Unintentional Break

I really didn't mean to take a blog break; it just kind of happened.  When I realized that it had been over a month since my last post (other than the Friday with Clover posts), I was shocked.  I kept meaning to blog; as a matter of fact, I wrote many blog posts in my mind.  Those don't really count though, do they?  Unless you can read my mind, I need to make the time to actually get those posts from my head onto the blog.

Making time to get things done just hasn't been working out very well lately.  When I have had the time, I haven't had the energy.  I'm going to make a serious effort to change that. 

Even though I haven't been around blogland very much, I have still been knitting and spinning; there's even been some crocheting. Granted, not nearly as much time spent with the needles, hooks, and wheel as I'd like, but some. 

As you can imagine, there has also been a lot of new and exciting changes with Clover.  You got a glimpse of one of the changes in the last post.

 I don't want to bore you to death with one very lengthy post filling you in on everything at once, so I think I'll break it down into several smaller posts. 

Tonight's post will be all about the FO's (don't get too excited, there aren't very many).

First - A Sweater for ME:

Pattern:  Metro Pullover by Oat Couture Yarn:  Plymouth Yarn Galway Colornep (the color doesn't show very well in this shot; it's a lovely olive green with flecks of red, yellow, and blue) Needles:  Size 8 and 9 Mods:  The only modification I made was to knit this in the round to the arm holes.
I picked up the perfect buttons for this from the Malabar Glass booth at Harvestfest, which was held last month outside my office.  I wasn't sure at first, but once on the sweater, it was obvious that they were made for it! 

I Love this sweater; it fits perfectly and I've already worn it a few times since finishing.

Second- I hope you're sitting down for this one:

Samm's Sweet Socks   STARTED:  February 20, 2008 FINISHED:  November 11, 2008 (yep, you read that right - February to November for one pair of socks) Yarn:  "Sweet Clover" bamboo/merino, (dyed by the fabulous Heather of Sereknity and Serenkity Boutique) Needles:  Size 1 1/2 dpns Pattern:  Standard cuff-down sock with eye of Partridge flap heel
I honestly didn't think I'd finish a single pair of socks this year and then I suddenly felt the need to finish these. I'm glad I did. They are beautiful socks (thanks to Heather's beautiful dye job) and there's enough yarn left to make some matching socks for Clover. Just have to get around to starting them.

Third: Two FO's in one.

Part One - Clover's Hat

Pattern:  Thorpe by Kirsten Kapur Needles:  size 9 Mods:  Added a chin strap with button instead of the braided ties Yarn: My Handspun, which brings us to...   Part Two - Neapolitan

4 ounces "Neapolitan" Merino/Silk 80/20 fiber from Spunky Eclectic Spun 2-ply - approximately 66 yards bulky weight (well, actually it's a little thick and thin, but mostly thick)

This spun up so incredibly soft that all I want to do with it is snuggle it. But, I decided that a nice warm hat for Clover might be a more appropriate use for it.  I think I made the right decision; the hat is incredibly soft and fits her perfectly.

I think that's enough for one post. More catching up next time. I promise I won't wait another month; I'm going to shoot for at least one more post before the next Friday with Clover.

Goodnight!

Comments

[Carole]

Glad you're posting again. I love that sweater.

[Pat]

I love your pullover almost cardigan :-)
I've made one Oat Couture Pattern (Celtic Cardigan) and loved it.
Gorgeous buttons too!

[Marion]

Your FO's are so pretty. I love the hat. I can just picture the beautiful Clover in it.

[Karen]

Lovely knits. The buttons for the cardigan are stunning!!

[Chris]

Lovely socks! And the sweater looks great. :)

[marianne]

Yowza Julie! I figured you were busy and you have been. The sweater is beyond gorgeous and with the buttons you found? stunning. Fabulous socks for Samm and hey, Clover's should be a relative quick knit, love the wee tootsies to knit socks for,eh? Mmmmm, Clover's hat. I can well imagine how soft it is and great button you chose for it as well. Keep her little noggin warm and cozy for the Winter. You're a wonderful Grandma/Noni.
XOXOXOX

[colleen]

WOW the sweater looks great! I really really wish I would get a sweater done for myself. one of these days
the spinning looks great, of course and love the baby hat!
next time you are having scok issues, just send them down to me. seems that socks are the only thing I can actually finish right now (spinning does not count in my mind)

[Brenda]

Everything looks great. Is that the sweater you were wearing at spinning? Love it. And I'm so happy to see that you are using your handspun for actual projects ;-)

[Sara]

WOW - the sweater is really pretty - and those buttons are awesome!!!

I have socks on needles for about as long or longer than those socks have been on needles. And, there is hardly anything left to knit on them...

[Charity]

Wonderful knitting! I love your sweater, it's so great to have an FO you wear a lot! :0)

[Zonda]

Nice sweater and buttons too! "blink" socks hehe..nice ones too! Love Clover's new hat, great job on the spinning and knitting :)

[Dana]

The Metro is BEEEEAUTIFUL! You did an amazing job on that and I really like the buttons you picked too! Great, great, great!

Clover's hat is precious and I love the colors.

I hope that you and yours have a wonderful holiday! xoxox, Dana

[April]

Wow, no wonder you've been too busy to blog - you've been knitting your little fingers off. *Sigh* Must make Metro Cardigan now too.

[Marianne]

Goodness me! I love your cardigan and the hat for clover, in fact it is all so lovely! Those buttons are perfect too. Love that handspun, I have spun some of that yarn and made a diagonal rib scarf with it and it it very very soft!

[Tempe]

Love that sweater for you! Looks great! Hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving!