Recent knitting

It's time I gave an update on my recent knitting. My needles are kept busy most of the time. There's nothing I like better each morning, after reading the newspaper and checking Knitting Paradise and emails, and playing a few games of Words with Friends, than sitting and knitting for 30-60 minutes with a cup or two of coffee.

First is the second Brynna that I swore I'd never knit. I had such a hard time figuring out the pattern for the white Brynna that I knit this past summer and said, "Never again."

Trouble is, that first Brynna is for a friend, and I do love the design so much, so I decided to tackle a Brynna for Yours Truly. This one was much easier to knit because I'd learned from the first one. I didn't realize until a few minutes ago that I've never photographed the completed Brynna #2. All I have is this photo of the first half of it! This photo gives you a good idea of how unique the pattern design is, though: You knit one half of the sweater, add stitches up the entire middle back, then tackle the other half. Then you had a wide edging to the entire front and, finally, a peplum effect to the bottom. I used Cascade's Ultra Pima 100% cotton for both Brynnas and loved working with that yarn. It gives such a nice drape to the garment.

In October I spent much of my knitting time creating these little critters. They're a request from a niece in Georgia, so I'll be mailing them to her before long. I love the Fuzzy Mitten designs and have knit several of her animals: lamb, penguin, mouse, polar bear, puppy….It's fun to clothe them in knits once they're finished. It'll be kind of hard to part with these four mice and two polar bears because they seem to be mighty comfortable right where they are, in my living room1

Lately I've been knitting some hats for charity. This hat and mitten set, which I finished this morning, will go to a local Christmas toy and clothing drive. The hat is "That Favorite Hat," which is a quick and easy pattern knit with two strands of worsted yarn; the mittens are from the first knitting pattern for mittens that I actually have success with. I've tried knitting mittens in the past and have always been disappointed with the results. Both patterns are free.

And finally, two hats for a friend to donate to her church. The hats will be taken by missionaries to people residing high in the mountains of China. I actually gave her ten hats, but I forgot to take photos of the other eight. Shoot. I wanted to be sure to contribute to this drive because Ken and I have such good memories of our trips to China 2005-2006.

The hat on the head model is called "The Bob Hat." It's a quick, easy knit, and I like the way the bottom edge creates ear covers and a longer rib at the back of the neck. The pattern is free on Ravelry.

The second hat is called the "Cable and Seed Hat," by Susan Macurdy for Cottage Knits. I got the pattern free when I bought yarn for my first hat in this design. The design calls for a rolled edge, but I changed that to a K2/P2 edge for a snugger fit.

So that's how I've been keeping myself out of trouble lately. I've been trying like crazy to use up some of my yarn stash on many of these knits. The stash has taken over my study, and I'm embarrassed to let anyone see it. If I don't get it under control, it'll soon take over the house.

Here it is November 2, and my flowers on the kitchen porch are still untouched by frost. Unbelievable.