The two projects I decided to finish last week made it off needles and on wearers. Blocking…well, not yet, but they were busy being worn.

Finishing those projects means casting on new ones! And in my typical fashion rather than the hat I had planned up next, I’m casting on for a pair of fingerless mitts, based on this pattern. You know, just in the meantime. I’ve knit the pattern a couple times before but this time I’m making a few adjustments – skipping the flaps and leaving the thumbs open.

While I am knitting that Jane Richmond pattern, I will no doubt be dreaming about her new book, Island. I preordered a copy (today’s the last day!) and downloaded the PDFs, then promptly became paralyzed over what to knit first. The scarf…no wait, the hat…but, oh, the cardigan, the cowl, the gloves? Oh you must see them for yourself. Shannon (aka luvinthemommyhood) worked with Jane on the book and put together this great video so you can see them all for yourself.

In stolen snippets this week I’ve been reading The Fellowship of the Ring. This certainly isn’t my first time reading it but I’m loving it even more this (my third or fourth?) time through. I adore how a much loved book from childhood returns to comfort like an old friend.

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And you, what are you reading or crafting this week?

:: joining Ginny for yarn along::

It’s that time of year when I begin plotting and planning for Christmas gifts, finding the need to be a little more secretive. My needles have been clicking away but I’ve neglected writing about it.

None the less I find myself recently besieged with a list of winter must haves from the kiddos ranging from necessary to indulgent (but far too sweet to ignore).

So of course I’ve gotten all wild with the possibilities as I search through stash and ravelry patterns. Whenever I slip down to the basement in search of a particular wool I find myself sneaking back up stacked with armfuls of other lovelies (because, of course, the one I was looking for was upstairs already).

But before I get too carried away I must come to the completion of this sweet hat. I ran out of the gorgeous malabrigo I was knitting it in (leftover from this recent knit), but my sweet mother-in-law came to the rescue and mailed me another skein from her local shop.

I’ve also guiltily unearthed a sweater I meant to finish in April. Well now it’s cold again and the little boy is quickly outgrowing his favourite sweater. The worst part is that the sweater is done – all but the collar which needs to be torn out and knit again with a looser bind-off.

Once I get those out of the way I’m looking at this pattern for the extremely picky nine-year-old. It’s met her approval – hopefully I’ll get it done before she changes her mind. I imagine everyone else will be lining up for an earflap hat soon after – should keep me busy for a while.

For now my evening has a little more steam left in it. I’m curling up with a stack of library books, and those familiar knitting needles in front of the fire. Thinking perhaps to get to bed a little earlier tonight to fight the sore throat that’s threatening.

How are you keeping needles or hooks warmed up? Have you got a great book on the nightstand? You know how easily I’m distracted…come share!

:: joining Ginny for yarn along::

First off: It’s my birthday. I love birthdays, mine included.

I, also, love writing about knitting on Wednesdays so I can hardly miss today’s yarn party with Ginny.

But there are many children hanging around offering in their best clothes (kinda hilarious as I don’t like dressing up myself) and brushing their hair for me (for real!!) so I’ll have to be brief. Also, there is cheesecake made by Dan last night unguarded in the fridge.

Now that fall has arrived my mind is all abuzz with knitting projects I need to start right away. But I’m trying my best to prioritize with list making and long, distracted stash digging with littles. But before fingerless mitts, winter hats, and warm socks I’m trying to focus…

I have quite a few projects that need finishing – my ravelry work in progress (WIP) list is kinda bugging me. I’ve got two sweaters to block and three needing buttons. This poor sweater needs the collar ripped out and knit much looser so it can fit over the little boy’s noggin. And I promised myself my knotty brass would not fall into neglect…this time.

But of course there is a new project on the needles – top of my priority list – for the little lass. She needs a new sweater so it’s going to be another plain vest. It’s a great pattern and so cute on her. I can’t resist it! And thanks to a woolly gift from my kind inlaws (more on that later – there are other goodies to share) I’m knitting it in some lovely malabrigo. Ooooooh, such nice wool.

For reading these days, I’m spending most of my time with The Hobbit. Admittedly that hasn’t been much time but I’m savouring this long-standing favourite of mine in small snippets.

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And now I’m off to snag more birthday hugs, relish a little time with my sewing machine, and eat a cheesecake…or at least a piece. 

And what, dear friends, have you been crafting lately?

Sharing my knitting and reading for yarn along.

Last fall when we took this trip west I overpacked. Needles, wool, patterns….I brought high hopes along with heavy bags. I even brought my ball winder in case a skein emergency struck. I never unearthed super vacation knitting powers and brought a lot of wool home (aided my a generous donation from my mother-in-law’s stash).

This year I decided to reign myself in to more reasonable expectations. I brought three sweaters to be finished and an extra couple of skeins in case. I needed to focus! There was no thrill of new projects for the first week but I did get two of those sweaters finished to the point of blocking and buttons.

The littlest sweater awaits blocking before I reveal it. My shalom, on the other hand, is far too exciting for me to resist sharing now. It’s my first adult sized sweater and I love it! I don’t want to take it off – I’m too hot but I don’t even care. It does need a good blocking to ease out some wobbles and then the search for buttons begins (first stop being this friend’s beautiful shop).

I loved knitting this sweater. The Cascade Eco was a great wool – so chunky and quick knitting, affordable and cozy. I used less than two skeins! The pattern was fun – although I used modifications from a few different sources I mostly used soulemama’s mods. I made four button holes, added sleeves, and traded the garter edging and cuffs for a twisted rub. I’ve previously been on the fence about this pattern but with sleeves I love it (and will get much more wear out of it).

And special thanks to my hubby who took these photos for me. I am far from a natural model but he patiently snapped away as I muttered instructions about double chins and closed eyes through pursed lips.

Now I’m already dreaming about the next mama sweater…But in the meantime I’d better shed the sweater – we’re heading to the beach as we enjoy our last days of vacation!

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Do any of you knitters knit for yourself? Do you have a favourite sweater pattern? Anyone conquer a first (on needles or otherwise) this week?

I knit this sweater as part of the lovely Shannon‘s Summer Sweater Knit Along. Today’s guest post is by the beautiful Rebecca of Nook – all about blocking. Such impeccable timing! And I’ve got a little more to share about Rebecca but I’ll save that for tomorrow…

I’m coming late to this show-and-tell game. We’ve been busy packing up for a trip to Vancouver Island. But amidst the busyness I’ve had a little time with my Shalom this week.

I finished up the bottom edge with a twisted rib border rather than the garter rows of the original pattern. The body complete I was all set to launch onto the sleeves when I discovered I had not the correct size DPNs for the task.

While it slowed me down I was hardly disappointed to tag a yarn store stop onto another errand last week. Alas, the bamboo DPNs were on back order and I wasn’t going to subject my joints to the metal variety. The manger suggested magic loop and I quavered. A friend told me it’s simple and I doubted. The name “magic loop” suggests to my (over)active imagination something mystical requiring deft movements and sleight of hand…hardly accomplishments on my resume.

One YouTube video later and I’d learned the truth. Magic Loop is magically uncomplicated. One long needle (the very one I’d used for the body) was all it required.

I rejoiced, “I’ll be wearing this sweater in no time!” Then I remembered the disappointing truth – I’m not knitting for a child, I’m knitting for my own long armed (some might even say monkey armed) self.

I may be a little while.

And, as predicted, in the midst of needles absences and loopy fears I got distracted again. That last puerperium was such swift fun that I cast on another. With all our driving over the busy long weekend I got through the body without a hitch. Now I’ve got the baby sized sleeves to keep me busy along with my monkey sleeves.

Tomorrow’s drive will give me 15 or so hours in the van. That should allow me a good chunk of sleeve conquering time – between all the snack passing and DJ’ing.

I haven’t made much reading time this week but I did finish my book. I enjoyed it and if you’re a fan of Jane Austen I think you might enjoy it, too. Next up, we’ve got audiobooks on the iPod to keep us busy and I’ve picked up The Hobbit to revisit this favourite during our trip.

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Are you finishing up needle projects or beginning something new? Are you meticulous about finishing or do you have itchy fingers like me? 

I’m knitting along with Shannon‘s Summer Sweater KAL 

and joining Ginny for yarn along