I finally finished this cardigan that I had been avoiding sewing up forever! I got the pattern from the book "The Yarn Girls' Guide to Simple Knits" and the yarn is Rowan Polar in "Stony." The best thing about this yarn is that after it's washed, it has a beautiful drape and softness. The pattern was very simple too! I nixed the buttons that the pattern calls for because (to quote a wise woman) buttonholes really *are* bastards!



I really am happy with it--it's so comfy! And finished just in time for my trip to Maine. Also perfect for the office I work in which, for some reason, is always kept at what feels like subzero temperatures.

Okey dokey . . . here are my recent projects from this book. The first is a "Kim's Hat" that I made from a very yummy Blue Sky Alpacas worsted yarn in light pink. I attached a very beautiful brooch that I inherited from my grandma. Yay for sparkles!



The second is another airy scarf that I made in a color that is more "me." Please excuse the picture . . . my husband and I were semi-fighting, and this is the best I could get. Yay marriage!

Hello, all! I have just completed my first inkjet transfer project, devoted to the beautiful Jon Stewart. This is a Christmas gift for some equally obsessed coworkers!



and the back:

I made one of Kim's hat's over the weekend as a Christmas present for my brother. The best part about it is that I made it out of really great cashmere yarn--Classic Elite Tryst. It's the absolute BEST yarn I've EVER used! Also the most expensive. Go figure...

I used a free pattern from chicknits.com to make this cute, quick hat. It's called the "2 hour hat" but mine knit up in less than an hour! I cast on right before turning on "Lost" at 8 p.m., and finished before the closing credits--which is really saying a lot, since it was quite an engrossing episode! I'm going to give it to my sister-in-law for Christmas. (I might have to make one for myself too!) I used Colinette Point Five (I believe the color is Mixed Berries) that I found very cheap on Ebay.



I was hesitant to try this pattern for a long time because there are no pictures of it on the site. But I'm pleased with the results. Here is the link to the pattern:


http://www.chicknits.com/h2ohatpattern.shtml

[Since the chichknits.com pattern is no longer up, here's a pattern created by Craftster member woolgathered that you can use: http://www.woolgathered.com/basichat.html]

Okay, I finished my booties! I have to say, they took a little bit longer than I expected, but they were fun to make. I used Bouton D'or angora.

Tere, I know, isn't it just awesome?! Better yet, I'm SO happy with all the projects I've made from it. I just finished the "Airy Scarf"--a Christmas present for my mother-in-law. Incidentally, it also looks great as a headscarf. I used the Rowan Kidsilk Haze called for in the pattern--one skein makes two scarves! It was incredibly simple, and only took me a couple hours. I'm gonna make another little silk drawstring pouch to give it to her in.





Next on my list are the fuzzy angora baby booties (for a co-worker's shower), the legwarmers (for me!), and the hourglass sweater (also for me--hey you don't *have* to give all the projects as gifts, do you?!)

Yay! I received my yarn yesterday and it's very very gorgeous. I also found this wonderful pattern online:



Isn't that shrug AMAZING?! And wouldn't it be rad in hot pink? Apparently it's a Filatura di Crosa pattern, but it's also reprinted in the newest (holiday 04) Vogue. Can anyone guess where I'm going on my lunch break today? That's right--to the nearest Borders to get my hands on this fabulouso pattern!

I just hope I have enough yarn... But hey, I'm sure it would also be fantastic with 3/4 length sleeves!

Here are two projects I just finished from one of my favorite new books--Last Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson (who owns Purl in NYC). It's a very yummy book with lots of wonderful projects.

The first is a cotton hat I made for a toddler--I think it looks kinda like a little flapper girl hat. Very Dorothy Parker!

The second is an alpaca/silk drawstring gift pouch--I filled it with a bottle of wonderful Philosopy bath gel that smells like cinnamon buns to give to my mom.

Has anyone else completed any projects from this fabulouso book?

I just had to share my scary jack 'o lantern! Granted, it's all thanks to a Pumpkin Masters kit and pattern, purchased from Target, but I'm still very proud of what my hubby and I accomplished. (Especially since we did this *after* comsuming a bottle of wine!)

I would love to see everyone else's!