Shale Baby Blanket 2.0

This was actually my first attempt at Jared Flood's Shale Baby Blanket--at least the first one I started.  I finished one in Blue Sky Alpaca cotton earlier this year for an honest to goodness baby.  I made the above blanket from a Korean angora blend in a bit larger size.  I gave it to Dr. X. as a thank you gift for all her support over the past two years.  Hopefully it will keep her lap warm on all those chilly 24 hour calls.

No Fooling!

What could this be?  Finally finished including blocking and ends woven in on April first, a mere 3 months after I started it....

Jared Flood's Rock Island Shawl knit up in Madeline Tosh sock yarn.  A bit heavier than the Lorna's Laces called for, and I was holding my breath until I blocked it.  Worried that it would look too clunky in the heavier weight.

Despite my reluctant model, who quote--"felt stupid" running around our front yard, you can get some idea of how nicely the blocking opened up the lace.  My first "real" lace shawl completed.  No joke!

Baby Knits Continue

  Lovebug booties--like potato chips, you can't make just one pair, and they are great stash-busters!  These don't have a home yet, but with Spring fast approaching, they will be too warm for Texas babies.

 A Debbie Bliss pattern,  Ribbed Baby Jacket.  Construction is nearly seamless, no button-hole to worry about--snap closure hidden by ornamental button.

Wish I had one too!  Not the baby, the jacket.

Increasing My Fiber Intake....

Bandana Cowl 

All patterns in this post can be found on Purl Soho's website, Purlbee.  With plans to attend the Kid 'N' Ewe fiber festival this past weekend, I knew I should use some of my stash before adding to it.  The bandana cowl was knit up of some handspun I got last year at Kid 'N' Ewe.  I have enough for at least 2 more cowls.  Knit up in a jiffy while watching multiple episodes of "Lie to Me."

Ribbed Hand Warmers

Knit up in some Korean yarn, hand dyed by a friend.  I frogged a scarf that I had started years ago-the pattern did not lend itself to the color repeats, and these handwarmers will be a perfect addition to our Hill Country accessories.  It is rarely cold enough to wear mittens here, but I can see how these will come in handy when you want to read a book outside on a nippy day or shoot some pictures of the non-existent fall color.

The pattern synced well with the color repeats too...

 Thanks to Sophie for modeling these wool handknits on a warm fall day. 

Chevron Baby Blanket

I fell in love with this blanket the instant I saw it.  Knit with Blue Sky Alpaca {doubled!} it is squishy and soft.  I was able to keep the cost lower by purchasing the yarn on Webs, and I wound up having to use a slightly different shade of yellow.  The colors on this blanket are non-traditional but elicited a lot of compliments as I knit this between patients in OB Triage.  Transitioning from bright citrus to charcoal---lovely.  Not sure who it's going to yet; it might be a keeper....

Sophie and I didn't do too much damage at the fiber festival --she got a kit to knit the miniature hamburger from the uber-cute MochiMochi series, and some beautful mohair from artfulyarns to knit a garter stitch scarf.  I am tackling Jared Flood's Rock Island Shawl, knitting with madelinetosh sock in clematis.  Definitely not a social knitting project.  Hopefully will finish it before winter is over.

Squeeeeee!

In case you are wondering what I do when I am not knitting or cooking.