I actually have another finished knitting project to show you. Behold, the “Just Enough Ruffles” scarf:

Hello, I was apparently very tired when this photo was taken.

Pattern: Just Enough Ruffles by Laura Chau (Ravelry Project Link)

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Pagoda, just over 1.5 hanks on size #9 needles

Started: January 2010 Finished: February 2010

What a fun pattern! It’s cast on sideways, and knit along the long edge. Some short rows are added to make the curve of the scarf, and then with just a few rows left, you increase the number of stitches from 200 to 600. Those 600 stitches were almost too much for my circular needle! Luckily, I had used an interchangeable set, so I was able to switch to a longer circ (I think I ended up on a 47″ cable).

I must brag for a moment and say that I cast on the initial 200 stitches with a long-tail cast on, and managed to guess the perfect amount of yarn to use for it on the first try. I’m just as amazed as you are.

There was only one problem with this scarf, though. I was using the hank and a half I had leftover after making this hat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t quite enough. Since I had to stop wearing the hat because it turned out to be just a littlebit to small, I sacrificed the hat to finish the final row and cast-off edge of the scarf. I think it was a wise choice for me, since I’ll probably wear the scarf more than a too-small hat.

And with that, I am all caught up on finished objects! The only things left in my WIP pile are one pair of socks (first one done, second one half-way finished) and the potholders for the swap (3 down, 2 to go). I hoping to have the potholders done by the end of next weekend. I better get to work!

Nevermind. I don’t want to remember the couch fiasco.

One thing I made a point during that insane week was to carve out some time for was to find one of the local yarn shops. And while I was there I bought some yarn, enough for a sweater. And during the insanity that was that week, I cast on for a sweater.

And now, more than a year later, it’s finally, finally done:

Pattern: February Lady Sweater by Pamela Wynne (adapted from the pattern “Baby Sweater on Two Needles,” aka the February Baby Sweater, from Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac) (Ravelry Project Link)

Yarn: Cascade 220 in Garnet Heather, exactly 5 hanks on size #8 circular needles

Started: September 14, 2008  Finished Knitting: December 2009

I used exactly 5 hanks of yarn for this sweater. I allotted four hanks for the body since it was knit from the top down in one piece, I could just keep knitting until I ran out of yarn. The fifth hank was divided in two, and I did the same – I knit on the first sleeve until I ran out, then matched the number of repeats on the second sleeve.

I admit that as I knit, I worried it would be too short. But this sweater was helped with blocking, which opened up the lace pattern, and stretched the bottom of the sweater to the absolutely perfect length.

Did you catch that I absolutely love my new sweater? Because I do. I really, really do. I’m only sad that we’re heading for spring so soon, and I won’t be able to wear it more before the warm weather comes!

That was way back on December 10th, when the knitting was done. I washed and blocked it, and then promptly shoved it in a drawer, finished except for hemming up the cotton band.

This weekend, it a fit of “finish it up” frenzy, I finally did sew the cotton hem. So now, I have a finished hat:

Pattern: Traditional Hat by Bea Ellis (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Cascade Pima Tencel (for hemmed band) and Dale of Norway Heilo (for hat)

Needles: Size #3 and #5 circs/dpns

Knit: December 2009, Hemmed & Completed: January 2010

Mods: Absolutely none. I followed the pattern exactly. However, if I make this hat again, I will do the crown decreases a little differently, as the dome of the hat has more pucker than I would normally like.

Verdict: I wore this hat during some very cold weather this week, and it was very, very warm. The cotton blend felt soft on my forehead and ears, must softer than the wool would have.

The fair isle knitting was not difficult, as long as I could work on the circular needles. I think attempting colorwork on double pointed needles would still be difficult without more practice.

But all in all – a success! The best part – it fits my melon head, so I’m thrilled.

I finished 12 projects, some that I had started in 2009, and others that I had started in previous years and finally finished. I’m happy with almost all of them! I wasn’t as prolific as I might have thought, but then again, I have 3 projects that are thisclose to being completed, that would have pushed the final tally from 12 to 15.

The objects in the mosaic are in the order they were completed, and I think you can see that I get in “jags” with my knitting. Baby sweaters back to back, shawlettes back to back, hats back to back – when I finish one, I want to start another!

I’m definitely most happy with my Central Park (non) Hoodie. I’m going to get a lot of wear out of this sweater this year, and I’m so proud of how it turned out.

I’m also excited about 2010. I predict more crochet, more sweaters, and even some socks, which I haven’t had on the needles for quite some time! My only goal is to work on items I really enjoy, with yarn I absolutely love. Now that’s a goal I can get behind!

Or, really, a no go. I tried them on DPNs (guage too loose and uneven) and I tried to knit them Magic Looped (gauge too tight).

Here’s me, late Saturday night after a frustrating bout with the first half of the chart:

Hi, I’m half of a mitten, with too-tight gauge and floats showing through. I am ugly and wonky.

The next day, I wanted to redeem my failure and just knit something decent already. I turned instead to the simple, classic stylings of Kate Gilbert’s Gifted mittens.

A few hours later, I had two mittens knit. A quick seam on Sunday night, and I had a pair ready to wear.

Pattern: Gifted by Kate Gilbert  (Ravelry link)

Yarn: Valley Yarns Berkshire Bulky in Red Purple (85% wool, 15% alpaca), about 1 skein

Needles: Size #10.5 bamboo straights

Completed: December 13-14, 2009

Mods: Absolutely none, followed the pattern exactly for woman’s size

They just fit, which is a wee bit disappointing because I think they could use a bit of felting to make them even warmer. And felting would just make them smaller, so that’s not likely to happen. Lesson learned for next time – make the next size up (in this case, the Men’s size).

But other than that, this was a great antidote to the feeling of crafty failure. Instant mittens! A definite thumbs up!

And as I learned in this photo shoot, it’s hard to take a photo of both your hands wearing mittens and still be able to work the camera and the remote. In case you were wondering.