My New Cardigan

In October last year I started a new cardigan for myself. I got the back and both front pieces done, and then Christmas happened. I finally picked it back up last week and finished it. Just in time to wear it once before I put it away for next year. LOL! I like the color and the 3/4" sleeves. I am not really sure I like the neckline though. I stands up a bit, when I thought it would lay flat. Maybe it is because my shoulders are so narrow. I think that if I were to do the pattern again, I would pick up less stitches on the top, so that it would lay flat on me.

Poncho

I finished the first of the two ponchos that I want to make for Christmas this year. I think that it turned out really cute. The pattern is so easy. I think I am going to add a crocheted rose to the front to dress it up though. Flowers are really in right now.

Going to the Next Level

In an effort to better my blog I have asked my daughter to make a new one for me. She is an amazing artist. I told her I would like to hire her to draw one for me. She said she would. I can't wait to see it.

I have signed up for several knitting newsletters. The other day I noticed an ad for a website that I had not noticed before called "Ravelry". I thought I would check it out. SO COOL! It is a website for knitters and crocheters. There are forums, that are fun on 1000's of topics. What I am really excited about is that there is a section to keep track of all your completed projects, works in progress, and a queue for the things that you want to do with pictures. You can also keep track of your yarn stash, books/patterns, needles and that kind of thing. They will even link to your blog and update when you update your blog. How cool is that? I spent part of the weekend putting some of my Christmas projects in, things I am working on and a list of things that I want to do. This is one of those times that I say "I love technology". My grandmother would have loved it!

This and That

I have been a bad blogger lately. It isn't that I haven't had projects going, I have. I just have been really busy lately. I will try and be better. The picture below is a dress scarf that I finished in January. The yarn I used was a bunch of novelty yarns put together into one skein. I tried to do a different pattern originally and it just didn't work with the yarn. This is what I came up with. I would tell you what I used, but I can't find the yarn label. I am going to have to call my LYS and ask her what it was!In my last blog I mentioned that I had just finished an afghan. I am doing two of them the same for Christmas. I revised the dimensions a little when I did the second one. I liked it so much better that I pulled the first one apart and reknit it. Thankfully the pattern is really easy. They are both now done and will go on the shelf to wait.

I designed and knitted a felted bag to hold my phone charger and earphones. I take them to work every day so I can listen to music if I am filing or it isn't too busy. I will post a picture as soon as I find a button I like to put on and finish it.

I have a new "large" project. It originally started out to be an afghan for my daughter for Christmas. I showed it to a friend that knows her well and she mentioned that the colors seemed more mine than Ann's. I thought about it for a couple of days, and had to concede that she was right. I am still going to finish it. I love the pattern and the colors! It is an Heirloom knitted 9 patch quilt. I am going to make it for the guest bedroom. I haven't decorated in there, and so it will be my starting point. Now I just need to decide on a new Christmas present.

A couple of nights ago I pulled out a sweater that I started before Christmas for myself. I have all but the sleeves done. It is out of Bernat Baby Jacquards yarn. It has a background of white and then a lot of pastel colors. The yarn is dyed so that it looks like I am changing colors and making its own design. I really like the way it is turning out. Too bad that it is really starting to warm up here. It was in the 80's yesterday. If I can get it done I will debut it at work. With the air conditioning I am usually cold.

When I get my sweater done I will start working on the two ponchos that I want to do for Christmas. I have yarn for the smaller one all ready. Thankfully I have nieces and nephews that I can knit for since my kids don't want anything any more.