Winter Knitting

It's been some time since I posted but that's because I have been busy knitting!!  It's become a passion of sorts and takes up time in my head even when I am not knitting.  The act of knitting is so calming and relaxing but it is also creative and gives me even more ideas to create my own knitting patterns.  Driving home from the office last night I had a wonderful idea for a modification to a sweater I am knitting and don't like how it is turning out.  Working on multiple projects at one time provides inspiration for modifying other projects.   Just tweaking the design will make it look totally different and be more my style.

Here's some recently finished projects.

This scarf is called Linus and it's an amazing squishy soft scarf using Misti Alpaca that I really enjoyed making.  You make it on the bias so the colors are always changing and it grows into a long asymetrical piece.

 

 It was made for this new Mountain Equipment Co-op windbreaker but it will actually go with 3 of my coats and several of  my sweaters!!  A great bonus since the wool was expensive at $25 a ball and I used the whole ball to make the scarf.  Still a $25 hand made scarf is unique and that makes it so enjoyable!!  AND...it is a featured finished item on the designers web site.  Pretty cool!!

On to the other projects.  This is a hat I started making in a knitting class.  I love the hat but the new bind on technique I learned is a bit tight but it fits o.k. and I am wearing it a lot.  I also made a simple scarf to go with it.  Really love the transition of colors in this beautiful wool.  

  

And the best item to date - it was a long haul to make this. It is a color play mohair shawl, knit from two balls at the same time.  The design is a classic from Churchmouse Yarns.  

On the cruise we took in January I tool along some knitting of course.  Turns out it's an icebreaker and a number of people spoke to me to ask what I was knitting.   Here's one of the items - it a Wiggle Lace scarf.  

In the works

This is my new adventure creating a lacey cowl that is knitted sideways.  The red yarn is for the provisional cast of and it gets ripped out and the blue is joined using those live stitches for a nice seam.  Another new thing I am trying.  Some patterns can intimidate me but now I think just go for it since it can always be ripped out and made into something else!!  AND, this is also featured on the designers web site!!  I guess I am not too bad huh?  Its called the Radiant Orchid Cowl on Ravelry. 

 

 The Churchmouse patterns are classic and I am working on this Easy Folded Poncho as well.  It's miles of straight knitting but it's great for in front of the TV.

  

In the mean time, I am always scouting out new patterns and planning my next knit project.  There is nothing as wonderful as sitting by the fire with a cup of tea with my knitting.  You can find me and my other projects on Ravelry, my favorite site.