Winter FOs

Ive had a busy little winter of knitting so far, with many lovely FOs (finished objects) to show for it!  I'm so pleased with all these, I had to share them here in addition to my Ravelry account.

(The next time you wonder why I haven't blogged in a while, remember this list representing my work from November to January.  My fingers are probably busy with yarn instead of a keyboard.)

I made this cardigan for Amanda for her birthday.  It's made with a linen blend from Madelinetosh called Dandelion.  It should get very soft and drapey with washing and wearing.  The garment is knit in one piece from top to bottom. 

Here is a warm hat with two different yarns I spun myself.  Never got a great photo of it.  Also, I made it a little too long and I keep thinking about pulling out the brim to take and inch off.  But it's wearable as is. 

These are mittens I made for my Dad for Christmas.  I hadn't used this brand of yarn before.  It was so nubbly and fun to knit with!  I'd love a whole sweater out of it (but it would cost an arm and a leg!)

This hat was a fun, quick project I gave to Jenn for Christmas.  The pattern is called Beeswax and I found this rich amber Madelinetosh Tosh DK for it.  I added a removable pompom and bee pins.  This picture is before I blocked it.  Jenn, please send me a better product photo for my collection! 

Not too exciting, but I had these sock "hibernating" on needles for over a year.  I finally finished the second sock.  For some reason the old one is much tighter than the one I finished recently!  Annoying, but I still wear them. 

I made these socks with Madelinetosh Sock yarn.  I hadn't used that type before, but like all things Madelinetosh, it was delightful to work with.  My feet want to wear hand knit socks every day!  Someone has a birthday coming up and would love some more sock yarn ;-) 

Ben gave me some luxurious Woolfolk yarn for Christmas.  It's only merino wool but it's as soft as cashmere and so squishy soft.  I turned it into a cowl with lots of undulating brioche stitch ridges.  Love it so much, I'm wearing it now. 

You may not remember this sweater from 2014 (but you probably remember that hair - yeesh!).  I had a hard time wearing this cardigan.  Too hot in warm weather, too cold for chilly days.  Not many outfits were flattered by it. 

Such a shame.  I was proud of the construction and work and I love the color and yarn (another Madelinetosh Tosh DK), but what good is that if I don't wear it?  

In a rush of bravery, I unraveled the whole thing.  I put them in loose hanks and reset the twist in a warm water bath.  After drying I wound them all back into cakes to use again. 

I made this sweater last spring of 2015.  I loved the fit, but hated the cheap yarn from Hobby Lobby.  It pilled terribly, looked messy after just a season of occasional use, and didn't block well. 

I decided to make this pattern again using the Tosh DK recycled yarn.  It's a masterpiece!  I've never been happier with a sweater I knit.  

 

It looks great and fits great - despite a lot of improvising.  I had to adapt the pattern from fingering to DK weight (I'd already had to change it from fingering to worsted on the brown sweater).  I also added a deeper collar with shaping and cables along the body side and up the inner sleeve.  I jumped around from sleeve to neck to body, doing a little at a time to make sure I had enough yarn for each direction of growth. 

Now I'm working on a new shawl with (you guessed it) Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light.  I have four gorgeous colors and a pattern with fun, new techniques.  Too bad I can only work on it when kids are sleeping.  If I try to knit when Sam is around he claims my lap. 

I have two non-knit finished objects to show off.  Jack saw Dr. Doom on Super Hero Squad swearing a snuggie.  He asked me if I could make him "a blanket with sleeves."  Sure! What else is a crafty mom to do but whip up two snuggies on a Saturday night.