The second mitt of the Kiehkuralapaset - Swirly Mittens by goldenknits / AnneL is complete and steam blocked. Steam blocking seems to work very nicely with mittens, and it's so easy.

Only three more mittens to knit, the mate to each of the others already done, and then my Christmas knitting will be finished.

Four down, four to go

Christmas gifts, that is, and I'm pleased with my progress. I finished the gift for my friend Lisa. It's an adaptation of the Cat Mittens pattern by Jorid Linvik. They're not mittens, but they are cats and fishbones. A nice little bag, very slightly fulled, won't stand on its own (I stuffed it for the picture), about 9.5"h, x 6.5"w at the bottom, with an i-cord drawstring. Knitted in KnitPicks Telemark, black and cork.










I also finished the mittens for my friend Dana. They are soaking in a nice blocking bath right now, so pics will be forthcoming when they are in a less compromising situation. How would you like it if your blocking bath was interrupted by cameras and flashbulbs? LOL

Mitten update

I've finished the first Willistead mitten, using KnitPicks Palette. I haven't blocked it yet, but I plan on trying steam blocking for the first time.

Happy Blogiversary to me!

It's my 1st Blogiversary -- here, everyone have some cake! :) This time last year Hubby and I were redecorating the downstairs, and living with aching bones/joints from tiling, grouting, painting, carpentry, etc. It turned out beautifully, and I still look at it in wonder, thinking, we did this, all of it. Wow.

I was deep in the throes of knitting my first big lace project, Mystery Stole 3 "Swan Lake", and knitting socks out the wahzoo. I'm still knitting lace, but have slowed down on the sock front to concentrate on colorwork, specifically stranded mittens. Lovin' that! If I ever save up enough money, I want to knit a Starmore piece, the Rheingold Wrap has caught my eye.

All in all, I'm really pleased with my blogging journey. It's been fun. Think I'll go for year number two.

Blog on.

Getting closer..

I've reached the finger decreases for Willistead. This pattern is a sneaky one, in a good way. It's easy to memorize, you only really need the pattern for the middle section on the front once you get going. But you've really got to watch the tension on the knit3 MC knit1 CC bits. If you don't, you'll end up with puckers and pulls. Willistead makes you think about your knitting, and take heed. I'm liking that.

Flash report

I'm almost at the thumb for Willistead, by spillyjane knits. It's a great knit so far, more later. That is all.