Hat for Don

I had some left over yarn in my stash -- Knit Picks "Wool of the Andes." Don picked out a hat pattern on Ravelry -- Ribbed Watchman's Hat. I was worried it would be tight and scratchy but it came out perfect. I must make another. I used a size 8 needle and knit the hat in the round.

Mittens

I love the pattern "New England Mittens" purchased from Knit Picks. I used Bartlett Yarn purchased at the Yates Farm yarn sale this fall. The yarn I used is a heavy worsted so a little bit bulky for the pattern. I had to scale it down a little but the results were wonderful. I made them for Taylor. The heart is done in duplicate stitching that is not easy for me but I do like the results. I want to make a plain (thanks Beth!) white pair for Morgan (sshhh -- don't tell her).

EZ Jacket

I took a class before Christmas at Country Woolens to make an Elizabeth Zimmerman Surprise Jacket. I got a lot done in the 4 week class but still more to do.

Love self striping yarn

I have done a lot of knitting but not a lot of blogging. I found this great yarn in my stash and made Morgan a pair of socks using my old standby Yankee Knitter sock pattern. If you don't have it -- invest in one. The pattern is for baby, child, women, and men and includes directions for finger, sport, and worsted weight yarn. After you buy the patten make a copy (or copies) and circle or highlight the numbers you need.

I sometime struggle with "pick-up and knit" usually getting some gaps I am not happy with. I have tried a new technique using an extra needle to pick up the stitch then knitting through the back of the loop I picked up. This puts a twist in the yarn and takes up the slack I sometimes get in the picked up stitches. I like the result.