The Land of Wool and Honey

Wordless Wednesday: OMG Edition

Thank you, Santa!

Knit-Free Zone

You know how I said a few weeks ago that I was on a finishing spree? 

Spree over.

I'm going to sit down with a little knitting--and some wine--right now.  It'll be the first time this week.   

Deck the halls....

32

 

New Year's 2009.

Happy birthday to the best husband a girl could have.

Love on the Interwebs

I often spend a good chunk of my Sunday evenings trolling around the internet.  Kind of zoning out, looking at pretty things, reading funny stories and pouring over helpful tutorials.  Even though I don't have any knitting to share today, I can still share something with you--my favorites, right now.  

Joanna's blog, which I just discovered about fifteen minutes ago, is most assuredly the jewel of the week.  Design, gift guides, fresh, hip ideas--this is it.

Pinterest is an addiction.  It's also an online inspiration board, complete with links, tutorials, recipes, prices, social networking.  Go there. Now.  Just don't plan on doing anything the rest of the night.  (And if you'd like, you can follow my boards here.) 

I just know if Alicia and I lived in the same town, we'd be friends.  (One could only hope to have a friend as creative, insightful and big-hearted.  Think good thoughts for this woman.  She could use some extra love these days.)

Although a long-standing fave, I'm going to dig around in Amanda's archives--especially the bits about raising bees.  I'm thinking that a few hives might be make an appearance on the farm this spring.

Always good for a laugh.  Be warned: do not read this with your cup of morning coffee unless you feel like spraying it across your computer screen.  (Is it just me, or does every office fight about their shared refrigerator?)

So hip.  So urbane.  So hilarious.    

Why can't I move to Belgium?  Or, rather, if I move there, will my house look like hers?

Best.  Brownies.  Ever.  I plan to pre-order Deb's cookbook the day it's announced.    

* * * * *

That's a good start.  More knitting tomorrow.

 

 

In Between

Somehow, sandwiched between last night's Christmas party (what kind of idiot stays up until 2:00 a.m. when they know they have to get up in four hours?!?), the longest work day of the week and another Christmas party tonight, I squeezed out this week's project.

Finally.

Now if only I could squeeze a nap in there somewhere....

Question

What do you do when the power (and heat!) goes out at work? 

Is it:

A. Pile on a good portion of the knitwear collection you've got at your fingertips;

or

B. Start a new project?

Answer?  Um, duh.  Both.

The Noro sweater in the first photo is one I've had for years--a hybrid pattern knit by my friend Marcia; the granny bandit is the Traveling Woman I knit in Costa Rica; and the black hat is one of my most recent FOs.  The new project is tomorrow's weekly installment of The Twelve Knits of Christmas.  (You know how I do my best work under pressure.)

Pattern: Super Cupcake Hat by Bonne Marie Burns.  (I love this pattern.  Obvs.)

Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo Worsted in Carbon--one skein, with just a few yards left.

Started: Friday, November 18th, 2011.

Finished: Saturday, November 19th, 2011.

Needles: US 6 & 7 16" circular and US 7 dpns.

Notes: Followed the pattern exactly, but popped down in needle size and added one inch to the body for more slouch.  Best hat pattern I've knit in a long time--everyone loves it.

(Actually, I took this photo of myself on Tuesday--a normal day.  With heat.  Today I wore four pieces of knitwear plus my knee-length puffer.  And just so you know?  I had three shirts on underneath that Noro sweater.  Wispy, I am not, but gosh darn it--I don't have arm rolls.)

Wordless Wednesday: More Cashmere

Sparkle, The Christmas Elf

I don't know about you, but I've been experiencing a huge influx of tiny elves in my circle of friends lately--everyone I know seems to be welcoming a Santa's little helper this season.  What better way to welcome the season than a ridiculously cute silver cap--one that's shaped almost like a Hershey's Kiss.  This pattern is easy enough to whip up in a weekend--just in time for those holiday photo shoots.  Who wouldn't love to see this hat on their favorite little elf?

Pattern: Sparkle, The Christmas Elf.

Started: Wednesday, November 16th, 2011.

Finished: Thursdasy, November 17th, 2011.

Yarn: Schulana Mosco in Silver, one skein.

Needles: US 3 16" circular & dpns.

Notes:  I knit the sample in a newborn size (0-3 months), but the pattern is written for four sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-9 months and 9-12 months.  The only problem is the fact that I haven't seen it on a baby yet. 

C'mon, ladies--anybody want to humor me?  

Fireside Slipper Socks

Now that my Christmas tree is up (white lights, homemade ornaments and all,) I am trying to think of any way I can to stay home, curl up in front of our wood stove and stay there.  Indefinitely.  I want to cozy up with all of my creature comforts--hot, spicy cider, a sleepy kitty, baskets of knitting and thick, cozy socks.  

I designed these slipper socks specifically for winter moments--they're heavier than fit-in-your-shoes socks, but because the cuff is short and the needles are large, they may just be the perfect thing to knit yourself for the Christmas holiday.

Project: Fireside Slipper Socks by yours truly.  

Started: November 1st, 2011

Finished: November 3rd, 2011

Yarn: Malabrigo Rios in Zarzamora, one skein.

Needles: Brittany US 4 dpns

Notes: The path to coziness starts here.  All I need now is a snow day.

 

C is For...

. . . Sundays filled with coffee, classic rock, cloudy skies, cooking and Christmas preparation.

Hope your day was just as cheerful.