Knitting - yes, I still do some (posted by Ann)

I participated in a swap box that Kathy B of IrishEyes Knitting Blog started, and I was very excited to get the following from the box - a Vogue knitting book on Shawls, stitch markers, a note card for a baby sweater, 2 skeins of lovely turquoise cotton from Takhi, 2 skeins of Aura in blue/gold/purple/fuschia, and two skeins of Heirloom in a purple that matches the Aura, and a skein of Lush angora/wool in a brick color.

Don't know what I'm doing with any of it but I'm sure I'll have fun figuring it all out. I was at the very end of the swap so the box is on it's way back to Kathy. I'm not telling everything I put in it, but there may be a bit of dark chocolate in with the yarn . . . .

I have finished a few things, and since I haven't posted any pictures in a while here goes.

Red lace scarf out of cashmere, I don't remember which yarn. Lovely, soft and really warm. You previously saw this modeled on my friend Sally along with the mittens below.




















Optic Mittens. These are my favorite mittens, I was afraid that I made them too small but am wearing them a lot. They are definitely snug, I made them with the smaller needle size, but they are really warm and they are stretchy enough to work. I like the yarn I chose, it has a slight halo which blurs the strong graphic a bit and softens them up. Lovely, and getting a lot of use.















Stockholm Cowl and Bella's Mittens out of Cascade 200. I made the mittens with the yarn held double, and the Stockholm Cowl with the yarn single. Both are really warm and very pretty in this deep maroon. I absolutely detest the whole Twilight thing - don't get me started on lack of plot, lack of character development, and all the rest - but I saw these mittens on Ravelry modeled after ones Bella wore in the movie, and I loved them. Steve says they attract vampires and to be careful. I wanted a scarf to match, and this cowl is great. You can wear it so many different ways and it has great texture. I think that the pairing is pretty awesome (you might be getting some yarn and the patterns in a future month . . you never know . . .)

Socks out of Patons Kroy Socks FX, can't remember the color number but it has gray blue and green. These socks are very sturdy so I suspect they will wear like iron, but they manage not to be scratchy. Gratuitious shot of Tater included.I have started this shawl (it's a Ravelry link, so I don't think you'll be able to see it unless you belong to Ravelry). It is my first experience doing lace which is not relieved by purl or knit rows between the pattern, and I have ripped out twice now. I am telling myself that it will click eventually. And a new pair of socks out of Lorna's Laces, colorway is Mountain Creek. Lovely plain socks to keep me entertained while on long conference calls and longer flights

And a bunch of dishcloths that are in staging for Mom's dishcloth-of-the-month. I am having fun with these, and have found a lot of new patterns. The yellow and white one is my favorite pattern so far, it looks like honeycomb. The pattern is called Circle Cloth. Looks like she may wind up getting slightly more than one a month as I work my way through my backlog of Peaches & Creme and Sugar 'n Cream. Did you send her February one to her, or will we be doubling up in March?

This is about half of what I've finished the last few months - evidently my knitting really ramps up in the winter months! I'll post the rest when I have pictures.

Hey Lani - I keep looking at this and wondering if it is the year for us to meet there. What do you think?

P.S. I mailed your March box - it should arrive in the first week of March. Yay me!

P.P.S. Made any cakes lately?