Check Two More Off the List

I know I'm cutting it close, but I'm just proud that I got them done in 2009. I finished 6 of the 9 projects I had on my list to get completed by the end of the year. Quite an accomplishment for me, so I'm kinda proud.

I can't show you one of these yet, since it is a gift that hasn't been delivered yet. But I promise all will be revealed soon enough. Here is a sneak peak just to prove that it did in fact get finished.The second finished project for the Joy in the New Year Challenge, is a receiving blanket that I started back in...umm...May. Yes, this has been sitting around collecting dust for too long. It was about time that it got finished. I used a new edging for this one that is super simple and looks really pretty. Another bonus to this edging... you only have to do one round of it. I suppose you could do two rounds if you'd like and just leave the picot off, but I kinda like it the way it is. Fast, simple, and really pretty.
It feels great to get all these UFO's completed and out of the way. Now I don't have to feel guilty about starting another project. Thank you to Jacquie for all the inspiration and motivation to get these projects finished.

PS. Happy New Year! 2009 was kinda a hard year, but it did have its positive moments. I'm looking forward to a new year filled with new adventures. Thank you to all of you who actually read this, and for all your lovely comments. I enjoy each and every one of them.

Toasty!

Another finished project for the Joy in the New Year Challenge! Number 4! Whoo hoo!

When I saw this pattern, I figured it would be a great learning project for me to tackle how to knit in the round - on double points! It took me a few tries, but I finally got the hang of it and I must admit... I Love knitting in the round!!

The pattern, created by Leslie Friend, says to cast on 34, but I cast on 38 because my gauge was off. They fit great, just like a glove should, or in this case, fingerless mittens. I believe I used a size 7 dpn.I used some yarn that I had originally purchased to make a hat (crocheted) but never got around to it. It is a nice blend of wool and cotton which makes it oh so soft and warm! I only used one skein for both of these mitts (about 50 grams) so I need to come up with something to make out of the other one.

I Love Fabric So Much...

That I took my 70+ year old boss with me to the fabric store while we were out on an inspection!!!!

Oh, the things I will do for 10 minutes of being surrounded by fabric goodness!

P.S. I got some really good deals on some cute fabric, but I can't share it just yet. Hopefully soon.

To My Anonymous Commenter

Here is the stitch I used to make this blanket! If you make one, I'd love to see.

Foundation chain - Multiple of 6 sts + 1

Row 1: 5 DC in 4th ch from hook, *skip 2 ch, 1 SC in net ch, skip 2 ch, 5 DC in next ch, repeat from * ending 1 SC in last ch. Turn

(I just picked up the next color as I turned each row, not cutting the previous color and worked them up so that I didn't have a gazillion ends to weave in)

Row 2: 3 ch, 2 DC in first sc, *skip 2 dc, 1 SC in next dc (the center dc of 5), skip 2 dc, 5 DC in next sc repeat * ending 3 DC in 1 ch. Turn

Row 3: 1 ch, skip first 3 DC, *5 DC in next sc, skip 2 DC, 1 sc in next dc (the center dc of 5), skip 2 dc, repeat from * ending 1 sc in 3rd of 3 ch, turn.

Repeat rows 2 & 3 until desired length.

Super simple, fast, but oh so mind numbing. Beautiful end results though which makes it all worth it.

Best of Luck!

Mr. Benjamin's Blanket

I have been waiting and waiting and waiting for this to arrive to it's new owner before I could post pictures here. I'm sure that he has been waiting and waiting for me to finish this, so I guess we are even.
Poor little guy, he had to wait a few months (or several) for me to kick it into gear and get this finished. Well, it finally happened... and I am in love with the end product! I don't know what took me so long. Okay, I do know what took me so long. See all of those rows? Each stitch is the same thing over, and over, and over.... which means it is very mind numbing. I got half way through this months before his due date and then I just stopped (i.e. I started this in April of 09 and didn't finish it until Nov. 20, 09. I'm a slacker!). I knew I needed to get it finished but I just couldn't force myself to work on it. But I finally did, and it is finished! YAY!!! This is just a simple shell stitch pattern (can be found in this book) with an H crochet hook. I changed colors every row, alternating between the three so that I didn't have to weave in any ends. I did a simple DC edging around it to hide all the color changes. This is made with Red Heart Soft yarn in navy, tangerine, and white. I'm not sure of the size because I forgot to measure it before I sent it off. I used two skeins of each color and just worked the pattern until they were gone.

I hope Mr. Benjamin likes it and that it helps to keep him warm through the crazy cold Utah winter.

PS - Are you excited to finally see something crocheted on this site? It has been a while. Plus, this is number three on the list of UFO's to finish before the end of the year. Only six more to go!