When I started planning out my 2012 projects, my favorite brother-in-law put in a request for a scarf. Easy enough, right? Surprisingly, picking a pattern and a yarn was much tougher than I thought it would be. If you're giving a handmade gift, there's pressure for it to be right, and doubly so when it was a special request. Triply so when it's for your favorite BIL.
I finally decided on the famed Noro striped scarf that uses two colorways of Silk Garden. I fell in love with two Chroma colorways, and off I went! It was a fun knit, and I love the way it turned out. It stood up to the Alaskan wilderness, so I'm calling it a success.
Today my fabulous sister-in-law Maria is graduating with her MBA. Additionally, she has a great job lined up with the maker of my favorite cereal. Winning! We're so proud of her that there are no words, which is sad since this is a blog and a blog is made of words.
So a big congrats to Maria...and I hope she enjoys the scarf I knitted her in anticipation of her new chilly climate!
After I decided that I would use my red yarn to contribute to the Red Scarf Project, I started this basic 2X2 rib scarf. It's supposed to be unisex and this was the most neutral pattern that I could think of.
Also, this is my childhood bear, Ben. Given to me by my brother. Amazing childhood pal, perfect knitted goods model.
Remember when I posted about my Crimson Pride yarn projects? Well I finished the scarf and decided to make a hat with the leftovers. I actually finished them both over Thanksgiving weekend, but I just settled on a button for the hat.
I was talking about the red yarn in my stash (you may remember...the Softwist and One Pound skeins from my stash post) and one of the women in my Meetup Group (which I really enjoyed, btw) suggested using it to knit scarves for The Red Scarf Project.
"The Red Scarf Project?" You ask. "What's that?"
I'm glad you asked. It's an organization that sends care packages to orphans, former foster kids, who are in college. The care packages go out for Valentine's day and the one common theme is a hand-made red scarf. I'm so super excited about making and donating them! You can even include a hand-written note of encouragement. Can you imagine being in foster care and somehow finding the strength, determination and funding to attend college? It really baffles me. These kids are my heroes.
I'm too late to the party to donate for V-Day 2011, but I will not miss the deadline for V-Day 2012! Who's with me?!
I grew up in a household that recognized college football as the single most important entity known to the world. And the University of Alabama was the most important piece within that entity. So with that in mind, coupled with the fact that the U of A is now my Alma Mater, I'm a pretty hardcore fan. That's why, when I found out that Serendipity Needleworks in Tuscaloosa, AL was having Lorna's Laces custom dyed in lots called "Crimson Pride", I knew I had to have some. Well, I knew I had to have some more. My friend Melissa gave me my first skein and I made a hat. I was so thrilled that I called and ordered two more skeins for a scarf. Then, on my next visit to Tuscaloosa, I bought two skeins in sock weight. The projects are both on the needles and have been stalled for a bit, but in honor of today's Iron Bowl, I thought they should both be featured. And probably finished. Soon.
i've imposed a yarn moratorium on myself. my stash is so out of control that it hurts. i continue to see beautiful yarn that i want, but i just have to force myself not to buy it. i'm hoping that this will force me to knit up all (or at least most) of what i have right now.
i went through the process of adding my entire stash to ravelry, you should check it out. i've got some ideas for projects and patterns, but i'm definitely taking suggestions!
i just finished the sock class at great yarns in raleigh...it was fantastic! the pattern we used was one that our instructor wrote...it still blows my mind that someone wrote a sock pattern. the first one was easy enough, but i did have someone coaching me the whole way. we'll see if sock #2 goes as well.
other projects in my queue include a malabrigo hat and scarf set, my ongoing collinette mohair broken rib stitch scarf and a patons felted purse pattern.
i don't have a picture of the sock yet, but here are the others...
