Melanie strikes again...

I just got in the mail an addition to my hot cocoa swap box and wanted to share the beautiful stitch markers I got. They are iridescent and way cool! Also in the photo is the cute little snowman that was left out of the original pictures - he had already taken up residence on my kitchen window sill!

the goods...

Okay. So it took me a long time... I admit it, time has a way of slipping by when I don't even realize it's happening. Here are the pictures of the awesome swap box I received from Melanie...

here are some of the notions and needle holders...

here is BabaLouis, leaning on one of the two pillows made with hot cocoa fleece...

and here is the cocoa, with some neat new mugs and a matching dishtowel.

I just realized that the only picture with a good shot of the yarn that was included is the first one of everything. There were two skeins of yummy yarn. One is Araucania Aysen which is a kettle-dyed merino wool/alpaca/silk blend (in color 807) And the other skein is Plymouth's Galway Highland Heather 100% wool (in color 710 which is a burgundy.)

Topic of the Week #2

Now that we're in the thick of 'Winter'... has your knitting changed to match the season? Are you moving on from dishcloths, and tank tops to afghans, hats and mittens? Has your yarn changed from silk or cotton to wool, superwash or heavier cottons?


Um... I suppose one is assuming here that the projects started in the earlier seasons (summer/fall/early winter) are completed! So... since they have not been completed, and I have been trying really really hard to keep the works in progress down to a reasonable number, I am not changing anything. ALTHOUGH... I will admit to having almost completed in a manner of weeks a winter hat in a squishy thick wool/acrylic blend for Naomi. It was a car project, but then I fell in love with working with circulars, and it was such a quick knit I couldn't put it down. I have two rows left, but needed a second set of circulars to do it, so had to put it down. (Decreasing the crown and not being able to find size 15 dpns!) Anyway, it should be done this week.

I had wanted to make the Yarn Harlot's Unoriginal Hat, but realized that I am just not ready for cables yet. Also, I didn't have size 15 dpns and you can't do the cable w/ just the circular (or maybe I just don't really understand cables) regardless, I found a much easier hat and will do the Unoriginal Hat at another point in time.

Back to the question at hand... I am still working on what I had hoped would be a late winter/early spring sweater for my daughter. It is cotton stria from Manos del Uruguay, it is very soft... I have been working on it since August. It is my primary project (except for the crochet Hugs and Kisses blanket being worked on upstairs) and my critter for my secret pal... I have the back and one front completed. I am almost done with the second front... My plan is to alter the pattern a little and do the sleeves on circulars which will then be much faster as it is in stockinette...we'll see what happens.

ok, off to shower now, darling Erin is out for a walk w/ Grandpa and Omi...