Where have I been?!

Goodness, gracious, where have I been/what have I been doing? Apologies for the blog silence. I've been busy/sick/blah/what-you-will. All last month I worked three mornings a week at the preschool, which doesn't *seem* like that much more than one morning a week. But it was. And all that extra time with the small fry (which was super fun - don't get me wrong) led to my getting really sick ten days before Christmas.

Now, my doctor said that if I got sick after getting my flu shot that it had nothing to do with the flu shot, but I'm not sure I believe her. Anyway, I spent the weekend in my pajamas moving from the couch to the bed and back again being absolutely miserable. Just goes to show that I am not a good sick person, since I may have been a bit whiny.

Thank goodness I hadn't planned to make many Christmas gifts this year, since I knew I would be working at the preschool. But I did knit up some cozy hats for my BFF's boys, another hat (beanie version of Night Watch Cap) for my Dad (since last year's ended up simultaneously too big and too small), and a My, Dear for my Mom, who is quite the deer lover. Ooh, there was a Captain Austen's Scarf, too, for Nick (with no fringe), but I finished that early in the month. And I had test knit my Castaway in a lovely green wool-silk blend for my sister back in early November. Hmm, I did knit more gifts than I thought I had! But I didn't have last-minute knits, which saved me from stress and last-minute-ness.

Last thing was a specific request from my youngest: a sweater for her beloved doll Victoria in the style of my to-be-plublished Bloc sweater but cardiganised and done in pink and purple:

Victoria with her Bloc cardi

 How could I resist such a request? And it helps that such things are small :)

Have you seen Bloc?

Bloc by Kathleen Dames

I love this sweater! In fact, I made a second one. This one is also my Superstorm Sandy sweater, since I finished the bulk of it around the time Sandy hit New York. I couldn't do much of anything besides watch the news coverage and knit round and round. I sort of test-knit my size on the second Bloc and will be working on grading the pattern this week.

In the meantime I've submitted some ideas to magazines and have finished up the pattern editing for a couple of sweaters (thanks, Ruth, for your mad editing skillz!). If you're interested in joining the test knits for these, check out the threads on Ravelry: Mermaid's Cardigan and Sailor's Valentine.

More posting to come - promise!

Falala 2012 #6: Sleeven

When I have some time to knit something for myself, I'm going to try a Contiguous Method sweater, like Sleeven. Top-down knitting has never really clicked for me, but I think I'd like this method, since I like the tailored look of set-in sleeves but don't like seaming. I know lots of people love knitting pieces and seaming and all that, and there are definitely advantages (you can work on one piece at a time without having to carry around a whole sweater, seams can add stability, etc.), but I love the physical flexibility of seamless sweaters. And even though I've advanced my seaming technique, I'd rather not when I don't have to. So check out Sleeven or one of Ankestrick's other lovely patterns that use the Contiguous Method. Sleeven pattern is $6.07 (4.50 EUR).

Sotherton download available

You can now purchase Sotherton as an individual download from the Interweave store! The individual pattern is $6, or you can purchase the entire issue of Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012 for $8.99 (on sale - normally $14.99).

Sotherton by Kathleen Dames

Sotherton
Jane Austen Knits, Summer 2012

I'll let you know when An Aran for Anne will be released as soon as I know.

Apologies for not doing any Falala posts this week - I've been working at Penelope's school a few days a week while one of the teachers is out, so my limited "focus" time has been even more limited. I'll try to catch up this weekend.

Falala 2012 #5: Ripley

This is one of my favorite patterns. Ripley is quick to knit in the called-for bulky weight yarn for an adult, and I've been able to adapt it to smaller heads in worsted for my girls*. Ysolda is a talented designer, and I always appreciate her new take on a technique (you begin with the lace edging for this one and then elegantly pick up the stitches and knit the hat). Ripley is 3.75GBP (a little over $6 at this time), but I recommend springing for the entire Whimsical Little Knits 2 ebook for 9GBP, which will give you a number of other patterns to choose from for gifts (hats, mitts, toys, etc.)

*I'll get a picture of the three of us this weekend for you - one of the little joys of having girls.

Falala 2012 #4: Wee Sheep

The fourth holiday pattern is beyond cute and comes from Susan B. Anderson, a great knitted toy designer. This little sheep (make a black one for that special person in your life) makes a great ornament or gift for the knitter or shepherd in your life. Wee Sheep pattern is $4.50.

Falala 2012 #3: Armas

There may be time (if you're a quick knitter) to whip up a lovely pullover for the special man (or woman) in your life. Mari Muinonen/tikru designed Armas, which means "beloved" in Finnish, for a bulky weight yarn. When I was visiting my parents for Thanksgiving, I enjoyed using a blankie I knit up in Cascade's Eco Wool, so I highly recommend it as a yarn choice for this pullover. Armas is also part of Mari's pattern book Hold Your Needles, so you could knit something for just about everyone on your list.

Falala 2012 #2: Wee Tiny Elf Sock

Sometimes I try to resist the twee, but most of the time I embrace all its darling weensieness (that word is so misspelled, and you're just going to have to live with that). Falala #2 is the Wee Tiny Elf Sock courtesy of Meg Bakewell, and I love it! Curled up toe, bell, and all. Plus, it's a good way to use up all those sock yarn nuggets you have leftover. Make up a bunch for trimming the tree, as gift card holders, or an ersatz Advent calendar. Bonus: this one is free. And involves bells. Extra bonus: Meg sells adorable sock blockers in her Etsy shop.