The holiday frenzy has finally quieted down, and I’ve started trying to get back into the regular groove again. It was lovely to share good times with family we don’t get to see every day, but it’s also nice to get back to our peaceful daily existence, too.
My DH & I caught colds for Christmas, and though it kept us mostly out-of-commission, I did my best to keep my mind & hands busy. One of the things I got myself for Christmas (which I had mentioned a few posts ago) was a pattern I had wanted for some time – Rose Red by Ysolda Teague. I cast on the first one in Blue Sky Alpaca Sport in a lovely purple color. Those familiar with this yarn know how beautifully it blooms after washing. It made for a very beautiful finished beret; beautiful drape, soft fuzzy finish, and still pretty warm.
So beautiful, in fact, that I immediately cast on and did a second in Araucania Toconao worsted merino in a beautiful leaf green color (512). The heavier weight yarn gave a very different finished result; denser, less drape, and somehow, cozier. Photos of that next time.
I love them both & am considering which yarn to use for the next one (as I am pretty sure that my Mum will nick my purple one when she sees it!).
I’ve managed to finish my Bilbao scarf in between holiday revelling & sick-bed knitting. It came out beautifully, and it seems to create a bit of a stir whenever other knitters see it. It’s knit in garter, so it’s a very easy knit, requiring full attention only when it’s time to bind off & cast on again to create the zig-zags. It’s such an unusual pattern, but I really love the way it looks – very dramatic & different. Morehouse Merino puts it out in kit form (which I think makes a great cheap-&-cheerful gift for your knitty friends), but I made mine a bit larger & used knitpicks Shadow – a kettle dyed lace yarn – doubled. I think it made for a bit more drape & weight than the original morehouse yarn creates.
I’ve started my BrooklynTweed Noro scarf. You know the one: 2 shades of Noro silk garden knit up in 1x rib, alternating colors every 2 rows. Simple, yet stunning in the unpredictable results. I had a mis-start when the colors weren’t cooperating – two similarly colored sections met & so there was no striping. It’s working out ok now I’ve reversed one of the balls & started it from the other end. Photos next time.
What did I get for Christmas? Well, I’ll tell you. And, I hate to single anyone out, but I must say – my DH was particularly thoughtful (as always).
A few great books I had been drooling over!: Kaffe Fassett’s Pattern Library, Kaffe Knits Again & Reversible Knitting by Lynne Barr.
A couple of bottles of my favorite spirit – port!
An awesome set of Addi Clicks!!!
Nummies galore~ chocolates, super-scrummy handmade cranberry salt water taffies from Cape Cod, nuts, tea, honey and a pretty tin of fancy tea cookies.
Wonderful LL Bean woolen thermals from my Mum – I’m thinking there was a hidden meaning here, i.e. ‘dress warmer & stop getting so sick’!
Some wonderful yarns from a dear friend~ a cashmere ‘scarf for her’ kit from Jade Sapphire & some wild Prism yarn.
And a few gift cards: to a local yarn shop, Trader Joe’s & Amazon.
I’d love to teach my whole circle of friends & family to knit so we can do an all-handmade Christmas. Give me time… I think I might be able to pull something like that off in a few years’ time. 😉
wooly minded 