Now that the rafle is over, I can get back to posting about my crafty endeavors, including the current one that is turning my needles blue. I suspect there will be a good long soak required when my current project is completed.

No photos of that one yet, though. I hate photoless posts, so how about a picture of the kitties, curled up and looking cute on the couch?

Happy weekend, everyone!

As I mentioned, as a team we’re holding events to raise funds toward our team goal. This week, we hosted a Chili Luncheon at the office. For $5, folks had their choice of two chilis (one white, one red) as well as fixings, cornbread, a sweet and all the soda they could drink.

Not too shabby for $5, right? Even better, it was a cold, snowy day (our first “real,” stick on the ground, brush off your car snow of the season). The chili already was good, but somehow the cold weather made it taste even better!

Before you ask: No, I did not cook a chili, or even cornbread, for this event. While Mr. Martini makes a delicious chili, I felt bad volunteering him. Instead, I procured the eating utensils and bowls. Not as glamorous, but necessary!

The chilis were delicious. I know because I sampled both. What can I say, it was for a good cause!

Speaking of the “good cause” – don’t forget to donate! Today’s the last day for the raffle, although donations will be accepted for another 2 weeks. But why wait? If you’re interested, please feel free to donate now to help the kids. Thank you!

Pattern: Dream in Color Shrug by Dream in Color Designs (Ravelry Link)

Yarn: Dream in Color Classy in Ruby River, 1.5 ish hanks on size #8 needles

Started July 16, Completed July 28

This was an experiment – I couldn’t imagine ever wearing a shrug, but I had 2 hanks of this yarn on hand, and the pattern looked fun, so I gave it a try. Basically, you knit a big rectangle, then sew up the “sleeves” for a few inches. From there, you pick up and knit around the remaining, um, hole(?) and voila! You have a shrug. I’ve never picked up stitches for ribbing on buttonbands or neckbands before, so this was a first, and it wasn’t hard at all. My seaming looks pretty good, too. I still haven’t worn it – I suspect that it would look better on me if I were a little, well, smaller. So it’s in the drawer for now.

I’ve heard nothing but good things about this yarn, and I have to agree, they are true. It’s very soft, but has enough strength that I don’t feel like the final object will grow enormously (maybe slightly, but not as much as many other superwash yarns).  The biggest bonus for me is the veil-dying technique Dream in Color uses to dye their yarn. It’s still hand-dyed, but their semi-solid colorways don’t pool or stripe, so you can focus on the finished object rather than the strange patch of blue running down the sleeve of your sweater (for example). I’m a huge fan of their yarns, and someday I hope to save enough pennies to purchase a sweater’s worth.

In the meantime, did you see that I’m offering some Dream in Color Smooshy, the sock yarn weight yarn, in my Bowl for Kid’s Sake Raffle? There’s still plenty of time to enter if you’d like to be in the running for some fabulous yarn, while helping kids at the same time! What are you waiting for?

The raffle will run through Thursday, January 22nd with winners being notified on the 23rd.

UPDATE 1/24/09 – the raffle has ended! Thanks, everyone!

I can’t believe I didn’t post about this hat sooner! I finished it months ago (July!) in Chicago, but just never got around to writing up a finished objects post. Weird! You’d think I had other things on my mind, like moving out of state or something.

Pattern: Amanda Hat by Gina House (Ravelry link)

Yarn: Malabrigo Merino Worsted in Golden Ochre (about 1/2 a hank)

Needles: Size #9 bamboo circs/dpns

Completed: July 5th – 6th, 2008

This is definitely, without a doubt, the best-fitting hat I have ever knit for myself. I’m usually off on some crucial measurement – it’s either too big around, or too long, or just too small, but this hat fits perfectly. It’s long enough to cover my ears, but not so long that it folds back up at the back of my neck. It’s perfect in every way. Except for the color – it just doesn’t match my coat. I guess I’ll just have to knit another one!

A note about the yarn – this was the first time I had knit with Malabrigo, and now I understand the nickname this yarn has on the net: Mmmmmmalabrigo. This yarn is definitely yummy – it’s a singly ply of super soft merino wool that is a dream to work with. It’s one of the most popular yarns on Ravelry, and it’s easy to see why. Plus, it felts fabulously from what I hear. And there’s plenty of yardage, so I could have knit another hat or even a matching cowl with what I had leftover from just 1 hank.

Hey! What do you know! I’m offering some Malabrigo in my Bowl for Kids Sake raffle – 2 hanks of a lovely green color. That’s enough for about 4 hats, or maybe 2 hat/cowl sets, or a even couple of felted bags, maybe. Don’t forget to donate and follow the instructions on the raffle post for your chance to win some lovely yarn!