The Sound of Silence

New Year, New Knits

I'm sitting here at the end of the holiday weekend with a pile of knitting sitting next to me. It's a lovely thing.

First up is my Tara Bolero. My version is named Slug because while at knit night we were discussing the fiber content of the yarn (Harlequin by Dale of Norway), and the slubs in the yarn. Someone heard "slug" and then commented that the color is right for slugs, then the conversation devolved to giant slugs and it was sealed. So here are the in progress pictures for Slug.

Color accurate close-up, with slubs

Left front

Back in progress

Second is a project that I just started today. I'm so enamored with it, even though there is extra work involved. Extra work? Yes, I'm thrumming!

Introducing my first thrummed project, Bunny Hop Slippers. I'm using Cascade 220 from my stash and some of the BFL roving that was my first roving purchase the day I learned to spin.

Prepared thrums

Thrummed close up

First sole, outside

First sole, inside

These things are going to be so warm and snuggly when they're done.

That's all that's been going on around here.  I'm sure I'll have finished project pictures to share with you soon.

The Last of 2011

The last of the Christmas presents have been delivered and opened, so I can now share the rest of my top secret 2011 knitting with you.

I made two Bandana Cowls by Purl Bee, one for my dad and one for my best friend's husband. Both were made with Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Denim Mix. One skein made two cowls.

I made Melissa a pair of slippers out of Panda Soy Prints in positive purple.  I really enjoyed this pattern, they knit up super quick and are a great slipper for warmer climates.

Finally, last night I tried something new before the year ended. There may have been some alcohol involved in the planning and instrumentation of this knit.I used some pull apart cherry flavored Twizzlers and my US 8 needles to knit 4 rows of candy knitting.

It was the most delicious knitting I've ever done.

More Gift Photos

I got the pictures of my grandmother's Veyla.

I did these without buttons. I modified the pattern to graft the cuffs together. After I've had some time, I'm going to make a pair of these for myself to wear at work.

Once one more package gets delivered and opened I'll be able to share the last of the knitted gifts.

Well Finally

Now that Christmas is over, and gifts across the country have been opened, I can finally share with you some of the super top secret knitting I've been up to.

First up is a blankie I made for my nephew Kyle (relative by friends). I started this back in early July according to my Ravelry project page. In my defense, I designed this as I was knitting, so sometimes the blankie would sit and marinate while I sorted out the next step.

The yarn is Knit Picks Crayon, which was lovely to knit with and is deliciously soft as a blankie. I have plenty left over for the upcoming twins due it late May (to a different family).

Under Sea Baby Blanket

The report is that Kyle loves it. I hope this thing gets loved to death. It's just about the right size to be a cape for a toddler...

Next up is a pair of Veyla by Ysolda Teague, made for Val (Kyle's Mom). The yarn is Shibui super sock in a lovely deep purple. The "buttons" are snowflake obsidian beads from my stash.

Veyla for Val with David's present underneath

 I made a second pair of Veyla for my grandmother using the Zombie Cherry yarn that I dyed during late summer. Sadly, I forgot to get a picture before I sent them away, so I'll have to wait for my mom to snap one.

I still have two secret projects that I can't share, since I only got 2 of 3 packages out on time. So I'm going to leave you with this really strange picture I managed to get of Westley. I like it. It's deep.

The Eternal Mystery of the Cat (c) 2011

Who Wants a Swancho?

The super top secret knitting continues at Casa del Westley. Sadly, I've been doing little but super top secret knitting, work, and ignoring chores.  Soon, however, I will begin selfish knitting again and will be able to share with you. I want to get the better part of a sweater done while I'm off of school, and have narrowed my choices down to the following:

Ashfield Cardigan by Melissa LaBarre, from New England Knits, done in Cascade 200 Sport (purple, don't remember if it's 8885 or 8886).

Drawstring Waist Cardigan from Vogue Knitting, done in Sierra Pacific Crafts Katyil (the same yarn as my purple cabled sweater).

Lowry Pullover from KnitScene, done in mystery Danish wool blend that I got in a swap.

Mythos from Knitty in Elann Baby Silk (Oxblood).

Lazy Weekend Sweater, done in a recycled red wool/cotton blend, rescued from a very unfortunate Old Navy sweater.

OK, so I haven't narrowed it down much. I'll work on it.

And, so this post isn't all text, here's an apt cartoon for the season.

Baby It's Cold Outside!

We've been having a cold snap, and today it never got above freezing. Even with all of my wooly items, I'm cold.

It's so cold the spider webs have frozen. Which is really quite pretty (and means that the accompanying spiders have moved out).

It's finals week, and I've got one exam left to go (Thursday, statistics, not looking forward to it). With the term wrapping up, I've been able to get a bit more knitting done. Sadly, it's almost all super secret gift knitting, so I can't post any pictures for a while :-(. I am going to work on getting pictures of my finished shawl collared cowl (which it has been too cold for, I need the extra bulk of a full scarf). I am working on one shop model for FNC. I'll get pictures up as soon as that's done an delivered, hopefully this weekend.