I’ve made some progress on Thebes’ kilt hose. I knit on the plane ride which really helped pass the time.

The yarn is Brook’s Farm and is a joy to work with. The pattern was going along great until the heel. It started looking suspiciously too small for Thebes’ ankles. I tried it on him and the ankle and heel area was too tight.
Now I could rip back and take out some of the decreases. But that ruins the triangle/arrow pattern that runs down the back leg. Thebes says he doesn’t care about that but I just don’t think I could let that go. So what to do?
I tried to think of other ways to alter the decreases but can’t figure out a way to do it. The ribbing and decreases are designed to fit in with the back of the leg design. It’s looking more and more like I have to frog the whole sock. Argh! I hate toe down sock patterns! This is the second time I started a toe down sock only to have it not fit. That’s what happened with my Noro socks.
Speaking of Noro socks, while the kilt hose sit in time out I’m working on the Noro sock. I altered the pattern to go toe up and so far it’s fitting perfectly. I think I’m gong to stick with toe up patterns from now on.
January 3rd, 2009
Thebes and I did something spontaneous-we bought tickets to Hawaii! We spent New Year’s Eve on O’ahu in Waikiki.
First up was some sushi and sake.

We were going to watch the fireworks from the beach but found a happening club that was on a second story. They had some torches lit.

Look it’s drunk hippies!

The fireworks were wonderful and the bar’s patio gave us a great view.

A peak at the crowd on the beach watching the fireworks.

Aloha!
January 2nd, 2009
It’s another FO post featuring a snow storm! I finished the Abby:

What a fun pattern. This was an enjoyable knit with enough of a challenge to keep it interesting. It’s super warm and so so pretty!

I was only able to do seven pattern repeats before running out of yarn. My intense blocking did the trick and now the cowl is long enough.
Pattern: Camo Abby
Source: Knitty
Yarn: gift yarn
Started: November 2008
Finished: December 2008
Modifications: I only did seven repeats of the pattern.
December 26th, 2008
Last night I finished the Abby and today it’s blocking.

I was only able to do seven repeats of the pattern because I ran out of yarn. However I was able to get the pattern dimensions while blocking.
I’m really getting into lace. The cowl is so delicate looking but since it’s alpaca it’s super warm. We’re getting even more snow today so when this is dry it’s getting immediately worn.
December 25th, 2008
For the last knit night our little group decided to do a gift exchange. I got Tara’s gift of goodies.
First up is a skein of her own silk handspun. I’m thinking of making a shawl or wrap with it.

I also got this pretty ball of bamboo yarn:

And then there’s this cute sheep yarn cozy. It easily can hold a ball of sock yarn and needles so I plan to make it my mini yarn bag when my normal one is too big.

I also got a knit bear pattern. Gift exchanges are fun!
December 24th, 2008
I’ve started spinning some of the dyed fleeced I bought at Wool Fest. This was 5 ounces of churro from Fiber Studio and Supply. I spun it up as a thin single and then Navajo plied it. I now have 96 ounces of red brown handspun goodness.

How about a close up?

Yay! I love spinning!
Winter has definitely arrived to Taos. We have lots of snow and there’s more on the way. Sieben is a HAPPY!!!!! dog and loves playing in it. He was running around so much this morning that I was surprised I got him to sit still for this pic:

Prana is having none of it and is impersonating an inside cat until spring.
December 23rd, 2008
I opened my Xmas gift from Abbey. She got me a ceramic yarn bowl!

I’ve wanted one of these for awhile but for some reason never got myself one. It’s so pretty and my yarn cakes look so cute sitting in there.

Abbey also got herself a bowl. Here’s hers:

The bowls are from Sarah House Pottery.
December 22nd, 2008
I’ve started two new projects. One is Abby from Knitty:

This is a fun little project. The yarn is pretty and the lace pattern isn’t too complex. However, I somehow dropped two stitches so it’s in time out for a couple days.

I finally started Thebes’ kilt hose. These will be the Toirneach Kilt Hose also from Knitty. This is the Brooks Farm Yarn I bought at Wool Fest.
Prana was busy putting in his kitteh goodness and I had trouble getting a non-blurry picture:

The yarn is a wool/silk/viscose mix and is heavenly to knit.
December 21st, 2008
Merce gifted me some of her handspun. It’s so pretty!

This is a single and is 93 yards. I’m not sure what to make with it-maybe an accent on a hat?
Merce plans to sell her yarn online soon. Until then you can email her at mercemitchellathotmaildotcom if interested.
December 17th, 2008
Winter is officially here. These pics were taking during the latest snow storm. That’s not flash-we were in the middle of a white out!

This pattern is so easy and makes for great car knitting. I didn’t think it needed blocking. My version turned out a little smaller and I’m not sure why. But it fits well enough.

At first I wasn’t sure if I was a shawl person. I played around with different ways of wearing it. I like to tie the ends behind my back so I have a sort of shawl/wrap. (I got this idea from Turtlegirl.)

Pattern: Nancy One Skein Shawl #309
Source: got it with yarn from Taos Sunflower’s closing sale
Yarn: Schaefer Yarn Company Nancy in Gertrude Ederle colorway
Started: October 2008
Finished: December 2008
Modifications: none, though mine is smaller than the pattern’s finished size
December 16th, 2008
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