Eyeing the Finish Line

Finally--FINALLY!--I can see the finish line for one of my biggest projects of 2013, the Mommy and Me sweaters.

Were they done for our family portrait session? Of course not. But I can say, without a doubt, they will be done in time for us to wear them at some point during the holiday season.

Because if they're not, I'm going to jump out a window.

You may recall I'm using Tanis Lavallee's CoolBreeze cardigan patterns for this set, and her Yellow Label DK yarn as well, in a lovely palette of autumn colors. The mommy sweater is down to the cuff on the second sleeve. I made the brilliant decision of knitting the buttonbands before the sleeves, so hurrah!

Although, of course, there are many ends to be woven in and buttons to be sewn on.

JJ's cardigan is even closer--all the knitting is done, the sleeves and underarms just need to be seamed.

I am determined to finish both this week.

And this ball of yarn sitting here taunting me is my inspiration:

This is the yarn, some lovely Madelinetosh Vintage, for my Pumpkin Ale cardigan. This sweater needs to be in my collection yesterday. I adore it. Not casting on has been killer, but I've just had so much on my plate. I promised I would finish these sweaters first.

Almost there!

And speaking of yarn, if you haven't already, check out the Knit Picks BIG SALE, going on right now, through December 1. So many gorgeous yarns and colorways marked down, it's the perfect time to pick up a few skeins. I'd be remiss if I didn't tell you that Wool of the Andes Sport, used in the Javi sweater; Swish Tonal, used in the Cielito baby blanket, and Palette, used in the Warblers fingerless mitts, are all on sale!

Future Designs - A Story in Yarn

I mailed a final pattern off for sample knitting and tech editing today (look for it in July 2014!), so my plate is temporarily clean.

I mean, of designs.

Not of WIPs.

No end in sight for those.

I took a few minutes to wind up yarn for future design projects.

First, a skein of Wandering Wool Heights Worsted in Cinderella. Such a gorgeous blend of purples. This one is destined to become a hat I've been fiddling with. First I finish JJ's version, which will match the Gavyn pullover, and then, onto the adult sample using this.

Speaking of hats for JJ, doesn't he look darling in my Orchids and Fairy Lights hat?

Not quite his color, though.

Next, the most beautiful skein of the new Knit Picks Diadem in Azurite. I'm so glad this found its way into my stash. The plan for this one is to re-imagine one of my current designs as a triangular shawl. Any guesses which one?

And last, some Dream in Color Smooshy in Amber Glass. This is for a top secret design that's  going to be published in a real, honest-to-goodness magazine next year!

That is, assuming I live through the next week--CP leaves for a business trip tomorrow morning and won't be back until next Sunday afternoon. God help me. 

2012: Year in Review

A look back at 2012.

There were FOs:

1. Business Casual socks, 2. Crosswired Hufflepuff socks, 3. BMP space invaders hand knit socks, 4. Brattleboro hat, 5. Duffers, 6. Little Oak baby cardigan, 7. baby mittens, 8. baby hat, 9. Rustling leaves beret, 10. St. Michel knit socks, 11. Miette cardigan, 12. IMG_5389, 13. Jaywalker handknit socks, 14. Juneberry Triangle handknit shawl, 15. Wildflower handknit cardigan sweater, 16. Norie handknit hat, 17. IMG_5179, 18. IMG_5145, 19. IMG_5135, 20. IMG_5103, 21. IMG_4885, 22. IMG_487623. Not available24. Not available

22 of them, by my count, including 3 adult sweaters. Not bad, particularly considering my 1st trimester coma! (And it should include at least 1 more adult sweater if I am successful with WIP in the New Year Project #3!)

There were also designs and patterns:

1. Warblers mitts, 2. Cielito knit baby blanket, 3. Columbia Inn fair isle mittens, 4. hard candy handknit christmas ornaments, 5. Chispas colorwork geometric cowl

5 this year, and more to come next!

This was also my "bloggiest" year, with over 100 posts!

And what about last year's "knitsolutions"?

I most certainly did not knit 12 pair of socks this year. I came in at half that, which is still something of an accomplishment, I think (it's 12 socks, if not 12 pair!).

And I did knit the Wildflower Cardigan, which may be my most favorite project to date:

(Thankfully, it makes an excellent maternity sweater.)

Aside from those projects, I promised to knit from stash and learn to spin.

I did get a tentative handle on my spindle; I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination, but I can turn a wad of fiber into a strand, so that's a start.

As for stash knitting . . . well, I did some of that, but not nearly enough.

(Interested in helping me whittle down the stash? Everything here is for sale!)

I've also managed to grow a baby; I guess we'll see how he turned out in a few weeks.

Tune in tomorrow to see what crazy promises I'll make for 2013. 

And Happy New Year!