For some reason, I'm thinking that my excitement about this sweater is not showing in these photos. (Note to self: stop placing hand firmly on hip in photos.) However, I am excited about this sweater. And super excited that it is finished. The pattern was interesting and the yarn some of my favorite, (I absolutely loved anticipating the change of color) but for some reason, I felt myself having a hard time working on this one. It may just have been some winter moods floating around.
I spoke about the construction. Working from right sleeve cuff to left sleeve cuff, adding the long ribbed collar and front panel last. Definitely a different construction and something different if you are used to knitting sweaters in pieces.

I treated Monday (President's Day) like the weekend. And Tuesday, too. Considering it was another snow day. Then all of a sudden, I couldn't put it down because I feared the worst knitters fear: I was short yarn. However, somehow (after stretching the bejeezus out of it) the collar fit around the right front, neck and left front. That little ball up there is all that is left of the ten balls. I have mixed feelings about that. It has had a bath and is currently blocking. Finally.

You all are the best. Thank you SO much for all of the suggestions for the name of the suede cowl. I could not love each and every suggestion more! Honestly, each one could have been the perfect name. I ended up having to consult with my friend, Michelle, who helped me narrow it down to a few. In the end, I decided on "swayed" suggested by Joshua. Thanks, Joshua!

This is some of my favorite yarn:
I just love the texture of suede. Years ago, I was into making triangle wraps out of it and since then have been thinking about something else to use it for.
I had two balls left in my stash and decided on a cowl. Super easy and quick for a beginner or an advanced knitter.

Guest blogging again for the month of February over at habit. And I couldn't be more thrilled.

This is one of those projects that I couldn't be happier about finishing. I honestly don't know why it took me so long. (Probably because I am a little (a lot) intimidated about quilting.)
Remember me talking about the twelve square quilt?

I'd like to knit a huge amount of these. I thought about attaching a piece of grosgrain ribbon (or just a piece of yarn) while sewing it together and hanging from some twigs that I have in a vase. I think that would look really fun. Or, attaching them to Valentine's Day gifts. Or, filling with lavender and throwing into a drawer. Or, how about leaving the top open and filling it with little love notes!
But, for now I am just tossing them into a vase in the center of the table. I like this, too. They are meant to be felted. But to be quite honest, I am not even sure this yarn will felt. However, it is the perfect use for all those leftover little balls you have. (Suzanne!) This pattern accomplishes the shape of the heart by knitting short rows. I found a free pattern here that uses increases and decreases to do the same.
If you ordered the place mats (thank you!) remember to decorate them for yourself or for your sweeties. They are still available and if you order before February 7, you, too, can have them for Valentine's day.

I have sort of been on a hat kick. Easy to make. Easy to wear.
Simple Hat from Cables Untangled. I really love this hat. The cables are fun and everyone in the family can wear it. Yarn: Cascade 220 tweed. Color, 7612.
Tetsubou by Kristen Johnstone. I was lucky enough to win this pattern over on Kristen's blog. Love this hat and I adore the I-cord tie in the back. Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash.
Zig Zag beanie from Interweave knits, fall 2008. This was fun to make and the yarn I used was so soft and furry. ("Furry" injected by Andrew.)

So, we've had snow-days, half-days, delays and holidays. Resulting in an extra break from school and me drawn to the kitchen. Baking.
Okay, if you have tried making pop tarts, you know how delicious they are. Best eaten right from the oven. Or warmed later. With a big glass of milk. (I haven't had a glass of milk in years... coffee for me.)
Then I tried the sour cream orange cake (5th recipe down) from the Moosewood cookbook. Not too sweet and perfect with coffee. I almost omitted the glaze because I didn't have an orange liqueur and didn't want to buy a big bottle. However, they have those little bottles by the check out in my liquor store. Containing a perfect 3 TBLS just like the recipe suggested. I think that made the cake.
By the third batch of pop tarts, I feel like we discovered our favorite way to make them. I rolled them super thin. Seriously. Almost paper like. 3" x 4". Then, we put a B I G spoonful of the filling (Triple the recipe for the filling. You won't be sorry.) along one side and fold the piece in half. And then, after they cooled, drizzled brown sugar icing on top. Now THAT was the perfect little pop tart. Small, cinnamony and delicious.

I've been a little off my game over here. This morning, I ripped out the second sleeve of my Elizabeth sweater. I reversed the decreases, so the sleeve was pretty tight near the underarm. That just wouldn't do. And last week, I made hockey pucks. No, seriously. Hockey pucks.
I didn't really catch it with the first batch. I thought that I had just forgot to roll them in sugar. So, next batch, I rolled. Then I realized that wasn't the only problem. They were heavy. As in, really heavy. Checked out the recipe. Whoops... I used baking powder. Not baking soda. And it was a really big whoops. Cause I had doubled the recipe.
When you don't succeed, try, try again. And so I did. And they turned out exactly as they should. (It wasn't my first go around with these. We love them around here.)
Over the last few times I have made them, I decided I like them a little smaller. They pack up nicely to give to friends.
I did finish a little knit. Made for a special friend. I had this yarn in my stash for some time. I turned to one of my favorite books, Pipsqueaks. Over the years, I have made my children several sweaters out of this book. It really is a great one to add to your collection. You may even be able to find it in one of your used book stores. Speaking of used books... I recently stumbled upon the Moosewood Cookbook. Where have I been? And how did I ever live without it?

Libby asked for a store bought hat (shudder!) and I get that. The whole teen thing... I guarantee she will come back around.
However, she said she would love if I made her flip-top mittens. Okay, then. I'll get right on that.

So, this Christmas, I didn't get 1/2 of what I wanted accomplished. Most of the decorations stayed in their boxes. The advent didn't get started until about the 15th of the month. And, the knitting wasn't finished.

So, if you're sitting around under the tree this weekend, completely ready for Christmas (I wish!) looking for something to knit, check here. 50 free holiday knitting and crochet patterns. I have always wanted to make some cute little sweater ornaments and use them as gift tags. Maybe next year.

Finally. Finally there was something other than chocolate chip cookies around here.
I don't know why, but there hasn't been anything else baked around here for a pretty long time. But this week (and last) we had the vanilla sugar cookies, again. However, for some reason, I just couldn't add the vegetable oil. Since I am a big dough eater, I just pictured myself drinking vegetable oil. Sort of gave me a stomach ache. So, I used 2 sticks of butter instead. Cause eating sticks of butter seems to be so much better. (ahem.)
You know I am a huge fan of the "slice and bake". I wish I would have had some red or green sugar crystals to roll it in instead of the raw sugar. Nonpareils would be cute. Next time.
The cup of butter definitely gave these cookies a more buttery flavor. Seemed to be a good fit for everyone around here.

It wasn't something that I had a burning desire to knit. I mean, I knew I would one day make one, I just didn't know when. Well, why in the world did I wait so long? You don't even have to have an ache or pain to fall in love with these things. It's like a little security blanket, tucked under your arm to keep you warm.
There are a bunch of patterns out there, but I really like this one. Like a little sweater for your water bottle. The pocket can be omitted. It looked cute without it, too. I used the two balls I had left over from this project and size 7 needles. Still looking plum to me. (Also, I don't know if it was just me, but I had too few stitches with the 77 to do the final decrease. I changed the K35 to K34 and the K34 to K33. ) I'm thinking there are several people that would love one of these under their tree. Oh! I ordered my first water bottle from target, but they seem to be out of stock. Our local drug store carries them.

We've been customizing our table, almost on a daily basis. If you bought the chalkboard place mats (thank you!) just thought I would give a little tip. Turn your chalk on its side. It makes great, soft shapes. Swirls, too. Works really well with broken pieces... and is fun, too! Go ahead, use your imagination and customize away.

I love an interesting construction, and Elizabeth definitely offers that. Knit in one piece that only requires sewing together along the sleeve and side seems. Adding a rib collar and front panels (that I foresee taking me some time to complete) to finish the sweater off.

I got the text.