Pretty Violets

The flip side

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Originally uploaded by LionsPaw

Just in case you were wondering, here's the public side of the completed mitten. You can really see here that blocking is needed. The yarn that I'm using is Lion's Brand Fisherman's Wool and Buffalo Yarn. (from a real Buffalo -- you know American Bison) It's extremely soft and very nice. It was a Christmas gift that came from a local bison farm. VERY pricey. Like every fiber will be used for knitting. But it was a very thoughtful gift and I'm loving it.

One down, one to go

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Originally uploaded by LionsPaw

Here's the palm side of one Buffalo Mitten. It's really cool how the palm pattern also continues down the underside of the thumb. These should be a really nice pair of mittens when complete, although at this point, this one would benefit from a good blocking.

Knitting promised

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Originally uploaded by LionsPaw

Yep, it's another pair of felted clog slippers. I wear a pair of these out each winter. So, this time I used up left overs. Worked out pretty well. The yarn is Gjestal Naturegarn that I bought at Elann. I'm sorry they don't have any more. Very nice Lopi type yarn. And I also sewed on a leather heel patch on each slipper. I've had these for a couple of years but never put them on. Since I seem to always wear the slippers clear through on the right foot, I thought I'd give it a try!

Winter has arrived

We all thought it was too good to be true. So far this winter we haven't had to break out the shovels. But for this one we did. Not a big dump or anything, but 6 to 8 inches and now there's a real nice coating of ice on top.

We've all been home with the flu (oh, joy!) and didn't have to worry about driving in it.

Knitting news tomorrow!

Knitting progress to report

I received the Selbuvotter mitten/glove knitting book for Christmas. What wonderful patterns! I'm making mittens with Lion's Brand Fisherman's Wool and Buffalo wool (also a Christmas gift). As I have pretty big hands, I usually knit mittens for myself with worsted weight and a size 6 needle. The cuff is done and I'm ready to start the pattern.















Another project that I've been working on is socks for DH. The yarn is Opal Saphir, which is a worsted weight sock yarn. The heel is Knit Picks Essential held double. This is making very nice, heavy, man-sized socks. I knit them toe up, with the Queen Kahuna cast on (which is very clever and a great way to start toe up), the heels is done short rowed (my new favorite way to do heels) using the Pricilla Gibson-Roberts method. The rib is a k3, p2 which is very stretchy. And I used the Elizabeth Zimmermann sewn cast off for the top. It makes a nice formula for toe up socks.


Otherwise, we're all hunkered down. It's 9 degrees and dropping. New England beat San Diego and the Green Bay game is just coming on. Time for more knitting.