My affection for color

When I saw Color Affection, I had to have it. I just did.

A few yarn purchases later ... and a month later ... I had this:



Main color: Madeline Tosh Merino Light in Steam Age
First contrasting color: Madeline Tosh Merino Light in Sugar Plum
Second contrasting color: Cascade Heritage Sock in a teal colorway that lacked any pretty, descriptive name



The above photo is my new professional headshot, so everyone in my company sees this in our email threads. (Google Mail at work, I love and hate you -- only because I find myself using email outside of working hours exponentially more than I did before)



I haven't had much time to wear this thing, as we've had a heck of a warm spring, but I can't wait for fall to come around again.

I loved this pattern so much, well ...



As Jay-Z would say ... on to the next one ...

a round-up of FOs

Greetings!

Though my knitting time has abated since I started my new job, I'm still making stuff. It's just not as frequent as it used to be. Knitting 24 pairs of socks this year? It's not gonna happen.) Still, though, when I finish something nowadays, I have a greater sense of satisfaction.

First up in the parade is a sweater for Lennis' baby girl (who has since been born! Welcome, M!)



There is something very satisfying about knitting something for a wee baby. Not just how fast it works up -- just the idea of knitting for a brand-new human being. (Why yes, I like to contemplate the meaning of human existence as I knit ... don't you?!)

This is my go-to sockweight knitting pattern -- the Scrappy Socki Stripey Cardi. The body is STR mediumweight in KMBFLA and the edging is leftover Spirit Trail Fiberworks Frija in Seaweed. The buttons came from Mood in New York. Rav details

I hosted a knitty shower in late January for Lennis and we ate lots of food, Skyped with Caysie, knit, and had a merry time. (Go check out Tiffany's STUNNING old shale blanket she knit for baby. I love it so!)

Next up is a pair of mittens I knit myself out of some sweet, sweet Folktale Fibers handspun:



I didn't really use a pattern for these -- just winged it based on previous mittens I've made before. I love these mittens but I must admit -- our winter has been so mild, I've worn these only once or twice. Rav details

Here we have my annual socks for my aunt Diane, who does my taxes. I really like this business arrangement, I must say.



STR lightweight in I Mad Heart You. 2x2 rib on size 2 needles. Rav details

And finally, the piece de resistance ... Josh's ripple blanket:



(I enlisted the help of some of my knitting ladies to take this photo at Lennis' shower!)

This took the equivalent of 21 skeins of Plymouth Encore (though I used many more, as there are lots more colors), a 5 mm hook, and hours upon hours of patience. Seriously. I don't want to ripple anytime soon! But I love it so, and I know the recipient does, too.

first socks of the year!

I solemnly swear ... I'm going to try to keep up with blogging FOs this year!



These are the first pair of socks I finished this year. I knit them a lot while we were in Colorado last month skiing. And the yarn came from my trip to St. Louis with my mom last year, so it holds special memories that way, too.

The yarn is Dyeabolical Strong Arm, which Ravelry tells me is now discontinued. Bummer, as it was lovely to work with. Very soft hand and it feels like it will hold up well over time, thanks to the nylon content.

Here are the Rav details, if you're so inclined.

2011 in knitting

Hi, y'all!

I thought I had blogged my year in knitting, but a quick check told me that nope, 'twasn't the case. I blame it on my new job (a promotion to assistant copy desk chief! Yay!), which is keeping me busier these days.

Without further ado ...



Plus a pair of socks I finished after I made the mosaic but before the end of the year:



That is:
24 pairs of socks (15 for others, nine for me)
10 hats (nine for others, one for me)
1 baby sweater (duh)
1 ornament (gift)

I didn't realize I knit quite so many hats this year!

My only knitting goals for 2012 are to:
a) Finish my February Lady Sweater. I haven't blogged about it, but I've been on Weight Watchers since April and I've lost 56 pounds. I am so eager to see myself in my first handmade sweater!
b) Knit more for myself. I always say this and then I make a zillion pairs of socks for other people. Well, some of my socks are starting to wear out, so I need to make some more for myself!