Have No Fear...the Needles are Clicking Away Too...

Hello All-

So, with all of my garden posts, you probably think that I have retired my knitting needles for the season...nope!!  They have busier than ever!!  The only problem is that I have been knitting a lot of gifts, so I can't post photos of the finished items.  If you are on Ravelry, feel free to friend me (heffalump23), and you can see all of the fibery goodies I have been creating.

I can show you a few things I have made lately.  The first is my Lavender Lady.  Our good friends had a baby last night (woohoo!!!!) and though we gave them bin after bin of hand-me-downs, I wanted to make something as well.  Call it knitters guilt, I don't know...I just didn't feel right not knitting them something.

So, I dug out my trusty 5-hour baby sweater pattern, and started knitting.  Even though they had a girl, I like the look of the "boy" version better, so I went with that.  I am quite happy with the result, and you can't beat the fact that it takes no time at all to make!!  I even had some buttons that matched perfectly!!  I can't wait to see it on Baby Leah!!!

I haven't posted a lot about my charity knitting, mainly because I haven't worked on a WCOBBS blanket in ages!!!  I did jump on the Super Hero blanket, and I just finished up my 6-inch stripe.  I did the black, gold and purple stripe, and it is meant to represent The Wonder Twins.  I love how bright this blanket is coming out!!  A friend saw it and said it reminded her of a box of Legos...I agree!!

My friend Cara is getting the blanket next and she is going to add a stripe to represent the Green Lantern...I can't wait to see how it looks when she is done!

I did finish another baby sweater, but since the recipients might read this blog, I don't dare post a photo...I can say that it is one of my favorite baby items to date.  Here is a sneak peak of the yarn I used...

It is a beautiful variegated Berroco Ultra Alpaca Tonal.  I love the softness of it, and I named the sweater Shades of Blue, as it has various shades of blue and grey in it.  I LOVE it!!!  I am so happy that it only took one skein so I have another one left to make something else with.

Last weekend I got together with some of my knitting buddies and we went to check out a new knitting shop here in Calgary.  It is called The Loop, and is located in Kensington.  I went, knowing that I needed some US size 9 dpns to finish Shades of Blue, and that was it.  I walked out with my needles, as well as this beautiful Punta yarn...I am going to make a sleeveless vest for Hannah with it...I think.  It was too pretty to pass up, so I'm sure I'll find the perfect pattern for it. 

I also bought some Cascade Eco wool for myself.  I bought it thinking that I would make a shrug for myself, but after seeing the huge yardage on it, I might aim higher and make a sweater.  I have to drive near the shop this week, so maybe I'll stop in and grab another skein before they sell out of the dye lot.  It is a beautiful chocolate brown, and I cannot wait to make something with it!!

Finally, my friend Michelle and I decided that out cotton dishcloths are in need of replacement.  So, I dug out some white cotton I've had for a while now and started making cloths for us.  I made one yesterday and I plan to cast on another one today at Hannah's music class.  They won't take me too long to make.  I'm aiming for 4-5 for each of us...so at this rate, I'll have them done next week!!

So, have no fear, the needles are still on fire!!!  I mean, despite the REM song, Gardening at Night, my knees need a break sometime, and knitting gives me some relief!!

Cheers!

Sharon

My Wish List...

So, I have been working on my on-going wish list of knitting items. I know that many of my readers are also into crafts, so if you feel like cleaning out your supplies...feel free to send them my way!!!

So, in no particular order, here is my current wish list:

Buttons

any size, color or shape

Acrylic yarn

nobody seems to like this stuff for personal projects, but it is what I use for charity knitting (as requested by the hospitals). I'll take any color, though I cannot use yellow or green on hospital blankets.

ETA: We have been given permission to use yellow and green, so I'll take any colors!!!

Cotton yarn

I am going to attempt to follow in my Memere's footsteps and make my own dishcloths

Knitting books

I love to check out new patterns...or old ones...who doesn't love retro patterns??

A New Tape Measure

Mine is all stretched out, and I have to start at 10" in order to get a true measurement

A Ball Winder

I spent several hours tonight trying to wind a knotted ball of yarn...if only I weren't so cheap as to buy my own winder.

Any other knitting related "stuff"

There, that's it...not bad huh??