Happy Halloween

Pattern: Bat with Jack O'Lantern by Barbara Prime at Fuzzy Mitten

Yarn: Bernat Alpaca Blends and Caron Simply Soft (I know, but it's toy! Besides they are both nice and soft.)

Needles: US Size 6

Mods: None

This was a really well written pattern. I was so impressed with how well it came out. Trust me, it was the product of the pattern, not the knitter in this case. This little guy is destined for my bat obsessed niece for her 5th birthday. I think I will add a bow around his neck and wrap him up with two new books, Bats at the Beach and Bats at the Library. Check them out if you get the chance. Really cute, rhyming story and great illustrations.

Happy Halloween!

Rosebud Baby Set

I knit this little set for my brand new baby niece, Tiffanie Ann. She was born last night. Coincidentally, I mailed this out yesterday. She was 3 days overdue and I had a feeling when I mailed the package that it would be good luck.

Patterns: Rosebud by Susan B. Anderson, One-Piece Baby Kimono from Mason-Dixon Knitting and Simple Shoes by Uniform Studio.

Yarn: Peaches & Creme and Lily Sugar 'n Cream

This weekend I abandoned my children and husband and went to Rhinebeck, NY for my very first NY Sheep and Wool Festival.

The surroundings very beautiful. The foliage, the foliage...well, you just don't get colors like that in Chicago.











On Friday, my friends and I hiked to Kaaterskill Falls. Amazing. Gorgeous. We followed it up a lovely dinner at Stella's in Kingston.













Saturday, we hit the festival. It was clear, crisp, and cold! Which made for a fun game of name that pattern. There were lots of beautiful sweaters, hats, and shawls. We pet alpacas, lamas, bunnies, and sheep.
















And almost immediately after came across this sign:





























Don't worry. We didn't have any. We did decide to try the Philly cheesesteak though. (Hint: if you are from Chicago, this is not going to be good choice. It is not the same.) The hot apples and ice cream on a cinnamon bun fully made up for it though.

In the end, I purchased 2 skeins of wool from Ellen's Half Pint Farm. 1 for me to make Matty a pinwheel blanket and a smaller, bulkier skein for Maggie to knit herself something.
















I also snagged a skein of Cameloo (camel, merino, and bamboo) from Still River Mill. I think it will be a cowl for me.
















And I picked up an exquisite skein of Frolicking Feet in "Cherry Pits" from Done Roving. We ended up skipping the Ravelry party though. It was just too cold and my sister had the beginnings of a sinus infection. Instead we grabbed a bottle of wine and takeout and set up shop in the hotel lobby. We chatted with the other knitters and generally had a fun evening.









Sunday was spent wandering Rhinebeck's downtown and tasting at Ailson Winery. We popped in and out of shops. My friends even bought me the cashmere and silk pashmina I feel in love with for my birthday! We ended the day at Gigi Trattoria. The best risotto I have ever had.












Then we packed the car and headed back to the airport. Fabulous weekend. I can't wait to do it again.

Dudes, I made a knitter.

10 to go!

Pattern: Gathered Pullover from Interweave Knits Fall2007

Yarn: Dale of Norway Svale

Needles:US Size 8

Mods: I started with a larger size on the bottom to accommodate my hips and decreased evenly up to the waist, creating an a-line silhouette. I used short row shaping and a three-needles bind off at the shoulders. Then I picked up stitches around the armholes and did the sleeve caps with short rows as described by Barbara Walker in Knitting from the Top and continued knitting the sleeves in the round to the end. I picked up the neckline and joined it at the center back, decreasing at the center point of the v-neck to bring it in just a little.

Verdict: LOVE IT! The cotton silk blend makes it a perfect 3 season sweater. I was worried that it would stretch out with wearing, but it's holding up nicely. The only thing I would change if I knit it again would be to hem the edges instead of rolling. I think it would dress it up a bit.