Yellow baby blanket

That's what you make when your friend is having a baby and doesn't know yet if she's going to be having a boy or a girl. I figure I can always add a border onto it later in blue or pink!

Rowan Cashsoft DK in Limone x 2 skeins

Garter stitch

Knitted mermaid's tail

First you knit the tail:

Then the body:

Then you put them together!

And if you're more ambitious (or crazy like me), you add an elastic band that is not part of the pattern at all.

Mermaid's tail

While I was in Canada in February, I showed my sister the Pinterest board I started for my niece. One of the things she really liked was the mermaid's tail. Immediately she asked if I could make something like that for Chloe.  Of course!  :)

Not exactly though since that particular one is crocheted, not knit. After some searching on Ravelry, I settled on the Mermaid Cocoon Newborn Photo Prop pattern. The yarn I'm using is All Seasons Cotton by Rowan in Sprout, a discontinued colour.

I created this chart to help me keep track of the repeating rows:

I started knitting on February 27 and already I am 3/4 done. Motivation does wonders!

Orange cotton scarf

My first new knitting project in ages! The soft cotton is a pleasure to work with and the linen stitch makes the project easy. Who care if the air conditioning is still on?

SP10 questions

• 1. a) What are your favorite yarns to knit with? Debbie Bliss' cashmerino astrakhan, Knitpicks' Swish, and Lion Brand Woolease.
  
• 1. b) What fibers do you absolutely *not* like? Scratchy, splitty, fun fur
  
• 2. What do you use to store your needles and hooks? Fabric needle case and large tin.
• 3. a) How long have you been knitting & how did you learn?Since December 2004. My sister taught me how to knit.
• 3. b) Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate, or advanced? Intermediate
• 4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list? Yes
• 5. What's your favorite scent? Cinnamon apple, vanilla, and flowers
• 6. a) Do you have a sweet tooth? Yes
• 6. b) Favorite candy? Snickers, jujus, Crunchie, Payday
• 7. a) What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Baking, cooking
  
• 7. b) Do you spin? No
  
• 8. a) What kind of music do you like? Enya, Jewel, Bon Jovi, U2, Cher
• 8. b) Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Yes
• 9. a) What's your favorite colour? Blue
• 9. b) Any colors you just can't stand? Muddy, muted, murky shades
  
• 10. a) What is your family situation? Married
  
• 10. b) Do you have any pets? Two cats
  
• 11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos? Yes
• 12. What are your favorite items to knit? Hats
• 13. What are you knitting right now? a helmet liner and a cotton dishcloth
  
• 14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts? Yes!
  
• 15. a) Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Depends on the project.
• 15. b) Bamboo, aluminum, plastic? Yes, yes, and no.
• 16. Do you own a yarn winder and swift? Yes, both.
• 17. How old is your oldest UFO? Over a year old
  
• 18. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas! Unless my birthday counts as a holiday...
  
• 19. Is there anything that you collect? different kinds of wooden knitting needles
  
• 20. a) Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? Victorian Lace, Wedding Knits
  
• 20. b) What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have? None
  
• 21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn? maybe weaving or spinning one day but I think I'd rather someone showed me how in person
  
• 22. a) Are you a sock knitter? No.
• 22. b) What are your foot measurements? Size 7
  
• 23. When is your birthday? June 18.

Swish poncho

I finished this poncho awhile ago but with the shorter days, it took forever to take a natural daylight photo. You can't tell but it was pretty cold outside.

This was a quick knit - once I figured out what the pattern meant. I used Knit Picks Swish in dark navy. The yarn is 100% wool, it's soft and nice to work with - and after a machine wash it still looks great. If I were to make it again though, I would knit it in the around and avoid having to sew seams.

The poncho is a Christmas present for my brother's (long-time) girlfriend. Should be just the thing to keep her warm at work. I'm mailing it on Saturday. Hopefully it will arrive in Canada in time for Christmas!

Air hose cosy update

This picture was taken last week after I had just started knitting the air hose cosy. The tube is done. It was a very quick knit. There is texture, variety of colours and yarns, mostly in knit stitches but a few purls thrown in randomly. I've started on the mask cover, using Red Heart soft because we're not sure if the recipient is allergic to wool or not - and better to not risk it if it's going to be covering someone's face while they are sleeping, you know? The tube was machine washed last night and tonight I will knit some brown i-cord worms to attach as decoration. Totally weird present, right? Yeah, but I've still received a thumbs-up from Max and Kristina.