Smitten with my mittens

So they are done and totally awesome. Of course, it's 28 degrees Celsius out today so probably not suitable mitten weather. Now I am on a total mitten kick and want to keep knitting mittens - for EVERYONE!

But alas I shall return to to gift knitting, autumn birthdays (SIL, MIL, and FIL) are all sneaking up fast so I better get a move on!

Yay progress!!

A cute little ipod cozy knit with some leftover handpainted merino - so pretty I think I will need to make another one. Sorry about the sideways pic - too lazy to flip it.
Peekaboo mittens from Magknits. I have been dying to make these up and the short little camping trip we took this weekend gave me the perfect opportunity to kick start them. I could not bring any gift knitting since most the the gift recipients were coming with me so instead I brought stuff for ME!!! This colorway makes me want to sing - so bring and happy - can't wait to wear these come winter. The yarn is one lonely skein of 100purewool I have had sitting around for awhile - the softest merino - actually very similar to malabrigo.
Also finished up around the campfire is this cute little Maple Seed Hat. I can't remember where the pattern came from but it is lovely and a very quick knit. I made it for myself but it turned out too small. However, it looks adorable on my dd so it shall be hers! I will have to make another one for me. The yarn is worsted weight Misti Alpaca baby alpaca in the cinnamon colorway.

Secret Pal Contest #2

1. What is the one knitting accessory you could not live without?

a good project bag - perfectly sized for the project with an accessory pouch or pockets for keeping odds and ends

2. If you're heading on vacation, do you take knitting with you? If so, how much and what type of project?

Absolutely, I always take at least one sock project, one larger project to make progress on, and depending on how much car travel time usually one more small project that I try to start and finish on the trip for a sense of accomplishment.

3. Where have you travelled to that you'd consider your favorite spot? I have travelled to California, Mexico, and various parts of Western Canada - never been out east yet but would like to someday soon. My favorite spot is still the good ole Rocky Mountains - beautiful and serene - could not ask for a better place to knit.

4. What is your favorite knitting book at the moment? Do you own it? My favorite book that i currently own is One Skein - so many projects I want to tackle in it. The other favorite I am lusting after is the IK Favorite Socks book - just the pictures are like sock pron to me ;)

5. Do you listen to podcasts? Which is your favorite(s)? yes, my current favorites are Stash and Burn and She-knits.

6. If you could only knit with 1 color for the rest of your life, what color would that be? RED!

7. If you were far into a project and then noticed a mistake near the beginning what would you do? Frog it back and start again. I have tried just continuing to work forward but it always just ended up bugging me so much I had to frog it anyway (and then ended up having to frog more) :(

8. Where is the most unsual spot you've ever knit? In front of the campfire (with my trusty headlamp).

A few new goodies

Well I was aimlessly wandering through Michaels the other day and found this new shipment of knitting bags/project bags, etc. And very reasonably priced, too. So I had to snag one of course to try out, and I think I will be back for more. I like being able to see the yarn inside and this bag also has grommets on both ends for feeding the yarn through which I think will be perfect for working from two separate balls of yarn. Can't wait to try it out! (The project inside is the very early beginnings of the Tilted Duster from the most recent issue of IK)
Also got some blue sky alpaca cotton that I ordered from the Knit2purl2 store closing sale. I THOUGHT I had also snagged enough malabrigo for a sweater project and some lion and lamb for clapotis but, alas, they were actually sold out. So while I am happy I did not spend that money, a part of me mourns the loss of my great yarn bargains. Oh well.

I just entered a contest from the She-Knits podcast - would be totally cool to win the prize of one of her bag kits - her bags are sooooo drool-worthy - I especially love that sunflower one. And her podcast is pretty good, too. You can check out the contest here.

Some more gift knitting and a sock

First a lace project - Branching Out from Knitty - in Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool for my MIL for her birthday (or maybe Christmas) - undecided as of yet. Very pretty even unblocked.

And then some Tofutsies knit into a spiral eyelet pattern (my reincarnated Flicker sock that had to be frogged). This is my first sock on magic loop and I have to say I do like it. I think the sharp, metal tips will be much better for doing the lace sock patterns, but I will not abandon my DPNs. Those I will probably save for my plainer socks. Oh, and yes, the colors are pooling terribly but I don't care - I just need to finish some socks. It's been far too long.

Secret Pal 11 Questionaire

1. What is/are your favorite yarn/s to knit with? What fibers do you absolutely *not* like?

LOVE
Malabrigo, Lorna's Laces, Koigu, Blue Sky Alpaca, Misti Alpaca, most merino, cascade 220, Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran

HATE
mohair and itchy wools or acrylics

2. What do you use to store your needles/hooks in?

Ummm...my WIPs? Just joking.
Have my straights in a vase, DPNs/crochet hooks in a Della Q silk case and a Namaste hard needle case, and my circs in a Knitpicks binder

3. How long have you been knitting & how did you learn? Would you consider your skill level to be beginner, intermediate or advanced?

Knitting for about two years - self taught out of a book. I consider myself to be about an intermediate - have done socks, small sweaters, some lace, and cables - but no colorwork yet.

4. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?

Yes, but it's on Amazon.ca

5. What's your favorite scent?

fruity, citrusy scents

6. Do you have a sweet tooth? Favorite candy?

Anything chocolate (drool)

7. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do? Do you spin?

I crochet and sew.

8. What kind of music do you like? Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? (if your buddy wants to make you a CD)

My music tastes are eclectic so may be safer to avoid this one.

9. What's your favorite color(s)? Any colors you just can't stand?

LOVE red - not a big fan of orange.

10. What is your family situation? Do you have any pets?

Have a young daughter who spends her days tormenting our small dog.

11. Do you wear scarves, hats, mittens or ponchos?

Yes, yes, yes, and depends in the poncho.

12. What is/are your favorite item/s to knit?

Socks, and just about anything that has a unique design, not too fussy, clean and classic styling, and preferably minimal seaming.

13. What are you knitting right now?

see blog

14. Do you like to receive handmade gifts?

Absolutely!

15. Do you prefer straight or circular needles? Bamboo, aluminum, plastic?

Metal circs (knitpicks or Addis) and bamboo or ebony DPNs

16. Do you own a yarn winder and/or swift?

Yes and yes

17. How old is your oldest UFO?

Almost a year but really it is just awaiting a good frogging

18. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

19. Is there anything that you collect?

Ummm, does handpainted sock yarn count? oh and knitting bags, too.

20. Any books, yarns, needles or patterns out there you are dying to get your hands on? What knitting magazine subscriptions do you have?

I subscribe to IK but would not mind getting some back issues as I have only recently started reading and purchasing them.

Other things on my wish list include:

A good sock knitting book of patterns (IK Favorite Socks, Sensational Knitted Socks, etc)
kacha-kacha row counter that locks and can hang around your neck - have not found one yet
Handmaiden sea silk
lace Addi's to try

21. Are there any new techniques you'd like to learn?

Would like to try more felting projects

22. Are you a sock knitter? What are your foot measurements?

Yes, I wear a ladies size 7 shoe - foot lenth is approx 9" heel to toe.

23. When is your birthday?

June 28

24. Are you on Ravelry? If so, what's your ID?

yes, My ID is Purlybird

One of a few WIP's

I have a few others on the needles right now but here is a pic of just one of them. It is Argosy from Winter 06 Knitty - made with some Patons SWS. I actually like how it's working up and the yarn gives a nice halo effect. Not my favorite yarn to work with but it does look pretty. I know this yarn has gotten some mixed reviews so it will be interesting to see how it holds up.

I am also currently working on some socks from Tofutsies and some Fibretrends felted clogs for a birthday gift.

Buzz Lightyear and Bear have a serious discussion

about current WIPs.

So I looked over tonight and somehow they had both been placed on the shelf and looked like this. I swear they were not posed like this on purpose - so of course my DH had to take a pic.

Anyhoo - just an update that I have been on Ravelry for about a month now but am ashamed to admit that I have just not had the time to really take advantage of all it's great features. The good news is I am making a lot of progress on my gift knitting (both for upcoming birthdays and Christmas). My munchkin is transitioning to a big bed out of the crib so I have been spending many, many nights at her bedside knitting her to sleep. Ah well - could be worse right ;)

Another FO

Vestee
Originally uploaded by Purlybird

The color is really off in this photo - it is really more of a soft purple-blue. I really liked this pattern and this yarn. I am planning on making another Vestee soon - with a varietgated this time to see how it shows up in this stitch pattern.

I like how this pattern had a simple stitch pattern to memorize but not boring stockinette - and it worked up really fast.

First in a few FO's

Nakiska
Originally uploaded by Purlybird

A birthday present for my SIL - in October - a cute little headband. I plan on including some knitted dishcloths, too - she has requested these in the past.