12 & 12 in 2012: That's the power of blocking!

Okay, so the July shawl went into August--my excuse is that a red/white/blue shawl is perfect for the Olympics!  It could be a "USA!  USA!" shawl or a "Go GB!" shawl.  Or, maybe having lost naps and easy bedtimes, my knitting mojo is down a bit.  Anyway, this shawl perfectly shows off the power of blocking.  Above, find the shawl in its unblocked (or unwashed/pinned) glory.  Lumpy border, shorter shawl.

Behold, the power of blocking!  The shawl is much, much bigger!  (Modeled pictures of all my summer shawls will be added soon, I promise!)  The lace border is crisp and visible!  The shawl is lighter and airier!  Pattern:  Trillian by Martina Behm (I am currently working on knitting all 4 patterns from her Hitchhiker book)  Yarn:  Creatively Dyed Beaches in the Cardiff colorway, purchased at the Estes Park Wool Market

Christmas Knitting Revealed! Part One

First off, we gave Lincoln a drum for Christmas. We are awesome parents--that, and I really love breaking out the egg shakers during folksy songs. But now, to round one of revealing some of my mystery Christmas knitting this year--I still have one Christmas celebration to go, so not all can be revealed.

Mr. Cool received a replacement hat (he lost his first one!) knit in Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (a yarn name that begs for a classic Office joke, which I won't type here, as my mom reads this blog) and a pair of mittens knit in Patons meant either for a photographer or a sharpshooter.

Wee Cool received the a very homely bear, knit in Noro Kureyon and begun for the Knitting Olympics. (At first, he was excited, but as you can see in this picture, he is realizing that the ears are misaligned, the arms overstuffed, and the tail badly off-center.)

He also received a little elephant finger puppet, which turned out much better than the larger bear.

My own dear Papa Cool received this pair of classy fingerless mitts, knit in Patons.

Very hip brotha-in-law Cool received this tie, knit from Prairie Silks, as only he is cool enough to pull it off.

My mom received a little bluebird of happiness knit in Wyoming wool from a Ewe Count kit.

My young and hip knitting pal had requested a Rudolph finger puppet, so here he is, although his antlers are hanging on by a thread!

My often chilly but always loved Mama Cool received a hot water bottle cozy, knit in Patons Shetland Chunky Tweed, which encases a difficult-to-find hot water bottle, which hopefully cozies up her toes.

And for my Uncle's gift card gift, I made up this small mitten holder/ornament in an hour!

So, as you can see, it was a very knitted Christmas, and following subsequent celebrations, I have about 7 more things to show off!

For my knitting readers, I tried to link to every pattern I used--the hot water bottle is a Ravelry download, and the mitten was my own hacking of a Better Homes & Garden Christmas craft.

Knitting Olympics: Not Even Shameful Bronze

No gold medals for me. As the Olympics end tonight, the only part of my bear I have finished is the body. I still need to finish knitting the head, and knit two ears, two arms, two legs, two feet, and a tail. I've been hampered by the fact that I can no longer knit around my increasingly curious and mobile young charge, and the fact that I chose to knit something that involves concentration, when I tend to concentrate on the games. Mr. Cool has said, though, that if I finish it during the Olympic year, he would still award me the shameful bronze. I guess I need to keep knitting!

Knitting Olympics 2010: Opening Ceremonies

Four years ago, seminal knit-blogger Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot) started the Knitting Olympics. This year, in honor of the Vancouver games, I will be casting on the Baby Bear from Itty Bitty Toys during the Opening Ceremony. My goal will be to complete the bear before the Closing Ceremonies, and complete the challenge of knitting and seaming together a toy, which I have never done before. As the Games progress, I will give you updates on my progress!