up the back. They are so cute I haven't worn them yet. I want to save them for a special occasion. I think Super Bowl Sunday might be the day. I'll make sure to fill you in next week.

Legwarmers and Toe Up Socks

I've been busy knitting this year. I hope to knit at least one pair of socks a month.

My first pair of socks this year was my first attempt at toe up socks.

I knit too much foot before I started the heel. That means that John has a nice pair of hand knit socks with a slightly girlie leg pattern. He refuses to wear them out of the house, but does enjoy wearing them around the house. The photos don't do the yarn justice, it's a beautiful deep blue and purple.

Other than the long foot mistake I loved making these socks. I can't believe how much faster toe up socks knit up. I'm excited to make another pair.

Last weekend I headed up to the McCarty Family Christmas with Kathleen, Ellie, and Rowan. During that trip I made a pair of legwarmers for Ellie. They are lime green, which is her favorite color. It was the perfect car project - two k1, p1 tubes. I was thankful she didn't want them too long.

Maker Monday: week 52

Christmas is over so I can finally show off what I've been working on.

For Mary-Claire I made Lombard Street socks. I hated them at first, but the cable and lace pattern eventually grew on me and it was hard to give them away.

For Rowan I made an R2D2 hat. I think it's pretty awesome.

Have you been wondering where my year in picture posts have gone? I quit. It's a pain in the ass to take a photo every day. Kathleen and Sara I salute you.

Maker Monday: week 50

I have a bag I throw the leftover bits of yarn I'm left with when I finish a project. When the bag is full I knit an afghan. The afghan is an odd mix of colors and textures. It's strangely appealing.

Frigid 5K and Hot Coffee

On Saturday I was out of the house before 8 for my first Jingle Jam. Jess invited me to join her on a costumed 5k run through the zoo. Even though I haven't run in almost a month I agreed to join her. She ran with me the whole time, which must have been difficult because I'm slow and it was very cold and windy.

After the run we warmed up with some coffee and knitting at Smokey Row. We both made a lot of progress on Christmas gifts.

I am going to start running 5ks again. My t shirt collection is getting old, and signing up for 5ks is a good way to refresh it. It's also a good way to get a workout in and catch up with a friend.

Maker Monday: week 48

Over the past two weeks I've finished three scarves. I didn't get one good picture of them, so I am sharing the least blurry photo.

The scarves are for my good friends Debbie, Shelly, and Lori. We go to dinner once a month and I'm hoping to surprise them with the scarves next week. They clearly aren't as cool as you, as they never read my blog.

Maker Monday: week 46

This week you could say I've got my feet on the ground.

Tiny dancer socks made for me. This is incredibly soft sock yarn I picked up on Colorado last year. It's so soft I'm pretty sure they are going to wear out within the year. I don't care. It will be worth it to have my feet swaddled in dreamy yarn all winter.

And my head in the stars.

Crochet stars and trees to adorn gifts this year.

Maker Monday: week 43

Remember the broom stick lace I kept talking about? It's done and I love it. Mary-Claire was kind enough to pose for me.

I also finished a pair of socks. I've been working on these for well over a month. I finally set aside the crochet and finished them up. They are already my favorite pair. I think they look super cool.

Maker Monday: week 41

Crochet is sucking up my knitting time. The sock I want to finish sits forgotten on the coffee table, waiting for me to start the gusset. I don't even want to talk about the knitting pressure November and December will bring as I rush to finish knitting my presents.

On a positive note, my broomstick lace scarf is coming along well. I hope to have it finished by next week. This week in class we learned the afghan stitch. I am glad I'm taking a class because if I was teaching myself I would have given up on crochet a month ago.

Maker Monday: week 38

This week I finished my Monkey socks. I love these socks. They were a lot of fun to knit.

I think they look pretty cool too.

When I was done with the socks I had enough yarn left over for a beer coozie. I gave it to Sarah; we are taking a crochet class together and I know the feeling of being driven to drink over yarn.

Maker Monday: week 37

This week I worked on a pair of socks and I finished a baby gift for my neighbors. I made a baby hat and booties out of Cyclone yarn. It made me a little sick to knit with such ugly colors.

Maker Monday: week 33

This week I made a few things. I will post pictures of them next week so I look super productive. Until then, know that I am crazy busy and try to find knit every other day.

Maker Monday: week 32

The Hawkeye socks are done. I love how they turned out.

Maker Monday: week 31

No photos this week, but at least I'm posting on time. I'm on the foot of my second Hawkeye sock. I'm hopeful that I will finish it this week. I'm looking forward to knitting with bigger needles. I broke my second size 1 needle this week. I am not even a tight knitter. I guess it's just my super human strength.

I did start and finish a project this week. I made a coozie to match Emily's one eared hat for her birthday. I forgot to take a picture of it.

Missed Maker Monday

I made lots of progress on Hawkeye sock #2. I have been really busy lately. So busy that my knitting sits there more days than I touch it. I'm sure I'll be busy with knitting once fall gets here.

A Maker Mondayless Week

You may have notice that I didn't have a Maker Monday post this week. That's because I haven't really been knitting lately. I still have my Hawkeye socks OTN, and I know I will finish them eventually. I've just been too busy to relax on the couch. It's incredibly frustrating. This weekend I am staying in at night in order to catch up on knitting.