WhiteStar

Clean Sweep

In addition to a new look for the new year, I cleaned all the works in progress, stalled projects, projects coming up and recently finished items from the sidebars.

Starting from scratch in 2005.

I was making myself feel guilty about all the started projects and things that got shuffled off to never-neverland, not to mention the quantity of stash, so I just --**poof**-- made them disappear.

I didn't just hide all of the works in progress under the bed though... I went into a finishing frenzy the past week. 6 projects finished in 7 days. Not too shabby.

First I finished Clapotis.

It's three repeats narrower but just as many repeats long as the original and blocked to the same size. I LOVE IT. Made in Textiles a Manos handpainted merino.

Then came the completion of the Red Crocodile Socks.

I started these over a year ago, got just past the heel and then could not get motivated to finish them until this week. The only socks I wear are handknit socks and I have about 20 pair. Many are over over 3 years old and most are over 2 years old. So far I have never worn a hole in any of them, even though I wear them every day. But I know it's only matter of time before I see some holes, so I told myself I need to get back on the sock knitting wagon in 2005 and get some new ones made. These are out of Opal sock yarn on size 2.5mm needles. Basic pattern from Priscilla Gibson Roberts.

The next completed item(s) are the Elegant Gauntlets from Sally Melvilles The Purl Stitch...

I have very small (thin) hands and fingers. Although I am fairly tall (5'8"), I only wear a size 4 ring on my ring finger. Most gloves and mittens swallow up my hands, so I wanted these to actually fit. I used a size smaller needle than called for, and they did come out smaller, almost too small! Made in Koigu Painters Palette Premium Merino.

Next came the Blue Hawaii Felted tote from Eva Weichman's Pursenalities book...

Not the greatest pictures, but what I really wanted to show was the before and after felting sizes. The tile squares in the floor are 8 inches. As you can see the bag went from about 20 inches to about 12! I plan to put it thru the wash one more time as I think I'd like ti better if it were even smaller and firmer. Still need to sew the buttons and pockets on. This was knit in Cascade 220.

Next came the Magical Moebius...

I wish I had more yarn for this as I think I would like this better if it were wider. Hard to see in the picture but I knit it in alternating stockinette / reverse stockinette ridges in purple and red. Made with Schachenmayr Two in One boucle.

And last but not least is the Haiku Baby Sweater for my new niece...

It still needs buttons, which I plan to pick up tomorrow, then it goes in the mail. The recipeint, Vivienne, arrived a couple two weeks ago. She is my brothers adopted daughter from China and is already 17 months old. Hopefully this will fit her thruout the remainder of the winter and spring! I think I'll use some yellow and white daisy shaped buttons.

Feeding Frenzy

I leave you with a picture of Kelly's mouth at feeding time...

I am treated to this frothy display at each and every meal time.

Happy New MONTH

Taking a cue from the Hobby Whore... rabbit-rabbit!

Anne at 7:04 PM