A BEAUTIFUL GIFT

I mentioned in a blog post in December that DF Anne Marie had finished a beautiful Crayon box jacket for my mom.  She was also working on one for me - that was not a surprise since I supplied the yarn choices for both jackets.  It was a surprise that mine was completed so quickly - Anne Marie kept that a good secret.I thought it was better to display on the couch than on my blobby body so here it is !!!!!!!!!!  isn't it gorgeous?

Here is a close up of how the mosiac squares look.  There are many different yarns used in this jacket however most of the base yarns are 3 colors of Jo Sharp Silkroad Aran for you knitters out there.

Next up is a shoulder warmer - I guess that is a more delicate term than "poncho" - if it looks huge - that's because it is huge - I did not figure adding a very fine mohair to the worsted weight wool would add that much bulk to the gauge but apparently it did.  It is not a fashion statement piece any how - just something to bump around in with jeans or wear at home if I am cold at night and believe me it is WARM.

I started this last winter and of course put it away as spring wore on.  I didn't have much left to do when I picked it up again a few weeks ago - here is a closer shot that shows the halo of the mohair and the faint striping that was in the worsted base yarn.  the neckline and the bottom is supposed to roll like that just in case you were wondering.

Since I'm all about staying warm these days - here is a WIP called Purl Ridge by Stephen West - a free pattern on Ravelry.  The yarn is some leftover Dream in Color I had - this is a long cowl that can be doubled around the neck for a snugger effect or just wear it hanging long.  It is a relaxing knit for the brain dead.  I hope to wear it this season - I am probably at least 1/2 way done with it.  Please take note that neither of these projects I am working on were on the 11 in 2011 challenge list.  I just knew the 111 in 2011 would be a more realistic number for my short attention span.

I've been stitching about as much as I ever do - I am very pleased however that I managed to finish the January assignment for the Spanish Mystery sampler SAL with the Attic group.  This sampler is huge - sorry for the tiny shot but at least it will show that this sampler is GI GANTIMOUS.

Here is a closer shot that does show February's band which thankfully has some blue and white in it.  this band gets boring quick as it is just the same thing over and over across that mile wide row.

I was feeling Valentiney as I usually do the week before and decided to pull out something reddish to stitch on.  I had started one of the Splendor pieces by Maureen Appleton a few months back but it is on 40ct over 2 (not over one as she suggests) and I quickly grew tired of struggling with the linen count.  I worked on it Sat and Sun night and have gotten fairly comfortable with the 40ct.  I'm sure I will grow tired of the pinky red I chose but for now - it is a nice diversion from the blue and white on the SAL piece.  If I continue to work on it and make decent progress I'll show a WIP next post.

That's about all my news -  seems like lots of stitching and handwork progress went on last week with all the stories of too much snow to venture out.  I hope everyone continues to make good progress but at least is able to venture out if they so desire.