missing winter

California is still so strange to me, and grad school has taken over all my knitting time. I miss the snow because I love how blue it is, the sharp contrast of deep color. In the desert, everything seems faded or washed. But, for my own sanity, I will find time to knit again! I swear on the color blue.

the hoodie

For Jayson

May I formally present the largest and longest project I have endeavored and accomplished, the Shogun Saints black Hoodie and Jacket. Shown here by it's recipient, my brother Jayson, this represents:12 skeins of yarn, 2 re-starts, 10 inches (vertical) of backwards knitting, hand drawn patterns, an entire couch devoted only to materials and pieces for weeks, hours of stitching, months worth of knitting and an entire season of Star Trek.


For no greater love is there than this: to knit a hoodie for one's brother. Finished dimensions are 30 in + 14 in hood tall, and 40 in around, modified from the Hardcore Hoodie with longer torso and sleeves, minus buttons and plus pockets. Also Includes my own design on the back; requested as a personal symbol of the wearer himself.


Looks happy doesn't he? He better be, because it took forever. But now I have finally managed to knit him something he will wear and love, which of course is the entire purpose. Happy Christmas Jayson, with tons of love and yarn.

Socks for Mom

This is what happens when you let the non-knitter pick their own sock yarn for their gift! Tiny yarn knit on 1s! But the result was so beautiful, I actually had to show my dad the unknit yarn to prove I didn't buy them in a store. I actually knit 2 more pairs of socks for the holidays, but didn't get pictures of them because it was getting too close to the giving time not to just wrap them. I always knit myself into a hole around Christmas. But everyone is sad if they don't get a hand knit gift now, so I have no choice but to keep going! Happy Christmas Mom.

Hunting hat for Dad

The Christmas gift blogging continues! ...with the Hunting hat I made for my dad. This was a specific request, lovely orange shade and all.

I began with Vickie Howell's Brimster, which was useful for making the brim but little else; her directions for the front of the hat made no sense that I could see, so I composed my own, and added ear flaps, then sewed in a thick fuzzy lining. I think he was really happy with it, even though he may never wear it where anyone but the elk can see. Happy Christmas Dad!

Stocking for Ben

Huzzah! Now that the Holidays are over, I can finally start posting all of these projects I've been working on to give as gifts for Christmas. Small as the chance may be, I never want post before hand and give any hints away.

So first up is the Christmas stocking I knit for my boyfriend Ben. Originally the idea came from my mom, because it was the first Christmas gift she ever gave to my dad. And also, when I started the project, he wasn't going to be coming back to the States for Christmas, so I thought he would need some holiday cheer in Italy. By the time I finished the project, the plan had changed four times, and ended with me visiting him in Boston, which was wonderful, and he still appreciated the idea and all the goodies I stuffed inside.

The pattern is from the Christmas Stocking book shaped like a stocking, and the pattern allowed you to mix and match different patterns for unique stockings. Unfortunately I was so excited by this that I used a few to many, including one of my own design: the wolves on top. It turned out very pretty, but a little big longer than normal stockings. But I say, all the better for more stuff from Santa! Overall, it was a really fun FairIsle project on cic 8s with thick yarn, and the heal is just kitchener stitch pickup like a toe in the middle, and I think it turned out pretty great.

Happy Christmas Ben!!