A Whole Lotta Knitting

Wow, it's been awhile since I have posted... but the reason shall become clear as you scroll, scroll and scroll through even more photos of my recent knitting projects.

First up, Christmas gifts. As I couldn't share these before the holidays, here are four projects that were completed for family members last month:

For daughter a "Binary" scarf. Since she is a recent Computer Science grad at the UofM,  I thought she'd get a kick out of the design that is reminiscent of the old black and neon green computer monitor screens. The 1s and 0s represent all data on a computer, called "binary language".  I started this in July by first using an online translator to create the 132 sets of 8 “bits” to make a byte of data spelling out a secret message she will have to decipher. Good thing I started this project early - I had completed it to the last three rows by September before I realized I had made a mistake twenty sets back. So I ripped those out and re-knit 120 rows... Arrrgghh!

Next I wanted to make hubby a toque to keep his head warm this winter as he does a lot of outdoor duties at work and when it hits -40C, he needs a thick hat! So I knitted up not one, but two for him. One plain...

and another with cables!

For the gals in our family, I made up a few washcloths, wrapped up with fancy soaps:

After the holidays I also made daughter a scarf from super-bulky yarn I got her last Spring. This was the first time I had tried slip stitches to create a neat effect.

Then it was time to do a few projects for myself, using up some of my yarn stash. The last of my bulky yarn made a "Fisherman's Wife Cowl". I just need to find some wooden buttons to finish it off.

I also made this lap blanket, but it has been hijacked by hubby (and all three cats).

I used up this yarn on two leg warmers... they'll be great to wear over jeans when the temps dip. I started with an online pattern that had a simple single cable design, but I love cables, so I added more and offset them all around each leg.

I also volunteered to do a "test knit" for a designer out of Boston. Basically when people write a pattern, a few knitters try it out and make note of any corrections / changes necessary before it is published. Love this super soft cowl!

Since I didn't keep any washcloths for myself from the pile I did for Christmas, I tried out some new cotton yarn, held double to make this extra-squishy facecloth for us.

And last but not least, a project I made last weekend (took just two days to complete)... a tea cozy!

When I started knitting last February, hubby would constantly ask if I was making a tea cozy... I think he just liked saying "cozy". ;)

When a group on Ravelry announced a "Tea Cozy Knit A-Long" in January, I knew I had to participate; knitters submit their projects for a random prize draw a few months from now. There are hundreds of free patterns online, but I decided to make my own. I did use the basic numbers from a plain cozy, but adjusted them to fit my smaller teapot. Then as I knitted it up, I designed my own colourwork pattern. I call it my "Cozy Nordic Tea Sweater":

It slips over the pot perfectly and buttons inside the handle hold it on tight. I am really pleased on how it turned out - even  though there were way too many ends I had to weave in! I have received a lot of sweet comments about it and have been asked to write out my design for other Ravelers to make it too. Don't know if I will, but it was high praise indeed.

So that's why I haven't posted for weeks!

Now if you'll excuse me, I still have a cardigan, a pair of socks and a pair of mitts on my needles requiring my attention...